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 good product with a few issues
Summary: 3 Stars
I've been using the RoadTrip off and on since May 2007, and it certainly is the best option available for FM transmitters. The unit is pretty solid and the ability to charge your iPod while driving and listening to tunes more than makes up for the price tag ($55 when I bought it)...add in the detachable transmitter portion that you can plug into your computer for some wireless music listening, and it's a very nice deal.
However, if you're considering getting this (or any other FM transmitter), realize that you aren't going to get FM stereo sound from your iPod if you use it in the car. In fact, it's more comparable to a decent AM station than anything. I usually have to turn my car stereo up to obscene levels in order to hear my music with the RoadTrip, and the signal that comes through is very unbalanced - either the left or right channel is almost inaudible (I believe it's the left channel), which spoils more songs than you'd think. Surprisingly, the sound is better when I use the transmitter with my computer at home, but it's not much of a difference.
For audiobooks, podcasts, and other low-fidelity sound files, the RoadTrip's flaws are less evident, but for music, I've found myself switching between this and my in-dash CD player, which plays music as I expect to hear to it.
That's not to say that this isn't one of the best products in its niche - it is probably THE best car FM transmitter you'll find for the iPod - but don't buy the RoadTrip expecting to get crystal-clear stereo sound. Look into getting a direct connection and head unit installed in your car if that's what you're looking for...otherwise, the Griffin RoadTrip is a very good deal for the iPod user on the go.
Customer Review: Very pleased after EXTENSIVE testing
Summary: 4 Stars
I recently purchased this product and took it on a 30 day roadtrip across the country. I used it all over the nation, from the Midwest (where it's relatively easy to find a frequency), to more congested areas like around Washington DC and Philadelphia, where its not easy to find a signal. Through it all, the Roadtrip provided incredible sound quality for an FM transmitter.
The cradle and mount is very handy in that you can adjust it so that you can view both the Ipod's screen and the frequency the Roadtrip is on without really having to take your eyes off the road. As one would imagine, I had a lot of stuff in my car on the trip, so I didn't want to mess with a typical corded charger and transmitter. This allowed my Ipod to be mounted close to my radio controls and didn't take up any space on my floor or console.
A couple of things to note here, however. First is that the mount comes with two pieces, one which you plug into your cigarette lighter and one which is an extension piece if the Roadtrip is in your way. I used the extension and was very pleased with it, but over time the sheer weight of it would not let it fig snugly in my cigarette lighter, and it tended to move around when I went around corners. Taking off the extension solved this problem, and, while it was not as conveniently placed, still allowed me to see and use it easily.
The sound quality of this product is also not as good in my other car (a '97 Grand Am), but I suspect that's the fault of the car itself, not the Roadtrip. The antenna on that car doesn't pick up very good signals anyway. Overall this is a great product, certainly a great asset for me on my cross-country adventure.
Customer Review: Great product as far as fm transmittion goes...
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading many reviews of the fm transmittion criteria, I found myself in the market for one. The best reviews that I could find where the Monster IcarPlay (newer) and the Kensington 33185, I could not find either specific model anywhere near me, so I went down to the local bestbuy and got myself the Griffin RoadTrip. I was quite skeptical to see how this would perform because I read many negative reviews regarding Griffin products. After purchasing it for $118 CAD (about $105 US), I went in the car and tried it out. the set up is quite basic and after a few minutes I was listening to my nano with decent sound quality (same as local radio stations). I live in the biggest suburbia in North America, Mississauga, Ontario and the transmittion is quite good.
Pros:
It does not skip, even as the ipod wiggles from the road bumps
It stays in tact
Easy to use
Good sound quality
Comes with everything you need, every ipod model capability
Can be used with your PC or Mac to transmit sound for you home stereo
Convinient
comes with Doc+holder+clip (s)
Cons
Constant access to the ipod battery could mean that the battery's life is ending faster than it should.
the sound quality isn't top notch. (after all it is a transmitter, very minor complaint)
Ipod users limit your sounds to minimum when the ipod is playing because it will not have an effect on the transmittion at all.
This is probabbly a good thing.
Over all I'd like to give it a 5, but 4 seemes more appropriate, due to price and capability.
As far as fm transmittion goes this product will not dissapoint you.
Customer Review: Best FM transmitter for iPods on the market!
Summary: 5 Stars
After having bought the "Monster Cable iCarPlay Plus Wireless FM Transmitter/Charger for iPod" (and then promptly returned it because there was just too much static/interference), I decided to try the Griffin RoadTrip. First, I was shocked at the difference in sound quality between the two products. The Griffin sounds crisp and clear and there is NO static! I live in Boston and have set the frequency to 88.5 and have not had a single problem. Second, the Griffin is so much more convenient and easier to use because you just plug it in and turn it on (it remembers whatever frequency you used previously). No wires, no having to dangle my Nano around the rearview mirror just to get music to play (albeit with frequent static and a constant hissing sound in between songs), and I have a nice, solid, safe place to put my Nano that's right at my fingertips. My only caution is that the holder-adapter that's designed to fit the Nano will only fit if I take mine out of the leather "Marware" protective cover I bought to keep it from getting all scratched up (I have the 2G Black one). An easy solution (at least for me) was to keep my leather cover on and simply use the "larger" holder instead of the smaller "Nano-sized" one. Griffin conveniently provides two different thicknesses of padding to customize the fit for virtually all iPods (except the Shuffle, of course) so I just put in one of the pads and my Nano stays nice and secure and will never get scratched. I highly recommend the RoadTrip and am frankly, shocked that others have rated it so poorly. I love it and could not be happier with my purchase!Customer Review: A Roadtrip Necessity
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a must-have item if you:
1. Have an iPod.
2. Have a car.
3. Would like to play your iPod in your car while driving.
4. Would like to charge your iPod.
5. Would like to stand your iPod in a sturdy spot in your car.
6. Can't afford the aftermarket iPod+vehicle integration.
7. Don't have a tape deck (tape still beats this system in terms of audio quality).
8. Don't want to shuffle through dozens of CDs when you're on the road.. (however, running through your iPod and reading those menus won't be a safe habit either :-/)
Some notes:
- It took a little bit of time and effort to get this ergonomically appropriate for my driving needs since my cigarette lighter isn't that conveniently placed.. but it worked.. somewhat.
- The audio quality will be a _little_ less than radio quality if you're a city slicker (like me) with those oh-so-few frequencies of dead air.. but it'll grow on you. (Southern Las Vegas drivers your best bet seems to be 106.1.
- I'm diggin how to switch stations with this thing with that nifty quick key jumpin to 4 different points on the FM line. You can't exactly preset stations like with the Belkin Tune Transmitter II (which dangles around and drains battery quickly by the way), but that quick key button is the next best thing.
So, It's not the end all, be all, to iPod+Vehicle integration, but it serves its purpose well and is a great buy if you buy here (I paid $56 with no sales tax and free shipping and saved $40).