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Reviews of new travel-oriented products
Sep 08, 2009 (Chicago Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) --
Port Authority2 mobile music FM transmitter
What it is: A device that connects to your MP3 player, CD player, PDA or notebook computer and broadcasts on an FM frequency so you can listen on your car radio or any other audio system with an FM radio.
How it works: The device either plugs into your car cigarette lighter, or it runs on two AAA batteries so you can use it with your home audio system or in a hotel. Plug the retractable cable into your MP3 player (CD player, etc.) and the transmitter broadcasts to any of 16 FM settings, more than enough to avoid interference from stations competing for that frequency.
The good: Having heard some bad FM transmitters over the years, my expectations were low, especially at this price, but this sounded very good. Initially, there were subtones that sounded like interference, but once I realized I had the volume on my MP3 player set too low and turned it up, the sound blossomed. It makes taking the musical comfort of home pretty easy. It also turns off after a minute of inactivity, preserving battery life. In addition, the device detaches from the cigarette-lighter module, making it extremely portable when using batteries.
The bad: Because of the cigarette lighter's placement in my car, I couldn't plug the device in without shifting into neutral. Once the transmitter was plugged in, however, I was free to shift into park or any gear.
Cost: $24.97
Available from: cablestogo.com
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(c) 2009, Chicago Tribune.
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