iTrip (or similar) for iPhone?

Somner · 01-09-2009, 16:34

I'm looking for an iTrip (or similar device) for use with my iPhone, in the car.

I've had a look at a few however I'm not sure which to go for. What I'd like is something that will also charge my iPhone at the same time, or will allow me to use my iPhone's car charger at the same time. I'm not too bothered by the size of the thing - in fact the larger ones seem to suit me better because they have controls (play, pause, forward, back etc) on them.

I've looked at a few websites and they only seem to say which are iPod compatible, not which are iPhone compatible. Despite o2 telling me that an iPhone is compatible with all iPod devices, I've realised this is not always the case as my mains iPod charger won't charge my iPhone, and my iPod speakers will play music from my iPhone but will not charge it.

Thanks.

Steve_runner · 01-09-2009, 16:52

I've just got the Motorola T505. At £58 from the O2 shop it works well. Its Bluetooth, allows you to answer the phone while driving and will play your Iphone music/phone calls through the car stereo.

I know its not exactly what you want but worth a look. You can buy an in car charger for around a fiver.

Somner · 01-09-2009, 18:17

I'm not really looking to spend that much, particularly if it isn't going to fulfill all of my requirements. Does it do anything else? It seems awfully expensive, although I guess it is Bluetooth.

I've found a few things on eBay, I'm just trying to find out from the sellers if they are compatible with the iPhone 3GS...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT - Seems good but I have no idea if there is any noticeable difference between connecting the device through the 3.5mm audio jack port (as this does) or using the iPhone's docking connector? However because it's "universal" you have to use your device's own USB cable meaning there will be quite a few cables hanging around. A Griffin product so should be of good quality. This should be compatible with my iPhone because the music is through the audiojack and the docking connection is only used for charging and I am guessing that the USB connection goes straight through to the 12v cigarette lighter socket.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT - Uses the iPhone's docking connector, meaning it charges and receives the audio all through one cable. It does however lack the ability to be used with anything other than Apple devices, but I don't think that really matters to me. Again a Griffin product so it should be of good quality.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-Kit-FM-Tra...d=p3286.c0.m14 - Transmits and charges, with the added bonus of including a cradle. Seems to be a jack of all trades, but is it a master of none?

Doesn't seem to be branded so I have no idea about the quality of it. To be honest it looks a little like a cheap Chinese knock off, so I think I'll pass on it unless anybody here has any idea about it?

dreamypuma · 02-09-2009, 17:40

Hi,

Your obviously having the same problems as I did with my GF's iPod Touch 2G.

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...d/Product.html

I bought her one of these as the iTrips were either too expensive or no one could confirm if they worked on the latest gen iPhone or iPod Touch.

This works really well, I actually paid £25 from Amazon and charges as well as plays through car stereo. The sound quality is as good a Griffin iTrip. As always with these FM transmitters, how good they are depends on local FM signal, the frequency you tune into and your car.

I have also borrowed one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-iTri...1909426&sr=8-1

These don't charge the 2G Touch or 3GS (assume 3G too) so don't be tempted by the cheap prices. They do transmit though, but no better than the Belkin.

I bought myself a 3.5mm jack Belkin and so long as it's plugged into the mains, the sound is really good with no real difference between this and my GF's dock conector one. On battery power the signal isn't as powerful and hissing is more apparent. This obviously doesn't charge the iPod, but can be had for about £5 from play. http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...I/Product.html

dreamypuma · 02-09-2009, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somner

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT - Uses the iPhone's docking connector, meaning it charges and receives the audio all through one cable. It does however lack the ability to be used with anything other than Apple devices, but I don't think that really matters to me. Again a Griffin product so it should be of good quality.

Oops just noticed you've been looking at this Griffin. It won't work on iPod 2G Touch, and doesn't on 3Gs I doubt it will work on a 3G

Somner · 02-09-2009, 18:37

Went for this in the end:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=190329910203

dreamypuma · 02-09-2009, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somner

Went for this in the end:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=190329910203

I looked at that one too. Let us know how u get on with it.

