Zune HD Premium Car Pack

I want to be clear that this device DOES do what it claims. The problem is the way Microsoft has positioned this. It basically allows you to not only charge your Zune via a cigarette lighter adapter, but also use FM transmission to an unused station to output the audio without tapping directly to the head unit. The cigarette lighter adapter also has a line out jack if you want the best in audio quality. All this is well and good - but the poor thing was just poorly implemented.First, the FM transmitter is a bit buggy. On a number of occasions I had the FM set, yet no audio was coming out of the radio. I had to power cycle the Zune HD to get it to pick up and transmit audio. This does not happen with the line out jack.Second, the FM broadcast quality is simply terrible. The device selected a station in the upper band, and it came up with a little static, but was a very muddy sounding audio. The alternate station was at the lower band, and it had a little less static, but still horrific sounding. The line out was the only option, and it of course sounded marvelous in comparison to the FM stream. Even HD Radio fell victim to this horrific treatment, and I can only suggest that you stick with the line out functionality and ignore the FM altogether if you're considering this device.Third, this really should have been released as two devices - one for just FM transmissions, one for just line out merging. Of course, if the Zune HD had Bluetooth like it's supposed to, there wouldn't be a need for any device. But in lieu of that, combining the two seems to be a waste, versus separating them for $30 a piece.So...my lower rating is due to the fact that for what it does, the thing is overpriced, and the FM part of it is essentially worthless if you're in most major metros, I would imagine. If you use the line out function, the audio is superb (of course). If you don't have a line in jack, it's fine for charging and a wireless option, but don't expect the best audio.

I used to have the older model of the Zune FM transmitter with the controls for the frequency tuner on a separate piece attached to the main unit by another wire, and it worked well and all, but there was much more interference and while you're in your car it would just flop around - or you had to position it juuuuuusst right to get a clear signal (my passenger usually had to hold it). Butcan the premium model streamlines the whole shebang by integrating the tuner and the input jack so you plug the whole thing directly into the Zune itself. Now you have both your Zune and the transmitter in easy reach so you can switch frequencies as easily as you switch songs. I get less interference too. This transmitter is specifically designed for the Zune and won't work with any other mp3 player, but it charges your Zune as it plays your tunes (rhyme intended). The cigarette-lighter plug power source also has a 2nd USB port so you can charge an additional device such as a cell phone or handheld gaming device.If you're one of the hangers-on to the Zune like me and you're in your car a lot, this is a must-have.

Most of the reviews already posted are typical of my experience using the radio transmitter feature of this product. Probably due to FCC regulations, the transmitter power is low and prone to interference. Living in the Chicago metropolitan area there is almost always a little background noise, kind of like listening to a casette tape back in the 80s. One thing I have discovered that I did not see on another review is that the transmitter uses the wire between the Zune player and the cigarette lighter for its transmission antenna. When I first started using the device I had the plug and wire inside the center console of my car and the results were terrible. Fully extending the wire and stretching it out helps enormously. I suspect this has something to do with the variation between reviews. Fully extending the wire will result in a usably clear signal. It is not as good as having an "Aux In" but it is certainly listenable.The device is otherwise well made and works as advertized. Channel selection by "seek" or manual setting is easy and intuitive.

This is an excellent product and simple to use! Just connect it to your Zune, plug the other end into the cigarette lighter and let it find an available station. Turn on your radio and set it to the same station displayed by the FM transmitter, and you can now play your music. It will come through crisp and clear. I live in Denver and have travelled from here to and along the west coast and have had no trouble finding an available station. There are two presets available at any time. I purchased a Zune HD Premium Car Pack along with a Zune many years ago (pretty steep price then). Today it was nice to be able to purchase the same quality product for a fraction of the price. I purchased this one to the replace the original, but as it turns out, the original is still working (I will keep this one as a back up - don't know how much longer they will be available). If you have a Zune player, I would highly recommend this product to play your music in your car!

I hate this thing. It just doesn't work well, the signal fades in and out, there is constant static, it is impossible to use while driving, so you have to sit in your car like an idiot to find a clear channel, then as you drive it fades out, so your only alternative is to put on something noisy like Tool and turn it up loud enough to drown out the static, which is fabulous when you lose the signal and the Jesus station bleeds back in. Maybe it just isn't L.A. area friendly, too many stations. I should have bought the Monster I was trying to replace, but I wanted to be able to charge and listen, now I have to buy both, 'cause this thing's about to go out the window onto the 405.

item works as described but subject to a lot of vehicle interference which makes listening very difficult when driving at higher speeds