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tonewheel · Feb 8, 2003, 12:07 PM

Anyone considering one of these? Anyone have one that that tell us about the unit?

I was considering one until I emailed the company (Griffin Technology) about using this unit when the iPod is enclosed in a case; a case that might prevent the iTrip from sitting flush againt the top of the iPod. (I use the clear iSee case.) Here is Griffin's response:

"This is something we considered when designing the iTrip, and we came to the
conclusion we couldn't allow for all the differences in cases. Therefore, we
built the iTrip to work with the case Apple has for the iPod. There's
certainly a possibility that other cases might prevent the iTrip from
sitting flush on the iPod."

Designed to work only with Apple's iPod case...which means there is nothing on top and the iTrip sits flush against the iPod. Well, that rules out most of the iPod owners I know, the majority of whom purchase full-wrap after-market cases.

Too bad. Cool product, and would have liked to use it.

slider · Feb 8, 2003, 01:17 PM

I did not even consider that, really good point. Seem that if you want to use it you'll just need to remove it from the cases or make your own cables or some thing, the audio jack might be a problems as I think it has the overjack(?). Ultimatley, for me it will be how well it works, if it is no better than what I have read about the iRock, then for me it's moot issue. Thanks, for the leg work.

Agasthya · Feb 8, 2003, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by slider:
I did not even consider that, really good point. Seem that if you want to use it you'll just need to remove it from the cases or make your own cables or some thing, the audio jack might be a problems as I think it has the overjack(?). Ultimatley, for me it will be how well it works, if it is no better than what I have read about the iRock, then for me it's moot issue. Thanks, for the leg work.

Which station will it broadcast on - does it have an interface within the iPod where you can change the frequency because it doesn't really look like theres much you can do with the hardware other than plug it in.

Walker · Feb 8, 2003, 03:02 PM

I agree about the iRock. I am very disappointed in the quality of audio. Hopefully iTrip will work much better.

lw

GORDYmac · Feb 9, 2003, 10:14 AM

In instances where you would use iTrip, Why would you even need some clunky case?

I've had my iPod for nearly a year, and I don't even use cases regularly. I drop it in my jacket pocket, then prop it in the car mount, then on the desk. When I walk I have a case--but, again, I wouldn't need the iTrip then.

This product is going to sell well regardless. I'm getting one.

chabig · Feb 9, 2003, 11:25 AM

The iTrip is not yet available. I saw a mockup at MWSF. Here's how it works:

It has two plugs--one for the firewire port and one for the audio port. So if you have case problems, it's probably possible to make a short 6 inch or extension cable that would connect the ports.

As for its operation, it will all be controlled from the iPod scrollwheel using software that runs on the iPod. It's tuneable via software to any FM frequency--pretty cool stuff. I think it does AM too, but I'm not sure.

Sound quality? Who know? I tried the iRock and it was terrible in my car.

Chris

slider · Feb 9, 2003, 02:03 PM

Wow, I was wondering how you tuned it and wonder if that was it, pretty cool. Um, yeah the case thing, well I have a case, and it's great. My iPod only comes out of it to show it off, so when I get in my car to go were ever, I was need to take it out and plug in the iTrip, then I would need to put it back in my case when I got to where I was going. I suppose I could use the Apple case and just get to changing depending on use. If the iTrip is kick ass, I'm gonna get one.

Superchicken · Feb 9, 2003, 10:14 PM

you could always take a blade to your case

clarkgoble · Feb 10, 2003, 03:57 AM

Best thing to get are one of those atenna to RCA jack adaptors. I got one last week after trying Dr. Bott's crap and a cassette adaptor. After weeks of frustration I am finally happy. It puts a switch that allows you to turn the "transmitter" on. However the transmitter is actually an inductor that sit around your antenna where it plugs in. Thus you get excellent sound. They cost around $38 online. I had mine installed, which cost an other $35. But it was a bit of an involved installation (more than a stereo) so it was worth it to avoid the hassle.

Walker · Feb 10, 2003, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
Best thing to get are one of those atenna to RCA jack adaptors. I got one last week after trying Dr. Bott's crap and a cassette adaptor. After weeks of frustration I am finally happy. It puts a switch that allows you to turn the "transmitter" on. However the transmitter is actually an inductor that sit around your antenna where it plugs in. Thus you get excellent sound. They cost around $38 online. I had mine installed, which cost an other $35. But it was a bit of an involved installation (more than a stereo) so it was worth it to avoid the hassle.

