Product Description
-------------------
The iTrip FM transmitter for the iPod can play your
music through any FM radio in your car, at a party, wherever the
mood strikes you--and you have a radio. It's clear that the iTrip
is made specifically for the iPod. This gives iTrip advantages
over similar devices. For example, with the iTrip, you can have
the cleanest possible signal--because you can choose any radio
station on the dial to tune for the best performance possible.
You do this by 'playing' special station codes directly from the
iPod itself. Another advantage of the iTrip is that it needs no
batteries--it receives its tiny a of power from the iPod.
The original iTrip can even rotate out of the way to charge the
iPod while still in use. No more batteries ever again. There's
not even a power switch - just plug it in and go. It shuts off
automatically after 60 seconds of silence--just like the iPod.
The iTrip is the ultimate accessory for the iPod because it
allows you to share the music and share the fun beyond your
headphones.
.com
----
The iPod has helped revolutionize the way people store
and listen to music, but it's not particularly car-friendly.
Unless your car stereo includes a cassette deck (increasingly
rare) or an auxiliary input (more common among newer stereos)
combined with the appropriate adapter, you simply haven't had the
means to play your extensive iPod library through your car
speakers. Several companies, however, have sought to fill this
void by releasing a product called an FM transmitter, which
broadcasts iPod tunes through FM airwaves. Griffin Technology is
among the category leaders with its iTrip, a discreet little
device that fits unobtrusively on top of the iPod model. The
iTrip isn't confined to car stereos--it plays on almost any FM
radio--but because most home stereos and boomboxes have auxiliary
inputs, it's most popular as a car accessory.
The iTrip is designed to broadcast to any empty FM frequency on
the dial of any radio, at home or in your car. Design and Setup
The iPod is loaded with impressive features, but it's also an
Apple product, which means that looks matter. A lot. And Griffin
clearly recognizes this, because the company has released several
iTrips designed to match specific iPod models, and each is among
the sleekest FM transmitters on the market. Plus, the device
measures less than an inch tall and exactly as wide as the iPod
it sits on, so it takes up almost no extra space--an important
feature to people who value the iPod's portability.
The iTrip is designed to broadcast to any empty FM frequency on
your dial--depending on where you receive the best reception--but
it's only configured to play at 87.9 MHz right out of the box.
That means a little setup is required using the included CD-ROM
and iTunes. Fortunately, the installation is painless and takes
only a few minutes. The installer adds a playlist to your iPod
(through iTunes) called iTrip Stations, which consists of a
series of short audio files that correspond with all available FM
frequencies.
Features and Performance
The iTrip performs best when tuned to an FM frequency that plays
nothing but static, with no audible words or music. Finding a
good frequency is fairly easy, but it requires your full
attention, so it's best to do so while parked. We tested the
iTrip on three separate frequencies in a mid-size market with
varying success. The sound was generally good in two of the
frequencies, less so in the third. This remained true whether the
iPod sat next to the radio, in the backseat, or under a stack of
newspapers. While driving through bad FM reception areas, the
iTrip received a bit of static, but it usually passed in a couple
of seconds.
The iTrip is designed more for convenience than elite audio
performance, so listeners shouldn't expect CD-quality sound. When
tuned to a clear frequency, it's about on par with the average FM
station. If the volume is turned high, users might notice a
slight hiss through the speakers, but engine hum and road noise
will generally cover that up. However, listeners who value
top-quality sound--especially people with expensive speaker
systems that pick up every minor flaw--might instead want to add
an auxiliary input to their car stereos to get the most from
their iPods.
The main drawbacks to the iTrip are fairly minor, but will bother
some users. First, the iTrip Stations playlist is stored as part
of your overall music library, meaning the individual audio files
can emerge during shuffle play--and the sound isn't pleasant.
Listeners can remedy this by creating a new playlist with their
entire music libraries minus the iTrip Stations files. Second,
the iTrip draws its power from the iPod battery. This is both a
plus and a minus, because it means you don't need to keep buying
new AAA batteries every week, but you also won't receive as much
power from each iPod charge. If this bothers you, consider
purchasing an auto charger, which powers your iPod or iPod mini
through the lighter adapter while you drive. Third, the
iTrip isn't great for long road trips through crowded regions,
because the available FM frequencies might change every 40 or so
miles (or less), making it necessary to frequently re-tune the
iTrip. On the flip side, it's great for long drives through the
country.
Ultimately, the iTrip is a good value. The convenience will
please iPod fans who have been clamoring for a way to play their
music in the car. Audiophiles might want to look elsewhere, but
most other listeners should be satisfied. --Rivers Janssen
Pros
* Makes iPod music library accessible to anyone with an FM radio
* Simple, easy-to-follow controls using iPod click wheel
* Sound quality is solid, though not terrific
Cons
* Sometimes requires frequent re-tuning to find the best FM
frequency
* Hard to find good frequency in crowded urban areas
* iTrip audio files emit unpleasant noise when chosen for shuffle
play, though problem is fixable
What's in the Box
The iTrip white FM transmitter, an installation CD-ROM, and a
user's manual.
- Compatibility: iPod mini; iPod classic 3G, 4G.
- FM transmitter designed to play iPod music through FM radios.
- Tunes to any FM frequency for the best possible performance.
- Battery-free design receives power from iPod itself.
- Sleek, attractive housing fits seamlessly on top of iPod.