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The face of the device features an array of silver buttons and LEDs. At the center is a round button labeled CH (channel). This button is surrounded by three additional buttons below it (RW, Play/Stop, FF) and 7 LEDs above it. The LEDs are each labeled with a FM radio frequency (differentiated by increments of 0.2). The frequency range is 87.7 to 88.9MHz or 106.7 to 107.9MHz.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/fm_modulator/04.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fm_modulator/04th.jpg" alt="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" title="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" width="237" height="250" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Below the face of the device, on the side, is a female type A USB port (the kind of port that you see on computers). </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/fm_modulator/05.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fm_modulator/05th.jpg" alt="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" title="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" width="250" height="158" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p align="left">The right side of the unit features a 3.5mm audio in port. Included with the modulator is a 3 feet long audio cable (with 3.5mm jacks on both ends).</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/fm_modulator/03.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fm_modulator/03th.jpg" alt="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" title="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" width="250" height="230" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p align="left"><strong>Usage and Performance:</strong></p> <p align="left">Suncore's MP3 FM Modulator is a very simple device to use. Naturally, it plugs into your car's cigarette lighter outlet. From there, you can plug any USB drive (either flash or harddrive) into the device's USB port and it will be able to play any mp3. Being a FM modulator, the device transmits the audio signal to a car's FM radio and then subsequently to the speaker system. In addition to playing mp3s stored on a USB flash drive, Suncore's MP3 FM Modulator can also function as a FM modulator for just about any audio device with a lineout or headphone port. This can be done by simply using the included audio cable to connect your audio device's lineout (or headphone) port to the modulator's audio in port.</p> <p>I tested the Suncore MP3 FM Modulator inside my test car (a Mercury Tracer LS). After plugging the device into the car's cigarette lighter outlet, I sought out an unoccupied FM frequency on the car's radio (that was in the range of the modulator). I then set the modulator to output to that frequency by pressing the CH button on the device to toggle through the 7 output-able FM frequencies. Finally, I plugged in a USB flash drive full of mp3s and pressed play on the modulator.</p> <p>Initially, the sound quality was a bit poor with intermitted static sounds. However, after about a minute the sound cleared up and the sound quality became as good any FM station with a strong signal.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/fm_modulator/06.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fm_modulator/06th.jpg" alt="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" title="Suncore MP3 FM Modulator" width="250" height="91" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Because there is no display screen on the device, navigation has to be done blindly. Pressing the FF button advances to the next audio track while pressing the RW button jumps back to the previous track. Even when in the middle of a track, pressing the RW button goes to the previous track instead of going to the beginning of the current track. Holding down either the RW or FF button will adjust the transmitting volume (down or up, respectively) of the modulator.</p> <p>I noticed that every time I turn on the car with the modulator plugged in already, the device will almost always start on a different (seemingly random) track. I personally like that behavior since I will not have to always press FF (or RW) a bunch of times to listen to different mp3 tracks every time I turn on the car.</p> <p>As mentioned before, Suncore's MP3 FM Modulator can function as a FM modulator for any audio device. This function worked quite well, though when doing so, the buttons on the modulator (except for the CH button) do nothing. Yet another function the Suncore MP3 FM Modulator can do is charge (or power) any device that can be charged via USB. Needless to say, the car will need to be on during the process.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p> <p>Suncore's MP3 FM Modulator is a pretty neat and simple device. Being a FM modulator, it can transmit any audio source to your car's FM radio. More importantly though, the device also features a USB port and is able to play mp3 files stored on any USB drive. Now, if you're driving a car with the latest and greatest entertainment system, then this device may not seem that appealing to you. However, if your car's entertainment system consists of only a radio and cassette deck, then the Suncore MP3 FM Modulator along with a roomy USB flash drive is a nice way to enjoy some tunes while you are in your car.</p> <p><strong>Pros:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Simple to use</li> <li> Can also function as a charger for devices that charge via USB</li> <li> Can function as a FM modulator for any audio device</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Navigation of mp3 files on a USB drive must be done blindly</li> </ul> <p><strong>Rating:</strong></p> <p>Very Good</p> <p>(Ratings Possible: Terrible, Very Bad, Bad, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent) </p> <p align="left"><a href="atruereview/fm_modulator/index.php"></a> <a href="fm_modulator/index.php">Previous (Introduction & Features)</a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer">  </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </body> </html>