FM Modulators - do they work with the Vibe?

[Edgar]

I just picked up a DLO Transcast FM modulator, the kind that plugs into the lighter for power and broadcasts the FM signal. This thing works so poorly that I suspect there is an issue with using these on a Vibe - otherwise nobody would buy them. The sound level is ultra-low, even with both the MP3 player and radio cranked, and the sound quality is comical, barely good enough for spoken word. This thing is rechargeable, so I tried holding it next to the rear antenna to test if the metal roof was interfering with the signal. No improvement.So is this an issue with the Vibe, or are these FM modulators the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on us zombie consumers? Also, is there a way to plug into the "aux" input on the factory radio? Or is that button labeled "cd aux" just there to tease us? This is on a 2003 Vibe, base radio/CD.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Edgar »I just picked up a DLO Transcast FM modulator, the kind that plugs into the lighter for power and broadcasts the FM signal. This thing works so poorly that I suspect there is an issue with using these on a Vibe - otherwise nobody would buy them.The issue revolves around where you live, not what car you drive. THe stronger the radio signals are in your area, the less you'll be satisfied with the performance of the wireless modulators. Wired modulators, however, seem to work fairly well in just about any area.Quote »Also, is there a way to plug into the "aux" input on the factory radio? Or is that button labeled "cd aux" just there to tease us? This is on a 2003 Vibe, base radio/CD.Search is your friend.There are lots of threads discussing your options:http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...y=aux

[jimincalif]

My son has one, we used it once in my Vibe and it seemed to work fine. I believe it is a Belkin.

[northvibe]

I have a itrip, it has a map where you type in your zip and it gives you the best stations to use for your area. Having power to the mp3 player also helps as the fm modulator steals power from the batteries. ie. if i dont have my ipod plugged in to the cig lighter thing i get some static some places and my battery dies fairly quick (although my battery needs replacement as it is) But if its plugged in I get better reception.

[Edgar]

Looks like DLO Transcast gets good reviews in general on the net, however, wireless FM modulators generally are rated as only slightly superior to driving around with a bucket of warm **** in your car. It's amazing what can be foisted upon consumers these days. I'm undecided between returning the Transcast for a refund, or hunting down the CEO of DLO and shoving it up his (removed). Something tells me that the CEO and engineers of DLO all use line inputs for their mp3 players...Ok, I did a search on GenVibe, sorry, should have done that sooner. Here's the mother of aux input threads, in case anyone is interested:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=910&page=1The nut-meat of the thread is, yes, Delco engineers got a good laugh at all the Vibe owners who got giddy over the prospect of plugging their mp3 players into the mythical "aux" input.

[Raven]

I just bought a Monster iCruze kit on Ebay. I paid $14.99 plus shipping. Car attachment, LCD display and D interface module. I hope it's the right one.http://cgi.ebay.com/CHEVROLET-...wItem It's about the same price as an iTrip and should give much better sound quality.

[ColonelPanic]

This is the only FM transmitter worth a crap from my experience. It's expensive, but worth it if you want to go the transmitter route.I'm seriously thinking about getting some sort of modulator that will hook directly up to the antenna. I've already got one for Sirius, works great, but I haven' been listening to Sirius much as of late. Having something else that would allow me to plug in an iPod or other audio source would be nice.

[coldmm803]

sry to hear about your issue with your fm modulator, i did a general search of the net for reviews and found that most fm modulators dont work very well and found thru genvibe that there is a way to hard wire an input and went that route, yes it did cost a lil more but imo the quality is perfect and the install was easyif you can/ decide to return it and go with a hard wire this is the thread to check out(my post is the 4th down on that page)http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...age=3

[UKStory135]

i didn't think that they worked as well on my Vibe as they did on my Grand Prix, so I installed an Aux input.

[Raven]

UKStory135, I had to look up Possum Trot, Ky on Mapquest. I thought it was a joke but it's true. What a great name for a town.

[redlava]

I have an iRiver brand one and it works great.

[4X4CHICHI]

I have a cheapy that I use in mine and it is fine. It has nothing to do with how strong the local radio station in your area is, it's more with how weak it is. The more staticy it is the better because of no interference. I have had a couple of them and some are a little more quiet. I got one off of Ebay and it makes a USB drive into a MP3 player. Works great.

[Lancer]

I got one from Radio Shack, $20. Battery operated, has 4 channels to chose from. Works great! Not perfect, but in my car it's hard to hear anything perfectly clear. I first used it for my Visor (palm pilot) tht had a mp3 player for it. Now I use it for my PSP and my wife uses it for the DVD players in her Vue.