It is very useful for charging but the FM feature I don't like a bit. Volume cannot be adjusted so the music comes out with a lot of "noise".

This device only operates on 85.1, 85.3, 85.5, 85.7, 107.1, 107.3, 107.5, and 107.7. If you have a radio station on OR NEXT TO one of the frequencies the quality of the device will be poor. If one of those is clear (and no station is on either side of it) this product will sound quite good.

If you are like me and dont really care about the "best" sound quality you can possibly have, and don't mind the tiny bit of static (keep in mind I live in a city) then this is for you. Its simple, it works, and Im glad that I bought it, and that it didnt break the bank. I like it.

This is a great product. I had previously purchased a RoadTrip, and had very poor results with it. The ipod would pop off every time you went over a bump, it made a buzzing feedback noise (conflict with other electronic devices?) and it was a very large bulky device, difficult to hide in the car or carry in your bag. The Kensington 33159 Auto Charger and FM Transmitter is sooooo much better, much more compact, no feedback noise, and transmits even to channels that do have a signal, though the manual says to use one that has only static. I've been very pleased with it. If you're considering the RoadTrip, reconsider and get this one instead.

I bought this after reading all the excellent reviews. I was very disappointed. The reception was bad in my car and in my girlfriend's vehicle. I tried all the frequencies and different iPods (nano and mini). I sent it back.

I have in plugged into the jockey box, it overrides weak stations well. It's a little expensive but seems to do the job and it means no cables hanging around the cabin. I'd buy it again.

Because it's on a cord and not a cradle, you can pick it up and actually see what you're playing on the Ipod.

Only problem I found is a bit of crackle which can be fixed by pulling the cord out straight and putting the Ipod in the back seat. Apparently, the cord is the antenna.

Like all FM transmitters, the sound is not perfect, but this one is one of the good ones. The charging is a nice feature. The volume could be higher because it is a little lower than FM stations (the volume control on your ipod does not control the transmition).
The, plug fits perfectly the ipod (some cheaper transmitters no not fit as well). I've tried the product in crawded cities like Chicago and St. Louis with no problem at all.

Works well with no static. Cord on the first was faulty keeping it from getting the fifth star.

I had reservations when buying - according to online reviews many of these devices seem to be defective (the Belkin as well). I purchased anyway and my fears were confirmed. LEDs do not light, does not transmit on any frequency. Manufacturer representative (from India) confirmed that it is defective. Return will be time consuming and frustrating, but $50 is enough to make me endure even more pain. Don't buy this item.

I live in the LA Area and there is not a single frequency on the device that is not in use. When in use, static is very common.

We ordered two of these, one to be used with an Ipod and the other with an Ipod Nano, the reception stinks on each station.

I was very unhappy. I was able to get it to work once out of about 15 tries with my Nano. It did not work at all with 2 other iPods of some friends. I am returing it and buying a Monster Cable iCarPlay unit.

Bottom line, unacceptable for me, although it might possibly work in your car. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I drive a Mercedes E class. I also tried this unit in a friend's Nissan Sentra with identical results to those reported here.

This unit is, in essence, a tiny FM radio station that uses the connecting wire for the unit as the FM transmission antenna. In theory, this mini station transmits from inside your car to your car's FM antenna where the signal is picked up and listened to on your car's radio like any other radio station. This unit allows you to transmit on the frequencies 88.1 MHz through 88.7 MHz inclusive and 107.1 MHz through 107.7 MHz inclusive. In my area at least half of these frequencies are "blank" which I define as tuning to the frequency and receiving only white noise and no trace of a signal from any station.

I hooked up the unit, which was easy, and leaving out a lot of experimentation, I got no meaningful reception in the 88.x MHz range. I tried the upper reaches of the band in the 107.x MHz range and got the unit to work as well as it would work at 107.5 MHz.

I distinguish between two problems: the quality of the FM transmission, and the sound quality once the signal is received by the car's radio. For my car, the FM transmission is simply unworkable. There is a constant, obtrusive, background noise which I would describe as white noise; this noise can be lessened by moving the unit around but not eliminated to the point that it is not obtrusive. The general effect was as if listening to a distant FM station where the signal is starting to fade out to the point that background noise is coming through and interfering with the sound. I tried a number of different placements of the unit all over the car. There were moments - but only moments - where the unit worked flawlessly. In a way those few moments only made the overall effect more frustrating since they seemed to indicate that this technology could work but it wasn't working for me.

