Now call us reckless but an FM transmitter connected to an iPod that transmits about 10 feet isn't likely to provide entertainment for North London even if you do strap it to the top of a tower block. So as soon as we got word that this daft ruling was to be lifted we decided to see what new FM transmitter systems were available and Belkin sent us the new Tunebase.

The Belkin Tunebase has been refined in many ways but the most obvious change to its Tunecast systems is the addition of the gooseneck iPod holder, which while a little tacky looking does give you a way to hold your iPod. Normally we'd just tuck it in the centre console somewhere or leave it on the passenger seat. However it is not only difficult to operate stuffed in the ashtray but it is also in mortal danger of being sat on by the girlfriend.

The holder seems strong enough and will accommodate the iPod Mini, Nano, 4G, 5G and Video. Your iPod slides in to the cradle and connect to the FM transmitter which is housed in the base of the cradle. The other end of the steel gooseneck terminates as a 12 volt power connection which plugs into the cigarette lighter. The tuning process is easy enough, the up down arrow keys on the Tunebase control the FM frequency that will be used to transmit, the iPod screen shows this frequency while tuning. You can then store this in one of 4 presets on the Tunebase and then tune your car radio to one or more of these presets.

We also stored the set frequencies as presets on the car radio making it easy to switch between them. All the other iPod controls as as if the unit was not docked and it is also powered and charges while in the cradle. Our tests proved that despite the low power nature of the Belkin system the signal is normally received very cleanly on the car radio and the only issues we had were in North London where local radio stations are so closely grouped it is tricky to find a clear bit of FM spectrum to use. Therefore having the 4 pre stored frequencies made it quick to try another when interference did kick in.

Otherwise audio quality is on a par with FM radio expect you get your whole iPod library rather than some inane DJ dribble and MOR music. The only negative we can find is that the steel gooseneck is prone to vibrating in tune with your car making the iPod screen bob up and down and hence being a bit tricky to read. Also the system would be little use if the 12 volt connector was anywhere other than on the dash as the neck is quite short.

On sale for around £40 the Belkin Tunebase offers a cheap, legal and cable free way to listen to your iPod while on the move.

Published - 07/01/2007

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