Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus Review

Overview
The iTrip Auto Universal Plus is a pretty simple device. It essentially has 3 parts, the power connector, FM transmitter and 1/8-inch audio jack. So starting with the power connector it is one that goes in your cigarette lighter or 12V power outlet in your car. This power connector is a little different as there is a cap on the end that when opened reveals a USB power port. So this way you can charge a USB device as well.

Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus

Moving down the cable in the center you have the FM transmitter. It is pretty simple and small. On the front you have 3 buttons and a small LCD screen. The plus and minus buttons will allow you to adjust the transmission station and the SmartScan button will scan available stations and set the transmitter to one of those stations.

Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus

At the end of the cable you have a 1/8-inch audio jack. This is great actually because you can use pretty much any device that has that connection. This means your iPhone, iPod, Zune, Smartphone, hell even a CD player! The whole tandem of the power connector, FM transmitter and 1/8-inch mm audio jack is actually pretty long so if someone in the backseat of the car wanted to control the music they could.

Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus

Usage
Getting the iTrip Auto Universal Plus setup is pretty easy. Just take it into your car and plug the power connector into your cigarette lighter or 12V power port. Then connect the audio connection to the headphones port on your audio device. Finally if your device uses a USB charger you can use the USB power port on the power connector. Then just go ahead and set the FM transmitter to an open station and you are ready to start listening to your music.

I have been using the iTrip Auto Universal Plus for a little over a week now and I really like it. One of the biggest reasons is that it works with my iPhone 4 and my iPod touch. I had been using the older iTrip Auto from 2008, which did not work with the iPhone or iPod touch. Since this version has the audio connection not the iPod connector it works with all devices.

The FM transmitter works great and I really did not have any issues with it. Although just like every other FM transmitter the audio quality is not the same as playing a CD in your car. Also sometimes it is hard to find an open station, especially if you live in a large metro area. The SmartScan function works great and really helps with finding an open station.

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