5 Responses

1. Chris Mirchandani

   01|Jan|2010 1

   I have only used this item for 2 days and will update if my experience changes in time. So far I have had a great experience with this iPod Transmitter/Charger in 2 cars. Both have the lighter outlet at the bottom of the dash with the radio about 12 to 18 inches above the lighter. Unlike many reviews I have seen the manual I received is good, the Intellitune feature is good to great, but not excellent or perfect, the transmission signal strength and audio quality are great to excellent and the product is well designed with high quality constructing and is a great value. One note about the manual is not that it is bad, but a couple of things are not well organized, like the spacer. On the “Quick Setup” at the front of the manual, page 4, the spacer is not mentioned, but it is on page 6. “J. Leach “Pink Lady”" mentioned the spacer being needed and I agree that it could be something that people having issues have not used, but I do not know that for sure. My suggestion is that you use the spacer unless it does not work with with the lighter outlet you are using or your have other issues with using the spacer.

   My rating is a 4.2 to a 4.5 out of 5. The main deduction, 0.5, is for one major issue I see with Intellitune and another minor issue. The Intellitune issue is that if it finds a station, you can’t tell it to pick another, it just keeps picking the same station, so if you find that station has some interference, you have manually tune it. In most cases, the interference is not that bad. It would be better if you could tell it to find a different station. The minor issue is with the presets. You have to use the dial to change presets, but you also use the dial for manual tuning. This means you have to change dial modes to choose manual tuning or preset tuning. This is not a bad thing except you have to enter the settings mode, change to preset mode and turn it on or off. A switch would be better for a device used for drivers like this one.

   Other potential issues are that pulling the device out of the lighter socket requires force and people are prone to pull on the part with the lcd display. That is not a good idea. Would have been better if they put a nice sized, but could be relatively small plate that is strong like metal at the end of the shaft, but in front of the part with the lcd display that we could put our fingers on to pull this device out of the lighter socket. While these did have something to do with me dropping the score below 4.5, the largest is with the cable. While it is a normal cable and nothing is wrong with it, the issue I see is that it is at the back of the part with the lcd display. It is unlikely that you will have the ipod behind this device, so the cable is in most cased being pulled around. Now it is a descent length, so it probably will not get tugged much at the connector. However, since you pull the device out from behind the part with the lcd display, you could brush across this. Of course if the wires at this connection point wear or break, you have to replace the device. I would like to see it take a normal iPod USB cable.

   My other suggestion is a wireless remote option. DLO makes the “TuneStik with remote” and the remote can attach to your steering wheel for easy access without taking your eyes off the road. That would be a great optional item.
   Rating: 4 / 5

2. J. Leach

   01|Jan|2010 2

   I had the Monster Iplay previously and it lasted all of a year with virtually no wear-and-tear. One day, it just died. I got the DLO to replace it and spent a few minutes cursing it because I couldn’t get it to work properly until I figured out the problem….it comes with a spacer that slips over the back part of it that creates a snug fit with your car lighter.

   It didn’t work well until I put that spacer on, now….no problems. I’ve had it for 6 months and it’s perfect. The sound quality is crisp. And I’ve taken several LONG roadtrips with no issues. The unit itself is solidly built, no regrets. One note, the instructions aren’t well done, so you will have to play and learn a bit (like with the spacer) but don’t give up, it works great.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. N. Ingham

   01|Jan|2010 3

   This is a great product that i’ve been using for the past several months. It’s one of the more inexpensive options in its class and shouldn’t be counted out.

   HOWEVER - I see that this product has been getting a lot of very bad reviews and can explain why!

   I also ran into the problem of the product working once and then stopping. I exchanged it for a new one and had the same problem *BUT* I figured out that the product just has a small quirk and will actually work every time - and very work very well!!! See, if the transmitter remains plugged into the outlet with the ipod connected for a long period of time when not in use, it will go off and all the buttons will stop working. Instead of displaying the radio station it’s tuned to, the display will be black. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNPLUG THE IPOD AND PLUG IT BACK IN. The radio station will be displayed again and the transmitter will work! Once i figured out this little trick, i never again had any issue with the product.

   I would definitely recommend it!!

   Rating: 5 / 5

4. C. LaVaute

   01|Jan|2010 4

   It works pretty good if you turn your car on and it doesn’t turn on then you have to unplug your ipod from it and unplug the transmitter and unplug your ipod them plug the transmitter back in then your ipod.
   Rating: 4 / 5

5. William A. Mcclain

   02|Jan|2010 5

   Great product! Works easily and really improved our ipod music quality in our car.
   Rating: 5 / 5