Monster A-IP-FM-CH-PS Wireless FM Transmitter
by Monster Cable
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Monster CableBrand: Monster
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD-ROM
Model: A IP FM-CH PS
Publisher: Monster Cable
Studio: Monster Cable
Music Label: Monster Cable
Product features:
- Wireless FM transmitter/charger for playing iPod through car stereo system
- Broadcasts iPod tunes through stereo via choice of almost any FM radio frequency
- Charges iPod during use while optimizing audio performance
- 3 favorite station presets; 24k gold contacts for max power transfer
- Compatibility: iPod nano (1G and 2G), iPod mini, 3G iPod, 4G iPod with click wheel, iPod Color, iPod Video
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Monster A-IP-FM-CH-PS Wireless FM Transmitter
Customer Review: Great product...easy to use...sounds much better than expected
Summary: 5 Stars
Overall: This is a great product that is much better than I expected (based on some of the reviews I read here on Amazon). It is easy to install/use and sounds much better than a typical FM radio broadcast (close to CD quality in my two cars). It has some minor faults, but not enough to disqualify it for most users.
Pros:
1. Very simple to use. You plug it in and can immediately tune it to one of the three preset frequencies (88.1, 98.1, and 107.9) by clicking a single button. If those frequencies don't work, they are is relatively simple to change BUT NOT SIMPLE ENOUGH TO DO WHILE DRIVING--STOP THE CAR TO MANUALLY CHANGE THE PRESETS!
2. Little interference from FM stations. I am in Europe now where the FM frequency band is jam-packed. In fact, the FM band is divided into double the number of possible stations versus the US. Yes, I have some minor interference in Paris and driving across Germany, but usually changing one of the three presets does the trick. But in both my BMW Z-3 and Chrysler Town and Country, it takes a close-by, full-powered radio station to kick the iCarPlay off the freq. Usually a slightly less powerful signal on the frequency will just give slight interference that makes the iPod signal sound similar to an FM radio station just starting to go out of range, i.e. 95% of the music is there with a slight whispy sound at the high points.
3. Low profile power plug. Actually this was the deciding factor for me in choosing this product. The cigarette lighter in a BMW Z-3 is located very close to the gear shift. Any device which protrudes from the socket interferes with shifting. The iCarPlay power plug protrudes no more than about a half inch above the socket and fits both my cars in every power socket location (the Chrysler van has five) without interfering in any car operations.
4. Sounds good. In each of my two cars, the music sounds almost as good as a CD and better than FM radio broadcasts. OK, neither my Z-3 nor my Chrysler has a state-of-the art sound system. However, neither system is shabby; both are the best stock option systems available for each car. In both cars, the iPod through the iCarPlay has good stereo separation and little hiss (although there is some hiss noticeable at high volumes...sorry, it's an FM transmitter system not a direct connection). One caveat-the Z-3 convertable has enough other road noise to make any hiss disappear, so not a great example. But the Chrysler van is quiet at 80mph and no hiss was discernable by me.
Cons:
1. Red lights. There is likely NO car interior lighting that will match the bright fire engine red lighting on the iCarPlay. No, it does not come close to the standard orange car lighting in my Z-3 and certainly not to the pale blue of the Chrysler. It more closely resembles the red of the car's emergency blicker. As a former Air Force pilot, I also find this particular shade of red disconcerting since it also resembles the engine fire warning lights of modern aircraft.
2. Frequency buttons too close. For my large thumbs, the frequency buttons are a bit close. It is easy to hit one of the outer frequencies when trying to press the center button. Not a serious limitation, just a very slight annoyance.
3. SEE UPDATE BELOW.
BOTTOM LINE: easy to use, sounds great, low profile. If you can live with the red lights and slightly close buttons, it's a great product.
UPDATE (4 June 06) : Would probably downgrade now to three or four stars vice five (unfortunately AOL does not allow the number of stars to be changed). Reason: even though the audio still works fine, the digital readout has faded so much that I can only see it at night or in low light.
UPDATE (30 Jan 07): Mea Culpa, mea culpa!! The dimming of the display is a design feature that I inadvertently activated by pressing the wrong sequence of buttons. I was using it in the dim mode for six months when I came across a similar problem from another user (on another website). Turns out that you can set the display as bright or dim for day/night use. My bad...back to four/five stars...my display is now on full bright. Sorry Monster!
Description of Monster A-IP-FM-CH-PS Wireless FM Transmitter
Take Your iPod for a Spin on Any FM Radio Station FM Radio Station And keep it charged up along the way.Why fumble with CDs when you can play your iPod in the car on virtually any FM radio station? Now you can do that and keep your iPod charged at the same time with iCarPlay Wireless Plus.Digital FM Tuner for Great Sound AnywhereProgrammable, backlit station presets make it fast and easy to set and change stations on the go.With some other FM transmitters, finding an FM frequency clear enough to play your iPod through can be tough-especially while driving through different areas and terrain. But since you can tune iCarPlay Wireless Plus to almost any FM station, you have full FM tuning flexibility in getting the best sound, free of interference. Simply tune your car radio to any clear FM station, tune iCarPlayWireless Plus to the same station, hit play on your iPod and you?reready to roll. Change presets any time you need a clearer station.Stay Charged for the Whole TripFor added flexibility and convenience, Monster Smart Digital Charging technology rapidly charges your iPod, then switches to a trickle charge to optimize its performance. It all makes iCarPlay Wireless Plus the best way to enjoy full stereo sound from your iPod in your car, no matter where your travels take you.Digital Cameras and Photo Categories