by Griffin Technology

Product Details

Product Manual [203kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• ASIN: B0002CZG14
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,942 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sleek and innocuous, September 29, 2004

By 

C. B. Newman "moodindigo2" (Brisbane, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Griffin's iTrip fills the technological void of .mp3 playability on existing audio systems through FM transmission, a Mr. Microphone for the 21st century. Whether you want to play music on your car stereo, or on the FM tuner of your home stereo, the ease of playing your iTunes could not be more effortless. A quick software load from cd-rom onto a personal computer updates iTunes with a special playlist that allows the user to select almost any frequency in the FM spectrum which iTrip is to broadcast on. Once the iPod is synched and updated with iTunes on your personal computer, the user can reselect at any time a preferred FM frequency directly from the iPod interface.

The range of the iTrip FM transmission is viable, as I could transmit at almost 20 feet with no distortion or loss of signal to my home stereo. 30 feet is its stated maximum range, yet in urban environments, half that range may be all one can coax from iTrip in a burdened FM spectrum.

Car travel with the iTrip can be hampered by power lines and other transmission sources which flood the signal with interference. The iTrip requires 50% volume output at a minimum from the iPod for an effective signal, and suggests no more than 70% output. At a higher output, I found the iTrip can deplete a new iPod battery within 3.5 hours. The iTrip requires no external power source other than directly siphoning iPod power using the headphone/audio output jacks. iTrip's size is that of a roll of coins, yet weighs as light as feather perched atop the iPod.

The largest drawbacks of Griffin's iTrip: external interference from power lines while driving, and battery drain. Yet with careful power monitoring and recharging, and keeping your iTrip/iPod in close proximity to your car stereo, a very satisfying experience can be achieved with the iTrip at a nominal price.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth It, September 10, 2004

By 

W. Sullivan "Designer/Photographer" (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I was so sick of the CD clutter in my car and making mixed CDs that I decided to give the iTrip a try. I have used it in the car and on my home stereo and have had good results with both.

One complaint is that if you stray too far from the radio/antennae you will experience static. But in the car this is not a problem. I traveled 300 miles in my car and only had to switch a station once to rid the unit of interference.

I think the iTrip is an essential iPod accessory. If you have an iPod, you enjoy the convenience of portable music. The iTrip take this enjoyment to the next level.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great in the car, or playing tunes at home, August 16, 2004

By 

P. Forget (Beverly, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I have a 4th generation 20GB iPod that I use this with. It is easy to use.

It took about five minutes to download all the stations from the Griffin software, to iTunes, then to the iPod unit (they give you all the stations on the FM dial to choose from: 87.9 - 88.1 - 88.3, etc.). I usually keep it tuned to 87.9 FM and the sound is very clear.

It states in the instructions to keep the iPod volume between 50% and 70% for best results. Sometimes I have to play with the volume on the iPod to get a slightly better sound. Not a problem.

If the station you have it tuned to has a radio station assigned to it, you just have to find one on the dial that is not transmitting. When you do, you simply go into the iPod and select that station - like you were choosing a song. Very fast.

I have used it over a few radios in my house with the same great result.

I think it may take a little bit of battery power away from the iPod, but if you have the iPod plugged into a charger, this will not be problem.