Just when I had about given up on FM transmitters, along comes a new crop of offerings that are not only satisfactory, but at times even impressive. Last week I tackled Monster's iCarPlay Wireless Plus ($79.95, 3 stars) and found its clarity and versatility surprisingly sound. Since then, I have been extensively testing Belkin's TuneBase FM for iPod nano. "Extensively testing" may admittedly be a bit of a misnomer, however, not because I'm not interested in delivering the most accurate reviews to you, the faithful reader, but because I've actually enjoyed using the TuneBase FM, a first for me with any FM transmitter.

Belkin TuneBase FM for iPod nano

The TuneBase FM serves as an iPod charger, cradle, and FM transmitter all in one. It features a flexible neck designed to put your iPod at a more comfortable viewing level than where your car's 12V accessory plug may be. You can bend the neck and pivot your iPod nano as you best deem fit; Belkin even includes a couple different sized shims to make sure the plug is securely holding onto the TuneBase FM no matter how you position it.

Six buttons adorn the front of the TuneBase FM's mini cradle, four for presets and two for adjusting the frequency up or down. The TuneBase FM takes advantage of the new iPod software packed in the nano, allowing it to display your current frequency on the nano's display itself, a welcome departure from the tiny and usually mediocre LED displays previous FM transmitters have employed.

The new iPod software also extends integration to other areas that Belkin takes advantage of. Turn your car on, and the TuneBase FM will automatically start playing your iPod nano from where it left off while transmitting it at the last used frequency. Turn your car off and the TuneBase FM will automatically pause your iPod nano. At last we have a hassle-free FM transmitter!

There are a couple small quirks to get used to, however: first, it takes the TuneBase FM about five seconds from the time you turn on your car for it to actually start transmitting your music to your car's radio. Not a big deal, you say, except for the fact that the TuneBase FM transmits music at a volume lower than your stereo normally receives radio stations, so except a short blast of louder-than-desirable static when you turn on the car (assuming you have the TuneBase FM tuned to an unused FM station, which you should). Also, the TuneBase FM likes to revert your nano to its main menu screen, not the more appropriate Now Playing. Lastly, because of a design flaw with the iPod itself, keeping the nano docked in the TuneBase FM's cradle prevents it from entering deep sleep mode. The end result: don't be surprised if you haven't used your car in a day to find your nano's battery completely drained. Of course, since the TuneBase FM charges your iPod nano this shouldn't be much of a problem, unless suddenly want to take your nano with you.

FM frequency is displayed on your nano's screen

But these generally minor shortcoming are completely overshadowed by the near flawless performance of the TuneBase FM. Even in the crowded airwaves of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the TuneBase FM had no problem punching through and delivering crystal clear music, even on stations with heavy interference. You still have to pay the penalty in audio quality inherent to all FM transmitters, resulting in a flatter sound that connecting the iPod to your car stereo directly or with a cassette adapter, but the TuneBase FM is still the best sounding FM transmitter I've found. Even driving long distances I encountered virtually no static and zero distortion.

Given this performance, I'm not even going to criticize the TuneBase FM for being limited to 88.1MHz to 107.9MHz and not accommodating the 87.xMHz frequencies that are ideal for transmitting. The TuneBase FM is able to take advantage of frequencies that previously had never been perfect for other FM transmitters.

The Bottom Line

The TuneBase FM carries a premium price tag of $80 but backs that up with premium quality (street prices are as low as $60 currently). If you own an iPod nano—and plan on owning it for a while, since the TuneBase FM for iPod nano naturally only works with it—this a first-rate FM transmitter that shouldn't disappoint you.

The TuneBase FM is available in black and white. Belkin also offers a TuneBase FM for 5G iPods.