Griffin iTrip AutoPilot FM Transmitter for iPhone

[TEG]

I see in the photo that the iTrip is now inline with the charging cord, instead of being directly against the iPod/iPhone. I'm guessing that this is so they could better shield it from the iPhone GSM antennas. Per Apple, in order to say "made for iPhone" on the package, a device that includes an audio component (i.e. dock connected speakers, transmitters, etc.) has to provide proper shielding..

All of the iTrip Autos are that way. Only the Original, 2G, and Dock Connecting iTrip actually touch the iPod. My iTrip's transmitter in fact sits on the floor while the iPhone sits in front of the stereo in a cup holder mount by Belkin.

As for the GSM noise (or beeps) if you turn off the auto-check for your mail and don't use any web features, you should only hear it when changing providers or between some cells. I traveled from Seattle to Flint, MI at the beginning of April with my iPhone operating the whole time playing music through my iTrip Auto. I only heard GSM noise when I; Got a Call, Received a Yahoo! Push E-Mail (which would trigger all my other accounts to check), when passing from an at&t area into an Alltel/roaming area, when using Google Maps to find near by fuel or hotels (while stopped), entering or exiting an urban area (change in GSM frequencies), or when being pinged by Police Radar (happens on my iTrip on my 3G iPod as well). I have found that applying pressure to the lower sections of the iPhone (on either side of the home button) reduces the GSM noise, or increasing the pressure on the dock connector. I don't know why, but I don't think there is a good reason that we should have to put up with this EM interference at all.

TEG

 

[bytethese]

$99? A little pricey but with RDS, sounds pretty good!

 

[iceterminal]

No Chance

I've got one of these for my fiance. The interference is horrible. We were unable to find a channel that didn't have static so we took it back and got a new one.....same deal.
The idea is nice, but the actual reality isn't. I would not suggest this to anyone.
I have heard that Belkin's is good.

 

[thaitillidie]

Who cares?!!

Griffin Technology announced a new version of the iTrip that is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch and regular iPods. The iTrip AutoPilot broadcasts music from your iPhone onto any open FM frequency so you can tune in with your car radio. FM transmitters are useful for cars without any other form of audio-in.

The $99.99 device ("Coming Soon") includes the following features:

- SmartScan scans the radio dial for the three best frequencies and saves them to presets
- RDS technology shows song information on your RDS-enabled car radio display.
- New SmartSound™ Plus technology delivers clear sound under real-world conditions

Article Link

Who gives a flyin' rat's a$$?!!! See. This is what I hate about long holiday weekends 2 weeks before 3G iPhone debuts: we get stuck with crappy rumors/info such as this on a Friday then nothing else before Tuesday cuz all the editors are out enjoying time with their freakin' family n friends instead of being tied down in cyberspace updating their freakin' website! I hate holidays...bah humbug!

 

[MrCrowbar]

Deleted

 

[tgildred]

Not an option in a company car.

And say you travel in other peoples cars from time to time are you going to replace everyones stereo.

Granted it may not be a solution you need but doesn't mean that other people won't need it.

I don't think he's saying that no one will find a use for this, just that in his particular case there's a better option for only a slightly higher price. Just because he's saying he doesn't have a use for it doesn't necessarily mean he's saying no one else will.

Personally, I found his info useful. I hadn't looked into car stereo prices with a decent iPod connection, and would have assumed they'd run close to $200. I'm encouraged by his information to shop around.

 

[Dorfdad]

Does everything that comes with Apple's Iphone and Itunes mean we are expected to pay over inflated costs. Come on a DAMN FM transmitter for 100.00 thats almost half of what I paid for the Iphone (249) Im not ever going to pay that much for it!