DLO Expands Zune Offerings

[Aaron Roma]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.cliczune.com/2007/02/new_zune_access.html' target='_blank'>http://www.cliczune.com/2007/02/new_zune_access.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&quot;We already like DLO&rsquo;s Zune cases but we might simply love their new Zune charger and FM transmitter. The company is expanding their Zune accessory line with a car charger and a Zune FM transmitter.&quot;</em></p><p><img alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2007/dlo-transmitter-clickzune-022207.jpg" /></p><p>DLO has added a FM transmitter and a car charger to their line of Zune compatible accessories. The FM transmitter is a tethered solution, unlike the Zune branded transmitter (which attaches directly to the Zune). One nice feature of this tethered solution is the cable is actually removable and can be used as a charge and sync cable. Check out the above link to get a rundown of these new accessories from Cliczune.</p>

[tbird]

Now thats what I am talking about.....
More stuff for the Zune.......

[Steve-O]

After reading the less-then-stellar reviews of the Zune branded fm transmitter, I went for the one offered by DLO made for the Zune that powers by the cig lighter and plugs into the interface port on the bottom of the Zune. The transmitter is located on the lighter plug unit and It features 88.1 to 107.9 tuning band with large led backlit screen. The tuning buttons are located on either side of the unit, left is down, right is up. This was very easy to see and use. There is a USB port on the top of the unit and that cables into your Zune with the included USB cable. There are two mini-headphone (1/8th inch) on the bottom of the unit for external input and output. The DLO transmitter plugs well into the socket of my Chevy Astro snugly and the units locking ring to provided more support making it rock solid in the cig port.

Now here's the bad part. None of it works well enough to make it use-able in any situation I can think of, short of some sort of hack, but I would even doubt if that would help. The transmitter is a piece of junk. The DLO unit is depending on the signal from the Zune connected through the USB cable, but there is no way to adjust the output of the Zune through the USB port that I know of, and therefore does not provide nearly enough signal to output to my head unit. The head unit I am using is an unreal tuner and can pick up stations 150 miles away with rock solid performance. I had to crank the head unit to get any signal and what was there in the background of noise, engine interference, and the fact that it played primarily from the right side only, was just a shadow of what was really playing. Pathetic at best. My antenna is right on the dashboard on the passenger side and should work with no troubles at all...

When I skipped to the next song, all types of noise, similar to a fax modem, would go for about 5 seconds at the beginning of each song. PONDEROUS!!!

At $81 at BB, DLO should be ashamed of themselves for putting out such a worthless product and putting it on the market knowing its lack luster performance wasn't going to cut the mustard in the ipod battle for supremacy.

Final thoughts: If I have to tell you that I am taking this poor excuse for a transmitter back, you really weren't reading this, were you?

Stephen, proud owner of a black Zune-izzle.

[Jason Dunn]

When I skipped to the next song, all types of noise, similar to a fax modem, would go for about 5 seconds at the beginning of each song. PONDEROUS!!!

Wow. Sounds BAD. :eek: Thanks for the mini-review Steve-O. I've never been a fan of FM transmitters myself, because they are so flaky and prone to not work. Investing $200 in a new stereo deck with a 3.5mm input jack would be a far better choice for most people. Heck even those cassette adaptors sound better than the FM transmitters!

[Steve-O]

The FM Trans are junk, mainly because the FCC limits the broadcast range. But I recently picked up the sexy Zune FM Trans and plan on performing the mod to increase range. I have a killer setup in my vehicle with an aux input for the zune, but I wanted something to play in other vehicles that don't have any other way to play through.

Anyway, stay far from DLO's offering.

[Jason Dunn]

But I recently picked up the sexy Zune FM Trans and plan on performing the mod to increase range.

Cool. Let us know how it goes!