Just Bought An IPod - Need Accessory Advice

[IggyWH]

IPod Mini's were $169 this past week on Amazon.com and since I had $150 in gift certificates from ecasinodeals, I figured what the hell and bought one.

I'm now in the market for an FM Transmitter. I went to the store though and saw about 8 different versions all in different price ranges. I really didn't know which to go with so I figure someone has experience with them.

I also saw where some said it required a "dockable" IPod. What the hell is that?

Are there any other IPod accessories that are a "must buy"?

Thanks,
Iggy!

[Voltron87]

The iPod mini has a pretty low battery charge. I got a Belkin Tunepower battery pack, which connects throught the bottom connector and attaches on the back. It gives another 12 hours, it's slightly smaller and lighter than the mini itself so it doesn't add much weight or size.

[plaster8]

[ QUOTE ]
IPod Mini's were $169 this past week on Amazon.com and since I had $150 in gift certificates from ecasinodeals, I figured what the hell and bought one.

I'm now in the market for an FM Transmitter. I went to the store though and saw about 8 different versions all in different price ranges. I really didn't know which to go with so I figure someone has experience with them.

I also saw where some said it required a "dockable" IPod. What the hell is that?

Are there any other IPod accessories that are a "must buy"?

Thanks,
Iggy!

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First off, congrats. Hope you like your iPod as much as I love mine.

As for the accessories, start with a case if yours didn't come with one. It's essential, because the iPods scratch easily (at least the non-mini ones).

I wouldn't recommend an FM transmitter, unless you're in a rural area with few radio stations. I'm in the Seattle area, and I found it hard to find a frequency that was "blank" enough for the music to sound good. I ended up with a lot of static, etc. I use a tape adapter in my car for the iPod now, and it sounds fine.

And a "dockable" iPod is one that has a dock connecter on the bottom. If the bottom of your iPod has a little connector, then you've got a dockable iPod (I think -- I'm not sure how the minis are set up).

Anyway, have fun. Good luck.

[IronDragon1]

[ QUOTE ]
The iPod mini has a pretty low battery charge. I got a Belkin Tunepower battery pack, which connects throught the bottom connector and attaches on the back. It gives another 12 hours, it's slightly smaller and lighter than the mini itself so it doesn't add much weight or size.

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I second this.

I'd also go with a car charger.

[IggyWH]

[ QUOTE ]
The iPod mini has a pretty low battery charge. I got a Belkin Tunepower battery pack, which connects throught the bottom connector and attaches on the back. It gives another 12 hours, it's slightly smaller and lighter than the mini itself so it doesn't add much weight or size.

[/ QUOTE ]

I saw them but didn't think I would need one. I think I read before the mini has around 10 hours of battery life fully charged.

I've always been one that's good keeping my cell phone charged so I don't think keeping my IPod charged is going to be too hard.

[IggyWH]

[ QUOTE ]
As for the accessories, start with a case if yours didn't come with one. It's essential, because the iPods scratch easily (at least the non-mini ones).

[/ QUOTE ]

I made the mistake when I got my latest cell phone like 2 years ago. I said to myelf "I don't need a case". A month later, my phone looks like I used it as a hockey puck.

I went to Best Buy today and bought a rubber-like plastic case for it. That way if I drop it, it won't get all scratched up and I won't eff up the screen. The thing was only $20. I might get one of those action cases though because with the plastic case now, it won't fit on a belt clip.

[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't recommend an FM transmitter, unless you're in a rural area with few radio stations. I'm in the Seattle area, and I found it hard to find a frequency that was "blank" enough for the music to sound good. I ended up with a lot of static, etc. I use a tape adapter in my car for the iPod now, and it sounds fine.

[/ QUOTE ]

I live in Pittsburgh so radio stations aren't too crazy. I also only have a CD deck in my car so I can't use the tape adapter. I think I'm stuck having to buy some FM Transmitter.

[Voltron87]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The iPod mini has a pretty low battery charge. I got a Belkin Tunepower battery pack, which connects throught the bottom connector and attaches on the back. It gives another 12 hours, it's slightly smaller and lighter than the mini itself so it doesn't add much weight or size.

[/ QUOTE ]

I saw them but didn't think I would need one. I think I read before the mini has around 10 hours of battery life fully charged.

I've always been one that's good keeping my cell phone charged so I don't think keeping my IPod charged is going to be too hard.

[/ QUOTE ]

In reality it's more like 8. I definitely think it's worth it, I often bring my Ipod to the B&M. You can always wait a month and then buy it if you want it. I got mine for 70$, and it was worth every penny. It depends on your listening cycle as well. But the mini's battery is pretty weak and the tunepower works well.

[TeeJayORTj]

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I live in Pittsburgh so radio stations aren't too crazy. I also only have a CD deck in my car so I can't use the tape adapter. I think I'm stuck having to buy some FM Transmitter.

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If your deck has Auxilary inputs you could hook your Ipod up through the back of the deck. And if you try it...let me know how it goes because im interested in trying to do that.
/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Ray Zee]

that bose docking station seems nice. it makes it just like a room sized system. sounded real good to me.

[edtost]

ipod -> aux in = the greastest thing ever.

[Redmen62]

[ QUOTE ]

In reality it's more like 8. I definitely think it's worth it, I often bring my Ipod to the B&M. You can always wait a month and then buy it if you want it. I got mine for 70$, and it was worth every penny. It depends on your listening cycle as well. But the mini's battery is pretty weak and the tunepower works well.

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If you were going to spend $70 on a battery-extending accesory, consider returning your 1st generation mini for the 2nd gen that comes out in a week, with 18 hour battery life for $199.

Edited to add: www.ipodlounge.com (http://www.ipodlounge.com) is a good site for accesory reviews and general info.

[fsuplayer]

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that bose docking station seems nice. it makes it just like a room sized system. sounded real good to me.

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this thing is great. sounds wonderful.

[fsuplayer]

i have bought two FM transmitters so far and they both sucked hard.

the first was an all-in one case, transmitter and charger w/ a holder for the ipod in the car. belkin i think, like 100bucks.
that broke within 4 wks.

then i bought an Itrip FM transmitter ($30ish), and the reception is very fuzzy and super annoying.

maybe some others can tell you better brands, but stay away from those.

[someguy2]

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ipod -> aux in = the greastest thing ever.

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I'd recommend getting an auxiliary input adapter and a car charger. I tried the FM transmitter thing and the sound quality was horrible, it's not worth the money at all.

[Shilly]

Weird, I just bought one of these today. It was like ~$60, I got the Monster one so I'm assuming it's good quality. I used it on the way home, my only gripe is that the audio quality is slightly worse.

[Freakin]

You should buy an iAudio M3 to go with it. That woudl be a pretty good accessory.

Freakin

[Dangergirl]

The best FM transmitter I've found is the one made by Griffin Technologies. The reception that I get is pretty great quality. It's defnitely not CD quality but it's good.