I have collected CDs since they came out. I have over 1,500 now, ranging from classical to heavy metal. I have rock, blues, jazz and alternative. I have motivational books on CD and most of Wagner's operas. At home, I rip my CDs onto my computer, and have more than 1,400 on a removable hardrive. I use Apple's iTunes to manage my collection. 

My iPod can replace my Visor Sleeve full of CDs!

I finally got an iPod, the iPod classic! It holds 120 gigs so I have synced it with my iTunes library and can now carry around ALL my albums including my motivational CDs in one easy package. However, my car is an older car, an Acura Integra 2000. Yes it has a CD player, even a cassette player, but no iPod input. I got tired of a dozen or so loose CDs in the Visor sleeve and really wanted to listen to all those albums and books that were in my iPod.

I read a consumer review site (Epinions, I believe it was called), and found out that FM based iPod transmitters have frequent problems and don't always work well.  I didn't want that. I decided to go with the old school approach which is a cassette adpater. You plug a cassette into your car's cassette deck and the 1/4 inch mini jack into the iPods headphone jack. (Or your Zune, or whatever sort of MP3 player you own).  I actually use it with a cigarette lighter charger that has a mini plug out. I don't smoke but cigarette lighters in cars are pretty handy. The key is that the plug is designed to be used with the headphone jack, so this product may be used with any MP3 player on the market.

How Does it Sound?

The sound from my iPod over my car's stereo system sounded great! I was soon enjoying my music at the touch of a button or twist of the iPod wheel in my car. The sound is as good as the radio and almost as good as the CD player.  You could either control the volume with the iPod or your car's stereo volume.

Cost Factor

I noticed the poorly reviewed FM transmitters frequently cost $70-80.00. That is quite a lot for poor performance. The cassette adapter was less than $20.00!

Ease of Use

Once you have this set up, all you have to do is plug your iPod in whenever you are in your car. I would caution you from locating songs to play on your iPod while driving. Pick an album or a play list while you are parked, then just listen.  Looking for songs on your iPod while driving can be as dangerous as talking on your cellphone, reading the morning paper or preparing breakfast while driving. Don't do it!

Summary

If your car has a cassette adapter, this "old school" approach may be the ideal solution to bring your music collection to your car. Remember, it is illegal to drive with headphones on. The adapter is very cheap, it works well, and it sounds great. Just don't operate your iPod while driving! I am able to set up an album or book to listen to before heading out my driveway, and enjoy it on my drive. This beats swapping the CDs stored in my visor CD holder.   I gave this product 4 stars.

Other Ipod Accessories

Black Leather Case (to protect your iPod)
Rocketfish AV Cable (to plug your iPod into your stereo)
Car Charger (to charge your iPod in your car)
iPod Kicker (a boom box for your iPod)

Recommended: Yes