Rating

This device works exactly as advertised: it charges your iPod and broadcasts the audio on an FM frequency at low power. If you have no other way to use your iPod in your car (cassette adapter, line in, etc) this is a good choice, especially at Amazon’s price. The sound quality isn’t fabulous, but it’s as good as normal FM reception.

However, you need to be aware that this product works inconsistently between cars. I’ve had good luck with the iTrip in some cars (mostly American made rental cars), but couldn’t get it to work in some other cars (like my Infiniti). Before you buy, I suggest that you take a look at the Griffin Technology web site to see if other users have gotten this to work in your car.

Rating

This product works properly, given that the proper radio station is selected, preferably below 89MHz. In downtown city driving (both in NYC and Boston), there is little to no other noise. In the case there is some, simply change the chanel and it works properly. It does lack the CD quality sound, but that’s not a con as you are pushing the signal through your FM radio. The DX/LX mode is best feature, so you can pick between high quality or stereo sound. Simple, small, and efficient, this is arguably the best FM transmitter for the iPod.

Rating

Having used fm modulators for many years I began searching for one for my new IPOD. I wanted one that I could transfer from vehicle to vehicle eaisily. I didn’t want anything that would take up a lot of space or make me keep the IPOD in one position. With this unit I can put the IPOD where I want to [out of sight] and have pretty much the whole range of the FM dial to choose from. It works great, is easy to change the frequency if there is a conflict with a close station, and it keeps the IPOD charged as well.

Rating

There’s nothing like having your iPod with you in the car. This thing is great. It works with every model (Nano, Mini, etc) and it’s very simple to use. Definitely worth the price, which I see has dropped since I purchased it, but that’s no biggie. It was worth it. I get a clear signal on several frequencies, but have found one that works even when I’m outside of the city. Great buy.

Rating

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.

Rating

I’ve been skeptical about getting one of these devices because of the reviews people have been giving them but I finally took a chance and it was well worth it.

It just arrived today and I immediately ran some errands to test it out. Right out of the box, the unit plugs right in to your car cigarette adapter and right into the iPod. The default setting for the frequency is 87.9 which is perfect. Tuned the radio to that station and that was it. Simple and only took a few minutes to open the package.

Now, I know many people talk about static with these devices but think about it. I have AM, FM and XM satellite radio in my car. You know how AM stations are so I won’t go there. FM has static periodically and XM cuts out in dead zones. I would say this has the performance of any FM station. After all, it’s an FM transmitter!

The best thing about this device is that it saves you from having to juggle tens or hundreds of CDs in your car. I’ve been burning a lot of CDs lately but only have a 6 disc CD changer in my car. It’s a real pain having to keep swapping CDs out which is why this device is soooo handy.

Comparing this to other models, such as Belkin (which my gf has), this is definitely the best. Most other brands have too many wires that you have to plug in, they don’t support 87.9 and/or they have really poor performance.

Pros:

*Supports the 87.9 frequency unlike many other models. This is important as this is the best frequency to use with little or no static or disruption.

*Charges your iPod

*Very compact

*For the price, here at Amazon, it’s a steal

*Saves you from having to juggle all those CDs. Hooray for consolidation!

Cons:

*The only Con is that the signal isn’t that great and, as expected with any type of wireless device, there is going to be static. This is not a limitation of the device but a limitation of the FCC requirements.

I definitely recommend getting one of these. If you’ve been in the market and have been waiting for the technology to get better, it’s here…

Rating

It finally dawned on me that I didn’t have to use headphones to listen to my iPod in the car. Duh! Suddenly, my Subaru Forester is no longer limited to the six-disk CD player’s selections. Now I hit the road with more than 1,000 albums and any number of podcasts for entertainment.

I especially like the fact that this can be set for frequencies all across the FM band, rather than six or so pre-set frequencies like some such devices. Makes it a whole lot easier to recover the iPod signal when I drive into a local radio station’s coverage area that’s on the same frequency as the Griffin iTrip.

I keep my iPod in a Speck black rubber armor case, so it doesn’t easily fit into the cradles some FM transmitter devices use. Consequently, this simple connection works fine and doesn’t dictate where my iPod has to ride.

I also love the fact that it charges the iPod while in use, so I arrive at my destination with the iPod battery topped off and ready to go.

Rating

This iPod transmitter works perfectly! I used to have a Belkin TuneCast for my old car, which worked ok although it did have a bit static here and there. Using this one, I’ve gotten a clear signal and no static at all! The volume is very loud; I’ve only had to set my iPod’s volume to half. The bass also comes out well, although the treble is a bit low. But it’s pretty good for an FM transmitter.

