The iPod can be your best traveling companion in the car making long tedious trips enjoyable as you listen to the tunes you like.

Quick and easy iPod connections
To get the cleanest sound from your iPod in your car, you should run a mini-jack-to-RCA cable from the iPod to your car receiver's auxiliary input. Although few factory receivers have an auxiliary input, many aftermarket stereos offer a rear-panel auxiliary connection — some even feature a convenient front-panel Aux input.

There are some tried-and-true accessories now available with the iPod look that let you play an iPod through your car stereo with a minimum of connections. For example, if your car receiver has a cassette deck, you can use a Belkin cassette adapter with iPod styling — just pop it into the cassette player, connect it to your iPod's headphone jack, and hit "play."

Frequently, though, newer car receivers don't have a cassette deck. In those cases, you can use an FM transmitter to send the iPod's audio signal to your car radio's FM tuner. Belkin's TuneCast FM Transmitter mimics the iPod look and offers four selectable FM frequencies. Monster Cable's iCarPlay Wireless™ FM transmitter goes a step further — it has eight selectable frequencies and doubles as an iPod battery charger — which can help with wire management. Another FM transmitter and iPod charger, the Digital Lifestyle Outfitter (DLO) TransPodFM™, completely eliminates trailing wires altogether by having the power adapter also serve as an adjustable-angle iPod dock.

The Belkin TuneDok gives your iPod a stable base while keeping its controls accessible.

Batten down the iPod!
Regardless of what you connect to it, having your iPod sitting loose on the seat invites disaster every time you turn a corner or hit the brakes. Belkin's TuneDok is the solution. It holds the iPod securely in a standard cupholder, raised and slightly angled so you can use it one-handed and still drive safely.

Walkin' and rockin'
If you don’t want the mileage you put your iPod in to show Apple's iPod carrying case is almost a requirement. It has an integrated belt clip, and is sturdy enough to protect your iPod from surface scratches and everyday wear and tear. For the iPod mini, Apple also makes an armband holder — very convenient, and (for some) a nice fashion statement.

For even more ways to express yourself while protecting your iPod, DLO offers carry cases in a wide range of colors and styles. The translucent silicone JamJacket Pro provides a cushioned cover, with a choice of fun, bold colors. The ActionJacket™ is a more sedately-styled neoprene case, and their black leather PodFolio™ and Executive PodFolios™ have a sophisticated styling appropriate for use with business attire.

iPod power
If you're going on an overnight hike you might find the Belkin backup battery pack handy. It piggybacks onto your iPod and feeds additional power to it through the Dock connector. Using four "AA" batteries, the pack can add an additional 15-20 hours playing time to your iPod.

With the right combination of accessories, your iPod can fit in with whatever you’re doing; and because manufacturers are using Apple's distinctive white styling, it never looks like I have just a bunch of disparate items cobbled together. No matter how you use your iPod, chances are there's an iPod-styled accessory out there for you!

iPod on the road accessories

Belkin Cassette Adapter: compatible with all iPods.

Belkin TuneCast FM Transmitter: compatible with all iPods.

Monster iCarPlay Wireless: compatible with all iPods that use a dock.

DLO TransPodFM: compatible with all iPods that use a dock.

Belkin TuneDok: compatible with all iPods, but not iPod minis.

Apple iPod Carrying Case: compatible with Click Wheel 20GB and 40GB iPods.

DLO JamJacket Pro (various sizes): compatible with Click Wheel iPods and iPod minis.

DLO ActionJacket: compatible with 20GB and 40GB Click Wheel iPods.

DLO PodFolio Leather (various sizes): compatible with Click Wheel iPods and iPod minis.

Apple iPod mini arm band: compatible with iPod minis only.

Belkin Backup Battery Pack: compatible with Click Wheel 20GB and 40GB iPods.