The iRiver Mobile FM Transmitter broadcasts a powerful signal allowing you to listen to your iRiver player or other portable audio device through your car stereo. It transmits to any FM frequency making it easy to listen to your music on any FM signal you choose. PRODUCT FEATURES: Blue LCD display; Plugs into any standard car power socket; No batteries needed; Transmits to any FM station (88.1MHz - 107.9MHz); Works with any audio device (plugs into the headphone jack of your player).
1 just works
I am using this to play some mp3's off my PDA while driving, and the reception is just great. Having the display and the 3 presets on top is just great - I could not find any similar product that offers all those features.
2 Don't bother...
I have had many problems with this iRiver. First, it plugs directly into your cigarette lighter socket, and if your car's socket happens to be recessed or on the side (as mine is) then there is no way you can force it in, and it is useless. When I tried it in our other car, I was parked outside, sitting completely still, and I still couldn't get decent reception, even on one of the many unused FM channels in my area. And when another car drove by, there was an enormous amount of static and feedback for several seconds before it returned to its baseline poor reception.
This product was so unsatisfactory I didn't even bother leaving the driveway with it on. I turned on regular old FM radio and drove to work.
3 Excellent so far...San Diego
I have been using the iRiver AFT 100 for a couple days in the San Diego area and it is very solid. It took about 30 seconds to get it up and running with little or no directions. Unless you are an audiophile, the sound quality will be better than expected. For those with discerning tastes, go ahead and spend a couple hundred dollars for a direct line in, otherwise spend the $35 and be more than happy. Combine this with my XM radio and I don't want to leave my car!!!!
4 Disappointing
I found this device to provide, at best, sound quality comparable to that of my FM radio: compressed, flat, tinny, with low signal to noise ratio. I don't see the point of playing a high quality recording through a low quality sound system. I suspect that I will never use this thing again. Instead, I'm in the process of purchasing and installing a hard-wired auxiliary input device that will provide sound quality comparable to that of my car's CD player. The price, installed, will be about $125. So, I suppose you could say that this iRiver product provides a less expensive alternative for those who are not very demanding about sound quality.
5 Very flexible, no hassle
I researched a number of FM transmitters available on the market, and most of them had one of three basic problems:
1) They required batteries.
2) They required an iPod for power.
3) They used a list of preset stations and you couldn't adjust them.
The iRiver AFT 100 uses the car's cigarette lighter for power, which is perfect if you don't need the lighter for anything else. This eliminates the need for batteries and means your iRiver will keep going until you get to your destination or your mp3 player needs a charge.
The iRiver AFT 100 also allows you to digitally tune into any station you'd like, and you can save three of your favorite settings as presets. This gadget also remembers what the last station you set was every time you turn on the car.
The only con I have found is slight: sometimes it is hard to read the display in sunlight, so shade the device if you need to fiddle with the settings.
6 Best I've tried
I've owned atleast 4 different brand FM Transmitters. This is by far the best sounding, easiest to use, & best looking. All the other brands were either rotary adjustment or fixed presets. I am in the Seattle area & there aren't alot of unused frequencies. My last unit had 5 presets of which only one was not in use by local radio. I've used both the AFT 100 FM Transmitter & an cassette adapter. I can't tell any differace in sound between the two. Thanks for listening
7 Great for taking your tunes with you in the car!
I love the iRiver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter. I did a lot of research when looking for an option that would allow me to make my music portable in my car. I use the FM Transmitter with my iRiver 320 MP3 Player and it works great. You can preset three different stations on the device, which plugs in to the utility outlet in your car. I also preset the same three stations on my car stereo. You plug in the device and it illuminates in blue color - if it does not detect activity from your MP3 player, it will shut itself off within about 30 seconds. You simply plug the cord into the headphone jack on your player and voila - music! The only interruption that I have experienced is there is a slight static/shhhh noise in between songs and sometimes if you are listening to a song that begins quietly or with mostly instrumentals, there might be a little static also. Overall, it is extremely functional. Make sure to turn your MP3 player off when you turn off your car though or you will waste your battery. I am in a big city and I had no problem trying to find an empty station.
8 Works great in LA with iPod
I was hesitant to get these FM Transmitter devices when I got my iPod because so many people say they don't work (especially if you live in a metro city). After reading through the positive reviews on the iRiver AFT 100, I decided to take a chance. Let me tell you, it works!
I'm using this with my iPod Mini. I live in Los Angeles which is packed with radio stations. I use the frequency 89.5 and it sounds great. Can't compare with a CD of course, but it's like a clear radio station.
Here are some tips I have to share:
1. Use a frequency around the 88 - 90 range. They're less occupied.
2. Don't turn your iPod volume up all the way. Too loud will cause static. Leave it at about 30 to 40% and instead turn up your radio's volume.
