June 22, 2003
My iTrip Review
I posted earlier a link to the iPodding iTrip review, and have had mad hits on it ever since, almost as many as the post on the "Do not disconnect" issue.
Buying
I used Froogle to search for iTrip prices about a week ago, and found Buy.com to have them for $31.99 but to be out of stock, so I signed up for email notification of in stock, got the email a couple days later and purchased the item off the site minutes later. Two days later I received an email saying "We are still working on shipping the following item", then the next day the item shipped and I received it a few days later. $31.99 + $5.16 ground shipping = $37.15, maybe I could have done better but not too shabby.
Opening:
Package is very much like the iPod packaging with is nice, buy.com packaged it in a huge box with a ton of those damn peanuts, props to Amazon for the air in a bag method. Simple package, iTrip(tiny), CD(pc/mac), and Instructions(1 page foldout, very mac-like)
Using:
The first thing you do is install the CD which just places a bunch of basically mp3 files into your musicmatch folder(using a pc), then you hookup the ipod and download the "files" as a playlist. all very simple straight forward and easy, so now you have an iPod with a playlist that is full of files titles "100_1, 100_2" and so all corresponding to FM radio station frequency.
Next I went to the closest radio which was an analog dial tuner and started to play with trying to tune it to the default frequency of 87_9, no luck, tuning analog is difficult to really nail the right channel that the iTrip is broadcasting on, but it can be done. Next I tried it on our Sony under-counter kitchen radio with a digital tuner and everything was all good. Not the best reception but good enough. The most annoying thing being that the iPod had to be as close as possible to the radio to sound good enough, meaning I had it sitting basically on the radio, not the counter below.
I did this for a while with all our different radios and then tried different frequencies. The procedure for changing the frequency is to play one of the earlier downloaded files and then pause it as the ipod send the info the iTrip, here I ran into a little trouble. You MUST have the volume of the iPod set to between 40% and 80% to make it work, if the volume is too loud the iTrip will not get the info and not change the frequency. Not a big issue just at first I did not get that, even though it says it in the instructions.
I found that 91.7 works pretty good here in Seattle. The iTrip has worked great so far in the car even driving around town there are only a couple spots where the radio breaks in, but overall it is a really great product.
It looks great, is small easy to use, and designed to work as promised and allow you to charge the iPod while using it. The only issue I do kind of have is the little stub that plugs into the FW port forces the cover for the port to stay open, but what can you do.
I would definitely recommend this product, now all I need is a car charger, and I am looking at you powerpod.
Update: 07/25/03 - Since purchaced the powerpod and I am diggin on that too, seems like the way the go, the small adapter can stay int he car and the extra firewire can be user for the wall charger while the ipod firewire can stay plugged into the computer.
I have also found 107.3 to be the best station to use fro me in Seattle, not sure if having the at a higher number makes a difference.
Hey if you read this review, go ahead and leave a comment, nice nasty whatever, but let me know what's up?
Update 08/21/03 - MacWhispers has a good review of four of the top FM transmitters, though they give the iTrip the lowest rating of the 4, the compactness of the solution I think is slick enough for my use. He has since pulled this review unfortuntley due to ethical questions. poo-poo that.
Comments
Nice post man. I really like the inclusion of the stamp in the image- nice perspective.
Posted by: Lee | June 23, 2003 10:09 AM
Great post, thanks for all the detailed info. One thing you didn't touch upon was the sound quality. Does it compare to CD-quality while driving in your car?
Thanks!
Hurai
Posted by: Hurai | August 1, 2003 04:30 PM
Sound quality is good,it is no CD but as good as a stong FM radio station. The one annoying thing after taking a long road trip with it was its tendancy to have a high pitched whine on some of the lower volume MP3's in my collection.
Posted by: Anthony Ianniciello | August 15, 2003 08:19 AM
Thanks for the info. Your site was the first hit using Google, and coincidentally, I too live in Seattle.
I'll share my experience after I get my iTrip "tripping"...
- doug
Posted by: Doug | August 18, 2003 02:55 PM
My itrip also has high pitched whine all the time (even when not playing), also sound is distorted sometimes (although maybe improves after a few minutes playing?). I had a battery powered one before and it broke, but think the sound was better.
