iTrip Auto
Griffin Technology
Price: $79.99
Pros: Easy to use, works with all Dock connectors, great design.
Cons: None.
by Gary Miller
Just about the time, i decided to up the ante and get the new video iPod, I wondered if all my gadgets would still work... Griffin Technology told me that they didn't know about the Dock only plug in format, and had to rush production to get out products to take advantage. The new iTrip Auto is a great way of doing 2 things at once, and is still legal. It charges your iPod and transmits to your vehicle's radio, and it's black color works with the new Apple look. It works through the Dock connector on the bottom of your iPod.
What I look for is gadgets that make my life easier, not harder. That means no long instruction book, or counter intuitive approach, just simple, straight forward, well designed products, and THIS IS ONE. Here's how easy it is to use. Tune your radio to a station without a broadcast going on, plug the power end into your car's cigarette lighter, match the radio signal station, i.e. 88.1 FM on the back lit LCD screen, and you're listening to whatever is on your iPod, it's that simple. Even an adult can use it!
A feature I liked was how you can choose between setting the display on either stereo or mono, knowing that mono will yield better signal reception. i tried it both ways, and agreed that the mono worked better in areas that were crowded with stations. At the bottom of the FM radio listings, say 87.1 and up, are easy to find blank spots. And since all you do is change your radio station on your car, and match your LCD display, that's it. So even when I tried to confuse the issue being near a radio station on the dial, it wouldn't goof up. While many FM transmitters either have just the FM part, but no charger, so you run out of battery ability on a trip, or only charge your iPod, this must have gadget, has both, and is small, for easy take along.
This works in the USA and International tuning modes, speaker volume can be controlled by your car's radio, so you don't have to change your iPod volume. I recommend it!
System Requirements:
* Compatible iPod (3G, 4G, 5G, Photo, mini, Nano)