Use-anywhere FM transmitters 2 - iStuff iCast universal
The final two products in this review are use-anywhere FM transmitters that are also universal - they work through the headphone socket of any personal stereo.
Use of the headphone socket, though, means you'll have to experiment with the volume levels on your personal stereo to get the best out of them.
Each is battery powered but can also be run off a 12-volt cigarette-lighter socket using its bundled adaptor kit. When connected to the lighter socket, transmission strength increases and there's a corresponding improvement in performance.
iStuff icast universal
Power for iStuff's £34 icast universal comes from a single AAA battery (one is supplied). The icast is a small tubular affair about the size of a chubby finger. The front side is finished in silver, the rear in black.
Connection to a personal stereo is via a 250mm (10in) coiled lead that sprouts out of the same end as the external power input.
A single multifunction rocker-switch takes care of frequency tuning and storage, as well as power on/off. If the unit is being powered from the car adaptor kit, it automatically switches on when an audio signal is detected.
In battery-only mode, the icast was the better performer of the two universal models in terms of transmission strength and range.
The icast can be operated with one hand but the absence of any presets makes it somewhat inconvenient for in-car use.
Now for our fifth and final FM transmitter, the universal and use-anywhere Belkin TuneCast II
