This kit is very similar to the Dr. Bott iPod Universal Connection Kit, except that it replaces the cassette adapter with an FM transmitter so that you can broadcast your iPod’s output and receive it via FM radio. This package includes the following items:
■ FM transmitter
■ iPod auto charger
■ Mini-jack to RCA cable
■ Six-foot audio cable extension
■ Mini-jack to mini-jack cable
■ iPod carrying pouch
Web Site: www.drbott.com
Pros: Great versatility and includes what you need to use an iPod with home and car stereos; the included FM transmitter is a good way to play iPod music over other components; great value because of the variety of components it includes; supports iPods and iPod minis.
Cons: Cable quality not as good as the Apple or XtremeMac kits.
Dr. Bott is another excellent source of iPod accessory items. The Dr. Bott iPod Universal Connection Kit includes a wide variety of components that you can use to connect your iPod to both home and car stereos. Its components include the following:
■ Cassette adapter
■ iPod auto charger
■ Mini-jack to RCA cable
■ Six-foot audio cable extension
■ Mini-jack to mini-jack cable
■ iPod carrying pouch
Web Site: www.drbott.com
Pros: Great versatility and includes what you need to use an iPod with home and car stereos; great value because of the variety of components it includes; supports iPods and iPod minis.
Cons: No FM support; cable quality not as good as the Apple or XtremeMac kits.
XtremeMac is an excellent company that provides all sorts of iPod accessories. The XtremeMac Get Connected iPod Audio Kit provides a broad range of tools to enable you to use an iPod with both a home stereo and a car stereo. Its components include the following:
■ Cassette adapter
■ iPod car charger
■ iShare earbud splitter
■ Mini-jack to RCA cable
■ Seven-foot audio cable extension
■ Mini-jack to mini-jack cable
Web Site: www.xtrememac.com
Pros: Extremely versatile kit that includes what you need to use your iPod in just about any situation; excellent value because of the number and type of components; supports both iPods and iPod minis; good quality cables.
Cons: No FM support.
The Apple iPod Stereo Connection Kit enables you to connect an iPod to a home sound system. It includes the following components:
■ Stereo Mini-jack to RCA cable
■ FireWire to Dock connector cable
■ Power adapter
■ Dock base
■ Dock covers
Notice that this kit includes several items that might have been included with your iPod, those being the Dock, power adapter, and the FireWire to Dock connector cable. These are indeed the same components that you might already have. The only thing unique to this kit is the Stereo Mini-jack to RCA cable.
To use this kit, you connect the Dock to your stereo and then place an iPod in the Dock when you want to listen to it over the stereo (you’ll see the details of this in a later section in this chapter). Because everything you need is included, you can quickly and easily connect your iPod to a home stereo. The included power adapter and Dock mean that you don’t need to mess around with cables when you want to listen to your iPod’s music. You simply place your iPod in the Dock, and its music is instantly accessible. However, this kit is somewhat limited when compared to other kits described in this chapter because it doesn’t provide components you can use to connect an iPod to a car stereo as well.
Web Site: www.apple.com
Pros: High quality Monster cable; includes Dock and the accessories you need to power the iPod when using it with a home stereo.
Cons: No auto stereo components; no iPod mini support; expensive.