Posted by: raize | September 4, 2003 06:18 AM
Right on the money - I just got mine today and everything you said in your review was spot on. What a great little product! I'm in Seattle too, and indeed 107.3 works the best out of all the frequencies I've tried. I've had a little difficulty getting clear recption in my car, but I probably just need to play around with it some more to find the sweet spot.
Posted by: Norm | October 26, 2003 08:19 PM
Hi, I also live in the Seattle area and wanted to ask more details about how good the reception is, and how often you have to change the frequency. Do you change it when going, say, from Seattle to the Eastside? (That's my commute :)
Thanks
Jorge
Posted by: Jorge Lopez | November 3, 2003 08:05 PM
Sometimes, it really depends, it is weird, maybe it is the weather but sometimes it seems the reception is great and other times I do have to change it going across the bridge, but I would say that is only about 20% of the time. The reception of your car radio makes a big difference too, if it is not so good, it can help the iTrip not receive inference.
Posted by: Anthony Ianniciello | November 3, 2003 08:46 PM
hey loved your review, nice and detailed. i'm thinking of getting my husband one for his birthday. he will want to use it mainly in his car which doesn't have a working cd/cassette player. do you think it would be practical?
Posted by: maya | November 13, 2003 11:02 AM
I think it is a very practical solution. It is a great flexible, small FM transmitter. In the end if a cassette player is available, the sound is better and more reliable, but I use my iTrip all the time in the ar, and am only frustrated when I hit areas where I get poor reception. That is the weakest point of any FM transmitter, and the iTrip specifically, is that it does not a lot of power behind the signal, so in certain areas it can be over powered by locl FM radio. I also have to say that I use mine a lot for outside stuff, like BBQ's on small old boom-boxes.
Posted by: Anthony Ianniciello | November 13, 2003 11:08 AM
Great job on the article. Thanks. Keep up the good work. -J.
Posted by: J | January 29, 2004 10:28 AM
I really hate the iTrip i highly recommend not getting one!
Posted by: Michael Stein | March 22, 2004 08:51 PM
I've been thinking about getting one of these. I too live in the Seattle area; like 99% of the people on this forum. I currently own the iRock, I bought it for about 30.00 at radio shack. I should have known right away Radio Shack = Crap. The quality of the iRock is terrible, I reccomend checking if your car stereo has any inputs that you could run a wire from, that's what i do. I have a 67 mustang fastback and I just have a mini plug run under the dash and neatly under the carpet so my ipod sits right next to the shifter boot. This way the quality is as good as having phones on. I reccomend this because it is cheapest and of the highest audio quality. Just remeber to turn off the EQ for the best result. I was wondering if anyone knew how to build an illegally powerful FM transmitter for in a car? I know the FCC limits these things, that's why we all have problems w/them. An email with info would be great, thanks -matt
Posted by: Matt | April 14, 2004 11:16 PM
Just got my iTrip and I have to say it is not acceptable. I tuned and installed a frequency, but the sound and volume is horrible. iPod volume is at 80%, but the radio needs to be at volume 70% to hear anything (FM radio I hear at volume 30%). It is like a large pillow lays on my stereo.
Any ideas whats wrong here?
Posted by: Marcus | May 8, 2004 11:36 AM
Thanks ye' kindly for the review... I had a much cheaper FM tuner for my old Ipod, and it was useless; living in the Detroit area, I wanted to make sure someone had tried the iTrip out in an area that was at least as busy airwave-wise as this one.
Thank you again!
Posted by: Emily | May 27, 2004 09:30 AM
I'm having a similar problem to others here. I don't get close to anything near average FM quality out of my iTrip. I'm in Seattle and have tried both stations listed here and others, but the best I get is AM radio level sound. Changing volume on the iPod doesn't help. Any ideas, or should I return the iTrip for something different?
Posted by: Brad | June 15, 2004 02:48 PM
I just ordered one after reading your review. Thanks for the info. I am in Phoenix, and am a sales rep. Once I get about 10 feet out of Phoenix I get poor to no reception from any local stations, so I am counting on this to make the dash time more bearable.
I do have a question; does it need to be closer to the cars antenna or the radio head unit itself? I will be using it in several different vehicles. In the full size FORD van the antenna is on the front fender. In the Chrysler LHS the antenna is built into the rear glass. In the Taurus the antenna is on the rear fender. Would I be best served to place it closer to the antenna in each vehicle, or place it next to the head unit?
