How can I play my iPod in my car? [ASK MR. NOOBIE™]
QUESTION: What do I need to buy to get my iPod to play in my 2001 vehicle (Chevy Blazer). I tried one of those things for the tape deck (it has both tape deck and cd player) but it lasted only a couple of months. - Colleen from Indianapolis
ANSWER: It's too bad that you said you tried the cassette adapter because up until I recently purchased a new car, that's exactly what I used to listen to my iPhone through my car stereo.
I had all but given up on anything else. The FM transmitters I tried were all terrible. And connecting a louder, external portable speaker just didn't seem satisfying enough.
Perhaps it's the brand/model of the cassette adapter that you used. I used the Monster iCarPlay Cassette Adapter shown below:
The iCarPlay gave me more than acceptable audio quality in my car stereo and lasted quite some time. I wish I could give you a benchmark on how long it lasted but it's now sitting in a box full of technology stuff I don't use any more. The best I can offer is that it worked perfectly up until the very last day I used it.
If anyone else reading this has another alternative, please let us know by leaving a comment below.
Do you have a question for Mr. Noobie™? Submit your question here.
5 comments for this blog post so far...
August 30, 2011 at 7:02 am
Colleen Kelly
Well Patrick you could just give me your old one out of that lonely technology box of stuff you don’t use anymore ... recycling!
August 30, 2011 at 7:52 am
Lisa P.
I tried several different plug-in type options and none of them worked well for very long. Finally broke down and had a port hard-wired in through my cd player. It cost about $100 but I’m not planning to get rid of the car for a few years so I think it was worth it.
August 30, 2011 at 8:29 am
Tracy
With every vehicle and radio being different, I have multiple ways that I play my iPod in our various vehicles. My main car is newer, so I do have the luxury of using the built in USB port… but I realize not everyone has that. I’ve also utilized the “input” hole in my radio (please note however that your iPod doesn’t charge while it’s being used in this mode). I also have a FM Transmitter (Griffin) that I use as a last resort (only because you need to keep changing stations along your drive and the display on it is not very good - sound quality is fine though); however would like to mention that it does come in VERY handy when we’re tailgating at at a local baseball/ football game. I plug in the transmitter into the cigarette lighter spot that’s located in the back end of my vehicle; dial it in to a station; connect my iPod and now I’ve got complete control of the songs playing all the speakers in my car.
August 30, 2011 at 8:31 am
Jennifer D
I also used cassette adapter. It lasted for quite a while but finally died. So I searched around for a cheap replacement. It had good reviews so I bought another one I think from Amazon - super cheap. I think less than $10. It works great and it’s been awhile. Found it. It was this one: Bargaincell Cassette Player Adapter for iPods and MP3 Players Amazon seller’s name is eforcity The total WITH shipping was only $2.99
September 06, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Patric Welch
Looks like you have all come up with some great solutions! Colleen, my old adapter probably will show up on eBay some day. Every so often I put all of the technology stuff I don’t use any more on eBay. You’ll know because I’ll mention the items in the weekly email.
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