The sound quality, apart from the background noise, was quite good, at least as good as an FM transmission. Fussy as I am about sound, I found the sound quality - as separate from the noisy transmission - to be perfectly fine and as good as any other in-car sound source. This is one of those really frustrating situations where we all want to buy this product if only it would work.

How do we reconcile the differing reviews of these products - some of which are downright laudatory and some, like mine, highly critical? I think the difference must relate to the individual auto's FM system. In different cars the antenna will be in different locations relative to the placement of the unit; further, the FM signal shielding provided by the car's metal frame will vary according to the car's construction and the relative location of the car's antenna. Also, specifications like noise rejection and signal strength sensitivity will vary depending on the type and quality of the radio provided in various makes of car. So, my suggestion would be: 1) reviewers state the make and year of your car to create an information resource; 2) find a way to try this thing out before you buy it: if it works in your car, and it probably won't, you will be happy.

This transmitter is useless, it gives you 8 radio stations that are in use in my area. So i cant use it. it works for 10 sec. then it turns off. So it was pretty much a waste of money for me.

The device broadcasts on four 88.x stations and four 107.x stations. Make sure a few of these stations are available in your area. Occasionally I need to switch from 107.1 to 107.5. I wish the switch was easier to see while driving.

Otherwise very happy with this device. I had considered the itrip mini, but now that the mini has been discontinued, it's good to know this will work with other iPods

First off, as every published review of fm transmitters suggests -- use a cassette adapter or a direct input if you can. But, if you're like me (no cassette player, direct input requires more $$ that I want to spend), the Kensington Charger/Transmitter is a good option (I don't know if the digital version ever came out, but that could be an option for those who need to use stations outside of 107/88, which this unit uses).

The reception is good in my car, and there's no worry about moving the iPod, since the transmitter is in the adapter. The sound is comparable to a home-burned mixed CD for AAC files; MP3 files seem to play at a much lower volume, but iTunes converts them to AAC easily enough. Turning up the volume to hear the MP3 leads to distortion (I have to max the volume to hear some of them, whereas the AAC files play at a similar volume to the CD player, at about half of the max).

The dock connection means you don't get the benefits of sound check (to adjust volume), or the iPod equalizer: this is a good thing, though, since you don't have music that's gone through two sets of equalizers (in a previous car, I found this led to over-amped bass and a muddy sound).

The transmitter doesn't have too much trouble getting over weak stations, and it seems to take a decent signal to cause significant interference (I live in a small city, though, so there aren't many stations to mess with). It's relatively easy to throw the switches to another station -- you can figure out by feel which switch you've moved and what the new station ought to be. Looking at the unit to see what it's set to is not easy, so I wouldn't recommend staring at it while driving :).

I do get some intermittent static on rare occasions -- usually with rock songs played at a loud volume (often Static-X is the culprit, go figure that one) -- which may be due to outside interference (different song, different day, same stretch of road, I don't get the static...).

Quick summary....

Pros: Charges the iPod
Decent signal
Lights indicate when the unit is broadcasting/charging
Sound quality is similar to a homegrown mixed CD (if not better)

Cons: Limited stations (8)
Treats AAC/MP3 files differently
Rare bursts of static with no apparent cause

I did a lot of research before I purchased an FM transmitter for my iPod Mini, and I ultimately chose this one because it seemed to have the best reviews (combined with being under $50) of any product. Let me just say I am thrilled with my choice! It works beautifully in my town of about 50,000 people. This is not a booming metropolis, I realize, but we do have quite a few radio stations, and this product is strong enough to drown out a little bleed-through.

By comparison, I have also tried the Belkin TuneCast II, and, even disregarding the fact that the TuneCast does not come with a charger, this product is far superior. Since the Kensington anchors into a lighter socket, the transmitter remains closer to the radio itself, and you're not stuck trying to secure the iPod someplace where your radio can pick up the signal. And there is, of course, the bonus of not having to suffer through weakened battery life in your iPod or the need to constantly replace transmitter batteries. I think this is probably the best product for the money.

Cave emptor -- Check prior to purchasing this that the area in which you will use it the most has at least one of the following 8 stations mostly blank: 88.1,3,5,7 or 107.1,3,5,7.

