# Aux input for radio **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** pontiac, vibe\ **Created:** [March 8, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344 "2012-03-08T01:36:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fpsfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@fpsfreak](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fpsfreak)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/1 "2012-03-08T01:36:14Z")
i have 2005 pontiac vibe,the radio doesnt have aux input.which of these two would u guys reccomend doing? one is aux adaptor. the 2nd one some guy can install aux built in.the aux input in the built in one doesnt kick in till u plug the aux cable.to disable the aux the aux cable needs to be removed.i like this radio,i dont want to replace it.i dont like the feel of the new ones that display alot of colors hehe šŸ˜› [http://factoryradioservice.com/pontiac-cd-radio-with-aux-input-p-21.html](http://factoryradioservice.com/pontiac-cd-radio-with-aux-input-p-21.html) > **[Amazon.com : PIE GM12-AUXV2 - Car audio switcher : Vehicle Audio Auxiliary...](https://www.amazon.com/PIE-GM12-AUXV2-Car-audio-switcher/dp/B0015CY1XY?t=slickdeals&tag=slickdeals)** > > Amazon.com : PIE GM12-AUXV2 - Car audio switcher : Vehicle Audio Auxiliary Adapters : Electronics ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/2 "2012-03-08T02:25:45Z")
If I had to pick one, Iā€™d go with the first choice. You might consider ebay for a newer factory radio with this feature, though none are listed at the moment. You could also look at junk yards for a newer radio. I agree that aftermarket stereos are poorly designed. ---
**Author:** ![littlemouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@littlemouse](https://community.cartalk.com/u/littlemouse)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 5:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/3 "2012-03-08T05:17:05Z")
Let me get this straight. Youā€™ve got a radio which doesnā€™t have aux input. You can get a guy to install a radio with aux input aux cable something aux which will aux, or you can put in an aux adapter. What does the aux adapter plug into? ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 5:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/4 "2012-03-08T05:32:31Z")
I knew somebody who purchased a brand new car based SOLELY on the way the radio operated and soundedā€¦Nothing else about the car was consideredā€¦No road test, nothingā€¦Just turn on the radioā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 5:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/5 "2012-03-08T05:33:26Z")
I have the same dilemma with my 2006 Matrix. An aftermarket radio will be prone to theft unless I remember to always bring in the faceplate. There are those adapters that convert line level audio (aka ā€œauxā€) to an FM signal for the radio to pick up. I tried one of those and it sucked. ---
**Author:** ![fpsfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@fpsfreak](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fpsfreak)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 10:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/6 "2012-03-08T10:12:18Z")
yea itā€™s a tough choice,both are $70 heh.thanks for the input guys šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/7 "2012-03-08T16:38:12Z")
Some of the FM transmitters suck. I bought this one for a friend that has a Ford Ranger and he loves it. It also has an SD card slot so you can play MP3s that wayā€¦ > **[Amazon.com: GSI Super Quality In-Car Wireless Hands-Free FM Modulator-Transmitter for MP3/MP4/iPod/CD/DVD Players - SD/Memory Card/Flash Slot/USB Port - LCD Display - Cigarette Lighter Plug - Includes Remote Control: Cell Phones & Accessories](https://www.amazon.com/GSI-Quality-Wireless-Hands-Free-Modulator-Transmitter/dp/B003L89FMW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331206553&sr=8-2)** > > This newest Item from GSI Features a High Quality 4-in-1 FM Transmitter, with 206 FM Channels and USB, MP3 and SD Card Functions. It is a Great and Affordable Alternative to other High-Priced Transmit ... ---
**Author:** ![raj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@raj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/raj)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/8 "2012-03-08T18:12:49Z")
I guess my wifeā€™s 1992 Subaru Legacy turbo was way ahead of its time with an CD(Aux) input. ---
**Author:** ![GSragtop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GSragtop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSragtop)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/9 "2012-03-08T19:18:53Z")
We just had to get a new radio for one of our lot cars, for $79 we got a brand new sony with Aux, and Ipod/usb plugā€¦ Removeable face for securityā€¦ We got it at best buy, this is going to be your best bet I think, ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/10 "2012-03-08T20:57:19Z")
Oblivion, the unit you linked to got poor reviews, and itā€™s selling now for $4. Iā€™m going to give it another try with this one: > **[Amazon.com: Coby CA-745 Wireless FM Car Transmitter with Digital Display and DC Car Cigarette Lighter Adapter: Car Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/Coby-CA-745-Wireless-Transmitter-Cigarette/dp/B000OTF6G0/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331221882&sr=1-8)** > > Coby Wireless Car FM Transmitter with Digital Display Transmits Music Wirelessly from Audio Devices over FM Frequency Good reviews and for $23. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/11 "2012-03-08T22:30:49Z")
Whether those FM transmitters work for you or not is mostly dependent on how many FM stations your radio currently receives. In any given area, there is supposed to be at least a one channel gap between the stations, but there are overlap areas where there might be no gap. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/12 "2012-03-08T22:33:58Z")
You need to find a spot where there are no adjacent stations for 2 channels either side. For example, if you have a station at 95.1, then the next station you can get is at 95.5, you could use 95.3. You need to tune to the projected frequency and drive around for awhile to insure that you donā€™t come into a weak signal for that frequency. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/13 "2012-03-08T23:10:32Z")
My last transmitter I tried at several different frequencies. It was the same story every time: noise, static and highs as bad as an AM radio. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/14 "2012-03-08T23:34:56Z")
Too bad there arenā€™t cassette players anymore - I used a cassette-based adapter that sounded great. ---
**Author:** ![GSragtop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GSragtop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSragtop)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/15 "2012-03-09T02:32:15Z")
The main issues with FM transmitters, are they are now underpowered due to the FCCā€¦ Back when they first came out they worked great, and unless you were right on a strong radio tower signal it would block out all the background noise. Problem was the car next to you would be able to pick up the frequency as well, and that was not always a good thing. FCC stepped in and had every one dial it down a notch. Now they barley work even in your carā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/16 "2012-03-14T22:59:41Z")
I just want to follow up on my trial of this FM adapter: > **[Amazon.com: Coby CA-745 Wireless FM Car Transmitter with Digital Display and DC Car Cigarette Lighter Adapter: Car Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/Coby-CA-745-Wireless-Transmitter-Cigarette/dp/B000OTF6G0/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331221882&sr=1-8)** > > Coby Wireless Car FM Transmitter with Digital Display Transmits Music Wirelessly from Audio Devices over FM Frequency It works surprisingly well. Frequency response is fine for my carā€™s stock stereo system and my 52 year old ears. The noise level is a low and unobtrusive hiss. It plugs in a lighter outlet out of the way in a center console compartment which switches off with the key. All I need to do is remember to turn off my MP3 player. I give it 5 stars so far. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/17 "2012-03-15T00:14:46Z")
I believe you might have a cassette player in your car. If so, you can use a cassette adapter. It works better then the FM adapter. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/18 "2012-03-15T00:38:03Z")
Nope, cd player. Itā€™s a 2006 car, not 1996. ---
**Author:** ![raj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@raj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/raj)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 4:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aux-input-for-radio/71344/19 "2012-03-17T04:45:40Z")
FM transmitters seems to be both vehicle and location specific. In urban areas they really suffer and also some vehicle do really poorly while other give off acceptable sound.