INTENSITY²
Start here => Free For ALL => Topic started by: garmonbozia on April 01, 2008, 05:00:00 PM
-
Tired of switching CDs and dealing with them getting dusty and scratched (and therefore skippy) in the harsh environment inside a car, I've started using the MP3 player on the road. I've got one of those mini FM transmitters that I plug into the headphone jack of the MP3 player, and use that with the tuner in the car stereo. Works okay most of the time, but often it gets staticky. On road trips, no matter what frequency I use, it eventually gets flooded out by another signal. (On a 500-mile trip, any frequency you can think of, sooner or later there's a station that uses it.) Also, there's a loose wire in there somewhere because the left-side speakers work sometimes but not others.
Been thinking about getting a car radio with an auxiliary input so as to eliminate the need for the mini-FM and not have to deal with static and interference. I see that for less than $100, you can get one with all kinds of options, not only the auxiliary input but also USB and SD ports, and the ability to play CD-Rs laden with MP3 files instead of the usual audio-CD format.
The MP3 player is my second one. The first started making random noises during playback, quite annoying when you're trying to hear a podcast or a favorite song. Tried different batteries and SD cards, to no avail, so it's out of commission. I replaced it with the cheapest thing with an OLED display (easier to see than LCD). I might ultimately replace that with an iPod (so I can sync it with iTunes on my Mac, presumably including the playlists so I can let it go for hours without having to fuck with it). No need to worry about distracted driving (from me anyway). I decide what I want to hear ahead of time and start it up before driving off. I might reach over and hit the skip button if I get tired of a song, but I don't fuck with the menus unless I'm stopped.
Anyone else here installed your own car stereo or have opinions on the options described above?
-
I do the same thing as I use the AUX port of my car stereo for the MP3 player (iPod 80GB). Basically I start a playlist right as I start driving and don't have to touch a thing the entire time (pause or skip a song at most). I only tried the radio thing once, and bought a new head unit with a AUX port after I got frustrated with the FM tuner's reliability in finding good empty stations to broadcast on. The AUX port sounds better anyways. MP3s are perfect for a car because the player doesn't skip and the sound quality is fine for the imperfect listening environment of a car (unless you have a Lexus ES with almost 0db outside noise).
-
Did you install the new head unit yourself or let a shop do it? If you installed it, how difficult? If you let a shop do it, how expensive?
-
Did you install the new head unit yourself or let a shop do it? If you installed it, how difficult? If you let a shop do it, how expensive?
I installed it myself and it was easy. You can get the info for your specific model of car online, along with instructions on how to remove a head unit. Crutchfield and other similar outfits will send instructions and a key (used to take the stereo out of the dashboard) along with any head unit they sell you. It is really easy and I wouldn't pay someone to do it, ever.
-
My car CD player plays mp3 CDRs as well. Sadly my speakers have stopped working for some bizarre reason, I'll have to pull it out and check for loose connections. >:(
-
My car CD player plays mp3 CDRs as well. Sadly my speakers have stopped working for some bizarre reason, I'll have to pull it out and check for loose connections. >:(
That is always annoying. I have only had to replace speakers once, put in a couple of 6x9s.
-
Thanks everyone. One head unit that looked interesting is one from Sony, offered by Bet Buy as an "outlet item" (not in stores but can be ordered). I haven't looked at Crutchfield's offerings in a very long time, so I guess I should stop by their website sometime.
So I take it nobody here plugs USB thumb-drives or SD cards right into the head unit?
-
I just use a tape deck thingy- IMO, it works better/is more relaible.
-
I don't have car. Anyways theres this new law now that if your car makes noise above the legal decibel level you get a ticket.
-
I don't have car. Anyways theres this new law now that if your car makes noise above the legal decibel level you get a ticket.
That would apply for lots of cars where I live.
-
I use a tape adapter
-
I might ultimately replace that with an iPod (so I can sync it with iTunes on my Mac, presumably including the playlists so I can let it go for hours without having to fuck with it). No need to worry about distracted driving (from me anyway). I decide what I want to hear ahead of time and start it up before driving off. I might reach over and hit the skip button if I get tired of a song, but I don't fuck with the menus unless I'm stopped.
I got a new mp3 player a few days ago and plugged it into the CD player auxiliary point in my car. It works really well. Unfortunately my car speakers have just about had it so the sound quality is awful.
-
bla bla blub?