The Fall 2005 FM Transmitter Shootout, Part 2: The Tables

By Jeremy Horwitz Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Sunday, August 28, 2005 Category: FM Transmitters - Car Only, FM Transmitters - Portable

Click here for Part 1 of the Shootout, containing photographs, review summaries and easy links to the transmitters profiled below.

In order to give you an even better idea of the comparative performance of various FM transmitters we recently compared, we’ve put together two tables for your viewing pleasure, and expanded our previous findings with additional test data and details.

The first table, Portable FM Transmitters, looks at the same six transmitters we picked for our shootout. But now we’ve added a new test designed to give you an idea of how each transmitter does on a “good” local station. Any transmitter that could tune to 87.9FM - the most common “empty” station in the United States - was tuned to that station. Those transmitters that could not were tuned to 88.5FM instead. And this time, we tested at a distance of 15 feet from the radio so that you will know how each device does on a relatively good station under greater distance strains.

Separately, a new section titled “Static Level by Distance,” gives you an idea of how much static you can expect to hear on 87.9FM/88.5FM at various iPod distances from radio. Additionally, our iPod (Color) Battery Drain row gives you a snapshot of the battery hit today’s iPods will take using these devices, while current price shows you how much you’ll pay. As you’ll see, the final version of Griffin’s iTrip (LCD) comes out strong, though Tekkeon’s expensive MyPower FM solution is capable of very low static levels at various distances.

Our second table, In-Car FM Transmitters, also looks at the same six car-only transmitters we picked for our shootout. We’ve also added a new test here, giving each device a chance to perform on clear station 87.9 if possible, or 88.5 if not. Key features and issues of each car transmitter are identified, as well, along with prices.

Conclusions and additional details on the final version of Griffin’s iTrip (LCD) follow below the tables.

Notes on Methodology

FM devices tested at various distances were not permitted to be hand-held during testing, which would influence (and positively skew) test results. Portable units were tested without significant obstructions on a direct visual line from the digital radio tuned to their respective stations.

Table 1: Portable FM Transmitters

Table 2: Car-Only FM Transmitters

Updated iTrip (LCD) Information and Conclusions

Our information on iTrip (LCD) is based on guaranteed final production units we received on Saturday and extensively put through their paces. We’ve now reached a few new conclusions on this brand-new FM transmitter: when it’s on a good station such as 87.9FM (which it tunes in International mode), and switched to DX/Mono mode, it is capable of broadcasting to a nearby source at a lower static level than any other device we tested. While the results above show its unaided performance, which is solid by portable FM transmitter standards, it benefits tremendously if you attach any Dock Connector cable to the iPod’s bottom, becoming usable (25% static level) at a distance of even 30 feet away.

If you don’t mind giving up stereo broadcasting, you’ll probably like iTrip (LCD) more than any other low-priced portable FM transmitter on our list because of its low static level at close distances. But that’s not the only factor to consider. When in mono mode, its sound isn’t as dynamic as the bold signal from Kensington’s Digital FM Transmitter/Auto Charger, and in stereo (LX) mode, it has nearly as much static as the older iTrip and devices such as TuneCast II, TuneStir, and AirPlay, though no high-pitched noises.

Therefore, our recommendations are these: if you are looking for a car-only solution, we’d suggest you try Kensington’s Digital FM Transmitter if you don’t mind spending a bit more money, or Newer Technology’s RoadTrip! 87.9FM if you’re highly price-conscious. And if you’re at the middle of the road on pricing and/or want something that’s totally pocketable, more versatile than RoadTrip! and lower in static than any other portable option, go with iTrip (LCD) unless stereo broadcasting is critically important. If so, consider AirPlay or myPower FM, but be aware that those options have different issues that may impact your satisfaction.

A Note From the Editors of iLounge: Though all products and services reviewed by iLounge are "final," many companies now make changes to their offerings after publication of our reviews, which may or may not be reflected above. This iLounge article provides more information on this practice, known as revving.