My experiences, after a few weeks of owning the product and traveling from NJ to Chicago and back:

It worked fine everywhere except downtown Chicago. On the south side of Chicago it worked, and it worked in Philly. In my hometown (small town), it works fine.

So, based on that data, it should work fine for most people outside of cities bigger than Philly (such as NYC, LA, Chi).

This transmitter works great! Plug and go. Only on long road trips do I find that I need to change the FM channel for a clearer sound but this would be true of most transmitters.

Like a few of the reviewers here, I also had some difficulty getting a clear signal when in large cities. But 95% of the time I had a good sound/broadcast.

I recently upgraded to Kensington's Digital FM Transmitter, and now I can pick any FM frequency, which is essential when in congested areas. If you live in a large city, I'd recommend the Digital FM transmitter over this one.

This is the 4th FM transmitter I've tried in two years. I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking I'd get the same bad reception and bad sound as the others. Griffin, Belkin and Monster also boasted great reception and good stereo output. But when I plugged my iPod into the Kensignton FM transmitter, it was a world of difference. No static noise, great reception and the best sound quality I've ever heard from one of these attachments. The quality is better than a CD. I am genuinely impressed. The Kensignton FM transmitter boasts their Aerielle wireless technology provides superior audio quality, enhanced noice reduction and excellent stereo separation. I have no idea what Aerielle technology is, but I can say, it sure works great.

If you live in Raleigh, DON'T get it. i can't find a radio-free channel to use. The best i can find is 107.7, but i still get static here and there. So, don't get this product if you live in Raleigh. The air radio channels out there are just too powerful. This transmitter is not strong enough to overcome them.

It isn't working out for me. The reception is terrible on all 8 possible channels and I DON'T live in a big city. Static is VERY frequent and sometimes I even get buzzing. In an old VW Bug this might be acceptable, but for any car in which you can actually hear the music, there no enjoyable music to hear, at least not in my small town.

I bought this particular brand and model because I was worried about the space to my power outlet (Cigarette Lighter)in my '93 Ford Explorer. This seemed to be the smaller of the FM transmitters available. This is not the fault of the product, but I too am having trouble with my power connection so I would not recommend it for '93 and similar Ford Explorers. Power worked OK in my Ford F150 with a wide open power outlet in the dash.

Very disappointed.

I got great reception with this but it regularly loses contact with the power source. Twisting the thing around trying to get some juice while driving is a real drag.

Before buying this, I checked out various FM transmitters, as I only have a cd player/radio in my car. The iTrip and similar top-mounted transmitters all had very inconsistant reviews, and I didn't particularly like how they looked on the iPod. Then I noticed Monster's iCarPlay, which seemed like a good idea, as it charged and transmitted, and I assumed it could be a better transmitter because there was simply more power for it. Looking around at other, similar products, I found this Kensington product.

I decided to buy this over the iCarPlay because it blends so well with the iPod and because it was "Aerielle Enabled." I actually had no idea what that meant, but upon further investigation, it seems that it is a new, patented method of transmitting which is supposed to be quite good.

It is. I plugged one end into my cigarette lighter, and my radio, which was already set at 88.1, went from static to total silence. That was when I knew this was a great product, because the complaint with tramsitters is that they transmit a little bit of static themselves, but this was completely silent. I was a little worried because all of the 107 sations are taken in my area (North of Boston), but all you really need is one empty station (you can only set this transmitter for 88.1-7 or 107.1-7). I plugged in my iPod and turned on the music, and there it was on my radio. It didn't sound weak at all, but it was a noticable downgrade from CD. So I played around with the settings. I turned up the bass on my stereo and set the iPod's EQ to "Acoustic," which worked very well; the sound was crisp high and low, and a good balance. That may just be my stereo though, so try different combinations if you're not satisfied, but I truly cannot tell the difference between a cd and my iPod now. I'm sure there is some lost quality, but none I'm going to notice, as I am driving a car, and cars can be quite noisy. The EQ can drain the battery a little faster, but it's charging, so it works out great. A nice touch is that when you turn your car off, the iPod automatically pauses, so you don't have to worry about leaving it in your car overnight and coming back in the morning to discover you have no music for the commute.