3. Repositioning the cable (such as moving it from one side of your car's console to the other side) can help improve reception.
Good luck!
9 Works well with Creative Zen Touch
I've been using the iRiver for about 2 weeks now, and I'd say it's well worth the bang for your buck. First off, if you expect to get the same sound quality you had playing your cd's you're better off sticking with cd's. In my opinion, you get about the same quality as a good fm college radio station with the iRiver. (Which really isn't that bad at all, more like a cassette tape) It obviously depends how the weather is and how populated of an area you live in, but if you're like me and have 1000+ cd's it's worth the small downgrade in sound quality to have any song you own at the touch of a few buttons. I'm using the device in a 2004 Grand Prix and use the 2nd set of presets on my radio to switch between the 3 settings on the transmitter, which works pretty well as far as finding the best sound.
10 Great piece of kit.
As a Brit, I bought this through Amazon.com during a recent visit to the States (we can't buy any products like this in the UK).
It worked a treat in both my US rental car, and my UK car back home... well worth the money, it just works straight away.
No bad points whatsoever.
11 THE BEST FM TRASNMITTER HANDS DOWN
I have tried almost all of the other FM transmitters, and they suck. the sound goes in and out, its hard to change the station, they dont stay in the ciggerette lighter socket good etc... this one transmitts perfectly, the sound quality is way better than other FM transmitters i have use. the design is great, it is soo easy to use. if you need an fm trasnmitter, this is the one to get.
12 North Jersey works just fine.
I recently purchased a 30 Gig Dell Jukebox. I do not have a tape player in my Saturn VUE; all that I have is the factory CD/Radio. My only easy and affordable option was an FM Transmitter, but I've always heard so many bad things about them. I reluctantly purchased the iRiver 100 Mobile FM Transmitter.
It is truly a great devise, mostly because it doesn't require batteries. The signal is STRONG. I can drive all over North New Jersey (a few miles from New York City) while listening to the default frequency of 88.1. I can say, however, some days are better than others. Sometimes I find it a bit tricky to find a signal with no interference.
To be honest, the auto shut-off is not the best idea. But I mostly listen to 80's rock and heavy metal music - so there aren't many quiet parts to confuse the transmitter. However, the first one I purchased from Amazon was broken and shut off after EVERY 30 seconds. Amazon was quick to send me out a new one and it works splendidly.
Yes, there are small sound quality issues but nothing like what I was expecting from the reviews. To me, it sounds better than ANY radio station under any circumstances. However, it doesn't sound as perfect as a CD. It is what it is, an FM Transmitter. And it's a darn good one at that. For how cheap it is, it's worth a try. You might like it.
13 iRiver AFT-100 FM Transmitter
Just bought the iRiver AFT-100 FM Transmitter from amazon.
I had selected 3 empty frequencies before I recieved it, so when I finally got the iRiver, I quickly programmed the frequencies into the transmitter. Immediately I noticed that it was much smaller than I expected (about 1 1/2 inches wide and about an inch high). The transmitter sounded almost CD quality and I tried my best but could not pick up any static. (I live in the Seattle area.)
I had read reviews that the transmitter erased it's presets when the car was turned off. This is not true, the presets only erase when you remove the transmitter from the DC outlet, but remain in memory when the car is turned off with the transmitter still in the socket. I noticed when the car is turned off, the transmitter's LCD still has the slightest tint of blue, perhaps indicating that it is still using the car's power even when the car is turned off. This could also explain it's ability to remember the presets when my car is off.
The iRiver AFT-100 has no power on/off button, rather, it turns on when it senses an audio signal from the headphone jack. If the transmitter does not recieve a signal in 30 seconds it will turn itself off and my radio will play static (loudly because my radio was turned way up for the set up to work properly). The downside to this is that songs with long silences such as Pink Floyd sometimes cause the transmitter to shut down, but once the song picks up again, the transmitter clicks back into action. The good news is that I never have to actually flip a switch on and off.
All in all, the iRiver AFT-100 FM transmitter is an excellent FM transmitter in my book (although I have never tried the alternatives). It is not battery-dependent, looks cool, and sends a strong signal that is static-free. For those of you who have been dissapointed with weaker transmitters such as the Belkin one, it is definitely worth it to spend the extra couple of bucks on this model.
14 Excellent buy
This is my first FM transmitter and have used it for about a month driving in the bay area. To put it frankly , I have been pleasantly surprised with the sound quality, since none of the belkin , irock transmitters had good reviews. I would highly recommend this
15 Cool looks, poor user interface
The AFT 100 looks cool but does not deliver as promised. The manual claims that the AFT 100 can store frequencies in memory. The manual claims that you can recall these frequencies by pressing one of the three buttons (see picture for detail). The AFT 100 does store the frequencies in memory, but only as long as the device stays powered on. Once I power off the device, the AFT 100 loses all of my presets and then all three buttons default to 88.1 FM. The designer of the device also made a poor choice in placing the frequency selector at the base of the device. You need to reach down to the area of your cigarette adaptor and a press small, unresponsive button to change the frequency. If you move the device slightly, then the device powers off, and you're back at 88.1. The device comes lose from the cigarette adaptor with greater ease than it is to change frequencies. This device is sub-par, and I do not recommend it.
