Digital Lifestyle Outfitters DLA57878/17 TransDock micro FM Transmitter / Charger with IntelliTune for Zune (Black/Silver)

I bought a different car recently and it didn't have AUX input so I opted for this transmitter based on its reviews. Last night I went for a ride to test it out. The intellitune is garbage it picks stations that are strong, but also being used by radio stations to broadcast. The screen is bright, and since there is only one button it's pretty easy to use.Here is the part that will get you if you are big into audio. STATIC, no matter what transmitter you use you will get some static. This one isn't too bad as long as you put the transmitter as far away from anything that will interfere with the signal. I had mine in the 12v next to my radio and it wasn't having that, so I moved it to the 12v around my cup-holder and that made it work way better. The static fades in and out. If you live in the boondocks and there is very poor signal this thing is perfect. If you live in a city you are out of luck.Let me put it this way, I would choose a tape deck and a car kit for a CD player over this, but would rather have a straight AUX input connection over both of them. If this is your only option go for it, if it bothers you that it gets static then buy a new head unit.*Update*Sometimes the unit will be on and not transmit...some times the car is off and the zune magicly turns on...not sure if its my car or this item, its more annoying than anything, but i still like this product.

FM transmitters are the most convenient way to get music from your mp3 player (or smart phone) to your vehicle. That being said, they also have the worst sound quality of all the possible methods to achieve the same goal.The good:Charges Zune while playing. It's nice to have your device charged when you reach your destination."Seek" feature works occasionally (20% of the time or so).Relatively clean-cut frequency display lets you know what station you're broadcasting on.The bad:"Seek" feature only works 20% of the time.Flimsy plastic case. Be sure you don't throw it in your center console too hard for fear of breaking it.Plug will stick in the device on occasion, making it difficult to remove it without fear of damaging your player.Rotary dial fails to give "clicking" feedback now as it did when new. I've only used this transmitter a few times.Even when broadcasting on an empty station, the sound quality is akin to listening underwater. No bass, and the highs are whiney and hollow.Summary:If it's possible for your to replace your vehicle's head unit in order to get a 3.5mm input, do it. This entire class of products are strictly regulated by the FCC, and therefore cannot give you the "quick fix" you're looking for. A decent head unit will cost around $100, with loads of features and will make your system sound better (when done right), not worse. If that's absolutely not an option, throw a dart at a board containing all of the names of the FM transmitters on Amazon, because they're all at about the same level.

In terms of reception, this model of FM Transmitter for the Zune is the best I've ever used, and I've gone through 4 different kinds. The reception is hands down better than any other model I've ever encountered. In the St. Louis area it seems to work flawlessly with next to no static except in one area of town (Shrewsberry/Affton) where it does pick up a little bit of static pretty consistently regardless of what channel I'm on. But compare that to other models where you have a little bit of static at all times, and then unbearable amounts off and on as you move through town, and there is no contest. This is the best FM transmitter you can buy for your Zune. It has the intelligent search feature that many models have (although I question its intelligence at times as I've seen it select popular FM stations with strong signals when it's supposed to be finding "blank" stations) and it also charges while you use it.The big negative is the connector to the Zune. It seems to only work when it wants to. At first it worked every time. Now it requires me to plug and unplug the transmitter from the Zune over and over until it finally decides to connect and start broadcasting. Once it connects, it works fine and seems to work for the rest of the day. But it's the same fight every morning for me. Sometimes I just need to unplug it and plug it back in one time. Other times I'll sit there for 10-15 minutes unplugging and plugging 20, 30...40? times before it finally decides to detect the connection. It can be infuriating and reading the reviews here leads me to believe I am not the only one with this problem.All that said, the reception of this device puts it over the top when it comes to a recommendation. I would recommend this product as it really is the best one on the market, but just be aware that it still has problems. And if it doesn't work for you one day all of the sudden, try unplugging it and plugging it back into your Zune until it does work...and welcome to my world every morning.

The device fits like a glove. I have had no problems with it right out of the box. I did give it four stars for ease of use because the dial is rather sensitive. It will tune away from the set frequency or go into the settings menu if I give it a little bump while putting the Zune HD in the tray just above the lighter socket. The transmitter has enough oomph to pipe the Zune's output over weak to moderate stations within its tuning range.After I read previous reviews, I realize that the next car or truck I buy will probably have a radio with USB and AUX inputs and will render my TransDock obsolete. Until then, it lets me enjoy my Zune's content on my daily 45-minute commute.One word of warning, if you store presets in the device, do not unplug it from the lighter socket. If you do it will erase your settings.Joe