Customer Reviews

Griffin TuneFlex AUX w/Dock Connector for iPod

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Okay, since I have only owned this for a week and it is already "breaking", it should get a 1 Star rating. However, there are some positives to it and maybe you will get one that holds up.

I wanted an iPod charging unit and had no need for the FM transmitter so I went with this unit. I have an AUX (auxillary) jack on my car stereo and you can't get any better sound quality from an iPod than playing through it. Plus, It was much cheaper than purchasing a unit with an FM transmitter.


PROS:

1) The Design. Flexible neck. Good height, about 8 inches, and it allows the unit to be easily moved around to not interfere with radio or Air conditioning controls. When I first plugged it in I thought "This is great. A good sturdy unit" I was wrong though...see the CONS.

2) the AUX jack. You can plug the mini-stereo cord into the front of the cigarette lighter charger plug and then into your AUX (auxillary) jack of your stereo. That way you only have to drop the iPod in and take it out. No cords to plug in and out.

CONS:

1) The plug for the cigarette lighter has a big rubber gasket on it to "prevent slipping". The problem? It only worked for about a week before the rubber would no longer stay stiff enough to keep the unit from swinging to the right or left and having the iPod hang upside down!!

I was very disappointed this product only lasted a Week and have now printed a return label to send it back.

I was worried that this might eventually become a problem. I just had no idea it would only take a week for the rubber gasket/cigarette port to start sliding. Just as a note, it does stay IN the socket, put it doesn't stay stationary (it swings/slides) so it is not a stable unit for my iPod.

2) The hi/low switch and AUX jack. I found my sound quality was louder and clearer if I plug the stereo cable in between the headphone jack of the iPod and the AUX jack on the stereo. If I plugged it in to the charger unit, on Low power, it sounded very muffled. On high power, it sounded "okay" but not as good or loud as using the headphone jack.


So, I am not getting back online to find an alternative unit. I'll probably have to purchase a 'fixed' position unit that also has an FM transmitter because that seems to be the majority of what is out there. We'll see.

Bottom line, I cannot suggest this unit to anyone because it doesn't function as described.

I just bought one of these for my wifes car too (a Nano version). We'll see if it lasts.

This product has been updated. Griffin has come out with the TuneFlex AUX 2 version. It is much better (see my review of it below)

TuneFlex AUX
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Plain and simple, don't bother with this product. It pales in comparison to the updated model. This model shifts around and isn't as clean looking as the new model. It also doesn't always charge my iPod Classic...which didn't charge properly for a lot of auto chargers (I tried about 5 different ones). Just skip this product and get the new version...it is worth the extra money. Read my review of the updated model below:


TuneFlex AUX 2 Review:
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This is a good product, probably the best auto charging dock available (I've tried quite a few). I own an iPod Classic 80GB (and iPhone 3G) and it charges and plays them just fine. The product arm itself is strong and doesn't move a bit. The holding dock itself (comes with a variety of docks for all your iPods) allows you to rotate it. This does move. It's stiff at first, but once you break it in it will start twisting a bit on a large iPod. Nano's probably won't budge at all. It's not horrible, it probably rotates about 10 degrees in either direction when I take turns. It usually goes back though, so it isn't the end of the world.

I will say the holders themselves, while there are many to choose from, really don't have much support for the product. There is no backing to them at all (except one which doesn't appear to fit my iPod classic, iPhone, or nano). No worries though, the iPod still manages to stay in place without a problem (and they ride in a Pontiac G8).

Overall, 4 out of 5 stars. If it was solid as a rock, I would give it 5...but it's pretty close. Again, if you own a Nano, this thing probably won't budge at all. The iPod Classic will rotate a little, but not much. If you don't want it to move at all, I suggest getting a Belkin TuneDok (goes in a cup holder) or a vent clip model.

I got this product after reading other reviews and was hoping that Griffin either did a silent update and addressed the high-pass/low-pass issues, but they hadn't. It's horrible and I have to plug my audio connection directly to the iPod (btw, I'm using the new Classic 160gb). My car's interior (Acura TL) is black, so it looks perfect inside + my black iPod. I connect it to my black cassette adapter, so the wire isn't really noticeable. As much as I wanted to get the comparable product by Ten Technology, it's nearly impossible to find.

The goose neck is pretty sturdy. I've used it for about a month now and it hasn't gone loose on me yet. For a video iPod, this is an ideal stand, it's not clunky like some of the other car adapters, and keeps your iPod video visible so you can see all your cool visuals. If i could find the Ten Tech connector, I'd get that instead, even tho it's not a cool black like this one, the audio (I hear) works perfectly.

Be aware, the description of this product says that it comes with a cassette adapter, however that doesn't apply to this bundle.

This device is ideal for the ones that have a car stereo with an auxiliary in jack. Most cigarette lighters in cars are at an easy to reach place. So the tuneflex will also have your ipod at hands reach. The sound is as good as it gets. It's probably the only device that combines reloading of the ipod battery with an auxiliary output. The only thing that bothers me a bit is more a flaw in the ipod design as it is a tuneflex flaw. The display light is to bright to drive with at night. Perhaps a tinted screen could fix that problem. I'll give the people at Griffin a hint.

I think this is the best ipod base, but in my NEON 98 it swings a little, thats the why to the 4 stars.

Great sound quality.
Very Safe.

Like others said it fell apart shortly after getting it in the cigarette lighter. But I kept using it and then eventually it stopped working altogether.

My dock came in broken. It was the clear plastic that did not affect the functionality. It also does not stay where i put it. anytime I hit the accelerator or brakes, it moves. The neck is too long as well. Not as good as some docks that I have owned, But for the price ($6.99), I really can't complain too much. Great sound quality. overall I am not impressed though.

works very well. only negative is i wish the flex tube was a little longer for best placement,but i would definitely recommend.

I guess you get what you pay for. It worked quite nicely until I tried to "unplug" it from the car outlet. When I pulled it out some of the parts stayed inside the outlet. It is now on it's way to the landfill...

My cousin bought the similar item from Apple store and cost him $50! I couldn't believe that I bought the similar item for this price! It works but unfortunately its not made for my Honda. I have to twist it 180 degrees so my Ipod can face me. Everytime I would drive, it would twist to its original position. I guess its not made for my car but I still give it a 4 star due to its performance.