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 enlarge | Brand: Griffin Technology
Category: CE
List Price: $99.99
Buy New: $52.99
You Save: $47.00 (47%)
New (46) Used (2) from $50.56
Rating:  32 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 1.4 x 8
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 4046-TRPAUTOC
Model: 4046-TRPAUTOC
UPC: 685387040469
EAN: 0685387040469
ASIN: B000WKPHI8
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 SAVE YOURSELF SOME GRIEF - DON'T ORDER THIS September 18, 2008
PROS:
None.
CONS:
Even though I had read the reviews warning of the poor performance with this unit, because I wanted a solution AND because I'm hard headed, I went ahead and ordered it. With the unit only a foot from my radio's antenna, it would barely work. With the unit inside my vehicle, which was less than three feet away from my antenna, it wouldn't work at all.
Please head my warning and those that have rated this before me and try another route... DO NOT ORDER THIS! IT DOES NOT WORK!! Shame on Griffin (who is normally an excellent accessory supplier of Apple iPhones and iPods) for letting this product enter the market place obviously untested.
 Works well with iPhone 3G September 16, 2008
Picked this up to replace an old Monster FM transmitter/charger when I got an iPhone 3G. This version of the Griffin works well: charges the iPhone 3G, the remote skip/play buttons on the charger are great, and the transmitter seems more powerful/effective than the Monster. No sign of GSM chatter, so the shielding for the iPhone seems to work well. (No 'not designed for the iPhone' nag screen, either.) I use the 'international' mode to select lower frequencies, but in a crowded metro area there's still quite a lot of interference. Not pristine audio, but good enough for podcasts, and since the iPhone 3G needs near-constant charging anyway, I'm happy to have the iTrip.
Control or sound quality, which is more important to you? September 15, 2008
My 2008 Jetta has a built-in iPod "Adapter" system in it. The problems with it are:
1) iPod is sequestered away in the center console, you can't control the ipod using the device- all control is through the car's head unit.
2)Access to the music in the ipod is limited to the first five playlists or All music starting alphabetically, so there is no way to choose a particular song to play. Very frustrating.
3) The iPod adapter kit removes the standard 3.5 mm aux input jack that is normally in the glove box, so there is no way to use an iPod suffle or other non-ipod device (or later iPods like the Touch) with the car.
So I bought this iTrip so I could have more control over what I want to listen to. And that works. Unfortunately the sound quality was such a step DOWN that I just cannot listen to it.
The channel scan and lockin were OK, but not great. The text-transfer appearing on the head unit was terrible but half the problem was with the limited screen real estate the VW head unit allocates for the radio text feature.
So in closing, I had to choose between being able to have full control over my ipod and having bad sound quality, or having very little control over the ipod and have excellent sound quality. I choose quality, I will sell this itrip on ebay and get it out of my life.
pretty good September 15, 2008
It works for me, the easter egg mentioned in another comment here is a very nice bonus but the only thing missing for long roadtrips is the ability to charge by apple bluetooth headset.
Oh well.
87.9 Is A MUST For This Unit... September 12, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I will start this review by saying that it is a MUST that you use this unit on the 87.9 frequency. By default, the lowest the unit will go is 88.1, but I will describe how to toggle ON the lower frequencies so that you have access to 87.9 later in this review.
I use this unit with my iPhone 3g and have no issues with airplane mode or charging. Everything works as intended with no unexpected issues as far as compatibility with the iPhone 3G goes.
[Controls / Interface]
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The controls and interface of this device are very clear and clean. There are 3 buttons on front of the cigarette lighter connector (Next Track, Previous Track, Pause/Play). The FM transmitter portion has three buttons on it also that adjust the frequency and give you menu options to toggle on and off. The display numbers are very clear to see, even during the day and the buttons are easy to press without any issues. The iPod/iPhone connector is pretty self explanatory and sturdy.
My only issue with the controls is the ones on the cigarette lighter jack. The buttons are pressable on the entire front surface of the connecter, which means that plugging the connector in causes you to change a track or pause/play if you connected the iPod/iPhone before powering up the unit. If you are like me and listen to music on the way to the car and want to easily transition, you may want to consider powering up first, then connecting the iPod/iPhone.
[Sound Quality / Signal Strength]
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The signal strength of this device can only be described as lackluster when using any of the preset stations. This device is practically unusable on any frequency OTHER than 87.9 and by default, you can not set the device to anything lower than 88.1 (See instructions below on how to toggle on stations below 88.1).
However, when connected to 87.9, the signal is very clear and there is no obviously audible static or noise. Having said that, you will NOT get crystal clear sound out of this device, even at its best performance. High pitches tones sound slightly garbled and not as sharp as they should sound. The very low basses sound slightly muddy.
Overall the sound quality is clearer than normal radio stations, but not quite as clear as playing a CD in the deck.
[Charging / Other Functions]
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The device doesn't have very many functions, but if there is something that does stand out, it is the charging.
Charging works very well and I find that my device charges extremely fast. The device has 3 light levels and the cigarette lighter connector will glow red when the battery is charging but low and green when the device is fully charged. It charges my iPhone 3G quickly, but does make it a little tiny bit hot if left on during a long trip (30+ minutes). I feel this is not too much of an issue though.
The preset station and smart scan functionality are lackluster and will often times find stations are are .2 higher than a station that has a very strong broadcast signal. This means that on these stations, you will hear the stronger signal and get nothing from the iPhone/iPod. The presets reset every time you do a scan and the results it gives back are typically very unreliable. Even when they do work, the signals are very static-y and will go out if you drive under a bridge or are ordering drive through at a fast good restaurant.
I will repeat once again:
ONLY USE THIS DEVICE ON 87.9 (Every other station is worthless)
It is the only station that truly does this device any justice and it is the only station that kept me from giving this product a 2 star and returning it.
***** [How To Access 87.9] *****
On the FM transmitter box, push the middle button (Function) and then press it a second time when it says "Mode." You will see a Griffin logo in the bottom center of that screen. Press and hold the middle button for approximately 10 seconds. You will know that you have toggled 87.9 ON when the Griffin logo moves from the bottom center to the top center. Let the device sit for a few seconds until it goes back to the main screen, then tune your radio and the transmitter to 87.9! Finally, enjoy the best signal you will get from this device!
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[Final Thoughts]
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I gave this device 4 stars because I found that it consistently works very very well on the 87.9 frequency. With this knowledge, I don't have to use the lackluster preset or smart scan functionalities. Using 87.9 gives great sound and a good signal.
The charges does its job very well and the controls on the cigarette lighter connector work well. The lights that glow according to the battery charge level are a nice touch and the device itself is stylish.
4 / 5 Stars
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