Griffin 9781-TRP30BK iTrip FM Transmitter with Dock Connector for iPod (Black)

 (194 customer reviews)

First, and foremost, we are talking about FM transmitters. Therefore, nothing will sound like CD sound or direct cable connections when it comes to music quality. You will lose some highs, and you will lose some lows, and you will have nowhere near great quality. That being said, sometimes there are no alternatives, and some transmitters can get the job done. In addition, I have owned and tested all of the following transmitters, to which I will review for you now to save you the time and money. A note: I have 2 vehicles, a SUV and a Saturn.

First up: Belkin Tunebase

I bought this after my Roadtrip base was stolen with my iPod, and I thought I would try an alternative. I liked the flexible connector in my SUV to allow reaching of all controls. However, it was disastrous in my Saturn, only preferring 1 position - lying down. It is a pain to control the iPod when driving in either vehicle, as the flexible arm gave too much in order to advance unwanted songs...Read more

Don't buy this or any other FM transmitter expecting excellent reception and sound quality. I think the technology itself just has some limitations, such as occasional interference and decreased sound quality. But if you are OK with those limitations, then I think this is the best product of its type.

What was important to me in looking for a transmitter was (1) that it be compact and easy to carry around (2) that I COULD charge my iPod while using it and (3) that I didn't HAVE to charge my iPod while using it. I saw some transmitter units that were also charging stations, like the RoadTrip, but with those you can't use the transmitter separate from the charging station. Then there is the corded inline iTrip that has the transmitter stuck halfway down the charger cord, and those also don't work unless the charger is plugged in. Then there's this unit, which plugs into the docking port and draws power from the iPod, and therefore you can use it without having anything...Read more

I bought this at Best Buy for ~$50 for an iPOD Video expecting the same performance I got out of the iTrip that plugs into the headset jack. I tested it in the house on the home stereo. It worked great while the transmitter was <1 foot away from the FM antenna. At 2 feet there was noticeable static. Anything over 4 feet away was ALL static. When I returned it to the store the salesman said they had only been selling them for a week and had already gotten almost all of them back on returns for the same problem.

Summary: Terrible product!