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Eug Wanker · 09:03 PM

The Griffin SmartDeck seems like it's just what I need. Anyone try it yet?

Note that different versions have different connectors. Am I right to assume only the dock version is being sold? I haven't seen it around Toronto yet, but then again it only came out today apparently. I see that it's available at the Apple Store, but I don't want to pay the $13 shipping if I don't have to.

For the dock version, it says:

Made for:
• 5th Generation iPod with Video
• iPod nano
• iPod Photo
• 4th Generation iPod with Click Wheel
• 3rd Generation iPod with touch wheel and buttons*
• iPod mini

I kinda like the non-dock version because it sticks out the top, but if I upgrade to a nano next year, it won't be usable.

GORDYmac · Oct 14, 2005, 02:14 PM

3.5 plug /remote port version is sold now. Dock version will be available sometime in the next 12 months...hopefully.

In any event I cancelled my order.

power142 · Oct 14, 2005, 09:48 PM

I picked up one from an Apple store the other day - the 3.5mm/remote version. Works well for the most part, sounds good too. The skip forward/backward is a little odd, requiring two presses before I get sound, but I think that's cos my tape deck is quirky. The nice thing is that when I switch my car off, it pauses the iPod and then plays it again automatically when I power up the car again

Kenneth · Oct 14, 2005, 11:48 PM

Thanks, power142.

I wonder about any noise from the mechanism itself. I tried 3 cassette adapters and they all making some funny noise with the inner moving parts.

Eug Wanker · Oct 15, 2005, 09:54 AM

I think I'll get the dock version:

1) Future compatibility, for when I get a nano.
2) Line level signal to the cassette adapter.

power142 · Oct 15, 2005, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Kenneth

I wonder about any noise from the mechanism itself. I tried 3 cassette adapters and they all making some funny noise with the inner moving parts.

Ah... you might be a little disappointed then. I have noticed a low-level clicking noise, but it's barely audible above the background noise. I don't think any cassette-based system is going to be perfect, but I also have the Sony tape adapter and the signal to noise ratio of the SmartDeck seems to be better.

jasong · Oct 16, 2005, 08:35 AM

Eug, it looks like the Dock Connector version doesn't work on the 3rd gen iPod, only the regular SmartDeck one does.

Also, can someone explain to me what it means when they say the play/pause feature doesn't work with the 3rd gen? It doesn't automatically pause the iPod when I turn off the car?

Eug Wanker · Oct 16, 2005, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by jasong

Eug, it looks like the Dock Connector version doesn't work on the 3rd gen iPod, only the regular SmartDeck one does.

Also, can someone explain to me what it means when they say the play/pause feature doesn't work with the 3rd gen? It doesn't automatically pause the iPod when I turn off the car?

Hmmm... You're right, but it seems the specs have changed since I originally posted the specs. What the specs say now for the dock version:

Made for:
• 5th Generation iPod with Video
• iPod nano
• iPod Photo
• 4th Generation iPod with Click Wheel
• iPod mini

What it used to say:

Made for:
• 5th Generation iPod with Video
• iPod nano
• iPod Photo
• 4th Generation iPod with Click Wheel
• 3rd Generation iPod with touch wheel and buttons*
• iPod mini

It doesn't matter for me though, since I have an iPod mini.

Eug Wanker · Oct 22, 2005, 08:52 AM

Hmmm... It's still not available anywhere.

Not even Apple.com has the dock version. They just have the old model.

GORDYmac · 09:42 AM

Okay, let me get you up to snuff on how Griffin works:

They announced the first SmartDeck last January...it was released a few weeks ago.

They announced the new SmartDeck recently, so, don't hold your breath waiting for it. Expect it to be here by your summer '06 vacation. You'll be less stressed that way.

First iTrip, Smart Deck, iTalk all lagged behind the announcement by several months--don't get me started on iFM and Radio Shark!

They have great products...but...let's just say that I've learned.

IFLY2HIGH · Oct 22, 2005, 10:56 PM

Looks like a good product, but, whatcha gona do when your on the road and opps, battery needs a recharge? Only way to charge the iPod is through the dock connector, and then you can't listen and charge at the same time.

