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Belkin TuneBase FM Transmitter for iPod and iPhone

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Brand: Belkin
Category: CE

List Price: ~~$163.68~~
Buy New: $71.99
You Save: $91.69 (56%)

New (28) from $71.99

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

15 reviews

Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 7.3 x 3.3

MPN: F8Z183
Model: F8Z183
UPC: 722868641804
EAN: 0722868641804
ASIN: B001AVSB7M

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: 100% Genuine Brand New Sealed In Original Retail Box - Fast Shipment Within 24 Hour of Payment

Features:

•	Features ClearScan technology
•	Includes line-out for use with car-stereo inputs or cassette adapter
•	Pro setting optimizes audio and boosts volume
•	Transmits audio wirelessly on multiple FM channels from 88.1MHz-107.9MHz
•	Multiple cradles fit any docking iPod or iPhone

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Listen to the Music from Your iPhone in the Car with the Belkin TuneBase / ClearScan technology / Plays through Car Stereo Radio Flexible neck offers convenient, easy repositioning of your iPod Does not work with iPhone 3G

Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

Well designed, but doesn't work December 16, 2008
J. Perkins
I have had a Griffin RoadTrip for years now, so I am aware of the limitations of FM transmitters. There wasn't one available for an iPhone so I gave this a try.

The product is well designed. The instructions are clear. It has adapters for every type of iPod/iPhone, and it all goes together very nicely.

But the signal is very weak. Even on an empty channel there is some static, and on a trip of any length it is necessary to constantly channel hop. Compare to my RoadTrip, where I can put it on 88.1 and drive all around the NE USA without any issue.

3 out of 5 stars

Works mostly well, with a few quirks December 15, 2008
Michael Snyder (Austin, TX USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This product is exactly what I wanted to connect my iPhone 3G with my BMW X5. It turns out that in the BMW X5, the Belkin TuneBase is a perfect physical fit, putting the iPhone up just below the radio controls. It makes the iPhone easy to see and makes it easy to use the iPhone as a GPS navigation device.

Since my X5 has the upgraded stereo (i.e. "DSP"), I don't have an available analog input. I can't use the CD changers input because it is an optical input on this car system. Therefore, I am relegated to having to use the FM transmitter option to listen to my iPhone. Most of the time, the TuneBase works adequately for this, giving me FM type quality, which is fine for listening to audiobooks, or for playing kid's music. But I have had a persistent problem with the FM transmitter "locking up". When it locks up, it stops transmitting. The only way to get it out of this condition is to pull the TuneBase out of the cigarette lighter plug far enough so that the TuneBase looses power. Then, when I plug it back it, the FM transmitter works fine again. I even returned my first TuneBase to Amazon for an exchange with a new TuneBase. The new TuneBase had the exact same problem. The number of times that this lock up occurs differs quite a bit. I think it does it more often when cold. But I can't be sure. But when it does it, it does it a lot (like every minute). But then there are times that I go without lock up for long periods of time.

Since the TuneBase is such a perfect fit for my car, I have decided to live with the FM transmitter lock up problem, for now, at least.

3 out of 5 stars

Good product December 1, 2008
Luis Bonilla (Minnesota)
I bought this transmitter for my iphone 3G and it works pretty good. It allows incomming calls and the sound is good.

2 out of 5 stars

Craptastic!! But it's the last iPod Car Adapter You'll Ever OWN!!! November 26, 2008
Aaron Eaton (Hollywood, CA)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

In 2001, I bought an iPod car adapter and FM transmitter for $19.99 from overstock. The $19.99 adapter lasted until 2007-- when Apple changed the pin-out for the iPhone.

Earlier this year I purchased this BELKIN adapter from Wal-Mart for $79.99. The BELKIN adapter lasted 3 months-- then it refused to change stations or audio settings or really do anything but keep transmitting on 107.9. I was surprised, because I thought my ability to change stations would be unlimited-- sadly, it seems, once you find a station you like the Belkin Adapter has a built-in system to destroy the "change channels" circuit, thus preventing you from accidentally changing from a working station.

I continued to use it, however, for anything but long drives (where the local christian stations overpowered the adapter's signal). Over time, it started to get much more wobbly in the cigarette-lighter-- So I added the little rubber washers that Belking provides for stability. It limped along in this manner for another 2 months.

Until I took a turn a little sharply-- the adapter *clunked* over (typical) tossing my iPhone on the floor. I pulled over, picked up the iPhone and reached to put the adapter upright again. The thing LITERALLY fell apart in my hand! Not only that, but it left half of itself INSIDE the cigarette lighter! Not only THAT, but when I finally removed that half FROM the cigarette lighter I found that the little rubber washer had worked itself down to the bottom, MELTED into my lighter's components, and so I wound up pulling out the lighter's coils WITH the last half of the adapter.

No only do I no longer have a tunecast, but I also no longer have a cigarette lighter. This product is Craptastic, but after using it I certainly can't use another one!

Thanks, Belkin! Oh-- and as a brief side-note, I would like to thank you for all the thought you put into the construction of this thing. I mean, you even managed to squeeze a headphone adapter onto it! That's amazing! Even though EVERY iPod already has a headphone jack, your decision to add one to your adapter reflects the care and attention you brought to the design process!

Never buying belkin again. I gave it two stars because, well, it DID work VERY well for the short time that it was working.

-A.

2 out of 5 stars

Bad for Urban Areas November 23, 2008
K.V.
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I actually have sympathy for companies like Belkin or Griffin who are in the business of making these FM hookups for iPods. There's definitely a customer base who need them and can get good use out of them -- I'm guessing people who live in exurban or rural areas where the FM band isn't quite so full.

In order to service that market though, Belkin has to deal with what's probably a high rate of return among urban users who buy these products and use them in regions where the FM band is quite full.

That describes my situation, basically. I live in New York City and naively thought that this device would help me avoid the much more expensive cost of a wired iPod hookup. I had hoped that the TuneBase would be an improvement over Griffin's iTrip. But there are just too many competing stations broadcasting in this area, and while it's nicely designed, it doesn't work that well really. After a few days of frustration, I had to return it.

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