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After removing the POS hard wired FM transmitter installed by the PO, I searched for more modern solution. In addition to a poor solution, the unit affected the FM antennae and I got almost no FM channels.
Very pleased with this little Nulaxy FM18. Less than <$20. Amazon Choice. Tons of great reviews.
- Plugs into cig lighter
- Tunes to ANY quiet FM station
- Bluetooth connection with phone
- USB charging outlet
- 1/4" miniplug input
PLUS! It displays battery voltage on initial startup!
Highly recommended for those who have no bluetooth or aux inputs. (or just want to know the battery voltage).
Thanks for this advice! Did you remove the old FM transmitter hookup? I'm in a similar position to you in that I inherited something which I would like to update. However, I'd like to get my FM reception back too
Thanks The problem is I don't know where the FM transmitter is hiding.....! Where was yours?
Also, did you plug your new BT device into the glove box power supply or the one in front of the gear stick? Santa just got me one of those solar backup cameras which is taking up the gearstick power supply at the moment....
on the back of ChipnLong's review... the audio quality is excellent compared to the (still) hardwired on FM modulator I have from a PO. I don't know what I have inherited.. maybe something like this: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-GhPe3AUG0oY/p_607FMDA25/FM-Direct-Adapter.html
Anyway, now I have bluetooth, USB charging ports and good quality audio! Very happy camper for $25!!!
2 cautions on the unit
1. It has to be inserted in cig lighter about 45 degrees due to the goose neck interfering with ash tray cover
2. Since the cig lighter is always ON , the unit must be removed when the car is turned off.
I found it a little difficult to insert, but it wasn't down to the ashtray cover - I already had my backup camera monitor in there (which now runs to the glovebox outlet!). I wanted to mention that my cigarette lighter power does NOT stay on once the car is locked... however it was staying on when just walking away from the car. My bluetooth unit has a power off function by holding the "next track" button for 5 seconds as an alternative to pulling it
2. Since the cig lighter is always ON , the unit must be removed when the car is turned off.
As Buzzer said, the power to the cigar lighter will be cut once the car drops out of convenience mode or immediately if you lock the car. That is what my '07 XKR used to do anyway when I had a little device to display voltage plugged in to it.