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iDriveX · Mar 23, 2003, 05:38 PM

This is the iTrip , It says it's shipping in Spring '03 and now that it's officially spring, it's right around the corner (although they could pull an Apple and release it June 20th the last day of spring...) I preordered mine a long time ago and have been waiting for this for a while. The aestetics and true wireless capabilities of this make it the ultimate iPod accessory in my opinion. It looks great on paper. Anyone else order this? Other opinions? Think Apple might build this INTO the next iPod?

joelcpa · Mar 23, 2003, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by iDriveX:
This is the iTrip , It says it's shipping in Spring '03 and now that it's officially spring, it's right around the corner (although they could pull an Apple and release it June 20th the last day of spring...) I preordered mine a long time ago and have been waiting for this for a while. The aestetics and true wireless capabilities of this make it the ultimate iPod accessory in my opinion. It looks great on paper. Anyone else order this? Other opinions? Think Apple might build this INTO the next iPod?

I ordered mine about a month ago. Looks pretty cool, especially if it works as advertised.

Joel

dtriska · Mar 23, 2003, 10:06 PM

I'm trying to decide between the iTrip and Belkin's TuneCast Mobile FM Transmitter.

One the one hand, the iTrip takes no batteries. On the other, Belkin's transmitter can be used with a remote.

kOnshii · Mar 23, 2003, 11:47 PM

can you just buy it at your local apple store when it is release?

i would really like one but don't want to use a credit card, cause shipping cost, customs, and security coast from impart is very expensive.

dampeoples · Mar 23, 2003, 11:51 PM

I'm looking forward to it's being released. i use an iRock now, and hate changing batteries. the belkin one looks nice, but I fear it will suffer the fate of my first two iRock's. The little cord that plugs into the iPod stressed the cable so much they finally broke.

dab007 · Mar 24, 2003, 03:54 AM

I ordered mine right after macworld. It would be cool if I could plug it in my tibook, but I think you need a program to run it.

zappy · Mar 24, 2003, 06:44 AM

I still don't see how the iTrip is supposed to fit on an iPod with the little latch over the FireWire port. Older iPods without the latch should be ok.

xtal · Mar 24, 2003, 09:05 AM

I love the Depeche Mode quote on that link...

gorickey · Mar 24, 2003, 02:01 PM

That is so damn cool, I've never seen that before now, thanks for the link. I think I'll be buying for sure...

Let me know when you guys start to receive your orders.

GORDYmac · Mar 25, 2003, 11:15 AM

I ordered mine. I hope I make it in the first wave of shipments.

G-mac · Mar 25, 2003, 11:52 AM

Anyone know when they'll finally ship or be in stores? Someone please post once you've received and tested this transmitter. I've been staring at it online for months!

gorickey · Mar 25, 2003, 05:55 PM

I got an e-mail back from them stating NOTHING really and that the wait will be worth it. All they said is that although vague, it will be out by "end of Spring of '03"....what alot of help that was.

dampeoples · Mar 25, 2003, 06:01 PM

well, I preordered one, if it sucks I can just put it on a shelf, it's not any more expensive than the iRock breaking.

dtriska · Mar 25, 2003, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by zappy:
I still don't see how the iTrip is supposed to fit on an iPod with the little latch over the FireWire port. Older iPods without the latch should be ok.

The cover on the port can easily come off.

dampeoples · Mar 25, 2003, 07:05 PM

i just got an email that said it will ship by the end of march, is this the standard "yeah, we got your info" mail, or did everyone who pre-ordered get a mail like this today?

iDriveX · Mar 25, 2003, 10:51 PM

I got that e-mail from them as soon as I had ordered. It's like a form letter they send out. Here it is the end of March and nothing. I hope that is ships soon and not at the "end of spring".

GORDYmac · Mar 26, 2003, 10:17 AM

Man I can't wait to ditch that cassette adapter, and set a FM preset to the iPod. That'll wow them...

sensorfreaky · Mar 26, 2003, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by GORDYmac:
Man I can't wait to ditch that cassette adapter, and set a FM preset to the iPod. That'll wow them...

