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iTrip Auto FM transmitter with an integrated Charger.The iTrip Auto by Griffin is superior to the iTrip. It does this combining the Transmitter with a Charger in the same unit. The big drawback of the iTrip is that is draws it's power from the iPod. The iTrip Auto is always charging the ipod while it is connected. This also aids in boosting the signal strengh output from the unit to the receiver. This unit will over-ride the vast majority of existing FM signalas elimiating. the need to search for a blank frequency when traveling to other cities.
Though iTrip Auto shares the same general features as the two LCD screen-equipped portable iTrips, its buttons have been moved around. There’s now a flat circular station up or down button, then a smaller circle labelled “Select” immediately besides it. You pick a station with the up and down buttons, then hit Select to confirm the choice. As with the company’s LCD iTrips, holding down the Select button lets you toggle between U.S. and International radio stations, as well as LX (stereo) and DX (monaural) modes, the specifics of which you can read about in prior reviews. You’ll get less static interference on DX mode, but your music’s stereo separation will be eliminated in the process. U.S. tuning now allows you to reach our preferred “clear” station, 87.9FM, without having to choose International mode.
While we liked the mostly glossy black design of iTrip Auto, Griffin’s physical design is functionally someplace in-between Kensington’s and Belkin’s. We didn’t like the awkward cable dangling and mounting needs of Belkin’s option, so thankfully Griffin hasn’t gone entirely down that road with iTrip Auto: the FM transmitter box is in the middle of the cable, and its location does not appear to significantly impact its broadcasting performance. But Kensington’s choice to mount its LCD screen and tuning buttons on the car charging bulb proved the best of all these options, making tuning a comparative snap -except for one factor - and providing the easiest way for a user to know visually when the unit is powered on. With iTrip Auto, you can tune 87.9FM, turn off your car (or unplug iTrip), turn it back on again, and resume use of the channel immediately. other brands of competing transmitters can only tune 87.9FM through an odd button combination, and loses the station every time you turn your car on or off - something that doesn’t happen with stations from 88.1FM to 107.9FM, especially given Kensington’s three preset stations. Belkin’s TuneCast Auto can’t tune 87.9FM at all, but it also has two preset buttons. Griffin makes 87.9FM the easiest to tune and save, but has zero preset buttons.
Overall, iTrip Auto is a very good FM transmission and charging solution for any Dock Connector-equipped iPod. It’s only a little shy of Kensington’s high water mark because of its lack of presets, mid-cable tuning box, and less impressive performance in stereo broadcasting mode, but its lower MSRP, easier 87.9FM tuning, and strong monaural performance will endear it to other users. I'd strongly recommend it over most portable FM transmitters (including Griffin’s iTrip with Dock Connector) to people who really need an wireless solution for their cars, rather than their homes.
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