Advanced Car Mount System FM Transmitter & Charger for HTC TP2?

[howdizzle]

Hey all,

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I've got the TP1 and am currently keeping an eye on eBay for the best possible deal on the TP2. In anticipation of the upgrade, I'm also eyeballing this charger/transmitter mount for the car, which is apparently the only gadget that combines charging and transmitting. I'm hoping to use my TP2 as an in-car mp3 player.

Overall the reviews there are positive, but not specific to the TP2. The only one that is specific to the TP2 ain't so hot.

Has anyone else rolled the dice on this thing for their TP2? I feel like I have no choice but to give it a try, as it's apparently the only game in town for this perfect storm of essential functions. I realize the TP2 is not listed among the supported devices in the official item description, but there's at least one other person out there that's tried it and gotten it to fit, if somewhat underwhelmingly. This company, Accessory Power, makes holder/charger/transmitters for a wide variety of devices, including the Creative Zen mp3 player, which I also have. I emailed the company to see if it would be possible to attach a TP2 to the Zen designed mount, since they're both mini-usb power and 3.5mm audio. No reply. I know; this is also not a good sign. Does anyone else have any info or opinion?

(If you're wondering, I'm upgrading only to the TP2 because I'm keeping my super-cheap Sprint Sero deal.)

Many Thanks!

[horndoctor]

Wirelessly posted (htc Pocket PC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint MP6950SP)

Looks pretty cool but it does say for Android phones.
I hope it works for you. Let us know how well it works.

[bobturismo]

It's been my experience when you try to "Combine" products the ending result is usually very crappy.

I wouldn't pay $30+ for a transmitter, I've usually paid ~$10 for mine (paid 3 bucks for one that was on clearance at checker auto, only has 4 stations to use )

I found that I prefer my phone sit sideways with the keyboard open for using google maps or watching videos. I actually used my psp car stand that actually held it perfectly sideways, then to take it out, I simply closed the phone instead of doing some sort of unlatching.

[boredandtattooed]

too bad you dont have a tape player in your car still lol... then you wouldnt need all these extras

[howdizzle]

Thanks everyone so far. I actually already have an old Belkin tunecast that I've used for years with basic satisfaction. It just sucks because it needs its own power source, plus it only works when there's an audio signal triggering it, therefore it goes off automatically and annoyingly as soon as the music stops (i.e. if an album ends and I don't think of it right away and just enjoy the silence, the unoccupied-station radio static pops back on with volume blasting because volume has to be turned way up to hear the weak Belkin signal). The car also has an AC outlet, so eventually it happens that there's a music player plugged in one thing and the Belkin plugged in another, wires everywhere, gadgets hogging the drink-holders --- just a big annoying clutter. I don't even bother with it for running errands or quick trips, because it would all have to be shoved in the glove and then done up again, which is a pain in the arse.

Of course, there's always the CD player, but I download so much music these days, it's a huge waste to keep burning these short-lived CDRs. Point is, no matter what, I'm in the market for a simpler, cleaner FM transmitter set-up, and I now officially have a TP2 on the way. I don't even care about the "hands free phone" aspect, as I hardly ever actually talk on the phone, especially in the car. For music, though, a transmitter/charger/holder combo would pretty much slay all these beasts, assuming this magical Accessory Power gadget works worth a damn...

[[btw: scored a TP2 on eBay for $100! I'm stoked. Apparently it's a little scratched up, but the reputable seller says it works perfectly.]]

[chrisb2e9]

Does your car have an audio jack? If not I would look into seeing if you can install one. Nothing compares to having a direct connection. as for charging. I bought a charger that is just a usb port. works for everything that charges off of usb. No need for more than one charger that way.

[DavidinCT]

Originally Posted by howdizzle

Thanks everyone so far. I actually already have an old Belkin tunecast that I've used for years with basic satisfaction. It just sucks because it needs its own power source, plus it only works when there's an audio signal triggering it, therefore it goes off automatically and annoyingly as soon as the music stops (i.e. if an album ends and I don't think of it right away and just enjoy the silence, the unoccupied-station radio static pops back on with volume blasting because volume has to be turned way up to hear the weak Belkin signal). The car also has an AC outlet, so eventually it happens that there's a music player plugged in one thing and the Belkin plugged in another, wires everywhere, gadgets hogging the drink-holders --- just a big annoying clutter. I don't even bother with it for running errands or quick trips, because it would all have to be shoved in the glove and then done up again, which is a pain in the arse.

