MP3 player for car - volume/output level important

[Dave_B]

I'd like some advice on a new MP3 player, please. I currently have a Creative Zen MicroPhoto 8GB, used in a car set-up with a hard wired FM modulator. The volume from the transducer isn't very high (I have tried to boost the signal without success) so I have to use the Zen player at full volume. I am happy with the sound quality but the battery life suffers (5 hours or so). I'm looking for a new player with more storage capacity (say 16 GB) but, importantly, with a good level of signal output - at least as good as the Zen MicroPhoto.

How about a Sony NWZS639F ?

Any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

[CrowdAds]

[gebal]

I think you'd be much better of spending as little as possible on a new player (8gb fuze with 8gb micro sd card maybe?), and putting your money towards a car radio with an aux in channel, so you can just plug the player straight in.

[FreeZ5]

With the updated radio, you might not need to get a new mp3 player.

BTW, you can probably get an adapter installed on yur existing radio.

FYI, I am using a cassette adapter, but have used an FM transmitter with the kid's van. Crank the volume up is how it works. I believe I read that even with the aux in, it will work best with the player cranked up, and using the radio to control the volume.

Just thinking...(dangerous I know)...but is the real problem that the battery in your Zen is starting to go? In that case you just need a new player eg Clip/Clip+/Fuze.

Steve

[Dave_B]

Thanks, but I really don't want to replace the head unit in my car. Its a factory Saab unit, double DIN size and fully integrated with the steering wheel controls, etc. Thats why I went down the FM modulator route.

[JK98]

A decent quality cassette adapter works great, however many car stereos don't play cassettes.

Why not get a cigarrette lighter adapter to power the Microphoto plus, or does your car not have a cigarrette lighter? I guess many mp3 players might not even work from external power if the internal battery is completelt dead? Imo players should have a setting to allow external power to bypass the battery(and this should be the default), so the battery doesn't get extra wear when external power is used, and a player is still usable with external power even when the internal battery is dead. I guess most players always have the external power in series to the battery rather than parallel to it, so external power always goes through the battery. Or perhaps there could be a second power connector on the player, having one going through the battery and one bypassing it?

[Dave_B]

Thanks for the suggestions.

My Saab stereo has a CD player but no cassette deck. I have tried the transmitting FM modulators - I found they worked OK with a Fiat Punto but not the Saab 9-3 (Fiat Punto = small hatchback, made of thin tin and with the radio aerial on the roof directly above the FM modulator = good signal; Saab = largeish and made of battleship plate with the radio aerial on the rear wing = awful signal).

I use the Zen on battery but I also have a 12v (cigarette) adaptor and sometimes play with it plugged in. The signal is the same strength.

So, I still think I need a new MP3 player with longer battery life / more storage capacity / at least the same output signal strength !