However, Griffin has put most of its focus on the iTrip AutoPilot’s FM transmitter. The transmitter emits on a wide range of FM frequencies (from 88.1 to 107.9) and provides a easy-to-read LCD display. Most notably, Griffin features its exclusive SmartScan technology which attempts to provide the best audio signal by scanning your radio dial to deliver to you the three best frequencies available and stores them as three recallable presets.

The iTrip AutoPilot also provides song information for those with RDS enabled car radio technology.

Charging and Playback Control

As a car charger, the AutoPilot provides a steady and consistent charge. Cord management doesn’t provide many options. Most times, it becomes a hassle for those who wish to hide as much of their cord around their console as possible. The adapter provide play controls in easy reach allowing users to play, pause, skip rather quickly. However, using these controls brings your music application to the forefront, shutting down any other application your maybe using (such has SMS or Google Maps for iPhone users).

FM Transmitter

From a feature standpoint, the iTrip AutoPilot brings the most possible to those looking for a FM Transmitter. The LCD display is easy to read in any light, the three button controls are simple for users, and the SmartScan technology attempts to do all the work for you by scanning you FM dial and selecting stations that the AutoPilot identifies as the most ideal frequencies in your current location. However, for those that live in mid-to-high populated cities, the SmartScan technology is almost obsolete. Perhaps because of the poor strength of the FM transmitter, I’ve yet to have success with this feature. The stations the AutoPilot provides are easily overpowered by local radio stations. It’s only when I self-select stations at the top or bottom of the frequency range am I able to adequately use the FM Transmitter. I’ve had more success with SmartScan on road trips when I find myself away from most average-sized cities.

iPhone Compatibility

For those that have attempted to use an FM transmitter with their iPhone or iPhone 3G, you’ve surly noticed the annoying loud frequency interference screech that occurs anytime your cell reception relocates, you receive or send calls, emails, or SMS, or your phone’s location services are used. The iTrip AutoPilot has eliminated these screeches by bringing iPhone compatibility. At times, I do receive the infamous “this accessory hates your iPhone, how about shutting everything down by enabling airplane mode making your iPhone almost useless,” but rest assured, the accessory is compatible.

Actually, no. The $60 TuneStik combines a rather small FM transmitter (a little smaller than the original iTrip or current crop of Dock Connector accessories) and a RF remote. Combined with your favorite car charger or AC adapter, this promised to be the perfect setup for your car, home, office, or anywhere else.

If DLO had some sort of “product matrix” like Apple does, the TuneStik might be in the same class as the Mac mini. With the TransDock as the “ultimate” option for those who want something almost permanent in their car, and the TransDock Micro for those who want something for frequent use, the TuneStik is designed to be a device that can serve multiple purposes.

As it does not have a cigarette lighter charger for car use, it relies on your iPod’s battery. Fortunately, it features a Dock Connector pass-through on the bottom, so you can use any car charger with it if you plan on long trips. The pass-through also allows use of devices that turn the Dock Connector into an auto line out, allowing you to still use the remote functionality in cars that have a direct line in or tape deck.

FM transmitting is now taken care of on-screen, like many products nowadays. Bringing up the functionality to change stations (or presets) is done by pressing a button on the remote and then adjusting appropriately. In our tests, the TuneStik’s audio quality was not as good as the TransDock Micro or iTrip Auto, but better than the iTrip Pocket. It seemed that it was not able to completely block out distant weak stations in our crowded radio market, but did manage to provide adequate listening with a little static. For people who can find plenty of free space on their radio dial, the TuneStik should be more than adequate.

As for the other functionality of the TuneStik, the remote, we were pretty happy. Included with the remote is a steering wheel holder that attaches via Velcro. Buttons are available to skip tracks, play/pause, adjust the volume, bringing up the FM transmitter settings, and turning the iPod’s backlight on or off. It worked well in our tests and we didn’t notice any problems with the signal.

The key selling point for the TuneStik is its versatility. Although the FM transmitter is not as powerful as some of its siblings, it would be a good choice for the user who wants their iPod in their car sometimes, but could use the remote in other situations. By justifying this as two devices for the price of one, the TuneStik is quite an attractive product, especially if you live in an area where FM transmitters don’t have trouble.

The iTrip Pocket is about the size of a book of matches, and when used with a second-generation iPod nano, looks like an extension of the iPod itself. Fortunately, the iTrip Pocket can also be used with first-generation nanos and any fourth- or fifth-generation “regular” iPod.

Included with the iTrip Pocket is a small plastic cap that covers the Dock Connector, as well as has a loop in it for use on a keychain (although make sure what keys are next to the iTrip Pocket as this is an easy way to get some scratches). The front of the iTrip features just five buttons: three presets and tuning up/down. A small red LED illuminated to let you know the iTrip is transmitting. The iPod’s display is used to let you know what the transmitting frequency is, as well as to select monaural or stereo output.

Using the iTrip Pocket is a piece of cake, as one just has to plug it in to the bottom of an iPod to start using it. If the default broadcast frequency (87.9) is not clear for you, pressing the left/right buttons on the iTrip let you choose a new one. After a few seconds, the iPod returns to its normal display. Pressing both the left and right buttons at the same time allows you to select monaural or stereo output, depending on if you’d rather have a stronger signal or better sound.

