I have been playing around with the Griffin iTrip Auto for a day or two and would like to share my first impressions of this neat little piece of hardware.
Inside the package you will only find this cable. In one end you plug in your iPod and the other one goes into your cars 12V plug.
The standard iPod plug works with all iPods from the early models to the latest iPod touch or iPhones.
And the 12V plug is also the standard cigarette one. Just plug it in.
As soon as the iPod is plugged in it begins to charge the battery.
And it’s really easy to get going with the iTrip. Just select your music.
Find a free FM frequency in your neighbourhood. I used 87.9 Mhz.
And when your radio is tuned to the same frequency as the iTrip you will get sweet music in your speakers.
As I said, I have only been using this device since yesterday, but I have been driving around quite a bit in Stockholm, Sweden and the sound quality have been very good - only a few interferences when some other radio channel disturbed my ‘free’ spot. I also like the fact that it charges your iPod while driving around. Pretty cheap and works good! Verdict: 5 out of 5.
Tags: Apple, car sound, Griffin itrip, ipod
By Patrik on Aug 7, 2008
Does it charge the iPhone 3G?
By Liron on Aug 7, 2008
Does it have a fuse to protect the iPod/iPhone in case of electrical surges from the car plug ?
By Mikael Svardh on Aug 7, 2008
Patrik, I guess it does. It charges my iPod touch and I think they work in the same way charge-wise at least.
Liron, good question, not sure!
By Patrik on Aug 7, 2008
Not sure it does. The iPhone 3G isnt charged the same way as old iPhone/iPods.
I have alot of accessories for my old 8GB iPod that doesnt charge my iPhone 3G.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/5exuej
By Mikael Svardh on Aug 7, 2008
Ok, Patrik. I will test the next time I have an iPhoner in my car (I am no iPhone user yet).
By Chris on Aug 7, 2008
as for the “is there a fuse” question: most cars have a fuse on the cigarette lighter/power jacks located in one of their fuse boxes anyway, so it should be pretty safe. If memory serves, the ones i’ve come across have all been 15A.
check your cars user manual for verification though!
By Michael on Aug 9, 2008
sounds pretty cool. I’ve been using an Auxilery jack for my car but might try one of these when I get the cash.
By Electronic Gadgets on Aug 9, 2008
I bought one of these to use on a sailing charter and it was great. Everyone brought their iPods and we could easily play music all day long as we were sailing. (Of course, there is little interference in the Carribbean.)
By Mikael Svardh on Aug 10, 2008
Patrik, I bought myself an iPhone 3G during the weekend, and I can now confirm that the iTrip does NOT charge the iPhone = your concern was a very good one to have.
By sweety on Aug 13, 2008
My sister just go one, I absolutely love. Just wish I had one!
By Patrik on Aug 13, 2008
Mikael, thanks for checking. Apparently you have to be careful what accessories ou buy. On applestore they show what iPods/iPhones that works.
Im still looking for an FM-transmitter for my 3G