Belkin Auto Charger for iPod (White)
by Belkin Components
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Belkin ComponentsBrand: Belkin
Edition: Electronics
Audio: English (Original Language)
Model: F8V7058-APL
Color: White
Publisher: Belkin Components
Studio: Belkin Components
Music Label: Belkin Components
Product features:
- Compatibility: iPod 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G; nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod touch (1st Gen ONLY); iPod mini
- Connects iPod device to car's cigarette lighter
- .125-inch audio-out jack lets you play the iPod through your car stereo (requires optional cassette adapter or FM transmitter)
- Replaceable safety fuse to protect from potentially damaging spikes or short circuits
- Manages excess cord easily with convenient strap
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin Auto Charger for iPod (White)
Customer Review: Best adapter (and I've used them all)
Summary: 5 Stars
Despite bemlar's assertions that all "hissing" is due to the user's faulty hookup or use of tape adapters and FM transmitters, many people have experienced a high-pitched hissing through their speakers with any audio accessory that uses the cigarette lighter adapter. This is not due to the user's faulty hookup, but due to poor factory electrical systems in the vehicle. It is usually more noticeable while driving (accelerating) and not so much when idling.
Like bemlar, I also have a direct line from my car's factory CD changer connector to my iPod, and can get crystal clear playback until plugging in the chargers from various accessories. The screeching is there through the speakers as long as the adapter is plugged in, even if the music is turned down or the iPod disconnected. Incidentally, this also used to happen with my old CD/MP3 player that I had wired up the same way. Apparently in some vehicles, the cigarette lighter's electrical is too closely associated with the audio system, and this inevitably happens when powering and playing at the same time.
I have owned the DLO Transpod and the SiK imp for my iPod. They both created this high frequency makes-your-dog-wince hissing only when plugged in to charge. Both worked very nicely and sounded great as long as I was not charging the iPod. The DLO Transpod even worked well in FM transmitter mode, but with the direct line I had no real use for that. What I have wanted is a permanent setup that requires me only to "pop" the iPod into a dock when I get in the car and go. The DLO was the closest, but the hiss and inelagance of it's tinker-toy appearance finally made mt try something else. I have also owned an iTrip which worked OK, but of course provided no way to charge the iPod.
The Belkin Auto Kit for iPod is the only one of the 3 powered adapters that does not create the "hiss" when charging, so finally I have a solution that works as I want. In combination with the Belkin TuneDok for iPod cup-holder mount, I can pop my iPod in and out of a secure, visible, and usable place, charging and playing beautifully without any annoying feedback/hissing. It seems the cigarette plug on the Belkin unit must be better shielded, and maybe it has something to do with the input control on the unit itself. I'm no electrical engineer, but clearly Belkin has done something that DLO and SiK have not for vehicles like my '98 New Beetle with this lighter-radio problem.
Keep in mind that for this unit, its strength is also its weakness. Probably precisely because of whatever it is electrically that makes the Belkin work without creating the "hiss," it does not function using its own line-out at all unless it is charging. When I was using the DLO Transpod or the imp, I resorted to never plugging in the charger, just using the iPod's batteries on the road, in order to avoid the hiss. When the iPod's battery got low, I'd just listen to the radio. The Belkin needs to be plugged in to work. This is not an issue for me really, since now that I have no hissing I have no reason to not plug it in. But for people who are making long trips and/or swapping out their cell phones or other accessories with their cigarette lighters, realize that the music will come to a crashing halt if you are using this unit's line-in to play your iPod. Of course when you unplug it you can simultaneously plug your (FM transmitter, tape adapter, line-in) into the iPod's headphone jack, but the idea of devices like this is to minimize cord swapping, right?
In summary, from a person who has owned an iTrip, a DLO Transpod, and a SiK imp, the Belkin Auto Kit + Belkin TuneDok combo is the closest thing you will get to a pop-in pop-out "dock" for your car that makes the iPod usable and sound great without the speaker-cigarette lighter interference hissing many have experienced. I just wish Belkin would combine the two into a cup-holder shaped powered dock with line out. Isn't that obvious?
Description of Belkin Auto Charger for iPod (White)
The Belkin F8V7058-APL Auto Kit for iPods with Dock Connector connects your iPod device to your car's power source, and includes an exclusive Belkin cable that charges your iPod from your car's cigarette lighter. Perfect for those long road trips, the Belkin auto kit not only keeps your iPod fully charged, but when used with other accessories such as the Belkin Mobile Cassette Adapter or TuneCast Mobile FM Transmitter (not included), allows you to listen to continuous high-quality audio through your car stereo.The Belkin F8V7058-APL Auto Kit for iPods with Dock Connector connects your iPod device to your car's power source, and includes an exclusive Belkin cable that charges your iPod from your car's cigarette lighter. Perfect for those long road trips, the Belkin auto kit not only keeps your iPod fully charged, but when used with other accessories such as the Belkin Mobile Cassette Adapter or TuneCast Mobile FM Transmitter (not included), allows you to listen to continuous high-quality audio through your car stereo.
The Belkin Auto Kit features an adjustable amplifier to control your iPod's volume level, and a 3.5-millimeter audio-out jack that lets you play your favorite iPod music through your car stereo or other audio equipment when using an FM transmitter or cassette adapter. For safety purposes this unit includes an illuminated LED indicator that lets you know when it is properly connected, and a built-in, replaceable safety fuse that protects your iPod from potentially damaging spikes in power or short circuits. Your iPod locks securely to the auto kit via the dock connector, while a convenient strap lets you easily manage your excess cord length.
Compatible with any iPod with a dock connector--including the iPod nano 1G, iPod nano 2G, iPod mini, iPod 3G, iPod 4G (Click Wheel), iPod color, and iPod 5G/5.5G Video--the Belkin F8V7058-APL auto kit is backed by a manufacturer's lifetime warranty.
What's in the Box
Belkin F8V7058-APL auto kit, a user's manual and warranty information.
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