Unfortunately, the iTrip Pocket’s transmission capabilities are on the weaker side. You must select a frequency that is completely clear, as the iTrip Pocket cannot overpower weaker stations. While better than some of its predecessors, the Griffin iTrip Auto, DLO TransDock Micro, and XtremeMac AirPlay Boost provided a clearer signal consistently. If you’re not in a very crowded radio market, phone cards or using the iTrip Pocket in a location where other radio stations aren’t likely to interfere, it should be fine.

The other negative on the iTrip Pocket is the lack of any sort of charging port pass-through. If you plan on using your iPod with the iTrip Pocket, plan on having it fully charged or taking breaks while listening to your music. It does not drain battery life as much as some of the earlier models, but it is something to take into account.

Overall, the iTrip Pocket is a slick product and works fairly well. Despite its rather tiny dimensions and easy-to-use interface, users in a crowded radio market or needing something stronger will find better alternatives.

Most other FM transmitters work in the same way—they take some sort of audio signal and then send it out over some FM frequency over a short range. The problem is that the signal goes in all directions, which sometimes can be a good thing, but with the limited power such devices are allowed to use, it makes more sense to channel it into one direction. Because of this, the AirPlay Boost was born.

The AirPlay Boost is available in black or white to match fifth-generation iPods, and attaches to the bottom of an iPod just like almost any other accessory these days. Once in place, the antenna can be repositioned within a 90° radius to provide the best signal for whatever you’re shooting your tunes to.

Without getting into all the basics of FM transmitters, since that topic has been rehashed multiple times ever since we first reviewed Griffin’s iTrip and XtremeMac’s first AirPlay, the AirPlay Boost works as expected. Unlike the AirPlay², the Boost works on all FM frequencies, including 87.9. Obviously, crowded radio markets will cause more trouble to find a free “spot”, but it usually can still be done.

Tuning the AirPlay Boost is a rather interesting process because it does not feature any sort of display on the device itself. Instead three buttons adorn the front and that’s it. The left and right switch frequencies and the button with the XtremeMac logo brings up a menu with various settings, presets, and more. By utilizing the iPod’s screen, the AirPlay Boost was able to be made smaller than its predecessor and offer easier navigation. Unlike the original iTrip which tried this, the AirPlay Boost does not require special files loaded onto the iPod—it just works.

Besides that, there’s a blue LED on the end of the antenna that can be turned on or off just to indicate if, in fact, the AirPlay Boost is “broadcasting”. A pass-through Dock Connector is located on the bottom, allowing you to use your favorite AC adapter or car charger. It would have been nice to see a car charger thrown in with the AirPlay Boost, but it is still rather competitively-priced.

With this version of the AirPlay, there’s a lot to love, and nearly nothing to hate. It works really well, due to the directionality of its transmission, and offers a number of features in a compact design.

For $10 more, around $70, the TransDock micro looks nearly identical, but offers something that few other car adapters do—it works with every iPod model (well, models that support USB charging).

TransDock micro

TransDock micro (bottom)

TransDock micro (in use)

The TransDock micro is a somewhat small FM transmitter, with the transmitter sitting just on the end of the cigarette lighter adapter. Two 3.5mm jacks are located on the bottom of the TransDock: one is for connecting the TransDock to a car radio or cassette adapter (line output) and the other is for connecting other audio devices (line input). Although using the line output defeats the purpose of the FM transmitter, it provides some flexibility if you’re taking your iPod from car to car.

Obviously, the TransDock micro is aimed to be direct competition to the iTrip Auto. Although the device looks a lot like its sibling, the TransDock micro includes a Dock Connector-to-USB cable. The difference between this one and the ones that come with iPods is that on the USB end, it includes a number of extra contacts, like the shuffle’s USB connector. These carry the audio signal from the Dock Connector to the TransDock.

A large LCD is located on the front and displays the current frequency, if the iPod is being charged, and what presets you have selected. Speaking of which, the TransDock micro allows for four presets by pressing the two side buttons together. Pressing the buttons individually tunes the TransDock micro.

One potential problem is that the TransDock micro can only be adjusted vertically by tilting it. In some cars (especially those with center consoles or manual transmissions), this might prove to be a problem, at least with seeing the LCD or adjusting frequencies. The other downside is that the USB cable does not seem to charge the iPod when hooked up to the computer (it does synchronize, however).

The actual transmitting abilities of the TransDock micro are on-par with everything else. It worked with our fifth-generation iPod on a trip across Indiana down to Cincinnati with no trouble, even though we left it on 88.5 the entire trip. If you feel the need to adjust, it does offer you .1 MHz step tuning from 88.1 to 107.9. Things got a bit tough once we got into the city, but it worked quite well and didn’t have us reaching for the controls every few minutes.

Overall, the TransDock micro is a pretty good product. Although it is a bit expensive, it is both an FM transmitter, charger, and nabs the line out signal from the iPod for other uses.