Btw, I tested this on a 2007 Volvo S40, 2000 Toyota Avalon, and a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. I used it on the frequency of 87.9 in the Washington D.C. Metro area. Worked great on all the cars. I highly recommend this!

EDIT:

One of my friends was able to improve upon the issue of the low treble: Just fool around with the iPod’s equalizer. We found the “Treble Booster” setting to work fine.

Rating

If it weren’t for this product, I wouldn’t have bought an iPod. I only use my iPod while driving and the stereo on my 2004 Scion xA has no aux plug or cassette player, ruling out the more favorable options.

The transmission is surprisingly effective. From all the reviews I’ve read of FM transmitters, it is usually very poor. I’m glad I bought this model because I have had no problems with hearing my iPod through my radio. I live in Seattle and use 88.1. Very clear. There is an occasional hiss from a real broadcast but it is very faint and passing. If you listen to loud music, you won’t even notice it. Otherwise, 90% of the time, it is golden FM radio-quality. I have yet to try any other frequency. I use the stereo mode with no problems in the city. Apparently mono mode is even better in congested areas.

Surely if you have an aux input, don’t buy this as a hardline connection will be superior in every way. Against a cassette adaptor, the quality will be the same but the cassette adaptor will be more stable. If you’re stuck with a stereo like mine, this is your best bet. Other things to consider:

-It DOES charge your iPod.

-This product connects using the dock connector rather than the headphone jack. This could interfere with your current setup.

-With my iPod Classic, when you shut off power, it automatically pauses the iPod so you won’t miss a note. Unfortunately, when you power it back on, it doesn’t auto-play. I deliver pizzas and go through this cycle often so it’s a little inconvenient having to push the play button everytime I start my car.

-You will ONLY get FM radio-quality at best, obviously. No digital quality and you can’t really “turn it up” as the transmission will fuzz out the sound. It isn’t clear as a bell but it’s as clear as any radio broadcast can get.

-Very, very easy to use.

-Interesting to hear your music as if being played on the radio. I think fans of obscure, underground music will get a kick out of it.

-Seeing how the transmitter can ONLY be powered by the car plug, you won’t be able to use this anywhere but the car. You can’t use it with your home radio for whatever reason you may want to. I think Griffin makes this clear calling it an “Auto” transmitter.

-Durability is a question. I have yet to see how long this thing (or my iPod) will last. Everything feels sturdy and there’s not much you can break besides the wire and dock connector.

-For best results, turn the volume on your iPod as high as possible as this will drown out interference and give the transmission max loudness.

Rating

I just got this a in Nov 2008. I will tell you the three secrets to getting the best results. First, over the years I have purchased a HUGE number of these type devices and they all sucked. Only the iTrip (both the version with the iPod connector and the one with the standard headphone jack) have this secret that makes them the BEST. Secret #1) because these devices are limited in power, make sure the transmitter part is close to the radio. Secret #2) Unless you need stereo, use the LX mode. Secret #3 … and this is the biggie … switch to International Mode. Here’s how.

Before you buy, go to your car and make sure you can set your radio to 87.9 frequency or lower. If you can, they you can use this UNused setting. No US radio station is allowed to transmit on this frequency. If you can set your car radio to this, then BUY either the product on this page or the other Griffin iTrip (with the standard headphone connector). I have both, and they BOTH use the SAME instructions.

First, plug in the iTrip. You Have two buttons – a larger +/- button and a smaller button that will either have “Select” or “Preset” written on it.

Hold down the smaller button for 10-15 sec. At first the display will flash “2″ or some other number. Ignore that. Just keep waiting. Then the display will flash “DX” or “LX”. Use the +/- to change to LX (non stereo mode). Press the smaller button and the selection is saved.

Now for International Mode (to get the stations below 88.1).

Hold down the smaller button for 10-15 sec. At first the display will flash “2″ or some other number. Ignore that. Just keep waiting. Then the display will flash “DX” or “LX”. IGNORE THIS ALSO, JUST KEEP HOLDING DOWN THE SMALL BUTTON. The display will change to “US” Use the +/- to change to INTL mode. Press the smaller button and the selection is saved.

With my iTrip set to LX and INTL I now set both the car and the iTrip to 87.9. I use the iTrip instructions to save this as a preset. I also set one of the buttons on my car radio to the same.

When I use my iPod, the sound is crystal clear, I do NOT need to adjust the car radio to super-high volume. It is perfect. However, iTrip no longer comes with instructions to set to INTL mode, nor could I find these instructions on their website or on the web. So … print this, get this and you will have a five star experience!