Based on the many different FM transmitters I've tried on my iPod, you're probably still much better off with a cassette adapter in terms of sound quality and tonal range. If you're used to the sound quality of the cassette adapter, then the iTrip will disappoint you. I just can't see the iTrip improving on an an already limited method of radio-transmission. That said, I also can't wait to get my iTrip purely for its design. The iTrip, as powered through the firewire port and it's power-saving features, seems superbly designed and worth the price even if the sound quality comes up short.

iDriveX · Mar 26, 2003, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by sensorfreaky:
Based on the many different FM transmitters I've tried on my iPod, you're probably still much better off with a cassette adapter in terms of sound quality and tonal range. If you're used to the sound quality of the cassette adapter, then the iTrip will disappoint you. I just can't see the iTrip improving on an an already limited method of radio-transmission. That said, I also can't wait to get my iTrip purely for its design. The iTrip, as powered through the firewire port and it's power-saving features, seems superbly designed and worth the price even if the sound quality comes up short.

Are you saying this from speculation or from experience? I have never ever used an FM Transmitter but I heard that it will have the same quality as if you were listening to it direct from the iPod. Right now I listen to it from the MiniJack port split to Auxillary Cables (RCAs) into the back of my reciever so I have this ugly cable coming out of my dash. I've heard that the sound is identical either route you go....Can someone with an FM transmitter back up this claim?

dampeoples · Mar 26, 2003, 01:46 PM

yes, the FM transmitter doesn't sound as good as the tape adapter. There are times when it sounds great though, the trick is finding that just right radio station to use. I use mine (iRock) in my work truck when traveling over three states, it gets kinda old looking for a new station as you move in/out of range, and the iRock only allows for four.

sensorfreaky · Mar 26, 2003, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by iDriveX:
Are you saying this from speculation or from experience? I have never ever used an FM Transmitter but I heard that it will have the same quality as if you were listening to it direct from the iPod. Right now I listen to it from the MiniJack port split to Auxillary Cables (RCAs) into the back of my reciever so I have this ugly cable coming out of my dash. I've heard that the sound is identical either route you go....Can someone with an FM transmitter back up this claim?

Yes from experience.

FM transmitters in general aren't as good as wired connections.

I've tried just about every transmitter commercially available fro the iPod, including the iRock and the ones sold in the Dr.Bott and everything iPod kits and they're all the same. The iTrip will most likely sound the same... a little better maybe, but nowhere near as good as a wired connection.

gorickey · Mar 26, 2003, 02:53 PM

iDriveX:

Ummm, you may want to check this out...I find it interesting you haven't posted ANYTHING...and if this is all true, you are one sick person:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=149363

audvidsvs · Mar 26, 2003, 03:18 PM

I have to second what GORICKY said.
To not respond to these accusations sort of implies guilt.

If not true there is nothing to loose.
Actually even if true there does not seem like much too loose.

iDriveX · Mar 26, 2003, 04:11 PM

I have not replied to any accusations towards me in threads on this BB because:

1.) It would ultimately turn into a flame war with people taking sides

and

2.) It is no one's business but myself's and the seller's. We are communicating privately offline to resolve the matter and I'll thank you not to derail my threads with something that is none of your business.

gorickey · Mar 26, 2003, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by iDriveX:
I have not replied to any accusations towards me in threads on this BB because:

1.) It would ultimately turn into a flame war with people taking sides

and

2.) It is no one's business but myself's and the seller's. We are communicating privately offline to resolve the matter and I'll thank you not to derail my threads with something that is none of your business.

1.) They have every right to FLAME away at you. You don't deserve it? You think sending a $5 check for what you sent him is justifiable?

2.) eBay is a community buckshot, people have to look out for EACH other or crap like this will continue. I will derail threads to cover other eBay users butts and to open their eyes to what people try to "get away with"...

So, really, why not just take back the computer anyway? It's a "true work of art" afterall, right?

Vomit.

iDriveX · Mar 26, 2003, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by gorickey:
1.) They have every right to FLAME away at you. You don't deserve it? You think sending a $5 check for what you sent him is justifiable?

2.) eBay is a community buckshot, people have to look out for EACH other or crap like this will continue. I will derail threads to cover other eBay users butts and to open their eyes to what people try to "get away with"...

So, really, why not just take back the computer anyway? It's a "true work of art" afterall, right?

Vomit.

Enjoy your forum, I'm out of here.

gorickey · Mar 26, 2003, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by iDriveX:
Enjoy your forum, I'm out of here.

Guilty button has been AFFIXED.

clarkgoble · Mar 26, 2003, 09:48 PM

I bought an FM transmitter and quickly became very dissatisfied. They put out poor volume and, depending upon your car, have to be very close to your antenna. As bad as tape deck adaptors are, FM transmitters are far worse.

For those interested try this.

