Forget using an fm transmitter for playing an ipod in your car. This receiver has many features, is easy to use and sounds great! Big ups to sony for using the same wiring harness so replacement of my old xplod unit took me only 20 minutes! My only gripe is that sony does not provide a case for the head unit. If it is still available for $100 or less, go get it. If not, it would make a great gift!

The first time I plugged my reconditioned iPod Classic into the USB port on this unit turned out to be the last: The hideous and inscrutable Sony "Explode" file system took over the iPod's own superior file system, played a couple minutes of music, then suddenly forced the iPod into a "charging, please wait" coma from which it never recovered, even after applying the most extreme recovery methods recommended by Apple. This iPod Classic had to be replaced at great inconvenience and eGear, the vendor, strongly recommended against connecting my replacement to the Sony again.

What happened? I cannot get Sony or Apple to admit to anything. I figure the USB port on this receiver, which delivers electrical power to the iPod by design, must have a flaw that allows it to deliver a deadly spike of power that is an iPod Killer. Connect the iPod to the analogue input AUX port instead.

The volume control on this receiver is very tricky to use, especially when you are driving: you have to steady your hand against the dash while rotating the volume nob or you will inadvertently push the nob and active other menus and it takes an awfully long time for the menu to revert back to volume control.

Great sound, tons of features!

Too bad you cannot change the tunning step to in FM tunning from 0.2 steps to 0.1 using the menus and no one from Sony seems to give a %$^&.

Sony support online/off-line really sucks!
when you talk to the representatives all they seem to know is how to read lines from the manual...

Replaced an older Explode with this one. Simple to change and works great. I have no complaints about this Sony at this price.

This Sony is real simple and easy to use. Great use with the remote control. Easy to use.... worth the buy! Would definitely recommend it