the TOP 10 Car Audio Visual - In-car Entertainment - 11/05/2008
all of the TOP tens are available to buy on amazon.co.uk and amazon.com - just click on the item to buy
Car Audio Visual
1
Review for Belkin TuneBase - FM Transmitter for iPod:
Belkin TuneBase - FM Transmitter for iPod
Used Price:
£9.73
New Price:
£8.99
Review for Belkin TuneBase - FM Transmitter for iPod:
2
Review for TomTom GO 520 With UK & Ireland Mapping:
* FM transmitter for the mp3 player and route comments
* Spoken street names
* Looks nice
Dislikes:
* The unit will not stay on the window
* Map corrections don't appear on the unit after updates
* After the first online update the unit stopped working until I put the backup back on.
* Customer services don't answer emails.
* Some strange routes chosen taking me off a main road and then back on for no reason.
* Cant play mp3s from the SD card it must be in the MP3 folder on the unit.
* I still haven't got the hang of putting the unit on the mount.
* Dose not seam to be very accurate at telling you when I have arrived, sometimes not even close to the destination.
* The Voucher code in the box was already out of date/not valid.
* The bluetooth hands free does not work with my HTC XDA Exec.
I hope my opinions are of use.
TomTom GO 520 With UK & Ireland Mapping
Our Price:
£164.00 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions
New Price:
£156.00
Review for TomTom GO 520 With UK & Ireland Mapping:
not good enough
Likes:* FM transmitter for the mp3 player and route comments
* Spoken street names
* Looks nice
Dislikes:
* The unit will not stay on the window
* Map corrections don't appear on the unit after updates
* After the first online update the unit stopped working until I put the backup back on.
* Customer services don't answer emails.
* Some strange routes chosen taking me off a main road and then back on for no reason.
* Cant play mp3s from the SD card it must be in the MP3 folder on the unit.
* I still haven't got the hang of putting the unit on the mount.
* Dose not seam to be very accurate at telling you when I have arrived, sometimes not even close to the destination.
* The Voucher code in the box was already out of date/not valid.
* The bluetooth hands free does not work with my HTC XDA Exec.
I hope my opinions are of use.
3
Review for TomTom GO 720:
Do I have any legal recourse. Can TomTom refuse to refund once the software certificate has been issued as they claim? Surely any other product would be refundable if it does not work so why not a downloadable software? Is Tom Tom just trying to frustrate the customer so they give up on the refund?
My advice for anyone is not to download any software for TomTom. In addition, with the level of support and care they provide no one should bother buying a Tom Tom, no matter how good it is technically.
My eventual solution was to buy a Magellan device with a pre-loaded North America map which cost me US$150 (the North America map alone on TomTom was GBP50!). The Magellan worked perfectly throughout and is as good as a TomTom.
TomTom GO 720
Our Price:
£197.00 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions
New Price:
£192.00
Review for TomTom GO 720:
Tom Tom Nightmare
I downloaded a US Map for my UK TomTom Go 700 about a month ago. Since then I have been trying to upload it onto the device without any success. I have liaised with TomTom support several times and after having been advised to download the 50MB software twice, remove firewalls, use different computers, etc. , all without success, I have given up. I have asked for a refund and they have simply refused to refund. My credit card company has already paid the company and won't credit the amount.Do I have any legal recourse. Can TomTom refuse to refund once the software certificate has been issued as they claim? Surely any other product would be refundable if it does not work so why not a downloadable software? Is Tom Tom just trying to frustrate the customer so they give up on the refund?
My advice for anyone is not to download any software for TomTom. In addition, with the level of support and care they provide no one should bother buying a Tom Tom, no matter how good it is technically.
My eventual solution was to buy a Magellan device with a pre-loaded North America map which cost me US$150 (the North America map alone on TomTom was GBP50!). The Magellan worked perfectly throughout and is as good as a TomTom.
