Customer Reviews

Griffin Technology iTrip FM Transmitter for iPod (White)

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(43)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(28)
1 star:		(57)

 

 

This review applies to the following products:
Griffin 9781-TRP30BK iTrip FM Transmitter with Dock Connector for iPod (Black)
Griffin Technology 9500-TRIPDA iTrip LCD/FM Transmitter with Dock Connector for iPod

This transmitter works quite well if you understand its limitations.

First of all, it broadcasts on the FM band so don't expect the sound to be better than your FM radio. Secondly, it's designed to be small and portable, so it's not going to have a very powerful transmitter built in, not to mention there are probably FCC rules regarding how few watts a personal device like this is allowed to transmit (in order to prevent interference with other electronics).

If your car doesn't have an alternate method of connecting an iPod (such as via a cassette adapter, line-in jack, etc.), and you don't want to spend the money to upgrade your stereo, this is a good, cheap solution to listen to your iPod in your car.

The product description (on Griffin's web page, the product packaging, and Amazon) mistakenly states that the iTrip works with frequencies ranging from 88.1 to 107.9MHz. It's actually designed to broadcast from 87.9 to 107.9MHz. I was happy to discover that my unit was tuned to 87.9MHz out of the package, which is a barely used fringe frequency in my area, making it ideal for FM transmitters. I just had to change it from DX (mono) to LX (stereo) mode and I was in business.

The controls are extremely simple and user friendly. Changing the broadcast frequency is easy as moving the toggle switch on the side of the unit up and down. Changing it from DX to LX involves pressing the toggle switch for about 3 seconds, then toggling between the two modes, and pressing the switch again to save the setting.

The built-in mini-USB charging port is a very smart feature. It allows you to use the same charger for many popular cell phones (MOTORAZR, Blackberry, etc.) and GPS devices, reducing the need to carry around a proprietary charger just for your iPod. And unlike the iTrip Auto, you only charge when you want to, instead of letting it charge all the time (and possibly using up unnecessary charge cycles). Also, some people have reported interference when using car powered transmitters, especially if they don't have a noise suppressor installed in their stereo, so allowing the iTrip Dock to use the power from the iPod gives additional flexibility in that regard.

My iTrip Dock works pretty well if I leave it in the cup holder of my car, which is about a foot away from the stereo. I may hear a little interference if I shift it around, but for the most part it provides a satisfactory performance, and I can't really complain considering the price and convenience.

By the way, Griffin has a web-based station finder application called SmartScan that tells you the clearest frequencies in your area. Just google "griffin smartscan" and give it a try if you have problems finding usable frequencies. Good luck!

UPDATE: Be aware that the iTrip does not work well in cold temperatures. I left mine in a car overnight during a cold spell, and it did not work well (low volume and increased susceptible to interference) until the ambient air temperature warmed up. So try not to leave it in your car if you park outside in the cold.

I had two friends who HATED this thing. They said they got terrible reception no matter what they did. I said, "What are you talking about? My iTrip is brilliant." Then I realized that they had not read the manual; the iPod MUST BE at a volume level of 50-70% and NO HIGHER -- any higher and the signal distorts causing a sound like the radio reception is breaking up. Now that they are using the device properly, they LOVE this thing.

Three keys to my success with the iTrip were:
1) Set the unit to International rather than U.S. frequency mode.
If your car radio allows you to use a frequency below the U.S.
range of 88.9, then setting iTrip to Intl frequency mode and
then choosing a frequency below 88.9 essentially guarantees a
clear frequency that you can use anywhere (in the U.S.).
2) Set iTrip to Dx rather than Lx transmission mode.
2) Set the iPod internal equalizer setting (EQ) to "flat"

The instructions for accomplishing steps 1 and 2 are included with the iTrip. The issue of power drain is unavoidable but I get about 3.5 hours on a charge.

I was a proud owner of a 3G 10GB iPod, and I absolutely loved my iTrip for that model until both fell 3 stories to their doom six months ago. So when I recently received a 30GB Video iPod as a gift, what else? I bought the new iTrip, despite advice to stay away from it from the clerks at the Apple Store.

At first there's a lot to like, compared to the other FM transmitters on the market, the iTrip looks more seemlessly integrated. And the new LCD display is far more intuitive than the clunky old iTrip that relied on MP3 files to set the stations.

Where the new iTrip fails though is where it matters the most: the signal strength and the sound quality. It's weaker than any other FM transmitters I have worked with so far. I live in the St. Louis area where most FM frequencies are certainly taken, but not to the extent of say, New York or Chicago. So when I can't find a station that works well enough for my relatively untrained ears, I blame the product. And it's always a different problem, one frequency will constantly be overpowered by other stations; whereas another will somehow always have a mid-range humming noise.

My advice: pass on the tempting design. I'm going to try out the Monster Cable iCarPlay Plus instead, and maybe start giving more credit to the Apple Store clerks.

A colleague was talking postively about his experience with itrip. I was inspired and decided to get one. When I looked at all the reviews here on amazon I was quite concerned.

However, based on my colleagues experience I decided to go ahead and give it a try.

I have found the device excellent.

I've used it in two cars. I have each car preset to the frequency I've selected. I selected the best frequency by cycling through all frequencies in the car that had the best radio reception for a frequency that had a significant gap each side.

