I'd started MP3-ifying my CD collection back in the 90s, before the MP3 craze really took off. So when I finally purchased an MP3 player a while ago, I thought it might be nice to able to listen to every CD in my collection from my car.

So I purchased an iRock FM transmitter, but I wasn't too satisfied with it, so I thought I'd write a short review and possibly save other people from making the same mistake.

On the plus side, it worked well in my apartment: I could transmit a pretty good-sounding signal to my stereo player from the MP3 player in the same room. I also sometimes used it to play a keyboard through a local boombox. It was small, light and inexpensive. It also included four different choices of transmit freqency, which increased the odds of finding an open station.

Now for the minus side:

1. It barely worked at all in my car. St. Louis has a number of low-band FM radio stations, and it seemed virtually impossible to get a clear signal from the passenger seat to the radio when driving anywhere in or around the city. The few times I was able to get it to work was in the middle of nowhere -- and sometimes even Kansas proved too much of a challenge.

2. The power button was badly designed -- it turned on an off with even the slightest touch. Every time I'd store it -- in my backback, or even in the car -- I'd take it out a day or two later to find the batteries were now drained.

This meant I had to pry the cover off, take the batteries out, put the cover back on, and find some way of storing and/or carrying the batteries separately each time I wanted to use it or stop using it. Annoying!

So I really can't recommend this product, as it was when I purchased it. I hear the button has been improved somewhat in newer models, and I don't know whether other FM transmitters might be able to generate a stronger signal.

So you've been warned. If you know this product has been improved, or have any better recommendations, feel free to drop 'em here.

Thanks!

Update: I found I had much better luck with the iRiver FM Transmitter, FYI.