Somner · 03-09-2009, 05:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamypuma

I looked at that one too. Let us know how u get on with it.

We'll have to see. It's Griffin so it should be as good quality as any other, and the listing said that it works fine with an iPhone 3GS so if it doesn't I'll return it and have my money back!

Dark 1 · 03-09-2009, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somner

Went for this in the end:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=190329910203

That was on my shortlist of FM transmitters I'd been looking at for my iPhone 3GS. I eventually got a Belkin TuneCast 4 instead, and I've had no complaints up to yet.

That was actually the 4th FM transmitter I'd tried:
[LIST=1][*]A no-name branded one I used with my old iPod. Excellent sound quality, but huge GSM interferance, limited choice of frequencies, and bad interference when connected to a separate charger.[*]A previous generation Griffin iTrip. Utterly crap in every way! Back onto eBay with it![*]A Cygnett RoadTrip. Flops around in the cigarette lighter and only so-so sound quality. Sent it back for a refund.[*]The Belkin TuneCast. Simple, good sound quality, no GSM interference. We have a winner folks![/LIST]

Somner · 09-09-2009, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamypuma

I looked at that one too. Let us know how u get on with it.

The iTrip came a few days ago and so far so good. Coupled with a cheap eBay iPhone windscreen mount I now have the perfect system to use my phone (safely) in the car and listen to music through the car's stereo. The iTrip works well. The sound quality isn't always brilliant but I don't expect it to be. I live in an area with a very crowded FM spectrum (many areas crossover). For example, I pick up BBC Hereford, BBC Coventry, BBC West Midlands etc. The AutoScan feature works well and finds a good frequency each time. The only drawback is the length of the cable - I think it could do with being a few inches longer. I drive a Citroen Picasso and I mount my iPhone on the front side window (the small window between the windscreen and the door window) and the cable only just reaches here.

Well worth the money though. It's a shame that Phone calls don't get put through the car stereo though.

01-09-2009, 16:34	#1
Somner Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8,617	iTrip (or similar) for iPhone? I'm looking for an iTrip (or similar device) for use with my iPhone, in the car. I've had a look at a few however I'm not sure which to go for. What I'd like is something that will also charge my iPhone at the same time, or will allow me to use my iPhone's car charger at the same time. I'm not too bothered by the size of the thing - in fact the larger ones seem to suit me better because they have controls (play, pause, forward, back etc) on them. I've looked at a few websites and they only seem to say which are iPod compatible, not which are iPhone compatible. Despite o2 telling me that an iPhone is compatible with all iPod devices, I've realised this is not always the case as my mains iPod charger won't charge my iPhone, and my iPod speakers will play music from my iPhone but will not charge it. Thanks.

01-09-2009, 16:52	#2
Steve_runner Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Peterborough Posts: 526	I've just got the Motorola T505. At £58 from the O2 shop it works well. Its Bluetooth, allows you to answer the phone while driving and will play your Iphone music/phone calls through the car stereo. I know its not exactly what you want but worth a look. You can buy an in car charger for around a fiver.

01-09-2009, 18:17	#3
Somner Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8,617	I'm not really looking to spend that much, particularly if it isn't going to fulfill all of my requirements. Does it do anything else? It seems awfully expensive, although I guess it is Bluetooth. I've found a few things on eBay, I'm just trying to find out from the sellers if they are compatible with the iPhone 3GS... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT - Seems good but I have no idea if there is any noticeable difference between connecting the device through the 3.5mm audio jack port (as this does) or using the iPhone's docking connector? However because it's "universal" you have to use your device's own USB cable meaning there will be quite a few cables hanging around. A Griffin product so should be of good quality. This should be compatible with my iPhone because the music is through the audiojack and the docking connection is only used for charging and I am guessing that the USB connection goes straight through to the 12v cigarette lighter socket. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT - Uses the iPhone's docking connector, meaning it charges and receives the audio all through one cable. It does however lack the ability to be used with anything other than Apple devices, but I don't think that really matters to me. Again a Griffin product so it should be of good quality. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-Kit-FM-Tra...d=p3286.c0.m14 - Transmits and charges, with the added bonus of including a cradle. Seems to be a jack of all trades, but is it a master of none? Doesn't seem to be branded so I have no idea about the quality of it. To be honest it looks a little like a cheap Chinese knock off, so I think I'll pass on it unless anybody here has any idea about it?

