Griffin iTrip Auto FM Transmitter and Auto Charger for iPod (Black)
by Griffin Technologies
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List Price: Our Price: $44.31 You Save: $25.68 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Griffin iTrip Auto FM Transmitter and Auto Charger for iPod (Black)
Customer Review: A Little Gem that does what it is supposed to do
Summary: 5 Stars
I just returned from two long road trips using this little gem. It is so easy to use and works so well -- given what it is. I just plugged it into my Nano, used the default 87.9 frequency, set the transmitter to mono and let it play. Sure, from time to time I'd get some static and, in the South, I'd pick up some interesting transmissions from the 18-wheelers -- sometimes threatening eternal damnation and others offering salvation for about the same length of time. I'd guess that I got good, clear music about 99% of the time.
Keep in mind what this little thing is. It is a simple transmitter that sends a signal from an iPod to an FM radio. Don't expect earth-shaking bass or glass-breaking highs. Don't expect home theatre dynamics. I have a very nice home stereo -- I have cables that cost more than the iPod and the transmitter combined. Yet, I was very pleased with the sound of this unit going down the road. It does what it is designed to do, and it does it well.
Note that I set the unit to Mono. On stereo, it was more likely to pick up static and give poorer performance. I'm not sure why people worry about stereo in a car anyway. Car stereo simply can't deliver real stereo -- the dynamics, the soundstage presentation, the depth simply can't be there in an automobile passenger compartment. I have a rather nice sound system in my car and it produces wonderful sound with the Griffin set to mono. I didn't feel I was being deprived of anything.
So, buy this and enjoy it for what it is. It is simple to use (I leave mine plugged into the lighter socket all the time -- the ipod turns the transmitter on and off). Just plug in your ipod, hit play, and enjoy.
Customer Review: Most flexible and useful
Summary: 5 Stars
This product from Griffin meets the requirements I have for an FM transmitter, and adds to them. The plug for the power port (formerly known as a cigarette lighter) and the connector for the port on the iPod are attached to the main transmitter/led module by two long cables, which is perfect for setup in my minivan.
Since my power outlet is in a recessed panel at the bottom of the front display area (radio, storage and cupholder in a central stand flush with the dashboard) this unit allows me to plug in the transmitter, then place the transmitter in one cupholder while the iPod rests in the other. So many other all-in-one fm transmitters required the ipod be placed inside of it while the power port was a post on the back, making positioning and viewing awkward and dangerous.
Signal strength is great, and I rely on a little trick known as the "inductive antenna". Wrap several loops of conducting wire (armature wire or something similar which you can purchase at any electronics parts store) around a convenient object then run the end of the wire over to your antenna (_avoid live power sources!!!_). In my case the wire is flexible enough to be run outside the vehicle to the antenna post. Not the prettiest set-up, but when you place the loops of wire near the fm transmitter it 'induces ' the signal into the loops and through the wire to the car antenna. Even in the over-saturated fm bands here in Los Angeles, you can get clear and static-free reception. I also remove the screw-on outside antenna to help eliminate interference.
Griffin did a good job with this one. For me, it's the best combination of features of any fm transmitter.
Customer Review: Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter
Summary: 3 Stars
It's fairly difficult to find an FM transmitter to invest in it seems like. It's almost expected that the quality will fail to exceed the mediocre expectations of this type of product. All the transmitters on the market reach basic "pass" specifications and then the consumers are met with either:
- Transmitter was cheap, so i got what I paid for
- It works okay in some areas, really crappy in others
- It works overall, but some frequencies are noticeably hampered
I believe that since not enough love will be poured into the design of a FM transmitter, it will be met with fidelity limitations and this fact will be unavoidable. Yes some areas will be clear and some even great, but I think if you expect the quality to be consistently great, you will be disappointed and frustrated. You might be lucky and live in a place void of much interference, which is lucky. When all is said and done, I would install an auxiliary input into your stereo. Don't be lazy, the time and price are worth it.
[...]
Here are the pros and cons of the Griffin iTrip Transmitter:
Pros: Connects well to the ipod. Wont accidentally detach
Easy to scroll though frequencies
It transmits frequencies.....
Price is more than reasonable
Won't break if you take care of it
Cons: Transmission quality = 6.5 / 10
This transmitter is better than many others on the market. But like i said, it only goes so far.
Customer Review: working as FM transmitter but doesn't charge ipod nano 4th generation
Summary: 3 Stars
About the seller:
i bought this from ShopCell listed on Amazon. the ship is fast, but the unit looks like a second handed one. it came with no package, it's just in a plastic bag with one page paper of manual. the back surface is also worn out. Won't buy it from this seller anymore.
About the unit:
I don't know whether it's a authentic griffin unit since it came without any package. i tried all methods but couldn't choose between LX and DX modes.
the sound quality depends on your car. i am in los angeles and have a 97 altima and the antenna is on the back. i only found good reception at 101.5MHz without much statics. however, my cd player with FM reception(ten meters away from the transmitter) gives much better sound quality.
later on i checked the signal of the transmitter with a test equipment. first, in los angeles(pasadena) there are three frequencies without strong radio signals. they are around 89MHz, 93Mhz,101MHz. you should try one of these frequencies.
Second, this FM transmitter doesn't emit strong signals, i found it's weaker than many of the local radio station signals picked by the test equipment. But if you use a long wire, wind one side on the car antenna, and wind the other side around the itrip FM transmitter, the reception and sound quality will be boosted significantly. Hope this is helpful, but DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Another thing is, it doesn't charge ipod nano 4 generation. look for the newest griffin products if you haveipod nano 4, 5g.
Customer Review: Works like a charm!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been looking into buying an FM Transmitter for my iPod for about 5 years, and I've held off because (a) they were expensive, and (b) nearly ALL the reviews on ALL the products were negative. Once prices started to drop, though, I was willing to take a chance.
This little beauty (Griffin iTrip Auto FM Transmitter) works perfectly. It's very intuitive; instead of several preset buttons you have to decode to change the frequency, it has a digital readout and a +/- button to adjust it.
I've tried it out at several frequencies around town (I'm in Seattle) and there are several narrow blanks on the FM dial to use, which is nice: you don't need a big wide range of unused frequencies. Traveling, where you move in and out of station ranges, it's very simple to find a new unused frequency and match it up on the iTrip.
My car's simple AM/FM radio doesn't have an "international" mode, so I can't use the techniques described by other reviewers, but I really don't have the need. It works just fine, right out of the box.
Naturally, it's not "crystal-clear digital sound." I mean, come on, it's coming across the radio, so let's be realistic. It's only going to be as good as your FM reception. There is the occasional snap or hiss that you will receive on ANY radio station, but in my car it's like I'm listening to a strong-signal transmission.
No problems. Great price. Get a bunch and hand them out as stocking stuffers.