Thread: What's better? Tape adapter or FM transmitter?

in my experience, the only difference between a modulator and a tape adapter is that the modulator looks pretty (no wires hanging around). Unless, of course, you have one of those "soundfeeder" transmitters or whatever they're called (they have an antenna instead of being hardwired between your antenna and your stereo), in which case I'd go with the tape adapter

If you don't have a AUX input on your head unit then go with a FM modulator. It hooks up between your antenna and head unit. FM transmitters don't have much power, so the sound becomes degraded. Tape adapters will have about the same quality as the FM transmitter. I don't recommend them. I have seen FM modulators with a FM transmitter built in, it reaches 20 yards so a car next to you can hear it. Kinda cool!

I also have a tape adapter and I think I heard someone say that they smell.

Yea they smell like plastic. Ewww

Originally posted by Dudah:
<STRONG>I have a FM transmitter and I don't think the sound is that great. I also have a tape adapter and I think I heard someone say that they smell. Thanks.

-Kev</STRONG>

I would say steer clear of both methods if possible. I tried a 'soundfeeder' FM transmitter early on and it sounded very weak, with a lot of fuzz. After ditiching the unit and using a direct connection instead I was reading through the specs and noticed the frequency range the unit passed onto the receiving tape deck.... it only went down to about 45Hz meaning basically no bass and tinny sound. Yuck!

Originally posted by mp3escort:
<STRONG>If you are a dab hand with the old soldering iron then a little switch and the wires soldered on to the back of the magnetic pick up in you casset head would be better. Les interfearance!
</STRONG>

Have you tried it? Did it work? Wouldn't you have to throw a blank tape in every time you wanted to listen to mp3's?
I thought about doing that but wasn't sure how well it would work. But if anyone thinks it's worth a try I'll give it a shot this weekend. Should I try it?

I tried it and I had mixed results. I could only get one channel at a time to work. If I had them both running there were very loud sounds. I put in a switch so that I didnt need to have a blank tape in, it was very easy. I would love if someone would give me some advice as to how to get this to work. It is really the one thing keeping me from putting my player in.

Sounds good, ill give it a try. This could be a pretty handy way to add an aux input.

With all the RF flying around, especially going down a simple highway, I'd stay far away from the FM modulator. At least with the casette adapter it goes straight into the head.