WMA/MP3 Wireless Modulator/FM transmitter for SD Card, USB Pen (Flash) drive and MP3 players (like iPod). Black with Remote Control.
From harryonline
New from Mach Speed a wireless MP3 WMA FM modulator that lets you take your tunes to your vehicle. This 12V USB device offers 15 FM frequencies, and supports SD/MMC Card, and MP3. All you have to do is insert the 12 volt adaptor end of the player into your vehicles cigarette lighter receptacle or power port, tune your FM radio onto one of the preset frequencies, then use the channel button to set the players broadcast frequency to match the one youve set on your radio. Features include previous track & volume decrease, play/pause, next track & volume increase, and channel button. This device also works with an SD memory card and USB flash memory. The Mach Speed wireless MP3 WMA FM modulator comes complete with audio cable.
- Brand: PE
- Dimensions: .0 pounds
Great value!
I bought this player from Dream Bargains as SKU: WZ-K1F2-W0J1. Although the packaging was not heat sealed, it was obviously new, including a peel-off LCD protector. I selected this unit because the web image seemed to show a backlight that was missing from other listing photos. And, yes, it has a white backlight (not blue as pictured). Accessories included the short cable featuring standard 2.5mm plug to 3.5mm plug (e.g. IPod to modulator), remote with a good battery and 1 extra fuse. As with other similar units reviewed at other listings this unit came with the barest of documentation printed on the backside of the thick paper package-liner. Thanks to comments from other reviewers I knew that pressing and holding certain keys would produce other functions; on this unit press/hold Previous/Next keys for volume, press/hold the Pause/Play key to cycle between S(shuffle) and A(all, in order). I haven't yet discovered whether the A-/B+ keys control anything other than FM frequency. The product packaging indicates MP3/WMA player, but I haven't found the WMA function unless it's automatically detected (I haven't tested for that).
As other reviewers found, it is difficult to make reliable contact with the auto power socket, but I was after much practice able to find a satisfactory mating. I am sure a bumpy road would cause intermittence problems but on the highway or most city streets it would not be a problem. It's a plus that when contact is restored, playback begins where it stopped. It may be that wiping the chrome tip with fine emery paper once in a while could improve the contact; I haven't tested that. This poor contact is the only significant "con" I have to offer for this product.
I tested only with a thumb drive (250MB) and a half-dozen tunes. I plugged in the thumb drive, turned on the FM radio to an unused channel (89.7MHz), and plugged in the player/modulator. Ignoring the contact problems I then set the player to 89.7MHz (it's settable in 0.1MHz steps). I pressed PLAY and music poured forth! I subsequently found that the default modulation level was at max (21 of 21): a good default. As expected, setting lower modulation levels eventually (<12) leads to a poor signal-to-noise ratio. I did notice that even with the volume set to 0, the RF input to the radio was maintained at full strength and the channel remained completely quiet (compared to a large amount of hiss and static when the modulator was not set to that frequency); thus I conclude that the "volume" function is exactly what it should be: it controls the level of modulation while the FM signal remains at full strength; "volume" changes the audio level, not the RF level. The music may or may not have been full fidelity; I cannot measure it. But it was certainly close to typical FM quality, with no extraneous hiss, whistles, or static, even with the engine running. It sounded very clean if not awesome.
The keypad of the modulator itself features keys with snap action feedback and a nice feel; I found no problems with this keypad; it worked reliably every time I tried it. The keypad of the remote has no snap feedback so you must observe operation to know whether you have pressed a button or not; otherwise the remote also worked as expected (after I removed the plastic shim that disconnects the battery until you buy the unit and remove the shim; nice.). The LCD shows "ERROR" when you select a number beyond the number of songs on the thumb drive. The infra-red sensor of the modulator is located on the face of the unit, between the LCD and the keypad. So long as you point the remote at that point, the range is quite adequate--beyond 5 feet on my unit.
As an electronics engineer (but new to MP3), I am astounded at the quality and features I got in a product that was assembled on the other side of the Earth and then sold to me for a mere $13!
Electronics are weird...
I have a 2000 Dodge Viper GTS coupe with an Alpine stereo. The Alpine was factory on the Viper because Chrysler has never built a single-DIN radio before.
I wanted to take a trip with my Viper but didn't want the hassle of buying a new stereo, or trying to rig something up. So when I saw this on Amazon, I figured the price was worth experimenting.
All I can say is WOW - for the price, this little bugger can't be beat.
I have an 8G "Cruizer" USB card LOADED with music... ...but it wouldn't read. My only thought is that the Cruizer has some weird software built in, and this thing might not like it. But I also have a 4GB SD card that my top-end Jensen head unit (in my other car) WOULDN'T read, and this thing reads it perfectly. So I just copied my songs from the 8GB to the 4GB (I don't have 4 gigs of music anyways) and voila.
Clarity is great, the remote works fine, it's simple but it does the job. I have zero complaints.
It's OK for the money
I bought this item mostly because of the remote. I have had this item for about a week and it's been great to listen to my favorite music instead of the radio and not have to card a stack of disks around in my truck.
My issue is the cable that comes with the unit. It is specific to the devise. I have a longer cable to use with my MP3 player but can not use it because it is too big for the transmitter so I have to use this cable. Because the cable is only like 6" navigating through my music takes away from the road.
Also I assumed I could use the remote with my mp3 player, but being new to MP3 players I was very wrong. The advantage is using a flash dive or memory card with it. The use of the remote makes it a great tool and improves safety as you drive.
I would recommend this item if use with a memory card or thumb drive, but not recommend it for use with a MP3 Player...