I recommend this product to anyone. Well, anyone with an iPod and a car.

I couldn't be more pleased with this product. I just made a trip from Philadelphia to State College, PA and only had to change the station once. Sound was crystal clear, with the bass especially surprising me. I just set my radio presets to match the 8 channels offered on the transmitter, so switching them while driving was no problem. As I was initially setting this up I tried to see if the kensington could overpower a station that was playing with moderate strength and it did so without fail. I haven't personally tried any of the other similar products available (such as icarplay, itrip, belkin, dlo), but I am very happy with this one. I am surprised that a couple reviewers on here did not have such good results, as almost all of the reviews on this and other sites have been unamimously positive.

Overall, I am happy with this product. I live in Northern San Diego county, so I receive many of the LA and SD radio stations. I was able to find one or two frequencies that work, depending on where I'm at. When I drive closer to SD or LA, I need to switch the frequencies often due to some stations being stronger and others fading out. It sounds great once locked in, but the volume needs to be turned up. The charger is very helpful.

The main drawbacks are the lack of frequencies available and the normal quality differences with using a FM frequency compared a digital connection. Maybe I'll get one on the next car...

I was concerned about use of a FM Transmitter when I read the reviews of Griffin, Belkin etc. When I read about the Kensington it seemed enlightening. I am so glad I ordered it, it makes the iPod so much more valuable.

I had heard bad things about FM transmitters from Belkin, Griffin and DLO, but I've always regarded Kensington as a high-quality company (based on the trackballs). Well, they've done it again, finding a way to get it right. I live in Northern California which has a ton of different stations, and I regularly drive between San Francisco and Sacramento. I can ALWAYS find a station that works. In general 107.3 works exceptionally well. Very clear sound, very good performance. The elegance of this solution is a big plus; plug in one cable, and it charges your iPod and transmits music at the same time.

It beats a tape adapter + car charger hands down (fewer wires), and is much less expensive than the Alpine direct-link car kits...plus I can take it into any car easily.

I would qualify this as a must-have for iPod owners.

I too had read the seemingly stellar reviews of this transmitter. I was looking forward to using it on a road trip. What a disappointment. I don't even live in a big city, tried it a variety of places during my drive and tried all of the frequency options. It was almost impossible to hear the music over the static. Now I am in the process of returning the thing to try and get my money back. It seems like others have had good luck, but going from my experience I would say don't even waste your time and money on this thing.

I had high hopes for the Kensington iPod FM transmitter and I was very excited when it arrived. Alas, my hopes were dashed when I tried it out and checked its reception on each of the eight positions that this product allows. On each there is constant interference, poor sound and often, complete loss of the signal. It was unusable. I should mention that I live in a large city and there is probably a lot of congestion on the FM radio, but there wasn't any position that delivered even mediocre quality. Guess, I'll have to continue breaking the law and listen to my iPod through headphones while driving.....

The sound is amazing when you get locked into a station and can hold it. Driving around the metro Boston area can be a little frustrating with fairly strong signals being broadcasted on the eight possible stations to choose from. In less populated areas, the unit is amazing. Considering the lackluster reviews of most transmitters out there, my expectations were low, but not having a cassette player (only CD)in my truck, an FM transmitter was my only option. I am very surprised at the clear and full sound that is coming out of my iPod.

Works well and seems to overpower minor signals on the designated station. Others I tried (eg the sonnet) did so poorly.
The second best would be the Transpod but I found it bulky and everytime my daughter asked for a song, I had to remove it (ie music cuts off) and change tracks.

Finally CD quality sound from my Ipod thru an FM Tranmitter. I linked my 15GB Ipod to my 2005 BMW 530i & the sound (clarity, seperation), signal & operation is flawless. I have owned the iTrip & Monsters versions. This Kensington is that good - buy one. I was skeptical upon purchase. Even told the salesperson I would probably bring back if not easy & high quality. He said no problem & promised it would rock. Dude ... I'm shocked!! Also works on my mini ipod. I live in the City of Seoul Korea & the system is clogged with stations, yet the Kensington Rules!! Why better than iTrip? Sound quality higher, signal clearer. Most of all is the Kensington has a built in charger & is trouble free. The iTrip works about 50% of the time & causes lots of stress. Tough to fix a modulator in city traffic. Best of luck!!