With lots of new cars coming with a standard (or affordable option to get an) auxiliary jack in the dash, FM transmitters are becoming a secondary option for lots of people. The auxiliary jack will offer a nicer sound quality which comes without the static or interference that we traditionally find with FM transmitters.
For those with an aux input jack, Kensington has a few options that are worth checking out. They have the LiquidAUX (pictured below right) and LiquidAUX Deluxe (pictured below left) for the iPhone and iPod, which retail for $79.99 and $99.99 respectively. Both models offer the ability to play your music through the aux input jack, will charge your device and ship with a remote control that mounts on your steering wheel. They also both include a 4-foot extension cable just in case your auxiliary jack is not directly next to the stereo, some, like mine are off to the side in the glovebox.
The LiquidAUX, which is the cheaper of the two may also be a better option depending on where your cars power (cigarette lighter) adapter is located because the dock connector and power adapter are attached to a cable instead of a dock which will allow for more flexibility of placement.
The LiquidAUX Deluxe has the power adapter attached to a dock and the power adapter is attached via a flexible gooseneck. This would be the nicer option to use, because it will keep your iPhone or iPod from sliding around your car, but may not work for you depending on your outlets placement. Overall they both seem worthy of checking out.
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July 17th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Do you know if this works with the iPhone 3G?
July 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
They have still not update their compatibility list to reflect the iPhone 3G, it still remains just as the iPhone, which is what it was before.
While it may work, I would be very hesitant to suggest a purchase. I have a few standard charging cables that have worked with various iPods and my original iPhone that will not work with the iPhone 3G.
I will try and dig up some more info from Kensington.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
This product completely works with the iPhone 3G. No warning symbols whatsoever. Neither for charging nor audio interference.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Do *both* products work with 3G? Remember that 3G is slightly wider than 2G, so the cradle on the LiquidAUX Deluxe might not fit. Anyone?
August 11th, 2008 at 10:37 am
does anyone know if I can use this if I don’t have an aux jack?
August 24th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
1. Yes both work with the 3G phone
2. Yes you can use this if you don’t have an AUX jack; I’ve plugged in a cassette adapter and it works great…
Cons
1. There is a promo going on (as of Aug 20th or so) you’ll get free earphones value $60 and a discount so look on the web, don’t buy direct form apple.com
2. the pictures are very misleading; for the Deluxe version it makes it appear there is a much larger stem going to the dock. If your power plug is close to your radio or will block portions of it you could be disappointed. I’ve worked around it.
3. Better price point would be 69.99 — 99.99 is just to much for this unit.
4. I’ve gotten three warnings in the past week that the device isn’t made for the iphone 3g; which is not true… I could have seated the device wrong … i’ll wait another week before i call in and ask
Pros
1. It works as advertised
2. Don’t listen to the reps on the phone that may say there is a speakerphone attached to the unit — there is none. When a call comes in the music automatically turns off you can answer with your bluetooth and the music resumes.
3. it doesn’t move around much. I have a big suv and the dock pretty much stays put. hard to read because its so low
September 1st, 2008 at 4:09 pm
My Suv has no AUX jack or Cassette player. Will it still work for me or do I need to find another option?
October 9th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I purchased the Aux Deluxe model. It does not work with iPhone 3G once you upgrade to version 2.1. You get an incompatible device message. The phone will charge, but the Aux cable will not work, you will have to run a cable from the headphone jack to the AUX in on your car stereo. It is 10/9/08, and I just tested this yesterday, returning it tomorrow. The shaft was stiff enough, but the swivel does not have enough tension to keep the phone in one position. Mine swiveled all over, wouldn’t stay in place. The instructions are a joke, and the unit comes with a piece of packaging tape on the back, so it is hard to open the retractable jaws to adjust. I managed to break mine right out of the box because the tape was hard to see and the instructions did not mention anything about it. Avoid this product until the manufacturer says it is iPhone 3G v2.1 compatible.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I have 2.1 installed and I get the message saying that it’s not compatible, but it lets me play through aux anyway without having to plug in aux to my headphone jack. Maybe it’s a stereo-specific issue?