Griffin RoadTrip FM Transmitter and Car Charger for iPod (Black)
by Griffin Technology
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List Price: Our Price: $12.00 You Save: $77.99 (87%) 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 RoadTrip FM Transmitter and Car Charger for iPod (Black)
Customer Review: Very disappointing. Go with the TuneBase...
Summary: 2 Stars
I had a Griffin TuneBase for about 2 years until it broke. It wasn't an electronic malfunction, but the base itself broke down. The static cord broke where it meets the back portion of the base and couldn't hold the iPod upright anymore.
Anyways, I was about 85% satisfied with that product, and saw the RoadTrip and read good reviews on it. I saw that it looked sturdier and a little more user-friendly. I don't know what I was thinking.
While it is indeed sturdier and more user-friendly (the LED screen is a big plus, and it's easier to navigate between frequencies), those are about the only good things I can say about it. The reception is absolutely atrocious no matter what FM station I tune to. Where my TuneBase had only occasional interference when I would drive by a radio tower or police station (anywhere that was transmitting radio waves), the RoadTrip has near-constant interference, sometimes to the point where the music is inaudible. When I say constant, I mean *constant*. Even when it gets "good" reception, you can hear a slight buzz in the back. The TuneBase did not have this problem.
In addition to the interference, the overall quality of the audio is inferior. On the TuneBase, you can adjust some of the levels of the dock. You can't do this with the RoadTrip (at least not to the best of my knowledge). What results is again, near inaudible music. I can only hear the music at the higher reaches of my stereo's volume (note: I'm not driving around some 1992 Honda with stock speakers. I have a 2006 Altima with a Bose 7-speaker system). As someone who really loves to blast his music with his windows down, this is a deal-breaker for me.
Foolishly, of course, I threw out the receipt and packaging before I realized what an awful product this is, so I'm left to contact Griffin about trying to trade in my RoadTrip and my old TuneBase for a replacement TuneBase.
Avoid at all costs.
Customer Review: Griffin Road Trip FM Transmitter for I-Pod
Summary: 5 Stars
The item works perfectly with clear sound. Neither of my current cars have aux input for my I-Pod and this product solved that issue at little cost and highly acceptable performance. The Griffin is used in 2 different cars and 2 different I-pods with the same excellent results.
The package includes a variety of adapters for different sized I-pods and will accommodate all except the shuffle. Also included are pads that stick on the I-pod holder so that it is held snugly in place. I should mention there are different holder adapters included as well should I decide to change I-pods.
There are also adapters that allow you to plug the unit into the cigarette lighter so that the unit can be positioned in a wide variety of positions. The instructions do no explain how the adapters can be configured that so you have to spend a bit off time figuring that out, but it is impossible to believe that the unit can not be fit and positioned to be highly useable in any car.
Changing the frequency on the radio and transmitter is a simple process. I used the default frequency at the lower end of the spectrum and have had no problems. I read where some people have had issues with the docking unit also not charging the I-pod while docked, I have not experienced that problem. Nevertheless since the I-pod generally has a battery life of between 5 -8 hours, I could like with having to charge my i-pod separately if that were an issue.
If I had a gripe it would be with the instructions (a common complaint for almost anything you purchase). They are less comprehensive than they should be and instead of investing in putting those in 6 different languages, making them clear in in any language would be appreciated.
In summary for well under $30 this was a great purchase in terms of ease of use and quality sound from my I-Pod to my car stereo, it works well.
Customer Review: Very Pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
Having been suffering with a Belkin TuneCast FM transmitter for the past few months trying to listen to my iPod in my car, I am pleasantly surprised of how well this product performs.
The sound quality is actually quite good, in fact I doubt I could tell the difference between an MP3 CD and the Griffin RoadTrip. The audio is quite crisp and volume levels are more than loud enough for me. Unlike my Belkin where I had to turn the radio all the way up while the static nearly drowned out the music, just having my stereo up half way with the RoadTrip is where I like it, and there's no static to be heard.
