4/29/2011

Griffin iTrip Auto for iPhone and iPod 4G Review

Griffin iTrip Auto for iPhone and iPod 4G
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this iTrip product for use with an iPhone 3GS. I am familiar with the limitations of FM transmitters and have purchased various models over the years including Griffin iTrip predescessors and have had decent success (particular units like Griffin that allow you to set the FM station to below 88.1 using Europe settings).
This unit is seriously flawed. First of all, even though it indicates that it is iPhone (3G/3GS) compatible, the iPhone displays an error message that the iTrip is not compatible with the iPhone. Apparently this is due to lack of certification from Apple.
Ignoring this problem, I was unable to get the FM transmitter to work on a clear station. The unit charges the iPhone fine. I tried several station, including 87.9, several cars, and several devices (iTouch, old iPod), etc. I contacted Griffin and they sent me a replacement unit.
The replacement unit faired a little better. I was able to get it to work in one car (Toyota) after removing/inserting the power plug multiple times but not in other cars (BMW, Acura). I noticed with the BMW I was finally able to get the transmitter to work with much noise, but only in the upper FM dial, e.g., 104.5 FM.
The support group at Griffin was very polite and responsive but told me that they don't make the transmitters as powerful as their older models due to FCC limitations in the last four years. They offered to send me yet another unit but I did not see the point. Unfortunately for me, since I tried to deal with Griffin directly, I exceeded the Amazon 30 day return window (this was a gift that I gave to someone else).
There is also an iPhone application for this iTrip but it has little value.
While the unit appears to be nice for iPhone (including the ability to advance through a playlist from the iTrip without turning on the iPhone), it does not work and should be avoided.
UPDATE. Griffin sent me a 3rd unit. I was unable to get any reception with it. In the meanwhile, I purchased an FM transmitter/charger from Grantwood Technology and highly recommend it. Reception is great with no static and unit costs less than the iTrip

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iTrip Auto combines Griffin's renowned FM transmitter technology with an integrated charger that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter or accessory socket. Griffin innovation and user-centric design makes setup quick and easy: Just press the SmartScan button and tune your car radio to the frequency shown on iTrip's easy-to-read lighted display. It's that simple. But, as easy as it is to use, iTrip Auto gives you plenty of control. Use iTrip Auto as an inline remote to play/pause and skip through tracks. User-selectable stereo and mono modes let you select for optimum signal, and Griffin SmartSound technology optimizes the signal for best sound. iTrip's programmable presets let you save the most useful FM frequencies for quick recall. And the one-piece integrated cable means everything stays together and nothing gets misplaced. For iPhone and iPod touch, iTrip even comes with a software app that lets you control it from your Multi-Touch display. It's an industry-first hardware/software integration, and it's a free download from the iTunes App Store.

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