Best option for playing through car stereo

dm88 · Jul 24, 2012

I've never really used my phones in the past to play music and never had an ipod, but I am really liking some of the apps like Pandora and starting to put a bunch of my music on the phone. One of my cars has an AUX input so in there I just plug it in, but my truck is older and just has the stock stereo (CD and cassette) so I am wondering which option is better, the FM receiver thing or the cassette one. But for either, some type of mount would probably be more convenient than just laying i in the cupholder. Is just a universal type with a cigarette lighter adapter a good choice? Or maybe the mount that plugs directly into the lighter instead of having a windshield mount (I dont really want that)? Then I could use the nav too on the phone if I forgot my GPS.

thrifty · Jul 24, 2012

Just pick up one of these..... TAPE AUX

One of those is what I use and IMO the cup holder sounds like a great "dock"...

unccman · Jul 24, 2012

Agreed with Thrifty.

I'd try my hardest not to use an FM transmitter. The quality is nowhere near what you'll get out of an AUX or Tape Deck.

If that doesn't work for you, I'd make the $43 investment into a Car Stereo with AUX input and call it a day. On a side note, that one even has a USB port to charge your phone on while it's playing.

arparaspolo · Jul 24, 2012

I have used an AUX cable, the tape adapter & FM transmitter. The FM transmitter is terrible. You have to have the right station and the transmitter wire in the right position just to get a clear signal. Then, when you breathe, it goes to static and you've got to re arrange everything. To much of a hassle. I would try it last. I use the AUX cable. Works like a charm. The only drawback is that it is connected to a wire. I would love to have a bluetooth connection on my truck stereo. But I don't. Oh and the tape adapter works great too if you don't have the AUX hole.

DawnGP143 · Jul 24, 2012

unccman said:
Agreed with Thrifty.

I'd try my hardest not to use an FM transmitter. The quality is nowhere near what you'll get out of an AUX or Tape Deck.

If that doesn't work for you, I'd make the $43 investment into a Car Stereo with AUX input and call it a day. On a side note, that one even has a USB port to charge your phone on while it's playing.

I actually own this head unit in my vehicle and LOVE that I can just plug my phone in and go. I've even got a smart action set so that when I plug in the headphone jack, it automatically launches my hands free text app of choice. AND.....the audio from a phone call will come thru your car speakers so you're talking hands free, although you may have to speak a little louder than normal, depending on where you mount your phone.

ty shoes · Jul 24, 2012

What about Bluetooth, assuming the stereo permits?

monicakm · Jul 24, 2012

I usually listen to music on a thumbdrive plugged into the usb port in the center console, but since getting the Razr, I've doing some audio listening via BT. The audio is played thru the car's speakers. Imagine my surprise when I (as a passenger) clicked on a YouTube video and the audio played thru the car speakers :eek:

At this rate, I'll never catch up with technology LOL

dm88 · Jul 25, 2012

Thanks for all the replies. I don't know if I should go the route of getting a new stereo because if I do that, then I am going to want to update the speakers and get some amps and before I know it it will be like I am back in high school again! Actually, I think I still have some old amps and stuff from back then, hmmmmmm hehe. But anyways, maybe I will try the tape deck thing or I have been doing some research and found where people have soldered in an aux jack into the existing stereo. Maybe I will mess around with that.

As far as the mount though, is just one of those universal ones good that clamps down to hold it?

pbf98 · Jul 27, 2012

Those tape aux are fairly cheap and provide pretty good quality, the FM transmitters aren't as good sound quality unless you want to spend upwards of 50$ and in that sense I'd just go with a new head unit for the car. Thats what i did for my last car (1982 chevy) and I couldn't stop from upgrading all the 4 speakers either and adding two subs haha...

in my car now It has all the bells and whistles, got a usb and aux hidden in the center console I just have a 3 foot aux cable from the cup holder to the center console and then I have a charger thats right next to the cup holder never need to listen to radio again with this technology

Ekim Gram · Jul 27, 2012

unccman said:
Agreed with Thrifty.

I'd try my hardest not to use an FM transmitter. The quality is nowhere near what you'll get out of an AUX or Tape Deck.

If that doesn't work for you, I'd make the $43 investment into a Car Stereo with AUX input and call it a day. On a side note, that one even has a USB port to charge your phone on while it's playing.

What does it take to install one of those? Just pop the old one off and the new one on?

ronjon400 · Aug 5, 2012

motorola t505. do it all device. gps,calls,music. great battery life also. had mine for 3-4 years now, love it

RandolphNY · Aug 8, 2012

Have to agree with ronjon.... I don't use the t505 much now, (because of vehicle having bluetooth), but it works great using the fm transmitter. Yes, a little pricey, but worth it, as my wife uses it in her vehicle.

carracerz14 · Aug 8, 2012

Ekim Gram said:
What does it take to install one of those? Just pop the old one off and the new one on?

Not quite.
You need a mounting kit and wiring harness specific for your vehicle, some butt connectors to connect the old wires to the new wires, and lastly you need to know how to tell what color is what.

Best option for playing through car stereo

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