16 tons of interference in DC area + major annoyances
I haven't tried competing products, and I don't doubt that this
product is better than competing products, but I do know that,
compared to using an "Aux" jack on a car stereo (which,
unfortunately, few car stereos have), this really sucks.
I commute from WV to DC. Sound quality is fine from WV to Dulles.
Any closer to DC (Reston, Fairfax, Falls Church, etc.) and the
interference makes for TERRIBLE sound quality. I have tried every
FM frequency multiple times.
The auto shutoff idea would be a good one, if it gave you any
control at all. The problem is, you can not turn it off. So
if you pause your player for one minute, like to order food
from a drive-through, to look at a map, to answer your cell,
this thing will time-out and your car stereo will blasts static.
EXTREMELY annoying. Same if you turn on your car before you
hit "play" on your player. Sit in your card and turn the key
and you are greeted with blasting static.
17 I really really tried to love this thing
I agree with most reviewers here, that the great features of this device include the ability to have three presets that you can program. Being in Los Angeles, it is easy to switch between the "Valley" or "West LA" as you drive around.
Yet, there is one nagging "feature" of this unit that drives me crazy: The unit turns itself on or off based on the feed from the Line Out of your MP3 device. Now, if you listen to music that has small bits of lower tone (such as a Pink Floyd album or classical pieces) or Vocal recordings, you will find the device will quit temporarily until the volume picks up again and it turns itself back on (which will then spit out evil radio static when a moment of lower tone or "peace" is trying to be accomplished on piece of music or voice. The line connector from the device, which plugs into the MP3 device, also seems of poor quality -- sometimes I have to jiggle or twist the cheap connector just to make it engage the device (which has once again turned itself off because it is not receiving a line input). I wish that this automatic turn-on/off based on line feed could be turned on or off -- to me, if this feature was not there it would be a great FM transmitting device.
18 Better than expected!
I purchased this item based mainly on reviews from this website. I was expecting to get an above average product but was completly surprised when I actually put the unit into service.
First of all, the iRiver AFT-100 is reasonably priced and very simple to use. I was able to get the unit up and running without instructions or delay. The display is simple and pretty much self-explainitory. Simply, plug it into your 12volt adapter, set the frequency with the up/down arrow button to match any unused frequency on your car stereo. Any of the three preset frequency switches on the unit are activated by holding them down for several second just as one would do when setting the presets on your car radio.
Secondly, the unit sounds great. To my ears this unit is as good as any FM radio station and unless your ears are finely tuned most people with see only a negligible difference between its clarity and that of the average car CD player.
Lastly, this unit has excellent range. A friend and I conducted a simple experiment to test the range. I set the unit up as I normally would in my car and he matched his radio frequency to mine. He then drove away and was able to receive an undistorted signal at a distance over 50 feet away. Impressive!
As a side note, this unit sports a longer cord than most of its competitors which allows much easier handling of your mp3 player while in the car.
Overall, this is a an exceptional product that compliments the portable music devices that are becoming more popular everyday.
19 Finally a FM Transmitter that works!
After trying and returning the NewerTech Roadtrip - worked about half the time, and was being trumped by a radio station over a hundred miles away! I was ready to give up on ever getting my MP3 player to work in the car. I then stumbled upon the iRiver AFT100 and noticed that most of the reviews on Amazon were positive. After a week of use and multiple routes to the office (Metro Detroit area), I've found the iRiver performance to be fantastic. Being able to use any FM frequency is key. The Detroit market is filled with broadcasts across the spectrum and finding dead channels is difficult. After playing around with 2 or 3 frequencies I was able to lock in on one and haven't had any dropped signals from the MP3 player since. The sound quality borders on that of a CD. I highly recommended this unit.
20 It works
Nice and easy to setup, by selecting your own frequency of choice (actually presetting is possible for up to 3 frequencies). It also has this nice feature where it turns-off automatically if there is no audio signal for 30 sec. So, you can leave it plugged-in.
From the picture, I was worried that it may not fit into the recessed cigarette lighter port in my truck, but it actually fits very nicely and it is fairly long and slender.
The quality of the sound is excellent, at least for my not so hi-fi sensitive ears and middle of the road FM car radio. It is better than the Sony cassette insert device that I used to have for listening to my portable CD player. Highly recommended!
