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iPod Buying Guide

Need help deciding which iPod to buy? We've got some recommendations based on what you plan to do with the iPod so have a look:

Car Travel Travel in a Car: If you tired of listening to what's on the radio, the same 10 songs over and over throughout the day. Then get an iPod and become your own DJ every time you drive and listen to what you want to hear when you want to hear it. Any of the iPods (Video,Mini, Nano or Shuffle) will work fine in your car. It's just a matter of how much music you want to be able to choose from. How do you get those great tunes stored in your iPod to play through your car's sound system? The options range from the tried-and-true cassette adapter, which gives you the most basic kind of audio input, to component installations that give you the highest possible sound quality, let you control your iPod through your car radio, and automatically keep your iPod charged. Convenient and inexpensive in-car iPod solutions The simplest way to get a signal from your iPod to your car's radio without any installation, you have two options. Cassette adapter - A variety of manufacturers make a cassette adapter. A cassette adapter connects to your iPod's headphone output, plays on your car's cassette deck, and is probably the simplest solution for vehicles that have a deck. Wireless FM transmitter - The wireless FM transmitter, like the cassette adapter, plugs into your iPod's headphone output. Usually powered by "AAA" batteries or by your car's cigarette lighter, the transmitter sends a low-powered FM signal to your car radio. Although convenient, wireless FM transmitter signals are susceptible to static and outside interference, and can vary in strength and quality depending on your location. In-car iPod solutions that offer better sound quality Running a direct line from your iPod into your car's system will give you cleaner and better sound quality. Wired FM modulator - The wired FM modulator, like the wireless transmitter, sends a signal that's picked up by your car's receiver. The difference is that the modulator is wired directly to your car radio's antenna input, so it delivers a much stronger signal for you to tune in, although there can still be interference from surrounding stations on the dial. The modulator connects to the iPod via a minijack-to-RCA cable. Auxiliary input jack - If your car's head unit has an auxiliary input jack, a simple cable connection might be all you need to listen to your iPod in your car. Auxiliary inputs are usually located on the back of a car radio, though certain models offer a convenient front-panel input. For radios with rear aux inputs, you'll probably have to run a minijack-to-RCA cable from under the dash for the iPod to plug into. If your stereo doesn't have an auxiliary input, there are auxiliary input adapters available for both factory-installed and aftermarket radios that convert the CD changer input into an auxiliary input. Since auxiliary inputs provide a direct connection from the iPod to the receiver, they give you the cleanest and most detailed possible sound in your car. Full-function in-car iPod solutions: With each of the before mentioned solutions, you still have to use the iPod's controls to select, play, and pause songs. You have to look at the iPod's screen to navigate through songs, which can be dangerous while driving. There are interfaces that exist which let you use your car stereo to control the music coming from your iPod, and to display the iPod's information on the car radio screen. This can make using your iPod especially convenient in vehicles that have those controls built into the steering wheel - and contribute significantly to safer driving. Plus, these solutions keep your iPod fully charged, so you don't have to worry about running down the batteries. Factory stereo iPod adapters - These interfaces are made specifically to connect your iPod to your factory radio. They connect to your factory radio CD changer port and to the iPod, so the sound quality is optimal. They can display the information on your iPod's menu on your factory radio's screen, and allow you to navigate through your iPod's song collection using your factory radio controls, including steering wheel controls. This kind of adapter also charges your iPod automatically, making it ideal for long trips. Brand-name radio iPod adapters - If you've upgraded your car's sound system with a brand-name radio, chances are good that the same manufacturer now has an iPod interface available. These brand-specific adapters connect to a CD changer input, and give you the same superior sound quality as auxiliary input connections. You also get full access to the iPod's menu from your radio and a power supply to keep your iPod charged. Most brand-name radios have superior displays, which makes navigation even easier. Plus you can take full advantage of your system's sophisticated sound-shaping options, so you can get the best possible sound from your iPod's song collection. Keeping your iPod charged and secure: If you are worried about keeping your iPod charged while driving, so you don't run out of tunes, is easy. If you're not using an interface that charges your iPod automatically, you can choose from a variety of accessories that let you tap into your car's cigarette lighter for just that purpose. Some are simple, stand-alone chargers, while others incorporate the lighter's power source to run an FM modulator, or power an in-line remote. While driving, it's a good idea to have your iPod secured in some fashion. A flying iPod after a sudden stop can be a safety hazard - and perhaps a tragic end for your player! If you have a cup holder, you can get a dock that fits inside it. The dock holds the iPod securely, and angles it for easier use. You can also get a combination dock and charger, which uses the cigarette lighter plug as the base for the dock.

Business Travel If your job has you on the go whether it's flying or driving any of the iPods will serve you well on your travels. You just have to decide how much music and or video you need to get you through your journey. Short Distance Drives (In city Driving) The iPod Shuffle, the smallest and lightest of the ipods, come in size capacities of 512MB and 1GB models. The 512MB Shuffle can hold 8 hours of music while the 1GB Shuffle can hold up to 16 hours of music. That's more than enough music to get that Account Rep, Delivery driver, mailman or anybody on the go in or around the city throughout the day. The downside with the shuffle is that there is no screen and you can't pick a song - it just plays whatever is on there either in a row or as a shuffle mix. You can pause, forward and reverse, but that's about it. Shuffles run from $69.99 to $99.99. Long Distance Travel (In-State/Interstate Drive or Flight) If you are on the road for long streaches or commuting by air you will want to consider getting a Nano. The Nano comes in 1GB(15hrs of music), 2GB(33hrs of music) and 4GB(66hrs of music) capacities. Nanos run from $149.00 to $249.00 For those of you who spend a lot of time in airports and in the air you will want to consider purchasing a Classic iPod. They come in 30GB(500hrs of music) and 60GB(1000hrs of music) and have the ability to have video downloaded to them. You can store up to 75hrs of video on the 30GB model and 150hrs of video on the 60GB version. You can down the latest music videos or entire seasons of your favorite that you have been missing due to your travel schedule. You now have the freedom of choice, you can watch what you want to when you want or you can watch what the airline has to offer. Either way it's a win-win situation for you. iPods run from $299.00 to $399.00 Also, both the iPod and the Nano can store pictures on them so if you are feeling home sick you can look at pictures of your loved ones making your journey away from home a little easier.

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