Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter for iPod mini; iPod classic 3G, 4G (White) by Griffin
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Our Price: $54.96 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.79 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter for iPod mini; iPod classic 3G, 4G (White)
Digital camera Review: Does not fit the Ipod Nano
Summary: 2 Stars
Before you buy this...make sure you understand that it does not do as advertised. I assume they made this before the Ipod Nano was introduced, because this ad, AND the front of the box says "works with all ipods", its very small and not user friendly...but hey, doesnt really matter when it doesnt fit the Nano, now does it?Digital camera Review: Does static count as sound???
Summary: 1 Stars
I cannot find one station to which my ipod will broadcast clearly. There are seconds of clarity in between static. Everyone I know told me to go with the cassette tape if I had a tape player in my car, but I didn't want another wire hanging out. However, this iTrip is useless! I'd rather have another wire and clear sound.Digital camera Review: Does the job at the expected radio quality
Summary: 4 Stars
If you come to terms with the fact that this is a FM radio product--not an optical uplink, not an inch-thick Monster cable--, you will appreciate the job this gadget does. It's easy to set up and to operate. Sucks up a lot of battery power, so you may want to have your iPod permanently attached to the cigarette lighter.
I have owned one of these for a while and I can tell you that I've found this most useful for traveling. For example, I can listen to all my favorite music in a random rental car--I just tune the car's radio to the iTrip.
In my own car it's quite good, too, but being in there every day has made me expect more over time. The radio hissing is sometimes too noticeable (nothing major but most certainly not CD quality). Also, something in my car couples with the iTrip quite often, adding a small "click-click-click" (which revs up with the car) to the music. This did get on my nerves a bit sometimes, but I eventually learned to ignore it.
This weekend I ended up pulling out my car's radio and installing a Blitzsafe unit behind. This allows you to connect your iPod to your car stereo as if it were a CD changer (kind of an Aux input). Needless to say, the quality is awesome. iTrip is over for me in my car, although I will still use it for traveling (or in my wife's car).
It was good while it lasted anyway--I definitely recommend it.
Digital camera Review: Does what it needs to
Summary: 4 Stars
I got my iTrip with my 15GB G3 iPod. So far I've been quite happy with it. I have used it on quite a few trips, and it's great not to have to deal with played out songs, stupid djs, and commercials on the radio.
The only problem is the signal strength at times. I need to find a completely unused station to use with my iTrip. Otherwise I will receive static at times. If the signal strength was stronger, I would have no problems with this product.
I recommend the iTrip. Its a cheap, easy, and sure way of getting your dose of iPod in your car.
Digital camera Review: Does what it's supposed to do
Summary: 4 Stars
If you have a cassette deck in your car, you don't need the iTrip, just get one of those cassette adapters and you are all set. But if you don't have a cassette deck in your car, the iTrip does what it's supposed to do fairly well. In the majority of cases, it works fine. Although you should be aware that this technology is not perfect. Depending on your location, you may occaisionally experience some static from a radio station that is near where you have the iTrip set to.Also, the quality is limited to FM radio quality. It is not as good as what the iPod is capable of and certainly not CD quality. That said, the quality from the iTrip is quite listenable for the price when there is no static. In my area (which is a major metropolitan area), no matter what I do, I get some occaisional static depending on the time of day.
If your car stereo has a line input, that would the the ideal recommendation. Some radios nowadays even have a jack right on the front of the radio. If yours doesn't, perhaps it has line input jacks in the back of the unit and an installer can wire this up for you so you can access it and plug the iPod in to it.
Another better option than the iTrip is to have a car stereo shop install a wired FM modulator for you. The FM modulator is wired under your dash between your antenna and the radio and includes a jack for the iPod. This works virtually flawlessly, with no static and a much more powerful signal into the radio.
In all, I would recommend the iTrip for use in a rental car or a friend's car or if you will only use the iPod occaisionally in your car. If you drive a lot and use the iPod exclusively, it would definitely be worth it to invest in a wired option instead.