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

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

I got mine installed 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. Further the volume is still slightly too low due to FCC regulations on transmission strength. But it works if you don't have a cable in to your stereo.

sensorfreaky · Mar 26, 2003, 10:20 PM

OMG. Guilty button has indeed been affixed.

iDriveX you're a punk!

Dishonest people like you this world would be much better without.

I know ebay is a buy-at-your-own-risk market but there has to be some degree of implied honesty. Although there seems to be no realistic legal recourse, there should be. This is not any different than say a seller not fully-disclosing the accident history of a car being sold to the buyer. That's illegal, this should be too.

Work of art my a$$. I remember seeing that BS ad on ebay too.

GORDYmac · Mar 27, 2003, 08:36 AM

Back on topic...

I hate using the cassette adapter for many reasons:

1. It looks bad having that wire hanging out of my cassette player
2. What if I want to play a cassette--okay, that's a long shot
3. I park in a public lot, I hate having something out there for prying eyes to investigate
4. It doesn't look as cool as the iPod it is connected to

iTrip fixes all of this. As long as I can hear the thing I'll be satisfied with its reception. I'm no strict audiophile. I'm even considering purchasing lightweight stereo headphones for that wireless cool factor

--that is, if I can find a white set that is around $20-30 bucks.

Back off topic, I gave up on ebay years ago. As far as computers go, there are mostly sharks and 'mom & pop' operations on there. Nothing for me.

clarkgoble · Mar 27, 2003, 04:47 PM

Have you tested your iTrip? One thing that bothered me was that I bought the Dr.Bott transmitter and then found that the radio transmissions in my area were to strong to use it on any of the range of frequencies it provided. Further I literally had to hold it to even hear the signal in the evenings (when the stations for some reason broadcast louder)

Your milage may vary, but realize that any FM transmitter is a bit of a crap shoot. If you live anywhere near a transmission station you may be in trouble.

sensorfreaky · Mar 27, 2003, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
Have you tested your iTrip? One thing that bothered me was that I bought the Dr.Bott transmitter and then found that the radio transmissions in my area were to strong to use it on any of the range of frequencies it provided. Further I literally had to hold it to even hear the signal in the evenings (when the stations for some reason broadcast louder)

Your milage may vary, but realize that any FM transmitter is a bit of a crap shoot. If you live anywhere near a transmission station you may be in trouble.

To clarify: the iTrip hasn't been released yet. It will be some time this spring. All this is just speculation on the iTrip's performance based on the performance of all FM transmitters in general. The good thing about the iTrip is that Griffin claims the user can select any frequency throughout the whole FM-range. While this is a great convenience, I still can't see it as a significant improvement for FM transmitters in general. Nevertheless, the $35 price tag seems worth it for the design aspect alone even if the sound quality isn't any better.

clarkgoble · Mar 28, 2003, 06:40 PM

The problem with FM transmitters tends not to be the frequency but the power. But the power of FM transmitters is limited by the FCC. So there is only so much any company can do.

The problem is that most metropolitan centers have most of the FM frequency band heavily occupied.

So if you get poor reception with an existing FM Transmitter I suspect you'll get poor reception (or worse) with iTrip.

zappy · Mar 29, 2003, 05:15 AM

But if the iTrip can broadcast on any frequency you like the chance is a lot better to find a quiet spot on the FM band than with just a choice of four preset frequencies on other devices.

Appleman · Mar 29, 2003, 02:08 PM

Wow, beautiful thing! I almost preordered it, but the US$30,- for transportation is too high for something which costs 35, and besides that, we have no idea how it will work (or not).
But I really like the idea, the design, the no-batteries.
Hope it's coming out very soon!

beverson · Apr 1, 2003, 12:25 AM

I ordered an iTrip back in February, and at the time was told they'd ship by the end of March. Here we are, 3/31 and no iTrip. So I wrote to Griffin a few days ago to try and get an update and here's what they sent back:

While a publishable release date for the iTrip is not currently available, what I can offer you instead is the very latest that I know. Approximately two weeks ago, our proposed release date of late March got scrubbed due to a couple of last-minute conflicts (I believe they were software related). It has been relayed to me that those conflicts are now resolved and that a final approval is due this week. If that approval is given, I should have the iTrip releasing in mid-April. I apologize for the delay and thank you for the email and your interest!!

