Music and long commutes

[akmom]

I have long commutes for my job and my company car doesn't have any music-playing capabilities (no CD or cassette player). It has a radio, but it doesn't get any stations in the mountains. I'd sure like to have some music.

Does anyone have any recommendations for something cheap? My husband says a portable CD player or MP3 player with headphones isn't an option because you can't drive with headphones. And there's no way to plug in a regular boom box. (I'm pretty behind on technology, so I suspect there is a simple answer to this question.)

 

[dysert]

I have long commutes for my job and my company car doesn't have any music-playing capabilities (no CD or cassette player). It has a radio, but it doesn't get any stations in the mountains. I'd sure like to have some music.

Does anyone have any recommendations for something cheap? My husband says a portable CD player or MP3 player with headphones isn't an option because you can't drive with headphones. And there's no way to plug in a regular boom box. (I'm pretty behind on technology, so I suspect there is a simple answer to this question.)

You can't drive with headphones? I didn't know that. What about ear buds?

Anyway, you might consider getting an iPod and one of those mini-speakers that could plug into it. Or, to go cheaper, get a small portable CD player and one of those mini-speakers. If you have a Fry's or a Best Buy, I'm sure they could set you up with something that won't break the bank.

 

[akmom]

We don't have those kinds of stores, but if I know what to get, I can order it from them online.

 

[dysert]

We don't have those kinds of stores, but if I know what to get, I can order it from them online.

Ok. Check out the iPod Nano. If that's too expensive, then we'll have to go with a portable CD player. Then check out a mini speaker. I believe there's one called the Bullet that will plug into an iPod. Or go to Amazon and try searching for something like "ipod speaker" or "mini speaker", etc. I'm sure you'll find something.

 

[HannahT]

We finally came into this century this year, and got some Android phones. They have an SD card (storage or memory card) in them, and I put things to listen to on that...and then play the stories, tunes via the speaker on the phone. I also found a mini speaker for $9.00 I can hook up to the phone if it gets to the point I can't hear it good enough. I actually use this hookup while I weeding outside too.

 

[DZoolander]

It's usually illegal to drive with headphones or ear buds - because it hinders your ability to hear.

I assume your stereo doesn't have an auxiliary input...?

 

[mkgal1]

I'm wondering about that aux input, too. I think most cars from 2004 on up have them. Do you mind saying what year...make...and model the car is? My car has something I'd never even heard of....I think it's called a C.F.card reader. They came out prior to S.D. cards. It's just a slot....so w/o looking in the manual, I'd have no idea what it was.

 

[tall73]

Buy a small FM transmitter. They plug into your portable music player with a standard mini-plug (headphone jack). They broadcast the music to a radio frequency that is picked up by your car stereo so it plays it over the car speakers. You just set the broadcast frequency of the transmitter, then select the same frequency on the FM radio and it should play through.

They work great as long as you don't have bleed over from nearby stations. And since you have few stations this would be ideal.

This is just one example, and it is inexpensive.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K9QLJA0?psc=1

Since it uses the car speakers you get a higher quality sound in most cases than using a speaker. You can also use it to transmit to other radios, boom boxes, etc.

 

[vincenticus]

Do you have an mp3 player already? You can get portable speakers pretty cheaply. Something like this would probably work for ya:

Amazon.com : Kinivo ZX100 Mini Portable Speaker with Rechargeable Battery and Enhanced Bass Resonator : MP3 Players & Accessories

It just plugs in like headphones. I used to do the same thing, my old car had no music playing abilities.

 

[Hetta]

If you have Bluetooth capability, you can sync music from an iTunes account to your sound system from your iPhone. That's how I do it.

 

[akmom]

I don't know if it has auxiliary input. I think the car is a '99. I don't have an MP3 player already, but I think the portable speakers would be easiest if I did get one. It would be cool if it charged off the car's charger (cigarette lighter) and used its speakers, but not necessary.

If I got an MP3 player, would I have to buy all the music for it? My husband already has one, and is able to burn his music onto CDs for me without buying the songs again. (That's what I listen to in my personal vehicle, which has a CD player.) If I put them on my own MP3 player, would I have to buy those songs again that he already owns and has been putting onto custom CDs for me?

 

[ChristianGolfer]

I don't know if it has auxiliary input. I think the car is a '99. I don't have an MP3 player already, but I think the portable speakers would be easiest if I did get one. It would be cool if it charged off the car's charger (cigarette lighter) and used its speakers, but not necessary.

I used to have one of the FM transmitters Tall described. I liked it a lot. That way it uses your car speakers.

If I got an MP3 player, would I have to buy all the music for it? My husband already has one, and is able to burn his music onto CDs for me without buying the songs again. (That's what I listen to in my personal vehicle, which has a CD player.) If I put them on my own MP3 player, would I have to buy those songs again that he already owns and has been putting onto custom CDs for me?

Nope, you should be able to just copy the music files. If you get an iPod, you can copy the files to iTunes to add them to your music library. If you have different computers, you can use a flash drive or external hard drive to do all of the songs at once. (I keep all of my music and audio books on a 250 gig external hard drive. When I get a new computer or iPod, I don't have to reload all of my music.) Or you can rip the CDs to your computer using iTunes (if your computer has a CD reader/writer). For other MP3 players you can drag and drop into folders on your computer. Or, you can just use your husband's computer to load your MP3 player.