Are you saying you actually plug the iPod directly into your car stereo?

dav · Feb 10, 2003, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
Best thing to get are one of those atenna to RCA jack adaptors. I got one last week after trying Dr. Bott's crap and a cassette adaptor. After weeks of frustration I am finally happy. It puts a switch that allows you to turn the "transmitter" on. However the transmitter is actually an inductor that sit around your antenna where it plugs in. Thus you get excellent sound. They cost around $38 online. I had mine installed, which cost an other $35. But it was a bit of an involved installation (more than a stereo) so it was worth it to avoid the hassle.

link please

clarkgoble · 07:25 PM

Here's some links.

http://www.discountmobilevideo.com/items/item342.htm

http://www.carstereoproducts.com/csp...ox/fmm100.html

I got mine at a local shop. Slightly more expensive, but also easier to deal with if something goes wrong. Prices appear to range from $35 - $55.

The only downside is that the supplied RCA cable is *way* too long. I wish I'd given the installer guys a shorter cable.

dav · Feb 11, 2003, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
Here's some links.

how would you describe the sound quality in relation to the cassette adapter?
i use the cassette adapter (despite the wires and adapter noise) because the sound quality is great. devices like the irock though, i find unlistenable. will this match the quality of the cassette adapter?
thanks.

clarkgoble · Feb 11, 2003, 05:34 PM

It is vastly better than the cassette adaptor. It isn't as good as the native CD player but is better than what you hear over a regular radio station. (i.e. a broadcast) I consider tape adaptors as rather poor quality. Of course they are better than those cheap-ass battery powered FM transmitters.

This has the advantage of not being a normal broadcast. It appears to use a direct induction to the antenna feed, is higher powered and thus gives better reception. It is still being rendered by your car radio. So if you have a crappy radio it won't sound that good. And it can't be as good as a direct feed. But it is definitely the next best thing.

lavar78 · Feb 11, 2003, 07:16 PM

I was in the market for a new car stereo, so I made sure I got one with an auxilary plug on the front. Now I can just plug my iPod directly into the stereo. Sound quality is much better than what I got from cassette adapters.

zigzag · Feb 11, 2003, 08:47 PM

Hard to understand why more car makers don't provide input jacks. VW provided them for a couple of years in the late 90's, but dropped them. Honda has put them on the new Element, but only as part of an option package.

The cassette adapters work pretty well, considering.

clarkgoble · Feb 12, 2003, 05:09 PM

I have noticed more and more cars do have jacks. With the popularity of MP3 players, this will probably accelerate. I was simply going to replace the stereo in my car when I bought it. However it turned out to be a high end combo 6 disk CD player and tape deck by Bose. Hard to justify putting a crappier system in just to get a jack.

One thing I just noticed, which potential buyers ought to consider, is that while plugged into the ligher, there is a high pitched whine. I'm not sure why that is. It isn't that big a deal for me, given the battery life of the iPod. But others might want to know about it. I don't know if it always happens. I don't remember it when I first got it, so it may be an installation issue.

Mediaman_12 · Feb 12, 2003, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
One thing I just noticed, which potential buyers ought to consider, is that while plugged into the ligher, there is a high pitched whine. I'm not sure why that is. It isn't that big a deal for me, given the battery life of the iPod. But others might want to know about it. I don't know if it always happens. I don't remember it when I first got it, so it may be an installation issue.

That will be interferance from the car's generator. I bet wine changes pitch when the engine revs, sort of like an audio rev counter.
It all depends on how the lighter is wired up, badly installed stereo's can do this too.

So that was only a Preview item at Macworld. The UK Griffin Technology reseller's website has a news item saying they would have them in stock about 6-8 weeks after Macworld.

beverson · May 2, 2003, 12:57 PM

I just got my iTrip via Airborne, and posted an initial review in another thread:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...p;pagenumber=2

Going on a road trip this weekend, so I should be able to put it through its paces and report any more info Sunday night or Monday.

jtbowden · May 2, 2003, 04:00 PM

So how does this sound?

I will have my iPod (15GB) next Friday (I ordered an inscription which delays it a week). I have a Honda Accord with a factory installed Bose system which I don't want to replace.

So I was thinking about getting an FM modulator and then hooking up an extra dock around my dash somewhere, with it wired into the car. That way I just have to drop in my iPod and it starts charging and its connected. I would have ot do a bit of wiring in order to avoid having to plug the big old adapter into my cigarette/AC port. all for looks of course. I'm spoiled by mac. I don't want cables and stuff everywhere. I just want to drop in my iPod and have it work. Any better ideas?

Of course, I want to minimize visible wiring and if possible minimize irreversible changes to the interior of my car.

SMacTech · Jun 2, 2003, 10:29 AM

I received my iTrip today and found that I cannot receive the broadcast no further than 2 ft away from the stereo.

SMacTech · Jun 5, 2003, 09:57 AM

I received my replacement iTrip and it works no better than the first one. I would suggest you stay away from this product.