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If you have been following the saga in this column of how to best play your OWN choice of music in the car (or wherever) WHENEVER you want it, I would be highly remiss if I didn't tell you that there's even another option. We have discussed the Sony CPA-9C Car Cassette Adapter that lets you connect your mp3 or CD player to your car's radio or other device that is equipped with a cassette tape player (see the column called Car Tunes in the archives). But as a friend pointed out to me, not every car, especially newer models, has a cassette player. So it's time to raise the bar and go even higher tech.

Enter a wireless option. With the Belkin Tunecast Mobile FM Transmitter you can use your iPod or other mp3 player or CD player to listen to your favorite music through any FM stereo receiver. The sleek, silver and white, tiny device with the ingenious wrap around antenna connects to your car or home stereo quickly and easily. Just plug in the FM Transmitter through the headphone jack of your player and tune your car stereo or receiver to the clearest FM frequency (you can chose from 88.1, 88.3, 88.5 or 88.7). The next thing you know you'll be enjoying your digital music wirelessly - "like magic" - as my usually techno-jaded 12-year-old son commented when he first heard it.

This gadget is a great convenience, and once you find the right frequency with the least traffic, the sound is clear and comes in full stereo quality. It's ultra-light, so it's easy to pack it up with whatever player you are using when you get out of a hot car. Obviously, it's a real pleasure when you just want to hear your own tune set!

I've had a few problems using it on a longer trips when what's on a frequency changes as you get away from your home territory. You also need to be conscious of the batteries (you need 2 AAA batteries - the first set are included with the transmitter). When they begin to run down (10 hours or so), the quality of the sound begins to go. (Having an extra set of batteries on hand would be wise on a long trip.) But for out and about town, it works great, even in a crowded market like the Houston airwaves.

Look for the Belkin at electronics stores and on online. It hardly seems possible that anything that small can cost $30, but being able to enjoy your own music in the car or with little hassle is well worth the cost.

Product Information

Belkin Tunecast Mobile FM Transmitter
http://www.belkin.com
$29.95