Product Description

RoadTrip makes enjoying an iPod or iPod mini in the car convenient and easy. The RoadTrip plugs into any auto power outlet or lighter adapter and provides an adjustable cradle to charge and hold any docking iPod.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1041 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Griffin
• Model: 4031-RDGC
• Released on: 2006-07-26
• Platforms: Macintosh, Windows
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 8.00" h x 2.00" w x 7.00" l, .90 pounds

Features

• 'Sold in accordance with Ofcom's latest rulings'
• Supports the new iPod nano
• The only iPod and iPod mini you'll ever need

Manufacturer's Description
Imagine having a high powered FM Transmitter, an iPod auto charger AND a convenient iPod cradle. Meet RoadTrip, the only iPod and iPod mini car accessory you'll ever need.RoadTrip makes enjoying an iPod or iPod mini in the car convenient and easy. The RoadTrip plugs into any auto power outlet or lighter adapter and provides an adjustable cradle to charge and hold any docking iPod including the new 4G iPods and the iPod mini.The RoadTrip transmitter can then be set to broadcast iPod's music to any FM frequency from 88.1 to 107.9. Its backlit screen shows which frequency RoadTrip is currently broadcasting - and can easily be adjusted via buttons located directly on the front of the unit.Your iPod's audio is transmitted through the connected dock on the bottom of iPod. Not only is this a superior signal transmission but it also leaves the top of the iPod exposed for use with other iPod accessories like the Griffin iTalk.The RoadTrip is a great FM transmitter and car charger for the iPod in the car, but what makes RoadTrip truly unique is its removable transmitter module that can also broadcast music from a Mac or PC. The package includes a combination USB power and audio connector cable that attaches any USB equipped computer to the module. Users can then play their iTunes music, movie audio or presentation sound to any FM stereo close by.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Works great
Excellent product. Great value because it acts as a charger, ipod holder and transmitter, 3 jobs in one. Easy to set up - simply choose an FM frequency and away you go. If there is any background noise just retune in 2 seconds and you should have no problems. Fits all Ipods with dock connector. Purchased for my 80G ipod which fits in perfectly - nice tight fit which is want you want in the car. Go out and buy one and fully use your ipod

Impressed...
Bought this product as my current Griffin I-trip nano is rather heavy on the ipod battery (~1hr) - and for longer car journeys this product seemed to be a better option as it charges the ipod via the car battery whilst playing.

Firstly - the system is fully compatable with all ipods incl. the Nano - you just have to select the correct removeable casing holders that come supplied. Installation and operation are extremely simple.

The unit itself is small... but perhaps still a bit too bulky for the technology that it contains. In my Ford - the power supply is directly behind the gear stick - and it took some adjustment to get decent positioning - that would 1) not intefere with gear changing or 2) dig into my leg when my foot was on the clutch. But - overall the ability to adjust the unit into various positions is a good selling point - as each car is different.

The FM signal pick-up seems fine in my Ford - and I have had no problems with interference yet. Sound quality isn't 100%... but it's a sacrifice you'll have to make (hence 4 stars) - but probably not noticeble with most standard in-car audio systems.

Operation of the ipod - espeacially the nano is tricky when on the move - and I would recommened you only adjust tracks when you're at a red-light or setup a decent playlist so you're not tempted to fiddle....

All in all... if you want to use your Ipod in the car... it's simple...you need one of these!

Flawed
The Griffin Road Trip is large and top heavy so do not use it in an old car or any car that has the power point inside the ashtray as it will just fall sideways. Also the Road Trip was too tight for my 80 GB video ipod, although it fitted, it squeezed it so tight that I did nt want to force it in and when I did it was so tight it left marks either side of the Road Trip fitting. And that was without the pad protector that would squeeze it even tighter.
Also it only works when powered by the car rather than the iTrip which is powered by the iPod, so even with a full battery in a classic car ona short journey you still have to drag the massive Road Trip around with you.

Update:

1) I tried again to fit the iPod into it and it scratched the edge of the ipod as well as the inside of the Roadtrip. The first scratch on a new iPod is a serious matter.
The road trip was then sent back for a full refund - which was processed very quickly by Amazon using a very user friendly method. Full marks to Amazon for customer service - thankyou.

2) I bought a proper Griffin iTrip which matches the look of the black and chrome iPod better than the Roadtrip, has very good reception (much better than my old iTrip for 40GB), fits better than the Roadtrip and is small and light so I can fit it in my pocket so I have got it whenever I need it.
Because it is powered from the iPod it is tiny and convenient - I can pass it to passengers to choose music, lock it out of sight in the glovebox (whereas the RoadTrip would nt fit) and use the iPod at parties/in the park etc or other place where there is no power without the hassle of a big holder or loads of wires.

Conclusion:

Do not buy this product! Buy an iTrip (and a seperate car charge if you need it).