It's very easy to set up, less than 5 minutes for me. After completing the installation I was instantly impressed. No more will I have to worry about my iPod being charged before listening to music thanks to the built in charger. Also no more wires tangling up everywhere.
Pros:
*Loud and clear sound.
*Volume on iPod seperate from transmitter.
*Easy to setup.
*Comes with extender for power plug to assure there's room for the device in your car.
*Saves the last Radio Station you used even after you turn off or unplug the device.
*Charger, with light indicating when it's charging and when it's done.
*iPod fits snug.
Cons:
* Not really a problem with the device but with certain cars. In my car the power plug doesn't turn off when the car is off, so I have to unplug the RoadTrip when I leave the car for long periods of time. This is a very minor problem though. If your car isn't like mine, there's no problem.
All together, it's one of the best purchases I've made in a long time, probably not since my iPod. Anyone without the ability or money to connect your iPod directly to your stereo, I highly doubt you can do much better than this product. I highly recommend it.
Customer Review: Clean output, low volume
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this transmitter/charger/cradle for my 5G iPod Video in order to avoid the rather expensive alternative of installing a direct connection to my car's stereo. I drive a 2004 Honda Accord, and the contraption to rig a direct hookup from my iPod to the "changer connector" would cost me over $200 plus the installation. That system also gives you up/down track selection with the normal steering wheel or OEM radio controls. Sounds sweet... too much money, however.
The Griffin RoadTrip gets the basic job done. It holds the iPod fairly securely right up against the shift knob. So close, in fact, that the shifter pushes the RoadTrip to the right slightly when I set it on PARK. Fortunately, when I park, I also put away the iPod out of sight from prying eyes. The RoadTrip tends to muffle the sound a bit, killing some of the highs and lows. Also, the radio has to be cranked up quite a bit. This anomaly is related to the mp3 encode quality. I have some songs whose volume level sounds just fine, others are pretty low. Obviously the iPod and/or the RoadTrip are not the problem, it's the song file itself.
Nevertheless, the quality I get is good, not excellent, hence the four rather than five stars. This is as good as an FM transmitter gets. I don't recomment using the extension arm unless you ABSOLUTELY have to. It will not only make the iPod look like a taxi meter and an eyesore, it also wiggles while on the road. The newer generation RoadTrip doesn't have the same quality plug/arm gizmo... They screw on rather than twist and lock, and not as sturdily built. Fortunately I got the earlier "charcoal" version with the silver trim. Perfect for my black dash with silver trim and my black iPod. If you're in the Miami area, THE best frequency is 94.3. I use it from Miami-Dade to Broward county with little or no static. I recommend this product.
Customer Review: GREAT! Recomment 100%
Summary: 5 Stars
just so you know, i used "a kids review" because im at work and cannot create an account. (im 18 so you know). i just recieved this item today from ebay just because i find it easier. anyway, i put it in my car, but because its a '91 grand prix, the cigarette lighter was to far back for the roadtrip to reach, so i had to buy an extention from walmart that costed me about $3. but, after that, i mounted everything and set it up (with the extention) in about 10 to 15 minutes. they did a very good job allowing you to rotate where the ipod faces. and stayed in place very nicely.
I still own the orriginal griffin itrip, but had to upgrade because its not compatable with the new video ipod (5g). and i must say that the sound quality of the roadtrip is superior compared to the itrip. plus it mounts your ipod so you dont have to hold it while you drive! and you still get good reception, PLUS it charges your ipod! Amazing!
but do note: it is at fm quality, not cd. so if you have your ipod hardwired into you car it will be much better, but it is much more expensive. so after the cost factor and the quality, i would recommend the roadtrip.
another amazing feature is that the actual fm transmitter (not the mount) is removable. this is nice if you are trying to broadcast inside your house.
overall, this is the best fm transmitter i have every used and would recommend this product 100% above the others.
(others being: itrip auto, docking itrip (bad reception/see reviews), the orriginal itrip, anything monster brand (i havnt seen hardly any good reviews on any of monsters products))
i havnt used any of the "other" products, but i have done my research mostly from the following websites, cnet.com epinions.com, amazon.com, and several other lesser known sites)