Home > Consumer Reviews > C. Crane FMT Digital FM Transmitter with AC Adapter
C. Crane FMT Digital FM Transmitter with AC Adapter
See it at Amazon.com for $66.99Average Customer Rating
(3.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + ShareCan't go the distance
(1 out of 5) by R. Watkins on Dec 2, 2009 (OKC, USA)I was hoping that this would do better than not having a good signal for an unobstructed 15 feet, but it doesn't. It's rated for over 70 feet or so, but it can't do much less than that.
Very disappointing.
Very disappointing.
modification is a must
(3 out of 5) by J. Kolly on Nov 29, 2009The range on this product is poor until you modify the unit using the hack listed in the reviews. After the hack it performs well. The range (after hack) works well in all areas of my three level home including the garage and basement.Only purchase this product if you plan on modifying the unit.
Waste of Money...and I tried 2 units
(1 out of 5) by Jeff in Texas on Nov 29, 2009I purchased this unit to broadcast the holiday light display over the radio, and it is an absolute waste of time and money. The first unit I received was broked, and the volume control was either full off or full on, with nothing in between. Amazon sent me overnight a replacement unit and voila, the volume control worked great, but the unit was a P.O.S. I tried putting it on a metal tray, nothing more than 5 feet. I was outside, with nothing near it, and it still couldnt get a signal sitting in my car 10 feet away. Breaking out my FM radio, I was able to get about 5 feet away and received "scratchy" sound.
I do appreciate Amazon standing behind the product and would rate them 5+ stars.
All in all, very disappointing. We'll have to put a cheesy speaker out front for the sound (since I went through the effort of synching everything to music) this year, and we'll try the "whole house FM transmitter" next year.
I would suggest everyone stay away from this, unless Im unlucky and got 2 pieces of junk.
I do appreciate Amazon standing behind the product and would rate them 5+ stars.
All in all, very disappointing. We'll have to put a cheesy speaker out front for the sound (since I went through the effort of synching everything to music) this year, and we'll try the "whole house FM transmitter" next year.
I would suggest everyone stay away from this, unless Im unlucky and got 2 pieces of junk.
Line vs. Speaker / headphone Voltage
(3 out of 5) by Bill W on Nov 27, 2009 (Spirgfield Va. USA)One point that may help others using the Crane FMT Digital FM Transmitter, is knowing the difference between a Line Voltage output measured millivolts rather Headphone outputs measured in volts. While there is provided a stereo mini plug to RCA plug "Y" adapter I have not been able to get any signal via this cable. So I believe this units setting require the higher voltage. Oh the Screw locations appear to have moved they now are 2 under the rubber feet and 1 in battery compartment not under the label.
With a little effort I was able to get my FM transmitter working on a Headphone output although I did make the V2 adjustment to the RF gain. The Antenna is a simple fix either by replacement or by using approximately 29 inch (1/2 wave length) piece of wire. Save money use a piece of 14 gauge copper wire.
One other item of interest is the power supply it may be under powered to handle the load at high volumes.
Has anyone tried a different power supply?
Don't be so quick to condemn the FCC they are not to blame for many of the issues in this unit.
With a little effort I was able to get my FM transmitter working on a Headphone output although I did make the V2 adjustment to the RF gain. The Antenna is a simple fix either by replacement or by using approximately 29 inch (1/2 wave length) piece of wire. Save money use a piece of 14 gauge copper wire.
One other item of interest is the power supply it may be under powered to handle the load at high volumes.
Has anyone tried a different power supply?
Don't be so quick to condemn the FCC they are not to blame for many of the issues in this unit.
Hated it, then loved it.
(5 out of 5) by Redwood Trees on Nov 25, 2009 (Northern Calif)The "mod" described by reviwer NC from September 28, 2004 was the key for me.
Before performing the mod I plugged it in and got nothing but static or distortion, not even a sound that was similar to the internet station I was broadcasting. Nothing at all. I checked the help page at C Crane and did all they said to do...no results. I figured it didn't work and thought the walls were the problem. Was bummed indeed, as I had high hopes. I toiled for 30 minutes and got no-where. Was about to call C Crane and get it returned. But I didn't give up. Fortunately I went to Amazon (where I purchased it) and read NC's review and got this cool gadget to work.
Performing the mod is simple. Removed the screws and cover as NC described, carefully, and broke nothing in opening the case or replacing the case. Adjusted the VR2 fully clockwise, careful not to break the dial as another reviewer had done, and it kicked in immediately. The sound was clear.
Notes: The volume you hear over your stereo speakers is controlled by the source of the audio, for me it was the sliding volume control bar on Pandora's site. Also, adjusting the transmitters input level (dial on the side) also controlled volume, but as others describe, that's not it's purpose and adjusting it too high will result in distortion. C Crane recommends you use an unused station which you can locate by checking out C Crane's product description page, under the tab Description, at the bottom. Just input your zip code. You can also locate one, as I did, by finding a station with the least static. I can understand why C Crane doesn't provide this fix, as one reviwer wrote, they'd have to have a license to broadcast an FM station. Legal mumbo-jumbo, ignore it. There is no way C Crane would know I took the cover off either, removing it and replacing it is inconspicuous if you exercise patience. I am so happy to have fixed this that I wrote a review to share this adjustment. I suppose there are those who for whom it simply won't work after the fix but give it a try.
Before performing the mod I plugged it in and got nothing but static or distortion, not even a sound that was similar to the internet station I was broadcasting. Nothing at all. I checked the help page at C Crane and did all they said to do...no results. I figured it didn't work and thought the walls were the problem. Was bummed indeed, as I had high hopes. I toiled for 30 minutes and got no-where. Was about to call C Crane and get it returned. But I didn't give up. Fortunately I went to Amazon (where I purchased it) and read NC's review and got this cool gadget to work.
Performing the mod is simple. Removed the screws and cover as NC described, carefully, and broke nothing in opening the case or replacing the case. Adjusted the VR2 fully clockwise, careful not to break the dial as another reviewer had done, and it kicked in immediately. The sound was clear.
Notes: The volume you hear over your stereo speakers is controlled by the source of the audio, for me it was the sliding volume control bar on Pandora's site. Also, adjusting the transmitters input level (dial on the side) also controlled volume, but as others describe, that's not it's purpose and adjusting it too high will result in distortion. C Crane recommends you use an unused station which you can locate by checking out C Crane's product description page, under the tab Description, at the bottom. Just input your zip code. You can also locate one, as I did, by finding a station with the least static. I can understand why C Crane doesn't provide this fix, as one reviwer wrote, they'd have to have a license to broadcast an FM station. Legal mumbo-jumbo, ignore it. There is no way C Crane would know I took the cover off either, removing it and replacing it is inconspicuous if you exercise patience. I am so happy to have fixed this that I wrote a review to share this adjustment. I suppose there are those who for whom it simply won't work after the fix but give it a try.