Griffin NA22041 iTrip Auto Pilot FM Transmitter with App Integration for iPod and iPhone

This review refers to the 4046-TRPAUTOC model # just released the end of May 2008. This particular model does, in fact, support the iPhone.

OK, let's start out with the good news. Finally there is an FM transmitter on the market that supports the iPhone without triggering the Airplane Mode prompt. It uses the dock connector and will output audio from the unit even with videos. This gets it an extra star.

That's it. That's the good news. Everything else about it is garbage.

Frequency range - This unit will not tune to any stations below 88.1. This leaves out prime territory on most American vehicles' radios below this point were no real U.S. radio stations broadcast.

SmartScan - Supposedly this will scan the radio signals in your area and find the 3 frequencies with the least interference from terrestrial radio. Put simply, it doesn't work. The device will find a new set of 3 stations every time I run the scan mode, sitting in the...Read more

I will start this review by saying that it is a MUST that you use this unit on the 87.9 frequency. By default, the lowest the unit will go is 88.1, but I will describe how to toggle ON the lower frequencies so that you have access to 87.9 later in this review.

I use this unit with my iPhone 3g and have no issues with airplane mode or charging. Everything works as intended with no unexpected issues as far as compatibility with the iPhone 3G goes.

[Controls / Interface]
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The controls and interface of this device are very clear and clean. There are 3 buttons on front of the cigarette lighter connector (Next Track, Previous Track, Pause/Play). The FM transmitter portion has three buttons on it also that adjust the frequency and give you menu options to toggle on and off. The display numbers are very clear to see, even during the day and the buttons are easy to press without any issues. The iPod/iPhone connector is pretty...Read more

I ordered the new iTrip and was hoping to use it in my SUV (a 2007 Chrysler Aspen). You download a free app to your iPhone, let it search for an empty piece of FM bandwidth and you're ready to go. The device is beautiful and very well designed. Unfortunately, with recent regulatory changes by the FCC, the allowed amount of signal strength just isn't enough to get a decent signal. Maybe my car has a lot of metal shielding in it, but I held the cable as close as I could to the external antenna, but it just wasn't usable. I ended up returning it. I don't consider this Griffin's fault but rather the FCC for implementing too strict regulations.