I received a 60GB Video iPod in a contest on Epinions, pretty cool. I've learned to import music from CDs I own and have used iTunes for additional music. Until now I have been listening to my iPod through ear buds that came with the unit. The sound is excellent for my use. I was also using the ear buds when driving in my car. For safety's sake, that really wasn't a good idea.

I tried one of those FM transmitters that send music from my iPod directly to my radio. It didn't work well at all. It was always sounding like an AM station out of frequency range. I went out and priced a couple of automobile radios that had adapters for the iPod. They were too expensive for my little car. The car I own has a radio that's pretty poor in reception but the sound system is quite good. It also plays cassette tapes. I was told I could get an adapter that will play my iPod through the tape system. I tried one my wife used when she was adapting her CD player in her car. The sound was good with her CDs but awful with my iPod. I tried an number of different setting and even made an appointment at Apple at the Genius desk to get more info.

Using the Adapter

When there I was told there are different quality adapters. I purchased one from them, the Monster iCarPlay. I took it out of the package and placed it in my tape player after attaching it to the output of my iPod.

The packaging, and the Apple rep both told me to set the iPod volume setting about 3/4 up and then adjust the volume of the car system for best results. (something about compression and sound distortion makes this the best way to do it.)

Man was I a happy dude! The sound was excellent to my ears. I do happen to play my music with the controls up. I can hear the bass and high notes well. The stereo action was excellent too!

I can't tell you how long it would take to charge a completely dead iPod because I never get myself in that position. I have always had plenty of charge in it after playing on the road.

Books on iPod

I happen to take long trips due to business fairly often. I also enjoy books. Now I go to the library, borrow a CD book and then import it onto my iPod via my computer at home. Now I can listen to the narrator through my car's audio system and the sound is clear as a bell and I can still hear the road noise that I should be aware of.

Some Notes About This Adapter

The adapter has a 3.3' (1m) cord so it gives me plenty of room to put the iPod in a secure area where I can get to it easily.

The packaging tells me that the unit has 24 gold minijack contacts for optimum signal transfer and corrosion resistance. I suppose that is extra good because I will have the adapter in my car 24/7/365. The elements of northeast shore town can be brutal even inside a car. The adapter also has a spring loaded cassette head. The packaging told me it helps maintain contact with your cassette player's head for clear sound and clear sound it is. I don't pick up any of the hissing I received using my wife's no-name brand CD adapter.

The unit is small so it easily fits in the small storage area between the seats of my car.

Final Thoughts

I enjoy the sound of my iPod. I like that I can set up my music or a book ahead of time and then never have to fiddle around after that. The packaging even suggests setting up a play list before driving. That's a good safety tip. Most of all I like being free of my ear buds while driving.


Apple iPod Video Black 60 GB
XtremeMac Car Charger for Apple iPods
Monster Cable iSplitter for Apple iPod

Recommended: Yes