Another great thing about having an MP3 player (and I prefer iPods) is audio books. They're great for long commutes. Check out audible.com if you're interested in that.

 

[ValleyGal]

 

[DZoolander]

Yeah, as I see it, the biggest issue you're gonna have isn't what should play the music itself, but rather what the music will be played through (meaning - speakers).

Personally, I think the idea of external speakers in your car is a crappy solution...because it's going to sound horrible, and you're going to have all sorts of placement issues. Like, you can't put 'em on the dashboard...putting them in the center would just sound horrible...putting them in the back seat would be awkward, etc.

What you're ideally going to want (I think) is to utilize your car speakers...which means either you utilize an aux. input (if there is one - which you probably don't have if you don't know you have it. It's a little hole in the stereo where it looks like you can put a jack into). Odds are you would have noticed it if you had it.

Since you're trying to go on the cheap - your best solution then would be the FM transmitter people have suggested. That way you broadcast to a station in the vehicle, and it'll play through your car speakers just like the radio.

So - you're gonna want some device (whether it be your phone, an ipod, or whatever), one of the FM transmitter things, and you're good to go.

 

[akmom]

Oh Valleygal, that's perfect!! Hahahaha

Thanks guys, for all the input. Can't wait to get some noise on these trips.

 

[mkgal1]

I just learned that, as an Amazon Prime member, one has access to a whole library of music files for no charge. If you have a smart phone, you wouldn't even need to purchase a Mp3 player. I think that transmitter also allows you to use your car speakers to speak on your phone.

Another option---if you have a good data package on your phone--is to listen to Pandora.

 

[ValleyGal]

Oh Valleygal, that's perfect!! Hahahaha

Thanks guys, for all the input. Can't wait to get some noise on these trips.

I'm quite serious. This guy uses a paint roller and hard plastic cups, and you can hear the difference.
This Guy Takes 2 Plastic Cups And A Toilet Roll And Saves Himself $100. | SF Globe

 

[akmom]

I don't have a smart phone, but I'll bet that plastic cup technology adapts to anything!

 

[Ana the Ist]

I don't know if it has auxiliary input. I think the car is a '99. I don't have an MP3 player already, but I think the portable speakers would be easiest if I did get one. It would be cool if it charged off the car's charger (cigarette lighter) and used its speakers, but not necessary.

If I got an MP3 player, would I have to buy all the music for it? My husband already has one, and is able to burn his music onto CDs for me without buying the songs again. (That's what I listen to in my personal vehicle, which has a CD player.) If I put them on my own MP3 player, would I have to buy those songs again that he already owns and has been putting onto custom CDs for me?

It's not going to have an auxiliary input if it's a 99...and I happen to think most of the suggestions here are pretty bad lol. The FM/AM tuner isn't a bad idea if you already have a device (ipod, smartphone, tablet, etc) which can digitally store and play music...the problem with that though is that you'll eventually grow tired of the music you have downloaded and be stuck back at square one.

I know you said "inexpensive" but maybe if you have a birthday or anniversary or some other celebration where you'll get a gift you should ask your husband for satellite radio. For a relatively small initial investment (50-100$ depending on the package you get) and a monthly fee between 10-20$ you can get a ridiculous amount of music piped into your speakers much in the same way the FM/AM tuner does. Seriously, they have a music station for every genre of music you like and a bunch for genres you've never even heard of (and never knew you liked). When you think of the cost of a tuner+ipod/smartphone...you're basically paying the initial investment in a satellite radio setup anyway, and for what? So you can listen to a bunch of music you've heard a hundred times anyway?I lived in an area of the nation where good radio stations were almost non-existent. I had considered satellite radio frivolous and too costly....now I can't go back to regular radio. No, I'm not a salesperson for XM radio...I'm just a very satisfied customer. Hope that helps.

 

[contango]

A few thoughts, picking up on comments already made.

I'd be a little careful about music streaming services. If you don't get much radio reception you may find you get little to no mobile data, or the streaming rate is slow. If that happens your music crackles and maybe stops completely.

If your vehicle doesn't have an aux input you may still be able to find an adapter that plugs into a headphone socket and then presents what looks like a cassette to the stereo. Or you can use a miniature FM transmitter as some have suggested. Check the local laws to make sure they are legal where you'll be driving.

If you were to get a battery powered speaker that you could power from the cigarette lighter you'd get a bit more volume. Placement could be an issue but depending on just what you're driving you may be able to rest it on the centre console (I've done something similar to get a bit of extra volume, but never tried it for journeys of more than a couple of hours)

Data storage is cheap, so if you've got a player of some form (MP3 player, smartphone, whatever) that takes data cards you needn't worry about getting bored of the music. My ripped music collection takes up 28GB and would run for 403 hours. A 32GB card is pretty cheap and unless you're planning on driving for more than about two weeks solid you won't run out of music. If you really need more than that, buy a second card and when you get bored of the music swap the cards. (If your music device supports SDXC you can get bigger cards, but an older unit won't support them).

If you're really wanting to make your storage last longer you can rip your CDs at a lower quality. If you're going to be driving you'll have all the road noise, engine noise etc going on as well so it won't make a lot of difference whether you choose the FM radio quality or the maximum possible quality, except that you'll fit a lot more music in the space available. My music collection is ripped at a variety of qualities - if I'd ripped it all at FM quality I'd guess it would probably take up about 20-30% less space.