Review: iRock! 300W FM Transmitter

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Well lets all start off by singing irock killed the tape deck star! well enough of the 80s pop music flashbacks. First International Digital sent us another nifty little gadget along with their irock 530 mp3 player that we recently reviewed; the irock 300w! The 300w transmits audio signals straight from any devices headphone jack, with ease. No more fiddling with those annoying tape adapters that tangle up into a ball or break because the soldering connection is garbage.

The 300w uses low power FM frequency transmission to send the signal to any radio capable of receiving a FM signal.

The device has a setting of 4 different frequencies to choose from; 88.1, 88.3, 88.5 and 88.7 MHz. I found the device worked best for me on 88.1 when I was at home and 88.3 when I was in my car. This will change for you depending on the signal strength of an existing station in your area on your selected frequency. When I was driving around in the car I did end up getting some static here and there, but it didnt bother me too much. When I was at home I tried it on my home stereo and this is where the device really shines. I was able to turn it on, leave it in the computer room upstairs and tune each of my stereos in the house to that station. Low and behold, the irock beamed its joyous sound to each of my devices crystal clear!

At a mere $29.95 this device would be a perfect gift for any gadget geek! Live in a dorm and want to create your own music station? Plug the irock into your sound card and stream mp3s to all your fellow students! The possibilities are endless. The transmitter is capable of transmitting its signal to around 30 feet depending on the interference. I actually got it to work further than that at around 45 feet. Needless to say I am extremely impressed by this product; it would be the hit at any tradeshow.

The only bad thing I have to say about the device is the placement of the on/off button. It is so easily accessible and easy to press down that I ended up knocking it when I put it in my backpack. That was a waste of 2 AAA batteries. When you actually get the full life out of your 300w it will last for about 20 hours of continuous broadcasting.

Once again First International Digital has impressed us again with their line of irock! products.

Pros:
- Amazing device, what can I say?
- Great quality
- Plays on ANY device with a headphone jack
Cons:
- Power button, should be a lockable switch

Features and Specifications

- Compact Size: 2.0" x 3.0" x 1.0"
- Flexible 7" antenna folds around unit for storage
- Audio Input Connector: 1/8" (3.5mm) Stereo Plug
- Power Requirement: 2 AAA Alkaline batteries
- Battery Life: 20 hours typical
- Modulation: FM Stereo
- Frequencies: 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 88.7 MHz
- High stability crystal oscillator, phase-lock loop control (PPL)
- Stereo separation: greater than 45 dB
- Signal distortion: less than .5%
- Frequency response: 50 Hz to 15 kHz
- Operating range: 10-30 feet, depending on the quality of the FM radio receiver (limited by FCC regulations)
- FCC part 15 compliant
- International frequency available with the same specification

Via

Fabrizio Pilato