|
|
|
|
|
Coming Next Issue
|
| • |
Chip Foose |
| • |
BMW 760Li |
| • |
VW Phaeton W12 |
| • |
Prepare for Winter |
|
|
|
|
iPod FM Transmitter Comparison:
Music on the Go (continued) |
|
|
|
Griffin Technology iTrip FM Transmitter
Suggested Retail Price: $39.95
The Griffin iTrip is without question, the most compact and most portable option we've seen. It also looks the coolest, but unfortunately, we didn't find it to be as versatile as the Belkin TuneCast II. The audio connector is specific to the iPod, and while Griffin claims that one iTrip transmitter should work with all iPods, we had difficulty in getting our iTrip to work with our 2nd Generation iPod (the iTrip we tested was designed for a 3rd Generation iPod).
The iTrip allows you to broadcast on different frequencies, but only after you install the supplied software. Available FM frequencies (from 87.7 to 107.9 MHz) become part of a playlist. Changing broadcast frequencies isn't difficult, but it does require significant navigation through your playlists.
The iTrip draws power from your iPod, and while it's efficient, we did notice a dip in battery life when compared to using the iPod sans iTrip. This may be of concern to some folks, but it didn't bother us.
Sound quality is similar to the Belkin TuneCast II, as the iTrip also broadcasts on a rather narrow range of audio frequencies - just 50Hz to 15KHz. Again, audiophiles will probably need to look elsewhere for high quality sound. Not unlike the Belkin TuneCast II, the Griffin iTrip had trouble broadcasting a clean signal in busy metropolitan areas. In rural areas, the iTrip performed well and was very similar to the TuneCast II in terms of audio quality and broadcast clarity.
If maximum portability and having the smallest, coolest looking form-factor is important to you, the Griffin Technology iTrip should be just the ticket.
FINAL CUT
So, while FM transmitters are handy, they're not quite perfect - yet. Their ease of use, portability and clean installation make them seem like a good idea, but overall sound quality and the tendency to fade or tune out while in busy metropolitan areas makes them a bit of a pain to use. If you're looking for a FM transmitter, we suggest you buy the one that's easiest for you to use. Make sure you can quickly and easily change broadcast stations, and make sure it will work with all of your audio devices. From what we experienced during our little comparison, it's difficult to choose a clear winner, so we'll let you draw your own conclusions.
Added during publication: We've just revceived a Dension Ice-Link system, and will be installing it soon. We'll provide a report in a future issue and will compare it to the results found in this review. Stay tuned...
Browse: <-- Prev 1 2 3
|
|
© 1997 -
2009
Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.