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 f requency 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.