So that's the story. I'm a little disappointed it's not here yet, but I understand how these things to. And kudos to Griffin for giving me an update (it would have been nice for them to send one without my inquiring, but I'm not really going to complain too loudly about that). When it does finally come, I will try and remember to post my thoughts. I am looking forward to getting it because my LinkIt (essentially the same as the iRock) is dying fast. It never was very great to begin wtih, but in the last few months the wire going from the miniplug to the device, which I think is also the antenna, has somehow deteriorated interiorly and affected the sound quality tremendously (unless it sits perfectly still, loud popping and crackling noises are heard over the music). Sounds similar to another post here or in another thread.

I do concur with others that tape adapters offer better sound quality, and I'm sure that a direct line in to your head unit would be the best way to use an iPod in the car. But with no tape deck and not enough cash for a new stereo (plus the one I have works fine!), this is my best option.

dab007 · Apr 1, 2003, 12:45 AM

I ordered mine on Jan, 14 and have heard nothing. I just sent an email to find out the status of my order.

clarkgoble · Apr 1, 2003, 01:19 AM

But if the iTrip can broadcast on any frequency you like the chance is a lot better to find a quiet spot on the FM band than with just a choice of four preset frequencies on other devices.

The Dr. Bott works on the full frequency from low end up through 95 MHz. Trust me, it didn't help. The big problem is the power of the device. If iTrip has more power, I don't know how. The typical trick to getting around power issues is being careful with antenna length. (At least that's what a Google search showed as the only solution) However that simply isn't practical with these devices. That's why I went with what I bought.

If you are paying $35 for these then I have a strong suspecion you will be as disappointed as I was. Of course if you do have a relatively quiet FM band, perhaps it will work. However I wonder how many actually do?

Don't get me wrong. If it works, more power to you. (No pun intended) Its just that before I'd fork over the money I'd want to know it works. (Speaking as one who already wasted money on the Dr. Bott / Car Adaptor combo)

pamelah · Apr 3, 2003, 12:32 AM

I just ordered mine. I'm excited

I haven't got my ipod yet...I'm wondering if the wait is due to the fact that there might be an update to the ipod?

Anyway. Even if the itrip doesn't "work" as well as it's supposed to I'll find it handy anyway. I work out at the gym and i slide my current super slim panasonic cd player into the back of my tights...it has a double "a" battery pack that can attach to it for backup power...this little pack keeps the cd player from sliding all the way down my tights to kingdom come! lol Sooo...the itrip will be able to do the same thing for me. ( I was wondering how I'd manage then I saw the itrip! lol)

bet you guys hadn't thought of that one eh

LOL!

pamelah · Apr 11, 2003, 01:34 AM

anyone have it yet?

GORDYmac · Apr 11, 2003, 09:56 PM

I got this email yesterday from Griffin:

Thank you for your email. After a slight delay, the iTrip is finally coming!! Look for the iTrip to hit the street on or around April 25th. The units are in production as we speak and between the manufacturing process, batch testing, and shipment receipt, we are establishing a two week lead time for completion. We apologize for the delay and look forward to bringing you the iTrip.

dampeoples · Apr 11, 2003, 10:14 PM

Cool! i didn't get the email, maybe you ordered before I did and will get yours first. If so, that's good news indeed.

GORDYmac · Apr 13, 2003, 12:03 PM

This was their response after I emailed them for an order update. I ordered mine on 3/18.

G-mac · Apr 21, 2003, 07:10 AM

Really anxious to see the iTrip in action! Anyone have one yet??

gorickey · Apr 24, 2003, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by G-mac:
Really anxious to see the iTrip in action! Anyone have one yet??

I just received word that mine will ship this coming Friday (tomorrow, 4/25/03)....WOO HOO!

itai195 · Apr 24, 2003, 04:53 PM

Anyone know if these guys have some sort of 30 day return policy? I'm too impatient to wait for iTrip reviews, but I want to return it if it stinks.

Thanks.

G-mac · Apr 24, 2003, 07:10 PM

Please let us know how the iTrip works! The Griffin website says that the iTrip would ship by June 2003 at the latest. If shipping begins this Friday, then hopefully they'll start showing up in Apple Stores, CompUSAs, and MicroCenters soon!

israces · Apr 24, 2003, 07:14 PM

whoever get this first please post a review.

Kenneth · Apr 25, 2003, 09:44 AM

iTrip is now shipping

Will it show up in COMPUSA today by noon? I WISH.

t_hah · Apr 25, 2003, 10:10 AM

Does nyone know if iTrip has RDS built in? RDS is when a radio station sneds out text info such as the name of the station, or what song is actually playing on it at the moment.

Thanks,

t