4
Review for KMS DIRECT - Car Multiple Cigarette Socket:
KMS DIRECT - Car Multiple Cigarette Socket
New Price:
£0.01
Review for KMS DIRECT - Car Multiple Cigarette Socket:
Excellent - does exactly what I want
Not a lot to say other than this does indeed let me plug 2 things into the cigarette socket at once, things like iPods, mobile chargers and sat navs. Seems strong enough and doesn't protrude any more than necessary.5
Review for Belkin TuneFM for iPod - Digital player FM transmitter / charger for car - black:
Belkin TuneFM for iPod - Digital player FM transmitter / charger for car - black
Used Price:
£4.99
New Price:
£6.48
Review for Belkin TuneFM for iPod - Digital player FM transmitter / charger for car - black:
Cant fault it
I can imagine if you live in a very urban area or big city then you may have problems locking into a particular frequency for any length of time but I have had no problems whatsoever. Sounds great and as I drive a car that would alter the whole look of the dash if I changed stereo it's the only solution for me to be able to have my ipod whilst driving. I highly recommend this product. Great sound and probably the most user friendly item I own6
TomTom ONE Explore Inc. Case - Great Britain
Our Price:
£104.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions
New Price:
£103.99
7
Review for KMS PRODUCTS BOX SET GIFT BOX WITH 6 SOCKS + RED & BLACK SILICONE CASE & BLACK NECK STRAP:
The black silicone case is sleek and offers good protection if you're looking for that extra bit of bounce in case you knock your ipod.
At such a low price, the socks are a much better buy than the Apple versions, which cost around £20 and are only differentiated by a little tag with their logo displayed.
I would definitely reccommend these cute little socks to anyone with a flair for style or wanting to take good care of their music baby!
KMS PRODUCTS BOX SET GIFT BOX WITH 6 SOCKS + RED & BLACK SILICONE CASE & BLACK NECK STRAP
New Price:
£0.01
Review for KMS PRODUCTS BOX SET GIFT BOX WITH 6 SOCKS + RED & BLACK SILICONE CASE & BLACK NECK STRAP:
Bargain!
These cotton ipod nano socks are amazing - they are just the right size for the new nanos and you get six vibrant colours! I ordered mine after buying a shiny ipod nano and the socks arrived in a couple of days, so i could start using them straight away!The black silicone case is sleek and offers good protection if you're looking for that extra bit of bounce in case you knock your ipod.
At such a low price, the socks are a much better buy than the Apple versions, which cost around £20 and are only differentiated by a little tag with their logo displayed.
I would definitely reccommend these cute little socks to anyone with a flair for style or wanting to take good care of their music baby!
8
Review for Sony Car cassette adaptor:
Sony Car cassette adaptor
Our Price:
£13.49
Used Price:
£7.00
New Price:
£4.95
Review for Sony Car cassette adaptor:
The perfect tool for the job
As others have said, it's impossible to fault this. The sound quality is excellent. The tape mechanism itself makes no background sound. It worked immediately. The instructions are 2 lines long (and you don't even need those). What can I say? This is the best thing I've bought ever. I can now listen to my ipod in the car. Awesome.9
Review for Griffin RoadTrip 4031 - FM Transmitter & Charger for iPods - Black:
Griffin RoadTrip 4031 - FM Transmitter & Charger for iPods - Black
Our Price:
£24.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions
Used Price:
£7.99
New Price:
£7.94
Review for Griffin RoadTrip 4031 - FM Transmitter & Charger for iPods - Black:
Terrible cheap and nasty!
If you demand even just reasonable quality music in your car this item still doesn't deliver. The sound quality is terrible with a constant background hiss and crackle no matter what frequency you choose. Its also big and bulky - much better off just upgrading car stereo to one with ipod input. Avoid this item, it really isnt that good at all.10
Review for 5 IN 1 CAR KIT FOR IPOD's & ALL MP3 PLAYERS WITH FM TRANSMITTER - BLACK:
5 IN 1 CAR KIT FOR IPOD's & ALL MP3 PLAYERS WITH FM TRANSMITTER - BLACK
New Price:
£6.99
Review for 5 IN 1 CAR KIT FOR IPOD's & ALL MP3 PLAYERS WITH FM TRANSMITTER - BLACK:
great value and quality!
