Nowadays, CDs are a thing of the past. They were replaced by more convenient devices, such as USB sticks, because it takes only a few minutes to record music to a USB stick, despite the fact that the same amount of music will be recorded on a disc for at least an hour. Flash drives have a lot of advantages, for example: music on a flash drive can be rewritten an infinite number of times (unlike discs), they are not scratched, they can have a large amount of memory, and take up little space. Most modern car stereos have USB connectors for connecting flash drives. Examples of such radios can be Pioneer DEH-1500UBA, Kenwood KDC-3054URY, Sony CDX-GT457UE, etc. But there are also simpler radio tape recorders, without USB connectors. Such a car radio is Calcell CAR-555U.
If you have such a radio tape recorder installed, but you still want to listen to music from a USB flash drive, then there are special devices called FM transmitters. These devices are designed to be connected through the cigarette lighter socket. To use the FM transmitter, you need to install a USB flash drive in its USB connector, set the transmitter and the radio tape recorder to the same wavelength and enjoy the music played from the USB flash drive through the speaker system of your car. That is, the FM transmitter is a kind of radio wave transmitter for your radio. It should be noted that the devices under consideration are divided into price categories. Budget FM transmitters include devices with a small black and white LCD display.
The only thing that such FM transmitters can boast of is that they all do a good job of their direct function. They have no additional options. Budget transmitters can play music, rewind it and change the frequency of the transmitted wave. All devices of this class have a reception distance of 5 to 7 meters, and this is more than enough.
Mid-range FM transmitters are more attractive devices. Their bodies have smoother lines that blend perfectly with the interior designs of most modern cars. The displays of mid-range FM transmitters are no longer black and white, as in budget ones, but flicker with bright red, green or blue LED radiation. Also, these devices have a number of additional functions, for example: memory of FM stations, audio input, audio output, etc. The complete set of FM-transmitters of the middle class necessarily includes a remote control.
Along with the above, there are also premium transmitters.
Devices of this type have attractive displays and sometimes even have built-in memory. Such transmitters have certain software, they can be connected to a computer using the cable that comes with the kit to record music on the transmitter's built-in memory (the amount of music that can be recorded on the transmitter depends on the amount of its built-in memory). Most premium car FM transmitters have not only a USB connector, but also an SD card slot, so you can transfer music from your mobile phone's memory card directly to the transmitter. The premium FM transmitters, as well as the middle class ones, have the function of memorizing frequencies and have convenient navigation through the music folders of the flash drive. It should also be noted that some premium transmitters support the
bluetooth hands free, which means that when talking on a mobile phone while driving, you do not need to put the phone to your ear, since the voice of your interlocutor will be played through the speakers of the car's acoustic system, and he will hear you due to the microphone built into transmitter. This function significantly improves road safety.
Consider the Promate IF03 car FM transmitter.
This device is a premium transmitter. It is possible to connect not only a USB flash drive to Promate IF03, but also an iPhone or iPod.At the same time, if you connect an iPhone or iPod to the transmitter, you can not only play music from these devices through the speakers of the car audio system, but also charge their battery from the on-board power supply. This is a very convenient function, because the phone charge is not always enough for a long journey. You can also recharge other devices (including mobile phones) via the USB connector. Another interesting factor is that the Promate IF03 is not only an FM transmitter, but also a bracket for holding your phone. Thanks to the installation of such a device, you no longer have to look for a place in the car where you can place your mobile phone - it will always be in a convenient and safe place. The Promate IF03 installed in your car will look like the following figure.
Thanks to the invention of FM transmitters, car enthusiasts no longer have to spend significant amounts on buying modern car radios just because their old, time-tested radio does not support a USB flash drive. Now it is enough to purchase only the transmitter and connect it to the cigarette lighter socket.
