Customer Reviews
I'm rather disspointed with this iTrip Transmitter 
2008-10-03
The first experience with this transmitter was very dissapointing. Clear scan was really finding pretty strong FM stations instead of clean frequencies. Transmission power was so weak so itw as really hard to hear anything intead of static noise.
After applying the "boost-up" trick the transmitter started to behave a bit better - the transmission power went a bit up and also additional frequencies plus tunning interval of 0.1 Mhz started to work.
Any way in the areas where there is a lot of FM radio stations and other magnetic fields the signal is getting very low.
RDS is something that is not really a feature that should be advertise with this product.
Very poor performance 
2008-10-01
Generally FM transmitters are hit or miss depending on the vehicle and the area you are in. I was able to do a side by side comparison with another FM transmitter in the same vehicle so I can set aside variations for vehicle and area.
The performance of the iTrip autopilot fm transmitter is so poor that it is unusable. I could hardly get a listenable signal anywhere and all I wanted to listen to where spoken word podcasts in mono mode. The smartscan feature is useless.
Unfortunately the FM transmitter I own will not charge my iPhone 3G. Would somebody PLEASE make a halfway decent FM transmitter for the iPhone 3g!
It works 
2008-09-24
This item works just fine with my 3G iPhone in an urban city of 3 million. It works fine at 97.9 FM and also in one of the "hidden" frequencies. There is an occasional static crackle for a few seconds, but it's always in the same exact location as I'm driving near certain places I know have other FM transmitters.
All cars are different and all cities are different, but I'm happy with what I have. I wish I had a car with a direct aux connection, but sadly I don't.
This item gets one 0.5 stars knocked off because there is no way to lock the frequency. I sometimes accidentally touch the transmitter part and the + or - button is pushed, which changes the frequency.
Seems like a good product but Griffin support is iffy 2008-09-19
The star rating is more for the company support then the product itself.
The first day I had this product it worked great. The reception was strong and the volume was good for an FM transmitter. The 2nd day the product developed an intermittent hiss on all stations. Rather then return it to Amazon (which I'm thinking I should have done) I contacted Griffin to see if I could get it replaced via warranty, thinking that upon receipt (with proof of purchase) they'd just immediately send me out a new model. Instead they've had my unit for over a month. Each week they've told me they're still testing it and it should just be a few more days. Apparently there are a LOT of tests that need to run on an ipod charger.
My household has 2 iPhones and several iPods. We also have a lot of Griffin accessories. Normally they have a high build quality. However, if you purchase one of their products and find it defective then my advice would be to return it to the point of purchase rather then deal with their customer service.
SAVE YOURSELF SOME GRIEF - DON'T ORDER THIS 2008-09-18
PROS:
None.
CONS:
Even though I had read the reviews warning of the poor performance with this unit, because I wanted a solution AND because I'm hard headed, I went ahead and ordered it. With the unit only a foot from my radio's antenna, it would barely work. With the unit inside my vehicle, which was less than three feet away from my antenna, it wouldn't work at all.
Please head my warning and those that have rated this before me and try another route... DO NOT ORDER THIS! IT DOES NOT WORK!! Shame on Griffin (who is normally an excellent accessory supplier of Apple iPhones and iPods) for letting this product enter the market place obviously untested.
Works well with iPhone 3G 2008-09-16
ITrip AutoPilot broadcasts the music from your iPod to an open FM frequency on your car's FM stereo so you can play your tunes through your car stereo's speakers. RDS technology shows song information on your RDS-enabled car radio display. Built-in SmartScan technology finds the perfect frequency setting for you. The AutoPilot playback control puts a set of iPod play controls in easy reach.
Control or sound quality, which is more important to you? 2008-09-15
My 2008 Jetta has a built-in iPod "Adapter" system in it. The problems with it are:
1) iPod is sequestered away in the center console, you can't control the ipod using the device- all control is through the car's head unit.
2)Access to the music in the ipod is limited to the first five playlists or All music starting alphabetically, so there is no way to choose a particular song to play. Very frustrating.
3) The iPod adapter kit removes the standard 3.5 mm aux input jack that is normally in the glove box, so there is no way to use an iPod suffle or other non-ipod device (or later iPods like the Touch) with the car.
So I bought this iTrip so I could have more control over what I want to listen to. And that works. Unfortunately the sound quality was such a step DOWN that I just cannot listen to it.
The channel scan and lockin were OK, but not great. The text-transfer appearing on the head unit was terrible but half the problem was with the limited screen real estate the VW head unit allocates for the radio text feature.