I was a bit worried that this might not work, as it is so much cheaper than some makes, including Apple's, but it is fine, easy to fit and great sound quality. I've just ordered another one for a friend.11
Review for PORTABLE STEREO MP3 FM TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR WITH 205 CHANNELS (FOR ALL IPODS, CREATIVE, SAMSUNG, SONY MODELS & ALL OTHER MP3/MP4 PLAYERS):
If you want the perfect thing then go spend £30+ on something, if you want the next best thing then go buy this. Cost to quality ratio is very high.
PORTABLE STEREO MP3 FM TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR WITH 205 CHANNELS (FOR ALL IPODS, CREATIVE, SAMSUNG, SONY MODELS & ALL OTHER MP3/MP4 PLAYERS)
New Price:
£1.49
Review for PORTABLE STEREO MP3 FM TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR WITH 205 CHANNELS (FOR ALL IPODS, CREATIVE, SAMSUNG, SONY MODELS & ALL OTHER MP3/MP4 PLAYERS):
Good for the price
Depends on what you want. For me the car is the main place. Sometimes I struggle to get a good reception but that is down to finding a good, unused, signal. There is a slight amount of background noise when no music is playing however when a track is full flow the sound quality is excellent.If you want the perfect thing then go spend £30+ on something, if you want the next best thing then go buy this. Cost to quality ratio is very high.
12
Review for Kensington Digital FM Transmitter:
Kensington Digital FM Transmitter
New Price:
£21.75
Review for Kensington Digital FM Transmitter:
How does it work?!
Cannot find any FM location in which this ridiculous device will transmit. The Amazon market seller did not provide an address or phone number on the receipt, indicating how little faith it had in the product. And of course did not respond to my email query for assistance through the Amazon website. Most unsatisfactory and now pending a small courts claim.13
Review for USB Flash Memory MP3 Adapter with 7 FM Channels:
The broadcast quality is not good. There is an inherent background hiss when using any source. From a digital source to analogue headphone out to FM transmitter to and FM receiver to your ears. Its never going to be good is it.
The biggest draw back is when using a USB stick. You can only hear the tracks in the order you transfered them. When you power down the car and start again you get to hear them all over again in the same order.
We we need is for car manufacturers to put USB connections on the dashboard.... the campaign starts here, whos with me..............
USB Flash Memory MP3 Adapter with 7 FM Channels
New Price:
£3.99
Review for USB Flash Memory MP3 Adapter with 7 FM Channels:
Flawed product.
Whilst this product does what it says on the tin. Its more important to know what it does not say.The broadcast quality is not good. There is an inherent background hiss when using any source. From a digital source to analogue headphone out to FM transmitter to and FM receiver to your ears. Its never going to be good is it.
The biggest draw back is when using a USB stick. You can only hear the tracks in the order you transfered them. When you power down the car and start again you get to hear them all over again in the same order.
We we need is for car manufacturers to put USB connections on the dashboard.... the campaign starts here, whos with me..............
14
Review for MP3 PLAYER USB FM CAR TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR - FOR USB FLASH MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVE - IPOD NANO (1ST 2ND 3RD GENERATION), CLASSIC, TOUCH, VIDEO, MP3, MP4 PLAYERS:
Product arrived speedily and though p & p is twice the item price the overall cost is still excellent value.
MP3 PLAYER USB FM CAR TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR - FOR USB FLASH MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVE - IPOD NANO (1ST 2ND 3RD GENERATION), CLASSIC, TOUCH, VIDEO, MP3, MP4 PLAYERS
New Price:
£4.49
Review for MP3 PLAYER USB FM CAR TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR - FOR USB FLASH MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVE - IPOD NANO (1ST 2ND 3RD GENERATION), CLASSIC, TOUCH, VIDEO, MP3, MP4 PLAYERS:
Excellent kit
I wanted to play mp3 music tracks mainly from 1GB USB pen through my car radio/cassette player and this does that superbly. Worked with first frequency I chose - 87.9 - and sound level is same as from radio. Clarity is excellent with no interference when driving. After switch off it restarts where left off, which I like. When playing tracks from my Sony mp3 player I have to turn the radio sound level up quite a lot but have full control of what plays.Product arrived speedily and though p & p is twice the item price the overall cost is still excellent value.