21 Workmanlike Performance
I'm always looking for ways to listen to my music collection in different environments. This FM transmitter seemed like an easy way to play mp3's on my car stereo. It does that, but I'd rate the sound quality just below commercial FM radio.
I have a Nomad IIc mp3 player (average quality) and record most music at 128Kbps (average sample rate). When I first hooked up the iRiver AFT-100, tuned it and the car stereo to the same frequency, and turned everything on, I got nothing. I turned up the player volume until the signal 'broke through', but the tone sounded flat. Then I remembered that the instruction sheet said, "Keep the audio level of your device at 1/2 maximum volume or below for premium audio quality." I turned down the mp3 player volume, and the sound improved dramatically. Still, with this many device interfaces, there is bound to be distortion, so don't expect high-fidelity sound.
In the Chicago suburbs, it's hard to find an FM frequency that doesn't have at least a weak radio broadcast. Despite the crowded airwaves, the AFT-100 maintained a stable signal while driving around the neighborhood. It gets the job done.
22 Happy customer
As long as you realize this isn't CD quality music, this works fine. I got it so I could get rid of my box of CDs taking up space in my truck as well as play music directly off my Dell Jukebox. Plugged this puppy in and it worked great right away.
There were absolutely no empty stations in my area (up in the mountains and picks up everything at some level). However, the IRiver seemed to overpower the weaker stations -- completely blocked them. When the engine is off, I can hear a semi-distracting hiss at times, but when I'm driving, I don't notice at all (a kind of rattely '85 Toyota truck...). However, I listen to classical & opera and it's just fine, though a bit flat in tone. You've also got to fool around with the MP3 sound and the stereo sound to find the right balance with the least hissing. Same with stations -- some work better. The presets are great -- set both your radio and the IRiver so you can move around as needed.
I think you want an FM Transmitter that can Tx over the whole radio spectrum and not just 4 Fx like some of them do.
Anyway, I'd recommend it.
George
23 This is as good as it gets
After trying the Belkin Tunecast, both I and II, I laid out the money for this one -- Hooray! It works! I live in a suburb just north of Chicago and drive through 3 'burbs on the way to and from work -- radio stations come and go. The IRiver lets me set 3 so as I drive I can switch easily between stations. There is a little static (mainly between tracks), but for a FM transmitter, this is probably the best you can do for the money. For those of us out there without a tape deck in our car, this is the best way to go. (If you do have a tape deck, just get a tape adapter).
The price may seem high in comparison to some other transmitters, but the advantage of being plugged directly into your car (no batteries!) is worth it. Plus, the auto on and off is great. Now, when I want to play my Rio Carbon I just turn it on, plug in the IRiver cord and turn on my radio -- easy easy easy.
I am so glad I bought this!
24 Excellent power, features and design
I bought this to replace the SIIG unit I bought before and stopped using after about two weeks. The unit fits neatly into what used to be called the cigarette lighter socket and takes advantage of the car's beefy DC supply to deliver a high quality signal that doesn't get swamped by other stations. This beats the pants off things like the SIIG which ran off a single AA battery that had to be replaced every 3-4 hrs.
The look of the unit is great and is a nice match to my iRiver player. The three preset frequencies are a great idea although the signal is so good that I've not yet been forced to change frequencies.
Another nice feature is that the frequency can be set to anything in the range rather than just the 3 or 6 hardwired ones that other devices offer. It'll even tune to "even" frequencies like 88.2 (broadcast stations are restricted to "odd" ones like 88.1, 88.3, etc.) but that is only of interest to you if your radio can be tuned to them which mine cannot.
If you own an iPod there are probably better choices out there that can interface better with your player and do nice things like recharge it. If you own one of the other players this is a great device for in-car usage.
25 Intermittent transmission
Bought in conjunction with iRiver 799. Love the iRiver 799 - mobile FM transmitter, no good. Foud the weakest station, found the strongest station, searched EVERY available station in the Raleigh, NC area. Transmitter would brodcast for 3 seconds with varying degrees of quality (dependant upon station.) However, real complaint lies in the fact it cut out after three seconds of play and continued to repeated this occurrence. On, off every three seconds, regardless of station selected. I may try another unit if this happens to be a lemon, but so far, no good.
26 Works great with my iPod, even in San Francisco
This little FM modulator actually works well, even in an area with crowded radio spectrum such as San Francisco. Unlike some other modulators by Monster, Belkin, and Griffin, the AFT 100 lets you select ANY frequency, not one of a few factory presets. I simply found an empty frequency on my radio, adjusted the AFT 100 to match, and it sounds great, with no discernable noise or interference. Auto power-off is a nice feature, since I tuck my unit out-of-sight in the armrest.
I use this device with both my iPod Photo and my iRiver IFP-890T. It's convenient and works well. Recommended!
