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masugu · Dec 6, 2003, 09:50 PM

Finally bought the 40 gig iPod...to use with my Dell PC which had 80 gigs of free space...My Ti PB only has a 60 gig HD and I use it for video editing...

After findinng out I had to "manually" install the iTrip files - I am using iTunes NOT Musicmatch... I cannot get it to work in the car.

The "Blue" iTrip LED never comes on...just stays red. No Matrix jokes please.

I live in San Francisco and cannot seem too find too many unsused FM frequencies. At any rate, I got a very weak signal once and only once and actually heard my IPod play on my BMW's stereo...

About ready to see if Apple will take this piece of sh*t back. I bought it at apple.com, but want to take it in to an Apple store.

Any one else as underwhelmed as I?

Eug · Dec 6, 2003, 11:06 PM

Every FM transmitter like that I've ever tried has sucked.

Seqiro · Dec 6, 2003, 11:28 PM

Here in New England, almost every frequency is used. I haven't found a single radio transmitter that ever worked well here, so I just use a tape adapter in the car.

todrain · Dec 7, 2003, 12:03 AM

I don't have a tape player in my car, so I'm using the iTrip. While it's not great, it is probably the best FM transmitter I have tried.

iDriveX · Dec 7, 2003, 12:44 AM

I love my iTrip, I use it on 88.9 here in Los Angeles and I drive all over the city and have never had a problem with it. It's a little better than the radio quality around here but doesn't have good bass or treble. It is what it is for $35.00. I love it and would never give it up.

Krypton · Dec 7, 2003, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by masugu:

The "Blue" iTrip LED never comes on...just stays red. No Matrix jokes please.

I may be wrong, but I think you'll find that the old iTrip has a blue light and the new one a red light to match the buttons.

shrink · Dec 7, 2003, 11:31 AM

Never used the iTrip, but I did use the Belkin FM transmitter. I personally hated the quality. You're better off using a cassette adapter, auxiliary input converter, or a new headunit with an aux input.

For the aux input converter, try here:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxinpconv.html

slider · 05:06 PM

Also in New England just outside of 495. I have found that 105.9 works great. There are a couple of things you can do to improve the quality of you sound. First there often seems to be a sweet spot of the volume on the iPod that you'll minimize the tone most of us get. The other is line of sight to you antenna. I use http://www.becart.com/iPod.htm to set my iPod in. It works amazingly well; it weight keeps the ipod in position even on on/off ramps. This gives me a clear line of sight to my antenna. It makes a huge difference. If your radio and receiver is a POS, then you can expect POS sound to come out of it. The other thing is for some reason people seem to think that the station needs to be completely clear. I have not found this to be true, rather your iPod must be stronger than the other signal on that frequency. On days after rains, when the air is cleaner, a once weak signal and be stronger so you'll want to keep that in mind. Griffin has provided a list which has stations that are free in many cities around the US and should be considered. If you have a tape deck, well then that is the way you should go anyways. I don't have one so this is my best option.

I believe the new iPod's light is red as well, I know the old one is blue. Of course I don't have the manual for the new one so I don't know if the new one has both. Does it say in the manual that the light is suppose to turn blue or something, that was never my understanding.

Good luck.

Edit: needed to fill in some words.

Mastrap · Dec 7, 2003, 01:33 PM

I love my iTrip too. Works beautifully. It might be an idea reading the manual and visiting the Griffin web-site before dissing the product. They have released a free frequency finder which should solve your problem.

masugu · Dec 9, 2003, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
I love my iTrip too. Works beautifully. It might be an idea reading the manual and visiting the Griffin web-site before dissing the product. They have released a free frequency finder which should solve your problem.

Thanks for the tip...will check the site for th efree frequency finder. However, I did read the manual - perhaps I missed something?

But I believe as a consumer I have the right to comment on products I buy. I see I am not alone. Furthermore, as a mac user, I am accustomed to ease of use. IMHO, add on products - especially those sold on apple.com - should pass some sort of screening.

VirtualWolf · 02:59 AM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
I love my iTrip too. Works beautifully. It might be an idea reading the manual and visiting the Griffin web-site before dissing the product. They have released a free frequency finder which should solve your problem.

That frequency finder isn't much use here...I live in Australia, and when I choose it from the list of countries, it says "No map available yet".

Anyone got any thoughts for getting it going well here? (Sydney, to be exact.)

[edit]
Actually, nevermind. I've found that 87.5 works great.

jamester · Dec 10, 2003, 05:47 PM

iTrip is working well for us here in Durham, NC - we bought it this past Saturday at the Apple Store, who *finally* got the new iTrip for 3rd Gen iPods in.

Only complaint I have is that I had been waiting for my order to be filled straight from Griffin - I ordered on November 10. Figured it'd take forever, so when I saw it at the Apple Store I jumped on it. Emailed Griffin on Saturday evening to cancel my order, on Monday they replied saying that it had "already shipped". Tuesday I got the email with the tracking number, saying it was shipped on, coincedentally enough, Monday. Go figure.

As far as sound quality goes, I'm satisfied - sounds no worse than some of the radio stations around here, and when I use my iPod it's like a station that only plays relatively decent music. =)

The second iTrip arrived today... I'll probably be selling it in the Marketplace next week after I get my digital camera.

TimmyDee51 · Dec 15, 2003, 11:23 AM

I'd just like to throw my 2� in and say that the iTrip ROCKS! Seriously. I had it tuned to a muddy station that eventually had a real (but likely low power) station broadcasting on it. As soon as I turned on the iTrip, away went the station and on went my tunes.

For reference, I have a '97 GTI, so the antenna is in the back with no clear line of sight between the iTrip and and the external antenna. Seriously quality stuff.