02-09-2009, 17:40	#4
dreamypuma Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,129	Hi, Your obviously having the same problems as I did with my GF's iPod Touch 2G. http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...d/Product.html I bought her one of these as the iTrips were either too expensive or no one could confirm if they worked on the latest gen iPhone or iPod Touch. This works really well, I actually paid £25 from Amazon and charges as well as plays through car stereo. The sound quality is as good a Griffin iTrip. As always with these FM transmitters, how good they are depends on local FM signal, the frequency you tune into and your car. I have also borrowed one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-iTri...1909426&sr=8-1 These don't charge the 2G Touch or 3GS (assume 3G too) so don't be tempted by the cheap prices. They do transmit though, but no better than the Belkin. I bought myself a 3.5mm jack Belkin and so long as it's plugged into the mains, the sound is really good with no real difference between this and my GF's dock conector one. On battery power the signal isn't as powerful and hissing is more apparent. This obviously doesn't charge the iPod, but can be had for about £5 from play. http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...I/Product.html

02-09-2009, 17:48	#5
dreamypuma Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,129	Quote: Originally Posted by Somner http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT - Uses the iPhone's docking connector, meaning it charges and receives the audio all through one cable. It does however lack the ability to be used with anything other than Apple devices, but I don't think that really matters to me. Again a Griffin product so it should be of good quality. Oops just noticed you've been looking at this Griffin. It won't work on iPod 2G Touch, and doesn't on 3Gs I doubt it will work on a 3G

02-09-2009, 18:37	#6
Somner Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8,617	Went for this in the end: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=190329910203

02-09-2009, 19:03	#7
dreamypuma Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,129	Quote: Originally Posted by Somner Went for this in the end: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=190329910203 I looked at that one too. Let us know how u get on with it.

03-09-2009, 05:34	#8
Somner Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8,617	Quote: Originally Posted by dreamypuma I looked at that one too. Let us know how u get on with it. We'll have to see. It's Griffin so it should be as good quality as any other, and the listing said that it works fine with an iPhone 3GS so if it doesn't I'll return it and have my money back!

03-09-2009, 16:03	#9
Dark 1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,975	Quote: Originally Posted by Somner Went for this in the end: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=190329910203 That was on my shortlist of FM transmitters I'd been looking at for my iPhone 3GS. I eventually got a Belkin TuneCast 4 instead, and I've had no complaints up to yet. That was actually the 4th FM transmitter I'd tried: [LIST=1][]A no-name branded one I used with my old iPod. Excellent sound quality, but huge GSM interferance, limited choice of frequencies, and bad interference when connected to a separate charger.[]A previous generation Griffin iTrip. Utterly crap in every way! Back onto eBay with it![]A Cygnett RoadTrip. Flops around in the cigarette lighter and only so-so sound quality. Sent it back for a refund.[]The Belkin TuneCast. Simple, good sound quality, no GSM interference. We have a winner folks![/LIST]

09-09-2009, 20:39	#10
Somner Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8,617	Quote: Originally Posted by dreamypuma I looked at that one too. Let us know how u get on with it. The iTrip came a few days ago and so far so good. Coupled with a cheap eBay iPhone windscreen mount I now have the perfect system to use my phone (safely) in the car and listen to music through the car's stereo. The iTrip works well. The sound quality isn't always brilliant but I don't expect it to be. I live in an area with a very crowded FM spectrum (many areas crossover). For example, I pick up BBC Hereford, BBC Coventry, BBC West Midlands etc. The AutoScan feature works well and finds a good frequency each time. The only drawback is the length of the cable - I think it could do with being a few inches longer. I drive a Citroen Picasso and I mount my iPhone on the front side window (the small window between the windscreen and the door window) and the cable only just reaches here. Well worth the money though. It's a shame that Phone calls don't get put through the car stereo though.

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iTrip (or similar) for iPhone?