How To Find The Best MP3 Wireless FM Modulator For You

First things first, lets get something clear so we're both on the same page when talking about a MP3 Wireless FM Modulator. Many people mix the terms FM Modulator and FM Transmitter so let's try to first clear up which is which.

A FM Modulator is designed to take an audio source, which in this case is your MP3 Player, and transmit it to a FM Radio (i.e. FM receiver). And if you are using it in a car, which is one of the most common places to use a FM Modulator, it will probably be hardwired into the car (i.e. you can't remove it and take it some other place very easily).

The other typical features for a FM Modulator is it will broadcast on only one frequency and only go a few inches or a foot or two at most. This requires that the frequency be very uncommon so you don't have to compete with commercial stations. This is one of the reasons why car radios allow you to tune into stations outside the standard Public FM Band of 88.0 to 108.0 FM (FYI, here in the U.S. we use the odd frequency settings like 107.1 FM but in Europe and other places they use the even frequencies like 107.0 FM). Usually a car radio will let you tune to 87.5, 87.7 or 87.9 FM so you can use a FM Modulator and not have to deal with big radio stations.

The other alternative is to hijack a frequency that don't think you will ever need to or want to listen to that FM Radio station when driving in your car.

The second issue with a FM Modulator that only broadcasts a few inches or a foot or two at best is it requires the FM Modulator to be very close (i.e. "in-line") to the FM Radio's antenna. This means you typically have to pull out your car's FM Radio and install the FM Modulator so it can be close to the FM Radio as well as not be seen. This can pose a problem if you are not handy with electronics or don't want to pay an audio company to install it for you.

Finally about FM Modulators, you will also be required to hard wire the unit into a power source so if you are not handy with electrical details or electronics you will definitely want/ need to hire someone or else you can potentially screw up your car's electrical system or even hurt yourself (not nearly as dangerous as messing with a circuit breaker in your home but it could be painful).

Plus you could also screw up your car's audio system as well if the 2 above are not bad enough...

Now, regarding FM Transmitters. A FM Transmitter operates on the same concept as a FM Modulator but it is typically designed to be mobile. FYI, I'm talking about personal FM Transmitters here that fall under the Part 15 FCC rules NOT the high power FM Transmitters that a commercial radio station may use.

When you go with a FM Transmitter you achieve the same goal as a FM Modulator but with the following benefits:

• No Installation Required - You don't need to do any installation or deal with hard wiring. This can save on not having to pay someone to install it or even potentially screwing up your car's electrical and audio systems.
  
• No Frequency Limitations - You are not limited to only a few frequencies outside the normal public FM Band of 88.0 to 108.0 FM.
• Broadcast Further - You can broadcast much further than just a few inches and if you go with a quality FM Transmitter it can go over 100 feet.
• More Mobility - Since it's not hardwired you aren't limited to just your automobile so you can also use a FM Transmitter in your home, office, etc. Of course this depends on which FM Transmitter you purchase.
  
• More Flexibility - If you choose a good FM Transmitter you can use more audio sources than just your MP3 Player which gives you more flexibility in what audio source you can use.
  

As you can see a FM Transmitter is superior to a FM Modulator, assuming you pick a FM Transmitter that works well and this is usually what most people really mean when they say they want a MP3 Wireless FM Modulator.

So you may be asking "If a FM Transmitter is what I really want or meant to say how do I find the right one?" Keep reading and I can help you.

When looking for a MP3 Wireless FM Modulator (i.e. FM Transmitter) you will want to take into consideration several factors to make sure you don't waste your money on one that doesn't work for you. Here are a few things you have to ask yourself before you buy any FM Transmitter:

1. Do I want to be able to broadcast more than just my MP3 Player? - For example you may also have a satellite radio, home stereo, computer or even your TV that you want to broadcast as well
2. What power options will I want or need? - Is using batteries "OK" or will I want to also want to have the ability to use a 12V car power outlet (i.e. cigarette lighter) or an AC wall outlet or even a computer's USB port.
3. How far do I want to transmit? - Does only going 5 to 10 feet work or me or would it be better if I could transmit a 100 feet or more.
4. Where do I plan on using it? - If you only want to use it in the car then a FM Transmitter that only works on a 12V adapter may be fine but if you want to use it elsewhere like your home or office then you will need more options.
5. What If Technology Changes On Me? - Technology changes at a rapid pace so what works today might not work tomorrow. For example if you have an iPod today and buy a FM Transmitter that only works on iPods you may be fine for now but if you ever go with another MP3 Player or if iPods change the way you connect to devices and you upgrade your iPod you now have to buy another FM Transmitter, this can be expensive. However if you go with a FM Transmitter that is universal then you never have to worry about technology changes or deal with firmware & software compatibility issues.

Once you have these basic questions answered you can then begin to decide which MP3 Wireless FM Modulator (i.e. FM Transmitter) you want to buy.

You can go here for a quick list of FM Transmitters where you can see several of the features discussed above.

To see a FM Transmitter that works great in the car as well as your home or office plus it can transmit much further than just a few feet and it allows you to power it by more than just a 12V adapter you will then want to check out this FM Transmitter.