Product Description

The first FM transmitter made specifically for the iPod; iTrip lets you play music from your iPod through any FM radio. iTrip needs no batteries. A must for any iPod owner. Convenient one-piece transmitter and charger.

Product Details

• Brand: Griffin Technology
• Model: 9501-TRIPCBL
• Format: CD
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 8.00" h x 1.44" w x 5.50" l, 1.28 pounds

Features

• Combines a powerful FM transmitter with an integrated charger in order to recharge your iPod
• Transmits clear music through your car stereo
• Features selectable LX and DX modes for best-quality audio under real-world conditions, best-possible RF technology, and Griffin's world-class industrial design
• Can operate anywhere from the 88.1 to 107.9 MHz frequencies; range of 10 to 30 feet
• Compatibility: iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod mini; iPod 3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G

Amazon.com Product Description
The Griffin 9501-TRIPCB iTrip Auto FM Transmitter and Auto Charger for iPod combines Griffin's renowned FM transmitter technology with an integrated charger. Designed specifically for use in the car, the iTrip Auto powerfully transmits clear music from your iPod through your car stereo, while the large, easy-to-read backlit LCD screen affords quick, precise station selection and status at a glance.

The Griffin 9501-TRIPCB is the most versatile iTrip to date, accommodating every dock connector iPod, including the iPod Nano and 5th-generation iPods videos. The iTrip Auto uses the audio line out from the iPod's dock connector and optimizes the output volume, allowing speaker volume to be controlled solely from the car stereo controls, without having to adjust the iPod's volume level. This unit features all the innovations of its predecessors, including selectable LX and DX modes for best-quality audio under real-world conditions, best-possible RF technology, and Griffin's world-class industrial design.

The Griffin iTrip Auto is constructed with a built-in FM stereo antenna and a high-stability crystal oscillator with phase-lock loop control. This unit can operate anywhere from the 88.1 to 107.9 MHz frequencies, with a frequency response ranging from 50 Hz to 15 KHz, at a range from 10 to 30 feet. The 9501-TRIPCB is powered by an included 12-volt cigarette lighter power adapter that features an easily replaceable fuse through which it also charges your iPod. This unit comes in black, weighs 0.6 ounces, measures 0.49 x 2.84 inches (W x D) with a total length of 33.47 inches including the cord, and it's backed by a manufacturer's limited 1-year warranty.

iPod Compatibility
iPod nano 1G, iPod nano 2G, iPod mini, iPod 3G, iPod 4G (Clickwheel), iPod Color, iPod 5G/5.5G Video

Customer Reviews

*** Update *** how to get the BEST results with this!
I just got this a in Nov 2008. I will tell you the three secrets to getting the best results. First, over the years I have purchased a HUGE number of these type devices and they all sucked. Only the iTrip (both the version with the iPod connector and the one with the standard headphone jack) have this secret that makes them the BEST. Secret #1) because these devices are limited in power, make sure the transmitter part is close to the radio. Secret #2) Unless you need stereo, use the LX mode. Secret #3 ... and this is the biggie ... switch to International Mode. Here's how.

Before you buy, go to your car and make sure you can set your radio to 87.9 frequency or lower. If you can, they you can use this UNused setting. No US radio station is allowed to transmit on this frequency. If you can set your car radio to this, then BUY either the product on this page or the other Griffin iTrip (with the standard headphone connector). I have both, and they BOTH use the SAME instructions.

First, plug in the iTrip. You Have two buttons - a larger +/- button and a smaller button that will either have "Select" or "Preset" written on it.

Hold down the smaller button for 10-15 sec. At first the display will flash "2" or some other number. Ignore that. Just keep waiting. Then the display will flash "DX" or "LX". Use the +/- to change to LX (non stereo mode). Press the smaller button and the selection is saved.

Now for International Mode (to get the stations below 88.1).

Hold down the smaller button for 10-15 sec. At first the display will flash "2" or some other number. Ignore that. Just keep waiting. Then the display will flash "DX" or "LX". IGNORE THIS ALSO, JUST KEEP HOLDING DOWN THE SMALL BUTTON. The display will change to "US" Use the +/- to change to INTL mode. Press the smaller button and the selection is saved.

With my iTrip set to LX and INTL I now set both the car and the iTrip to 87.9. I use the iTrip instructions to save this as a preset. I also set one of the buttons on my car radio to the same.

When I use my iPod, the sound is crystal clear, I do NOT need to adjust the car radio to super-high volume. It is perfect. However, iTrip no longer comes with instructions to set to INTL mode, nor could I find these instructions on their website or on the web. So ... print this, get this and you will have a five star experience!

Average for the type
This is one of three Griffin iTrip adapters I have, it is probably the most convenient to use. The FCC requirements on these things limit the transmit power to something that is barely able to reach the car radio, but if you don't set this one to the higher power mode you'll be lucky to hear anything at all. I find more variation between vehicles than you might expect, I travel quite a bit and have used this in rental cars all over the US, Canada and the UK. It is especially useful that this can tune by 0.1MHz intervals which helps find a vacant frequency in other countries (where these may be illegal, as they are in the UK). Sound quality is usually OK, but if you find the noise level increasing you are probably conflicting with a local FM station and it's time to retune. The cassette interfaces provide much cleaner audio, but with more wires and sometimes with mechanical noise. This is in my travel kit now and I don't think there is a reasonable alternative.

good value; works as advertised
This device works exactly as advertised: it charges your iPod and broadcasts the audio on an FM frequency at low power. If you have no other way to use your iPod in your car (cassette adapter, line in, etc) this is a good choice, especially at Amazon's price. The sound quality isn't fabulous, but it's as good as normal FM reception.

However, you need to be aware that this product works inconsistently between cars. I've had good luck with the iTrip in some cars (mostly American made rental cars), but couldn't get it to work in some other cars (like my Infiniti). Before you buy, I suggest that you take a look at the Griffin Technology web site to see if other users have gotten this to work in your car.