So in closing, I had to choose between being able to have full control over my ipod and having bad sound quality, or having very little control over the ipod and have excellent sound quality. I choose quality, I will sell this itrip on ebay and get it out of my life.
pretty good 2008-09-15
It works for me, the easter egg mentioned in another comment here is a very nice bonus but the only thing missing for long roadtrips is the ability to charge by apple bluetooth headset.
Oh well.
87.9 Is A MUST For This Unit... 2008-09-12
I will start this review by saying that it is a MUST that you use this unit on the 87.9 frequency. By default, the lowest the unit will go is 88.1, but I will describe how to toggle ON the lower frequencies so that you have access to 87.9 later in this review.
I use this unit with my iPhone 3g and have no issues with airplane mode or charging. Everything works as intended with no unexpected issues as far as compatibility with the iPhone 3G goes.
[Controls / Interface]
------------------------------
The controls and interface of this device are very clear and clean. There are 3 buttons on front of the cigarette lighter connector (Next Track, Previous Track, Pause/Play). The FM transmitter portion has three buttons on it also that adjust the frequency and give you menu options to toggle on and off. The display numbers are very clear to see, even during the day and the buttons are easy to press without any issues. The iPod/iPhone connector is pretty self explanatory and sturdy.
My only issue with the controls is the ones on the cigarette lighter jack. The buttons are pressable on the entire front surface of the connecter, which means that plugging the connector in causes you to change a track or pause/play if you connected the iPod/iPhone before powering up the unit. If you are like me and listen to music on the way to the car and want to easily transition, you may want to consider powering up first, then connecting the iPod/iPhone.
[Sound Quality / Signal Strength]
------------------------------
The signal strength of this device can only be described as lackluster when using any of the preset stations. This device is practically unusable on any frequency OTHER than 87.9 and by default, you can not set the device to anything lower than 88.1 (See instructions below on how to toggle on stations below 88.1).
However, when connected to 87.9, the signal is very clear and there is no obviously audible static or noise. Having said that, you will NOT get crystal clear sound out of this device, even at its best performance. High pitches tones sound slightly garbled and not as sharp as they should sound. The very low basses sound slightly muddy.
Overall the sound quality is clearer than normal radio stations, but not quite as clear as playing a CD in the deck.
[Charging / Other Functions]
------------------------------
The device doesn't have very many functions, but if there is something that does stand out, it is the charging.
Charging works very well and I find that my device charges extremely fast. The device has 3 light levels and the cigarette lighter connector will glow red when the battery is charging but low and green when the device is fully charged. It charges my iPhone 3G quickly, but does make it a little tiny bit hot if left on during a long trip (30+ minutes). I feel this is not too much of an issue though.
The preset station and smart scan functionality are lackluster and will often times find stations are are .2 higher than a station that has a very strong broadcast signal. This means that on these stations, you will hear the stronger signal and get nothing from the iPhone/iPod. The presets reset every time you do a scan and the results it gives back are typically very unreliable. Even when they do work, the signals are very static-y and will go out if you drive under a bridge or are ordering drive through at a fast good restaurant.
I will repeat once again:
ONLY USE THIS DEVICE ON 87.9 (Every other station is worthless)
It is the only station that truly does this device any justice and it is the only station that kept me from giving this product a 2 star and returning it.
***** [How To Access 87.9] *****
On the FM transmitter box, push the middle button (Function) and then press it a second time when it says "Mode." You will see a Griffin logo in the bottom center of that screen. Press and hold the middle button for approximately 10 seconds. You will know that you have toggled 87.9 ON when the Griffin logo moves from the bottom center to the top center. Let the device sit for a few seconds until it goes back to the main screen, then tune your radio and the transmitter to 87.9! Finally, enjoy the best signal you will get from this device!
*****************************
[Final Thoughts]
------------------------------
I gave this device 4 stars because I found that it consistently works very very well on the 87.9 frequency. With this knowledge, I don't have to use the lackluster preset or smart scan functionalities. Using 87.9 gives great sound and a good signal.
The charges does its job very well and the controls on the cigarette lighter connector work well. The lights that glow according to the battery charge level are a nice touch and the device itself is stylish.
4 / 5 Stars
Visually and functionally appealing. Weak transmitter. 
2008-09-11
The device looks good. Works perfectly with the iPhone 3G. Unlocking the low end frequencies helps not having to search for station free FM-space. Only complaint is that the transmitter is not very strong. I have a 2008 Mini Cooper. There are only certain positions in which the transmission is free of noise. Generally, it works best when the cable is fully extended, rather than coiled haphazardly.
