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[Nolonemo]

I am going to get a fm adapter so I can play my Zen in rental cars while on vacation.  Any recommended brands?  Brands to avoid?

Thanks

[BartMan01]

What kind of portable?

I use the newer iTrip on my iPod, because it allows you to change the station being used quickly (quick turn and press of the knob on the iTrip).

The quality of these devices is going to depend on how saturated the airwaves are with FM signals.  In some places, I have zero issues.  In others, I find myself having to change stations frequently to get clean sound, and in some places you just can't find a good station to use.  This is why in reviews you will see two different people giving the exact same device very different ratings for sound quality.  The same device in two different locations can give crystal clear sound in one, and nothing but static filled sound at another.

[LonWar]

I had a fm one, used it for a few min, then went out and got a car deck with audio in.
I have not heard one that I liked/

[BartMan01]

I had a fm one, used it for a few min, then went out and got a car deck with audio in.
I have not heard one that I liked/

Well, I don't disagree with your sentiments - but I use mine for the same reason as the original poster:  rental cars when traveling. 
I also use it for road trips in my wife's car since it doesn't have a tape deck or aux in right now.

[JimH]

This isn't exactly on topic, but a month ago, I had a ride in a taxi where the driver had a device plugged into his cigarette lighter receptacle.  The device accepted a USB memory stick, had a tiny display, and transmitted FM.  He said his brother got it for him for $65 (I'm not sure whether it included the memory device).

I've been looking for these since then, and found something at Micro Center this weekend, but it was behind the counter and the clerks were too busy.

[BartMan01]

This isn't exactly on topic, but a month ago, I had a ride in a taxi where the driver had a device plugged into his cigarette lighter receptacle.  The device accepted a USB memory stick, had a tiny display, and transmitted FM.  He said his brother got it for him for $65 (I'm not sure whether it included the memory device).

I've been looking for these since then, and found something at Micro Center this weekend, but it was behind the counter and the clerks were too busy.

Never heard of these, but looks like there are quite a few options:
Google 'usb fm transmitter'
On Walmart's page search electronics for 'usb fm'

[Nolonemo]

I should have been clearer in my original post - I'll be using this with a Creative Zen Xtra, so it needs a standard 1/8" stereo jack, not an iPod connector.

Thanks

[dcwebman]

Turns out I'm in the same position now. I bought a top of the line Hyundai Tucson over the weekend which comes with a 6-disc changer but turns out it's not MP3 compatible, unlike the middle Tucson model. Go figure. So now I have to find some MP3 solution.  I'll be listening to songs but mostly be using it for audio books so whatever I get has to have the ability to remember where it was when powered off and back on.

I think this might be the thing Jim was referring to. http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=11877
It doesn't sound like it remembers the exact position when turned off but the last track. Not good in my case since sometimes I might have a 20MB MP3 audio book file. Nice idea though because I could plug an SD card or USB flash drive into it, which I have one of each. This or one of the other models that Cyberguys has like this might fit the bill nicely for Nolonemo.

So besides an FM car adapter, any recommendations on a semi-cheap MP3 player that does remember its last exact position? 1-2GB should be fine but of course anything bigger is fine too.
Jeff

[dcwebman]

Forget the suggestions on an MP3 player, I'm getting a Nano. Now I just have to determine how to get it to play best in the car. I might check out the iTrip that was suggested but any other good fm car adapter recommendations would be appreciated.