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Review

Review - RoadTrip!+ for iPod w/Dock Connector

Tuesday, October 4th, 2005 at 11:35 AM - by

NewerTechnoloy's RoadTrip!+ takes a unique approach to an FM transmitter, combining both the transmitter and a charger into a single device that plugs into your iPod's dock connector and is powered by your car's 12V accessory jack.

The RoadTrip!+ is by far the easiest FM transmitter we've encountered. Owing to the fact that it only broadcasts at one frequency, all you need to do is it plug it in and tune your radio to 87.9MHz. For anyone seeking the easiest solution for piping tunes into your car's stereo, this is it.

While a single frequency may sound limiting, 87.9MHz unused in all but four small regions of the U.S. If your radio doesn't pick anything of quality up on the frequency, the RoadTrip!+ will work just fine. Other FM transmitters, like Griffin's popular iTrip (iPO review), are unable to even tune into 87.9MHz.

Sound quality from the RoadTrip!+ is excellent among FM transmitters, regardless of whether your car's antenna is in the front or back. It still doesn't compare to a direct input or tape deck adapter, however, although you can use either along with the RoadTrip!+ and still take advantage of charging your iPod on the go.

For $10 more, NewerTechnology recently started offering a portable AC/DC power adapter that lets you plug any device designed for your car's 12V accessory jack into a standard two-prong wall socket. The adapter brings the charging and transmitting capabilities of the RoadTrip!+ into your home, but it still doesn't match the portability of iPod-powered FM transmitters. If this is of no consequence to you, then the RoadTrip!+ is the FM transmitter of choice for your iPod.

NewerTechnology RoadTrip! Plus

This product has been discontinued and replaced with the TrafficJamz.

Just The Facts

RoadTrip!+ from Newer Technology

MSRP US$27.95

Pros: FM transmitter and charger in one, highly effective design

Cons: None significant

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kerok said:

member since 04 Oct 2005 with 2 posts, unranked , send him a message or view his profile

Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:28 pm

I have one of these devices and love it. My car doesn't have direct input, but I find the RoadTrip+ beats cassette adapters. I also have had several FM Transmitters (including the iTrip) and was not satisfied with the sound quality until the RoadTrip+.

Having a line-out is so much better than messing with the iPod's volume.

I have "sold" several people on this device by the simple act of plugging it into a car and playing some music.

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gslusher said:

member since 13 Nov 2002 with 2088 posts, unranked , send him a message or view his profile

Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:56 pm

"While a single frequency may sound limiting, 87.9MHz unused in all but four small regions of the U.S."

Perhaps true, but there are many areas which have a very strong station at 88.1 mHz, which can wipe out the signal of these FM transmitters on many car radios.

As for "beats cassette adapters," that depends. The potential fidelity with a casette adapter is generally greater than with FM. FM has a limited bandwidth--it sounds good only in comparison with AM radio. If you want REALLY good sound, go for a direct connection. There are now several units that can connect to the CD changer port on many car and pickup radios. Some after-market systems have an auxillary port. These take the sound from the line out connection through the dock (as does the Road Trip+), which is better than using the headphone jack like the iTrip, TuneCast, and AirPlay do.