Thanks,
Casey
Posted by: Casey | June 18, 2004 08:47 PM
I would say that it really depends on your stereo unit, I have had better luck placing the iTrip as clos as possible to the head unit of the car rather than the antenna, anyone else?
Posted by: anthony | June 19, 2004 08:08 AM
Just got mine last week in Milan - Italy.
I shoud have checked on the fm radio band here before buying it. The band is so crowded that I cant locate a free spot to get this thing to work; looking at a tape option for the car stereo; will probably use this when I am back in the States.
Posted by: Nazim Beltran | June 27, 2004 08:14 AM
Well, I recieved my iTrip about a week ago, and have had a chance to use it quite a bit... I am impressed with the flexibility. I can share my iPod almost anywhere with anyone. I have noticed that just because you have a clear frequency on one end of the city dosen't mean it will remain so on the other end of the city. I have also noticed that it is particularly sensitive when close to the Airport and when there are powerlines close by. Overall I am really impressed with the clarity. It is better than I expected! It is no tape adapter, or direct line in, but I knew that going in. That would be too much to ask of it. I have noticed a VERY negligible battery drain while using it on my MINI. Not bad though, and since I bought the PowerPod at the same time, it dosen't really matter too much. It has made the iPod much more useful to me as I am in and out of 4 vehicles regularly, and only one of them has a tape deck. It was a quick cheap fix, and it works well for what it is.
Posted by: Casey | July 1, 2004 02:20 AM
I have a question - I am considering buying an iTrip but one thing no one is ever clear on is if you can actually listen to FM radio stations on it. I know you can create them, but can you hear them?
My plan is to completely replace my stereo with it: my computer speakers to project it and an iTrip to recieve radio stations [not to mention to use while i am driving].
Can anyone help me with this?
Posted by: K-G | August 18, 2004 10:53 PM
No, absolutely not, the iTrip is strictly for broadcasting the iPods music on a weak FM signal, it does not RECEIVE FM stations in any way.
Griffin used to make a little receiver for the iPod that worked with the remote control, but I can't seem to find it anymore.
Posted by: anthony | August 19, 2004 07:52 AM
Does anyone know if there is a transmitter for iPods that can also recieve signals?
Posted by: K-G | August 19, 2004 12:57 PM
I hate this thing... I have tried all different stations and volumes. i hear a small amount of static no matter what i do. i am constantly moving it around in the car to try to get a better signal. useless.
only buy this thing if u dont care about sound quality and have a high level of patience.
Posted by: John | March 28, 2005 11:07 PM
There is new software available at http://www.griffintechnology.com/software/software_itrip.html. Use the iTrip Station Finder 2.o to find any dead-air stations in your city. Good luck!
T
Posted by: Tony | May 15, 2005 07:03 PM
Save your hard-earned money ! The iTrip and other FM transmitters are only a last-resort means to get your iPOD tunes playing over speakers.
The Griffin device we found to be the worst of three we tried (and returned), with their "super playlist" approach to be ill-informed and impractical for a 5,000 tune iPOD.
Before you take one of these babies out of the store, ask your friendly sales person to let you see the instructions, and especially the "user guide" and installation instructions.
Most will reveal the shortcomings and issues that you will have to sort out at home.
We gave up on the FM transmitter approach and are now going the hard-wired route. More money, but more 'fidelity'.
Posted by: Eric | June 26, 2005 08:04 AM
Call it iStatic. Or iGarbage. Or iFrustration. Good luck trying to get a clean signal. It goes in and out of static more than the weakest station on the dial. How can this thing even be released? I agree: "useless."
Posted by: David | June 28, 2005 01:55 PM
I'm getting an iTrip but am left confused.I live in Newcastle where apart from Galaxy, Metro, and Century FM, there are no other exlcusive radio stations (apart from radio 1 etc.) Good decision?
Posted by: Darrell | June 29, 2005 11:03 AM
I live in Nashville and have heard bad things about iTrip reception where we live in the city. I'd rather play it safe and get a wired device, but have no idea what to look for or whats worth the money. Any ideas on what products are solid?
Posted by: Kaili | August 16, 2005 09:16 PM
I bought the itrip figuring it would work as good as the transmitter used in my sirius radio. The itrip has been a big dissapointment. The sound quality terrible...i found myself constantly moving the ipod around trying to get a better signal...but the hissing wouldnt go away. Junk .....absolute junk...im returning mine to radio shack.
Posted by: Geoffrey | September 8, 2005 03:31 PM