Peripheral PXDP/PXHTY3 Toyota iPod Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just got this unit installed today in my 2004 Scion xB so I am not reviewing the long term functionality of the unit although so far it seems to meet expectations. I did have some issues that were resolved with installation. First, the unit has a DIP switch that needs to be set before installation, you have to visit their website to get the code for your car. The instruction manual is very generic, and contains no vehicle specific information.
When I removed my radio from the dash I was confused, as the "vehicle specific" cable supplied has 3 connectors on it but there was only one open connection on the radio. I looked around trying to figure out if the others went to something else but couldn't find anything. Then when I powered everything back up I found the unit was not functioning: the ipod was not charging and would not play back over the stereo.
I used the contact form on their website and explained my problem, thinking I would never hear from them. To my surprise I received an email back minutes later explaining the extra connectors (not used) and the tech asked me to cycle the position of the DIP switches and try again, which fixed my problem and now my ipod is charging and plays through the stereo.
I'm using this with my Touch and so far have verified that track change stereo controls change the song playing and that the player pauses when the car is turned off and resumes when turned on which is what I really wanted.
If you are new to installation you might want to ask a pro for help with this installation or find internet help beforehand to ensure you can get access to the back of the radio and get the cable routed.
For my installation once the issues were figured out only took about 20 minutes and only required a screwdriver.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Peripheral PXDP/PXHTY3 Toyota iPod Adapter

Plugs into the back of the radio- at the cd changer/satellite radio port.If equipped, factory cd changer and satellite radio has to be disconnected.NOT compatible with radios that have a built in 6 disc cd changer or navigation.This adapter is only compatible with single disc or cassette deck radios. Works With: Scion:tC 2003-2008xA 2003-2008xB 2003-2008Toyota: 4-Runner 1998-2008Avalon 1998-2008Camry 1998-2008Celica 1998-2008Corolla 1998-2008Echo 2000-2008Highlander 2001-2008 Landcruiser 1998-2008MR2 2000-2008 RAV4 1998-2008 Sequoia 2001-2008 Sienna 1998-2008 Solara 1999-2008Tacoma 1998-2008Tundra 2000-2008 Yaris 2005-2008

Click here for more information about Peripheral PXDP/PXHTY3 Toyota iPod Adapter

Audiovox FM100A FM Modulator with IST2 Isolation Transformer (Grey) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you have any other option besides an FM modulator to do what you need to do, do it. An FM modulator should be a last resort. That being said, I don't think I could be happier with this product, given the fact that I had no other options.
First, note that this is a WIRED modulator. Wireless modulators are worthless in the US because of the FCC mandated limitations of their broadcast range. Wired modulators like this one tap directly into the antenna in your car and send FM signals directly to your head unit. As such, you don't have interference from other FM transmissions--like radio stations.
As far as wired modulators go, in the same system I tried a Kenwood FM modulator and one from Metra. Both sounded horrible for anything but audio books. I added a ground loop isolator to the Kenwood setup, and it sounded better, but it was still too painful to listen to music through the modulator.
This Audiovox system comes with its own ground loop isolator, and together they sound far better than any other combination I had tried. Everything about this setup is a little smaller than other options I've used, so they fit behind the dash better.
All in all, if you're looking for the best FM modulator on the market, I believe you've found it. AudioVox makes a bad situation tolerable, and in fact, quite enjoyable.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Audiovox FM100A FM Modulator with IST2 Isolation Transformer (Grey)

Allows sound from the video source to be played through the vehicle's speakers. Connects to car Radio antenna. Includes an isolation transformer (IST2).

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Audiovox FM100A FM Modulator with IST2 Isolation Transformer (Grey)

Scosche FM-MOD02 Universal Audio Input FM Modulator for iPod, Satellite Radio or Portable Music Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Works pretty much as advertised: far better than wireless FM, not as good as an auxiliary port.
Basically, if your car's head unit (radio/CD player) doesn't come with a built-in external auxiliary port, you have four options to connect your MP3 player: (1) FM wireless, (2) FM wired, (3) aux port (if available), or, (4) a new radio.
Option (1) is useless; as to option (2), the Scosche FM modulator is probably the cheapest one you can find. There are some better FM modulators (eg, with 8 programmable freqs), but they are quite a bit more expensive. Options (3) or (4), which are also more expensive, offer much better quality. If sound quality is important to you and you're willing to spend the extra cash, look into hooking up through the aux port (if your car has it) or replacing the HU (these days, fairly decent radio/CD/MP3 players are not very expensive).
If you go for this FM modulator, there are a few things you should be aware of.
First, the device consists of the modulator itself and a (very) cheap plastic switch housing, containing the switch which turns the device on and a 3.5 mm female jack for audio input. The housing connects to the modulator via a Molex connector (for the switch) and two RCA jacks (for the audio input). The wires connecting the switch housing to the modulator are insulated, but unsightly and you definitely do not want them exposed. (You connect the MP3 player via the provided 3.5 mm male-to-male cable.) If you listen to the radio, you will likely need access to the switch, because reception of AM and some FM stations can be severely degraded with the modulator on.
Second, mine came with absolutely no instructions or diagrams, and Scosche provides no support on their web site. If you want to do the installation yourself, you're on your own. It's not too difficult -- if you know what you're doing. Basically, you take out the head unit, splice the red wire into an available +12V line (eg, cig lighter), and the black wire into a good ground. Connect the modulator's antenna jacks in-between the antenna and the car radio (here, depending on your car, you might require an antenna jack adaptor). Find a good location for the switch housing, attach the modulator securely, connect the switch and the RCA jacks, choose one of the two FM freqs available, put everything back, and you're good to go.
Third, the switch housing is poorly designed and made out of very cheap plastic. Its back is open (picture it as a cube with one side missing), and the housing itself is too short relative to the depth of the switch and connectors. That severely limits the choice of location for mounting the switch housing, if you don't want to have exposed cables. The housing is mounted by means of a piece of double-sided adhesive tape (provided).
Overall, installation is not too difficult, and, if you can do it yourself, it's worth it. If you have to pay for the installation, consider first an aux port or a new radio/CD player, which provide better sound quality.
Some reviewers complain of humming and/or background noise. I'd be inclined to blame that on a bad installation -- if installed with a good solid ground, this shouldn't be a problem.
Another complaint is that sound volume is too low. In a sense, that's not really the modulator's fault -- it's a basic mismatch between the electrical characteristics of the modulator's audio input and an MP3 player's output; and that's because the latter is designed to drive headphones, not to provide a line-level audio signal, while the former expects a line-level signal. (Test the modulator with any device, such as CD or DVD player, which provides line-level output, and you'll find that the volume level is within normal limits.) You'll have the same problem (volume too low) with any device not designed specifically to handle a headphone signal as audio input.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Scosche FM-MOD02 Universal Audio Input FM Modulator for iPod, Satellite Radio or Portable Music Player

plug your source into the FM-MOD02's auxiliary input or RCA inputs, then tune your FM radio to the selected frequency. You can switch between two different modulation frequencies, 87.9 MHz or 88.3 MHz, for the best possible reception in your area.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Scosche FM-MOD02 Universal Audio Input FM Modulator for iPod, Satellite Radio or Portable Music Player