Customer Reviews

Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter for 1G & 2G iPod

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

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 in Washington D.C. 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 (Summer 2004) within 3.5 hours. Griffin Tech.'s claim that the energy usage by iTrip is nominal may be an issue of dispute when applied to my personal usage and experience.

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.

Do be careful: there are more than one version of iTrip available on the market for different versions of the iPod (and iPod mini). I suggest you research compatibility before making your final selection.

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. A three-star rating for a good product I would recommend. iTrip is destined to become 4-stars, with a little tweaking and concise compatibility descriptions from the manufacturer in product description.

The iTrip is a radio transmitter, so all of the problems (and benefits) of FM reception apply. Benefits: no wires, decent sound. Problems: adjacent channel interference, narrow freq. response, physical signal range.

Best iPod sound in a car is obtained with a line input. Next best is a cassette apdater. But if those are not options, the iTrip is a well designed alternative and easy to use (if Macworld couldn't figure out how to change stations, maybe they need better tech writers - hint: turn up the volume).

My iTrip works pretty well in the four cars I've tried it in. The biggest issue is channel interference in urban areas, but even that can often be tuned around. And it is great for parties at friends' houses. At the price, it is a decent compromise.

-dan

I thought I'd give the iTrip a try, in lieu of installing a CD player in my 1990 BMW 525i.

The unit is small, light and cute, and installs easily (a quick software install and then just pop it on top of your iPod). It worked okay with a radio here in the office, but even turning the unit slightly away from the radio would introduce static.

So out to the car we go. The unit sits on the center console less than six inches away from the radio -- and the signal is okay until you start moving. Then with every turn, even though the unit doesn't move, there's static.

The sound quality is poor, and the signal pickup is so narrow and weak that if you are in any kind of urban area where there are stations all along the dial, you're going to be SOL with this baby. Even though we have plenty of open air here, this was the case for me regardless of how low in the band I went, and how I fiddled with the sound level, position of the unit, etc.

It's going back, unfortunately. :-(

I am using the iTrip made for the old model of iPod. I have found it very difficult to get good sounding music on this thing. I am used to using the iRock (a battery version with only 4 stations) for long drives. It works much more reliably and the sound quality has been excellent. Even when the iTrip works the sound is often distorted at normal volume-- noises from base and unclear sounding. When I drive really far from even a small metropolitan area the sound clears up, but I have much better reception with the iRock.

I picked up the iTrip today at the Apple Store in Walnut Creek, CA. I'm going to return it tomorrow. In theory, it's simple -- find an empty spot on the radio, and tune the iTrip to that frequency. What I never realized (before getting the iTrip) is that, at least in our area (SF Bay), there are _no_ sufficiently empty spots on the radio. The signal from my iTrip/iPod was constantly being interrupted. I'd find a good frequency, drive a few miles down the highway, go over a hill, and suddenly my signal would cut out.

Perhaps if you live in a less urban environment the iTrip would work for you. I think if you could find an empty frequency with room on both sides it could work just fine. I used to have a cassette adaptor for an old CD player -- I'd recommend that type of technology over the iTrip.

I disagree completely with the previous review. The iTrip allows you to select any frequency, which gives you more flexibility than any other FM transmitter out there.

The problem with competing radio stations isn't the iTrip, it's the FCC, which limits the power these items can have. Yes, it's more difficult to find an open frequency in large cities, but it works wonderfully outside the cities.

Some of us don't have cassette players in our cars, so that's not an option, and besides, I'm not limited to just using the iTrip in my car, I can use it anywhere there's an FM radio.

Another advantage of the iTrip is that it doesn't need an outside power source: no batteries to change, nothing extra to plug into your cigarette lighter - it draws a small amount of power directly from the iPod.

All in all, I find this accessory indispensible - it's the perfect way to use my iPod without the headphones.

I have an iPod Mini and have been using the iTrip with this for about three months now. It works extremely well in the car (2001 Volvo)and through my home and work radios. I live in the Washington, D.C. metro area. I've used this in Baltimore and on drives out to the Eastern shore. I only occasionally get a little static which tends to go away within a minute or less. I am buying a second Mini and iTrip for my wife. ENJOY.

I've had my iTrip for about 2 months now and I can't believe how extremely happy with it. The iTrip FM transmitter for the iPod is one of the coolest add-on that allows you to play your music through any FM radio in your car or any other radio. Unlike other FM transmitters that only allow you to use 4 hard-coded FM stations, the iTrip allows you to select from over 100 stations on which to broadcast. You can change the station that the iTrip broadcasts on by playing special station codes directly from the iPod itself. That means that you can find an open band, no matter how many radio stations are in your area.

As you can tell from the pictures, the iTrip sits on top of the iPod and is powered directly from the iPod. You turn on the device by simply connecting the iTrip to the iPod and pressing play. The iTrip detects audio within a few seconds and starts broadcasting on the pre-designated FM radio station. The iTrip will shut itself off if it does not detect audio for about 60 seconds.

The quality of the audio out depends on how clear the FM frequency you have chosen. I have found the quality to be good, but you have to be aware that this is not going to be CD quality sound. It may not be as good as a good FM station, but it's a hell of lot better than a cassette adapter. If you have an AUX input, that is the best option but if you don't have that, iTrip is probably one of the only ways to play your iPod in your car.

I absolutely love my iTrip and I haven't used the CD changer in my car since I first received my iTrip. If you want to use your iPod in your car or any other place with a FM radio, iTrip is probably your best bet. The other thing that my road trips a lot more fun is the Belkin Auto Kit for iPod w/ Dock Connector that charges your iPod from your car's cigarette lighter. Another must-have accessory.

This is iTrip is for the older units. I just ordered the latest 20 gig iPod and this iTrip and the iTrip wouldn't fit. I had to return it and order the 3G iTrip. And yes, this version of iTrip doesn't install on Windows XP. You have to open the CD and import the "iTrip songs" into iTunes, and then change the name of the album to "iTrip Stations" and you're ready to go.

The iTrip is a clever device that allows you to broadcast your iPod on almost any FM frequency so that you can enjoy it in your car or with friends at work. It's a good idea but my iTrip only has a broadcast range of about two feet which is not acceptable to me. I noticed on the Griffin Technology website that range is not on the FAQ. Now I know why.

I've tried the device on all the clear frequencies here is SoCal (there aren't many) with my truck (standing outside the cab in case the windshield was interfering) and with my house stereo which has an active antenna. Neither could pick up the iTrip when it was more than two feet away.

When the iTrip was within 12 inches the sound quality was suprisingly clear but what good is that?

I'm going to return mine.