Griffin Technology iTrip (4013-2TRIP) FM Transmitter
- UPC: 685387040131
- Brand: Griffin Technology
- Compatible Devices: Apple iPod
- Type: FM Transmitter
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961
Griffin iTrip?.A Heavenly Excursion!
Pros
iPod Versatility, Performance, Quality
Cons
Programming Trial And Error
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The Griffin iTrip broadens the capabilities of your iPod, making your music library yet more available!
iPods have become synonymous with the current technological explosion that is barraging the electronics consumer. The fact of the matter is the iPod has revolutionized the way we listen to music much in the way the 8 track cassette, and CD have. Everywhere you look the signature white ear buds are ever apparent as yet another person is lugging around their entire music library.
While there no denying iPods are great they initially had some limitations but no more. A gang of aftermarket manufacturers jumped on the Apple wagon and have flooded the market with a boatload of accessories. One of the more prominent is Griffin Technology.
Their Griffin iTrip is a shining example of just how versatile the iPod can be with a little ingenuity.
How It Works
The Griffin iTrip is a FM band transmitter that, when programmed to a local digital FM band, allows the consumer to play his iPod through any stereo that has an FM band. That means you can take your iPod into the car, a friends party as long as you have an FM radio!
Griffin's iTrip is an ingenious little device (2.4" x .84") that resembles a small cylinder which houses an built in fm antenna/transmitter that is capable of linking up to frequencies from 88.1 - 107.9 MHz. Located the bottom of the iTrip are a contact strip and mini plug that fits into the ear bud receptacle. The contact strip fits into the little rectangular receptacle atop your iPod next to your mini plug socket.
Once you install the included software onto the computer that contains iTunes, all the applicable bands are loaded. At this point you simply need to find one in your area that will play the best. Generally speaking you want an active band that doesn't have any clear programming. I chose 97.7 in my area that, when dialed in generally had static. You dial in the station, which is included in the download from iTunes to your iPod , point your iPod with the iTrip attached at your FM radio , go through a sequence involving your Ply/Pause buttons, wait for a led flash and you have programmed your iPod to transmit to that station, simple!
Shortcomings?
There is no such thing as perfection in electronics; it can always be improved seems to be the prevailing mantra and it is apparent in the Griffin iTrip. Dialing in the right frequency for your area is a trial and error process best circumvented by querying your salesman on the appropriate band in your area.
If you travel I would suggest a wired solution to play your iPod through your car radio, as frequencies change regionally. But if you generally use the iPod in the car locally a great deal this is a great way to manage! I use a wired solution for trips and don't mind the redundancy. Convenience is the keystone characteristic to the Griffin iTrip.
Once you have locked into a frequency, you have to keep your iPod relatively close to the host radio. It is rated for 10-30 feet and that is generally true but not universally. In heavy FM traffic it will be shorter. In fact in he car you really need it to be quite nearie ,3ft. Turn on your iPod with The iTip attached, dial in your designated fm station and wait to see a the blinking led on the iTrip, and your in business. You can control volume from both the iPod and your host radio. You need to keep your volume on the iPod at about 50% or you will see gain stage distortion. There is very little or no drift and fidelity with signal distortion rated at less than 5%. Frequency response is rated at 50 Hz to 15 kHz which falls a little short of the 20/20 equation we all seek out but stereo separation is rated at greater than 45%.
Pleasant Surprises!
The Griffin iTrip offers wireless transmission of your iPod content with really good fidelity and no drift. I have used it at barbeques, programming a play list specific to the crowd I was entertaining through iTunes. Music entertainment has never been easier.
Besides wireless capability, there are never any batteries to change, because they aren't necessary. It is powered off your iPod; just how great is that?
If you have a black iPod, no problem, the Griffin iTrip comes in both black and white with international frequency software available as an accessory.
Final Thoughts?
If I lost the Griffin iTrip, I would spring for another one in a heartbeat! For under $30.00 you cannot get more bang for your iPod dollar. This product is a W I N N E R!
While there no denying iPods are great they initially had some limitations but no more. A gang of aftermarket manufacturers jumped on the Apple wagon and have flooded the market with a boatload of accessories. One of the more prominent is Griffin Technology.
Their Griffin iTrip is a shining example of just how versatile the iPod can be with a little ingenuity.
How It Works
The Griffin iTrip is a FM band transmitter that, when programmed to a local digital FM band, allows the consumer to play his iPod through any stereo that has an FM band. That means you can take your iPod into the car, a friends party as long as you have an FM radio!
Griffin's iTrip is an ingenious little device (2.4" x .84") that resembles a small cylinder which houses an built in fm antenna/transmitter that is capable of linking up to frequencies from 88.1 - 107.9 MHz. Located the bottom of the iTrip are a contact strip and mini plug that fits into the ear bud receptacle. The contact strip fits into the little rectangular receptacle atop your iPod next to your mini plug socket.
Once you install the included software onto the computer that contains iTunes, all the applicable bands are loaded. At this point you simply need to find one in your area that will play the best. Generally speaking you want an active band that doesn't have any clear programming. I chose 97.7 in my area that, when dialed in generally had static. You dial in the station, which is included in the download from iTunes to your iPod , point your iPod with the iTrip attached at your FM radio , go through a sequence involving your Ply/Pause buttons, wait for a led flash and you have programmed your iPod to transmit to that station, simple!
Shortcomings?
There is no such thing as perfection in electronics; it can always be improved seems to be the prevailing mantra and it is apparent in the Griffin iTrip. Dialing in the right frequency for your area is a trial and error process best circumvented by querying your salesman on the appropriate band in your area.
If you travel I would suggest a wired solution to play your iPod through your car radio, as frequencies change regionally. But if you generally use the iPod in the car locally a great deal this is a great way to manage! I use a wired solution for trips and don't mind the redundancy. Convenience is the keystone characteristic to the Griffin iTrip.
Once you have locked into a frequency, you have to keep your iPod relatively close to the host radio. It is rated for 10-30 feet and that is generally true but not universally. In heavy FM traffic it will be shorter. In fact in he car you really need it to be quite nearie ,3ft. Turn on your iPod with The iTip attached, dial in your designated fm station and wait to see a the blinking led on the iTrip, and your in business. You can control volume from both the iPod and your host radio. You need to keep your volume on the iPod at about 50% or you will see gain stage distortion. There is very little or no drift and fidelity with signal distortion rated at less than 5%. Frequency response is rated at 50 Hz to 15 kHz which falls a little short of the 20/20 equation we all seek out but stereo separation is rated at greater than 45%.
Pleasant Surprises!
The Griffin iTrip offers wireless transmission of your iPod content with really good fidelity and no drift. I have used it at barbeques, programming a play list specific to the crowd I was entertaining through iTunes. Music entertainment has never been easier.
Besides wireless capability, there are never any batteries to change, because they aren't necessary. It is powered off your iPod; just how great is that?
If you have a black iPod, no problem, the Griffin iTrip comes in both black and white with international frequency software available as an accessory.
Final Thoughts?
If I lost the Griffin iTrip, I would spring for another one in a heartbeat! For under $30.00 you cannot get more bang for your iPod dollar. This product is a W I N N E R!
