Use your mp3 player in your car without a physical connection (AudiaX 2)

Name: Immlang

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	AudiaX 2
Date:	16/08/08 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inexpensive, plugs in to any music player headphone socket

Disadvantages: Could compete with the music player for power supply in car

The AudiaX 2 is a low powered FM transmitter designed to send a signal from a personal audio source such as an mp3 player or an ipod to a radio so that the audio can be heard using that radio. There are several models in the range. Mine is a DGT 202.
While it can be used anywhere near any radio it is principally intended for use in a car. In this way, the occupants of a car that does not have an aux or usb socket can listen to the personal music player without there being any physical connection between the player and the car audio equipment.

How it works

It works by plugging in to the headphone socket of the music player and then transmitting the sound to an unused FM frequency on the car radio. It needs power and for this there is a choice of using an AAA cell or plugging it in to the cigar lighter socket in the car. I have always used mine by plugging into the cigar lighter.

Sound quality

The sound quality is acceptable. It is not outstanding and is a long way from hi-fi, but, given the background noise when a car is moving it is good enough. It is essential that users find a suitable free FM channel for it to work without interference. Where I live, in the depths of Lincolnshire there is no problem but I have noticed that if I drive near cities it is harder to avoid interference. To achieve good quality it is necessary to turn the volume up high on the music player, much higher than one would normally use with headphones.

Battery issues

Unless the car has two power outlets users have to either buy an aftermarket doubler (they are available from Maplins, for example) or choose to use either the AudiaX or the music player on battery. This is not a great position to be in. I responded to it by plugging the AudiaX into the car power socket and using the ipod on battery. Since the volume has to be turned up high on the ipod it gets through battery quicker than it normally would so there is a need to frequently recharge the ipod. Alternatively, one could use an AAA cell in the AudiaX. The manufacturers claim a battery life of 18 hours.

Best for ipods?

I would have to say that this is not the best solution for ipods. There are dedicated transmitters available, from Griffin for example, that transmit a signal at the same time as keeping the ipod charged. My subjective assessment is that the Griffin transmitters also send a better quality audio signal, so they are better on all fronts for ipod users.

Useful for other music devices?

The AudiaX does have a role to play with music devices other than ipods. It transmits acceptable audio to the car radio and it does mean that mp3 players, minidisk players or whatever can be used as an in-car audio source, so long as users bear in mind the need for power for both the music source and the AudiaX.

Conclusion

This is an inexpensive device, available for about £20 (August 2008) and it is a perfectly reasonable way of allowing anything with an audio jack to be used as an in-car music source. The sound quality is good enough without being brilliant and it is worth a look for anything other than ipods, for which better solutions are on the market.

Summary: Good for anything other than ipods, for which there are better solutions