15
Review for TeckNet In Car Wireless FM Transmitter With LCD Display and 200 Channels:
TeckNet In Car Wireless FM Transmitter With LCD Display and 200 Channels
New Price:
£3.99
Review for TeckNet In Car Wireless FM Transmitter With LCD Display and 200 Channels:
PW
I have replaced an inferior product which was less well constructed. If you turn up your mp3 player volume to about 90% you get no transmission hiss from the unit, or distortion from the car stereo amp. I have found it very useable, the frequency selection is easy if you have to re-tune on the move. The only difference in quality you might notice is if you are used to a realy high quality in-car hi-fi system where you play cds - but because of the mp3 format and NOT the transmitter. Postage is a bit pricey, but the unit does exactly what it says.16
Review for Premium Car Charger for iPod:
Premium Car Charger for iPod
New Price:
£0.01
Review for Premium Car Charger for iPod:
Job done
Does the job, is the right colour, what more could you ask for?17
18
Review for Kenwood KDC-W3537G Radio CD / MP3 / WMA Receiver:
The only down side is that the instruction manual can be a bit hard to follow at times but once you have set up the AUX input for your ipod and got rid of the demo scrolling message you will not need to look at it again.
Also the volume control does the balance/tone settings and if you accidentally push the control instead of turning it, you have to go through all the settings to get back to change the volume. This took a bit of getting used to, but it's a niggle not a bad flaw.
If you can live with that then I would recommend this player. I have not had any problems with skipping or jumping on CDs. It goes loud without any distortion and sounds good. MP3s in folders are recognised and you can get the folder names scrolled as well as the mp3 titles when navigating through. If you have folders within folders only the mp3 folders are shown eg: 2diskalbumdisk1track1.mp3 will just show as disk1 in the folder menu, you will never see 2diskalbum.
I'm very happy with mine and for the price it is great value!
Kenwood KDC-W3537G Radio CD / MP3 / WMA Receiver
New Price:
£53.99
Review for Kenwood KDC-W3537G Radio CD / MP3 / WMA Receiver:
Good but with niggles
I like these head units so much that I have bought 2 of them! They do everything they say they will very well. You even get an aerial adapter in the box so everything should be ready to go!The only down side is that the instruction manual can be a bit hard to follow at times but once you have set up the AUX input for your ipod and got rid of the demo scrolling message you will not need to look at it again.
Also the volume control does the balance/tone settings and if you accidentally push the control instead of turning it, you have to go through all the settings to get back to change the volume. This took a bit of getting used to, but it's a niggle not a bad flaw.
If you can live with that then I would recommend this player. I have not had any problems with skipping or jumping on CDs. It goes loud without any distortion and sounds good. MP3s in folders are recognised and you can get the folder names scrolled as well as the mp3 titles when navigating through. If you have folders within folders only the mp3 folders are shown eg: 2diskalbumdisk1track1.mp3 will just show as disk1 in the folder menu, you will never see 2diskalbum.
I'm very happy with mine and for the price it is great value!
19
Review for Logic3 Car Charger for iPod:
Nonetheless, it’s still a handy thing to have, and as you’d expect, it charges the iPod from the lighter socket in the car.
Logic3 Car Charger for iPod
Our Price:
£9.05
Used Price:
£4.49
New Price:
£5.07
Review for Logic3 Car Charger for iPod:
Does the job
I was mildly disappointed when I received the Logic 3 car charger because having read the other reviews, I expected it to come with the handy addition of a firewire cable - and it doesn’t (perhaps the design has changed, otherwise the other reviewer was reviewing a different item (PodGear Powertrip perhaps??).Nonetheless, it’s still a handy thing to have, and as you’d expect, it charges the iPod from the lighter socket in the car.
