Entered CNET Catalog: 07/28/2005
SKU: 0836258388887
Manufacturer: Digital Lifestyle Outfitters
Manufacturer description
The DLO TransPod for iPod shuffle is the only car solution a shuffle owner will ever need. Plug an iPod shuffle into the DLO TransPod for iPod shuffle and have hundreds of your favorite songs at your fingertips. It's like adding a massive CD changer to your car. Make your perfect "mix tape" at home, then drop it in your car for the next road trip or commute to work. Then your favorite songs will always be on the radio. Park, charge and play your iPod shuffle in your car, truck or boat with one simple, beautiful device. The TransPod for iPod shuffle is basically a mini radio station that broadcasts your shuffle's music to the FM radio in your car. The DLO TransPod plays on any FM radio station, from 87.9 to 107.9, so it's easy to find an unused frequency to enjoy your shuffle's music. You can even charge other devices like cell phones and portable gaming systems. The TransPod for iPod shuffle features a Line-out function for use with a cassette adapter or stereo input cable. It also offers you a Bonus Input that will transmit the audio of any MP3 player or device and it's great for broadcasting sound from video games or movies in your car, van, truck or boat!Product summary
The good: Neat, integrative design; backlit LCD; tunes to any frequency; easy to use; charges the Shuffle.
The bad: Typically poor sound quality; static on most frequencies.
The bottom line: iPod Shuffle owners who appreciate seamless integration and useful features should consider the DLO TransPod for their FM transmitter needs.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/26/2005
Typically, we have problems with any FM transmitter that's designed for a single family of devices (see the dock-connector iPod-only Monster iCarPlay). DLO's TransPod for the iPod Shuffle seems one-dimensional as well, with its Shuffle-friendly USB-port design. But you'll find an audio line input and even a line output for cassette adapters and the like on the bottom of the device. Signal strength, even in San Francisco, was not a huge issue. At the 88.1 frequency, we usually had a static-free experience. Sound, though, ranks on the lower side, with lackluster bass and typically AM-like quality, but that's par for the course for most FM transmitters. Still, we love the fact that unit charges the Shuffle--which has a tendency to die when you most need it--and any other device that draws power over USB.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7out of 7 user reviews
Don't Buy This.
Pros: Charges Shuffle, can choose any frequency
Cons: Doesn't work...worth a darn.
out of 7 user reviews
Whats that noise
Pros: strong signal, small compact,
Cons: Reverb with my primary car, tight fit with my second
First was the DLO NanoTune. I bought when it first came out. Didn't work at all. I mean it did not work. Returned it and the return counter said alot had been returned (suspected everyone sold).
So I then tried this one.
With my 95 Chevy Malibu I receive a constant hum when it is installed into the lighter.
Head ache producing kind.
However, in the 2001 Trailblazer. Do not notice the hum. But is a tight fit to plug in.
Both vehicles have Onstar.
Is a 2005 Malibu, not a 95.
out of 7 user reviews
Excellent! Best FM Transmitter I have Owned
Pros: Sound Quality
Cons: A Bit Bulky; Pricey
out of 7 user reviews
NOT WORTH A DA#&% !
Pros: Only pros I can find are that it's cheap enough to throw away and small enough not to waste a lot of space at the land fill
Cons: It's absolutely no good for any reason at any price
out of 7 user reviews
Great Car Accessory for iPod Shuffle
Pros: Charges iPod, Transmits in FM Stereo
Cons: Didn't really work in my dad's work truck
out of 7 user reviews
Very Good Reception.
Pros: Easy to install and use.
Cons: Quicker recharge.
out of 7 user reviews
I Had Problems
Pros: Sound quality was better than I thought, Charges iPod, Looks good for a FM transmitter
Cons: Buggy, Can't shuffle, Every time you insert shuffle the settings change
It took me no time at all to connect this to my car stereo's power supply. Also, tuning was not a problem. The first few songs that I listened to sounded decent. Although there was a barely noticeable background hiss.
The problems that I encountered occured when I got to the 10th or 11th track on my shuffle. It all of a sudden stopped playing. I thought it was just a one time thing. It Didn't matter how many times I got to that track the thing stopped playing music on me. I figured it was something wrong with that track or with my Shuffle. So I went back and made sure my iPod Shuffle had the current software and I also changed the play order of my song. This time the problem was worse. I couldn't even play one song.
I ended up returning it to the store. I really wanted this to work. Sound quality was not that bad. Far from perfect, but I knew what to expect from this kind of device.
Another gripe I had with this product is the fact that it seems to reset the settings on my shuffle. So the volume gets reset to the original volume, and the song starts back at the original track after reinserting the shuffle into the transmitter. The latter wouldn't be so much of a problem if you could shuffle your songs, but this product doesn't allow for that.
Until there are more reviews out on this product I definitely don't recommend this to anyone because of its buggy design and lack of necessary features.