Of course, there's always the CD player, but I download so much music these days, it's a huge waste to keep burning these short-lived CDRs. Point is, no matter what, I'm in the market for a simpler, cleaner FM transmitter set-up, and I now officially have a TP2 on the way. I don't even care about the "hands free phone" aspect, as I hardly ever actually talk on the phone, especially in the car. For music, though, a transmitter/charger/holder combo would pretty much slay all these beasts, assuming this magical Accessory Power gadget works worth a damn...

[[btw: scored a TP2 on eBay for $100! I'm stoked. Apparently it's a little scratched up, but the reputable seller says it works perfectly.]]

I have the same exact delema

A all in one item is what we need. THe problem is so I use a FM transmitter, need to plug that in, then I am streaming internet music (if it does not drop 20 times because of lack of call signal) so it kills my battery, so, I need to plug in a charger. Next thing I have is a dashboard full of wires that took me 10 min to get all setup every time I want to use it and another 3-4 packing it up when I am done. After about 2-3 times of using it, it will never get used again because of the PIA setup time/cleanup.

A simple, one plug/charger option would be perfect, is there such a item for a TP2 that works good and is notr a rip off?

ps. Welcome to the madness with your new TP2

[howdizzle]

@chrisb2e9:
My face went red for a minute as I realized I never really checked for such an input; I just assumed that if there was one, I'd have noticed by now. I checked, and it turns out I can have at least that much faith in myself... So, no, there's no audio input that I can see. I googled around a little to see if there's a quick, layman-style fix, but it looks like I'd have to remove the stereo and get into the wires and all that, and I'm just not that handy. At least not enough to have a whack at what's ultimately my girlfriend's car.

@DavidinCT:
I feel your pain, brother. I started this post 'cuz there actually is a product on the market right now, made by a co. called Accessory Power, that purports to fulfill all our wildest dreams of a multifunction mount for our gadgets. (see original post for links.) I just don't know if it's really for our gadgets, or if it really works at all. That's what I'm asking -- has anyone tried it?

As long as no one specifically tells me not to, I'll probably roll the dice and then report back, but I'm hoping someone with experience chimes in before I take the leap...

[Recursion]

Originally Posted by howdizzle

Hey all,

***I'm also eyeballing this charger/transmitter mount for the car,

This is TOTAL CRAP!! Very cheap components and labor.

I bought this exact one, total crap. Sent it back. Hassle.

Thinking I might have gotten a dud, I bought the same one off of ebay for way less. DOA. They sent me a second that I still have. CRAP.

1. Transmitter is very weak. At full volume, I barely get my sub working.
2. Transmitter connectivity is lame. I get a nasty buzzing until I spun the thing around several times. It didn't go away, just got less annoying.
3. Design sucks. Unless your +12v is positioned perfectly, this will be poorly positioned to hold your TP2. Upside doesn't work for me.

My suggestion...buy a higher-end Kensington transmitter and get yourself a $3 USB-port charger. Kensington transmitters (I have two different ones) are clean & powerful. Good gain upon receipt.

The best alternative has already been mentioned. A direct RCA Jack connection is the shiznit. Nothing beats it for connecting your TP2...unless of course, you have a cassette deck in your ride (LOLOL!).

Good luck, bro...

edit: You want the Kensington Model that looks like this, but with the RCA plug, not the ipod connector. The portion that sticks into your power port should look the same. That's the best one they've made, IMO.

[howdizzle]

Dang. Well that tears it. Thanks, Recursion. Guess it's back to the drawing board. So what I'm looking for is a convenient holder that won't leave any marks or glue on the dash, compatible with a good transmitter, perhaps a transmitter/charger combo... like this, maybe.

With the Kensington, when you say RCA, do you mean a singular 3.5mm plug?

Perhaps I should start a whole new thread inquiring generally about what kind of charging/transmitting set-up people have with their TP2.