Car Audio Visual, Belkin TuneBase - FM Transmitter for iPod, TomTom GO 520 With UK & Ireland Mapping, TomTom GO 720, KMS DIRECT - Car Multiple Cigarette Socket, Belkin TuneFM for iPod - Digital player FM transmitter / charger for car - black, TomTom ONE Explore Inc. Case - Great Britain, KMS PRODUCTS BOX SET GIFT BOX WITH 6 SOCKS + RED & BLACK SILICONE CASE & BLACK NECK STRAP, Sony Car cassette adaptor, Griffin RoadTrip 4031 - FM Transmitter & Charger for iPods - Black, 5 IN 1 CAR KIT FOR IPOD's & ALL MP3 PLAYERS WITH FM TRANSMITTER - BLACK, PORTABLE STEREO MP3 FM TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR WITH 205 CHANNELS (FOR ALL IPODS, CREATIVE, SAMSUNG, SONY MODELS & ALL OTHER MP3/MP4 PLAYERS), Kensington Digital FM Transmitter, USB Flash Memory MP3 Adapter with 7 FM Channels, MP3 PLAYER USB FM CAR TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR - FOR USB FLASH MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVE - IPOD NANO (1ST 2ND 3RD GENERATION), CLASSIC, TOUCH, VIDEO, MP3, MP4 PLAYERS, TeckNet In Car Wireless FM Transmitter With LCD Display and 200 Channels, Premium Car Charger for iPod, Car Radio Cassette Tape Adapter To fit 3.5mm Stereo Plug ( MP3 / iPOD..., Kenwood KDC-W3537G Radio CD / MP3 / WMA Receiver, Logic3 Car Charger for iPod, XtremeMac iPod Car Charger - All Generations
, Belkin TuneBase - FM Transmitter for iPod, TomTom GO 520 With UK & Ireland Mapping, TomTom GO 720, KMS DIRECT - Car Multiple Cigarette Socket, Belkin TuneFM for iPod - Digital player FM transmitter / charger for car - black, TomTom ONE Explore Inc. Case - Great Britain, KMS PRODUCTS BOX SET GIFT BOX WITH 6 SOCKS + RED & BLACK SILICONE CASE & BLACK NECK STRAP, Sony Car cassette adaptor, Griffin RoadTrip 4031 - FM Transmitter & Charger for iPods - Black, 5 IN 1 CAR KIT FOR IPOD's & ALL MP3 PLAYERS WITH FM TRANSMITTER - BLACK, PORTABLE STEREO MP3 FM TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR WITH 205 CHANNELS (FOR ALL IPODS, CREATIVE, SAMSUNG, SONY MODELS & ALL OTHER MP3/MP4 PLAYERS), Kensington Digital FM Transmitter, USB Flash Memory MP3 Adapter with 7 FM Channels, MP3 PLAYER USB FM CAR TRANSMITTER/MODULATOR - FOR USB FLASH MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVE - IPOD NANO (1ST 2ND 3RD GENERATION), CLASSIC, TOUCH, VIDEO, MP3, MP4 PLAYERS, TeckNet In Car Wireless FM Transmitter With LCD Display and 200 Channels, Premium Car Charger for iPod, Car Radio Cassette Tape Adapter To fit 3.5mm Stereo Plug ( MP3 / iPOD..., Kenwood KDC-W3537G Radio CD / MP3 / WMA Receiver, Logic3 Car Charger for iPod, XtremeMac iPod Car Charger - All Generations
Make A Decision
I agonised over buying the Belkin Tunebase. As many really negative reviews as positive. However the constant reductions in price swung it and I made the decision. Wow what a product. It took longer to unpack than set up and worked perfectly first time. As opposed to many reviews I found it to be a sturdy piece of kit. I think I would find it difficult to break it. If you are undecided, don't be, well worth the money!!