MaxPower2k3 · Oct 22, 2005, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by GORDYmac

First iTrip, Smart Deck, iTalk all lagged behind the announcement by several months--don't get me started on iFM and Radio Shark!

Don't forget the FireWave, which was announced on January 12, 2005, and has yet to ship.

pixelquarium · Dec 2, 2005, 11:36 AM

I received mine after months of waiting, but it doesn't work in my Toyota Highlander Hybrid with a 4G iPod.

pixelquarium · 11:57 AM

ditto

pixelquarium · 11:57 AM

Sorry about the multiple posts. I don't know how to delete the repeats.

pixelquarium · 11:55 AM

disappointed

pixelquarium · 02:36 PM

I'm an idiot. How do I delete posts?

Eug Wanker · Dec 2, 2005, 12:52 PM

^^^ Heh. 5 posts in just one thread, but the "Posts" heading says just one post total ever made.

BTW, I ended up not ordering it for my iPod mini with Toyota Prius hybrid. There have been a lot of complaints about the Griffin SmartDeck with the audio systems in these cars.

Kenneth · Dec 3, 2005, 12:02 AM

My Belkin cassette adapter started to act funky.. clicking noise and 'switching side' from time to time. Since 2001, I bought 3 cassette adapters already. The RadioShack one lasted forever until the cabling bent up.

I should have invest on the iCruze?!

I may try the SmartDeck on my '04 Camry.

power142 · Dec 3, 2005, 11:08 AM

My Smartdeck started playing up this last week - decides to randomly go into wind mode, which induces next/previous track. Very annoying, but hopefully Griffin will be able to resolve it as I've liked it up until now.

Kenneth · Dec 8, 2005, 07:44 PM

Just bought the SmartDeck (Dock connection) off the local Apple Store. I quickly tired it out. However, the skip function didn't work on my '04 Camry. The mechanism is noisy as well.

Nodnarb · Dec 8, 2005, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by power142

I picked up one from an Apple store the other day - the 3.5mm/remote version. Works well for the most part, sounds good too. The skip forward/backward is a little odd, requiring two presses before I get sound, but I think that's cos my tape deck is quirky. The nice thing is that when I switch my car off, it pauses the iPod and then plays it again automatically when I power up the car again

After reading your post, I rushed to amazon.com to buy one of these as a gift for someone. I found that on amazon, there are a bunch of reviews that clearly state DO NOT BUY THIS! and there is not one positive review. What kind of car stereo are you playing yours on? Have you tried any other cassette adapters or just this one? I really want to buy this thing but I got discouraged after reading all of those reviews.

Edit: Ok it seems as if I rushed to reply before reading the entire thread. My bad. I guess that means I wont buy this thing. I sure hope the dock adapter works better than this and that it comes out soon.

demars · Dec 11, 2005, 11:08 PM

I received the SmartDeck on back order about two or three weeks ago. At first it didn't even seem to work, thrashing back and forth, but it eventually settled down. The skip track function doesn't seem to work that reliably either.

I could actually live with this because just the automatic pause is convenient enough to make it worthwhile for me. The main problem I have is that it makes this annoying "pop" every once in a while. It's quite loud, and it happens every minute or so. This is very irritating and I will probably stop using this product soon because of it. The "pop" is there even when the iPod is disconnected. It seems like it is coming from some sort of electrostatic discharge, or maybe something happening in the car gets picked up and amplified through the sound system.

Has anyone else ever noticed this?

- Dennis D.

jondiener · Dec 21, 2005, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by demars

I received the SmartDeck on back order about two or three weeks ago. At first it didn't even seem to work, thrashing back and forth, but it eventually settled down.

When you say 'eventually', how long was that specifically? A minute, a day?

I just got the Dock version of the SmartDeck, after waiting about 6 weeks for it. No go in my Honda Accord cassette player with my 5th Gen iPod. It just clicks back and forth, and the iPod plays, then pauses, then plays, then pauses. No good.

Jon