I have had no problems with the itrip. The flexibility to be able to tune it to any frequency is great and the mini USB port to allow me to charge it from my car charger is an added bonus.

My daughter is able to sit in the back seat of the car and act as DJ without any problems.

I should mention I live in Sydney/Australia not the USA and our population is about 4.3 million.

Reading many poor reviews on this site I noticed a lot of people complained about static and the ability to tune it to a frequency that received well. I have had no negative results in this area.

A lot of people also complained about how it sucks battery power. I wasn't even worried about this because the box indicates that it has a mini USB socket for charging. I have used this and it's great. But last time when my daughter was playing DJ from the back seat it was just running off the ipod battery and it seemed fine. However, I am quite happy to plug it into the charger.

I've experimented walking away from the car to see how far away I could get and I found that the distance was enough to give me absolute confidence that it will continue to work well in our car.

The other complaint people made was that the quality was not as good.

In my experience it sounds fine. It isn't as good as playing a CD. I did sit for a while switching between CD and ipod on FM to try and guage the difference. Whilst I believe there is a difference it is more than acceptable to me and sometimes is hard to pick. If I was trying to quantify what the difference was I would say that your trebles don't have as much treble and your bases don't have as much base.

This device is everything I hoped for and more.

Finally let me say that I have never reviewed anything here. The reason I've posted this review is because I feel a lot of the bad reviews given here are unjustified. That made me feel that obliged to comment on my own positive experience.

1. It is impossible to use it in big cities (unless you have a co-pilot that can do the dirty job for you or be sure you are going to crash)
2. Yes, the volume is really low
3. Yes, 3 inches away from the stereo and all you get is static
4. Yes, lots, lots and LOTS of static, unless you get a perfect magical place in your dial AT LEAST 1,5 positions away (both forward and backwards) from the next FM station
5. Yes, it does eat your battery away (lasts avarage 4 hours when fully charged)
6. When driving from one city to another, you will always need to reset the frequency for obvious reasons. Example: 3-hour drive from Aspen to Denver, I had to reset it 3 times while on the road.

HOWEVER...
It does play any song you want from your probably vast selection stored in your I-Pod and eliminates the need to listen to those very old songs on your CDs or the hassle to bring your heavy and bulky CD collection with you.

This is about the worse thing i've ever bought for an ipod accessory. It does NOT work. All I heard was static, and very little music. If you do want to hear music, you literally have to hold your ipod right next to the radio and stay perfectly still or all you'll get is static. I bought this online and received it and was so excited to use it. I was hesitant to buy it, seeing almost every review has said it doesn't work but I bought it anyway, don't buy it! Every review I've seen has negative feedback for this item, and I agree with everyone. I figured since Griffin made a new itrip, it would be better and work great. However, it is the total opposite from that. I do NOT recommend this product at all. Don't waste your time or money.

I guess this item is pretty hit and miss. I've had excellent luck with mine...it works great! I was really apprehensive because of all the negative comments, but tried it anyway, and I'm glad I did. I set my radio on a static station, pressed play on my iPod, dialed in the iTrip to the station, and voila! my music came through loud and clear! And for anyone out there who is wondering, you CAN charge your iPod with the iTrip connected...you just need a USB car charger (like the Power Jolt), and a USB-miniUSB cable (I had one that came with my camera). I can't promise that this item will be great for everyone, but I'd say it's worth a shot. It sure was for me!

I bought the black iTrip with dock connector to match my black 5G iPod. It fits and looks great--very elegent and the small size means it's not hard to stow when putting the iPod away. I wish I could say function follows form, but I can't. The main reason one gets this thing is to listen to one's iPod on one's car (or other) FM radio. Hello! The poor thing does not live up to expectations. Not only does the transmitter have an extremely limited range--like a couple of feet, but it has an audible background "hum" (or is that a "buzz"?) Anway, it's got background noise on top of frequent static and loss of signal. The folks at Griffin Technology have some great design people, but for the prices they charge, you'd think they would build a better product. Like my mother used to say, "if you're going to do something, do it well." (Guess they never met my mother!)

Seriously, do not buy this product. it sucks and i hate it with a passion. If I could, I'd give it a 0, but unfortunately it gets one star. When I bought this iTrip, I was so excited to use it on my new video ipod, but it was so difficult to work with. i couldn't find a station that would pick up the frequency which annoyed the heck out of me. Okay, first of all, changing the station on this thingy is complicated and annoying. Second, it loves to pop out all the time. It refuses to stay attached to my ipod. Third, it sucks the living life out of my ipod so therefore, i only get to listen to a few of my songs for barely 2 hours on the road going back to school, and my drive to school is 4 hours, so i'm stuck with having to listen to my boring ol' cds all the time. Fourth, as i'm driving to school, crossing several states, i constantly have to change the channel b/c the itrip sucks at picking up the frequency. So, if you're planning on buying this, don't. Save ur money and buy the Griffin Technology 4030-ROAD RoadTrip FM Transmitter & Auto Charger and Cradle for iPod. I paid $80 on the Road trip compared to the overpriced $50 on the itrip. The RoadTrip charges your ipod and you don't have to keep changing the radio channel at all. I love it.