Looking to breathe new life into what was the first iPod-specific FM transmitter, Griffin Technology updated its iTrip earlier this summer, adding a display and external station control. Gone�at last�was the cumbersome process of selecting the station by playing a short audio clip, a major annoyance among fans of the iPod's Shuffle Songs feature.

Griffin Technology iTrip with LCD

The iTrip with LCD features a similar design to its predecessors, being just as wide as a full-size iPod and only a little thicker. New to the LCD model is a chrome knob for tuning the FM frequency of choice, a very nice design touch even if the knob's turning action feels a little cheap.

Apart from being able to quickly tune in any frequency from 88.1MHz to 107.9MHz, the iTrip with LCD also features new LX and DX broadcasting modes. LX serves up your normal stereo transmission, while the more powerful DX mode delivers only mono audio. Griffin heralds the DX mode as the choice for users in cities with crowded airwaves, as the signal is able to "punch through cleanly." In our testing the DX mode did offer a clearer signal on FM stations that had a good bit of interference, but listening to music in mono feels so 1950's. It's perfect for audiobooks and podcasts, however.

iTrip with LCD and iTrip with Dock Connector

The makers of FM transmitters like to advertise their solution as being superior to cassette tape adapters, but I've yet to encounter one that can even match the sound quality of my Sony cassette adapter, let alone surpass it. Granted, the cassette adapter's cable is a bit of a drag, but it ends up being a small price to pay for a superior listening experience. Even the iTrip's little extra features, like support for international frequencies and automatic volume control, can't make up for its mediocre audio quality.

If you plan on using the iTrip primarily in your car, Newer Technology's more affordable RoadTrip!+ (5 stars, October 2005) is a superior product, being both easier to use and capable of charging your iPod at the same time. Additionally, the RoadTrip!+ broadcasts at 87.9MHz, a frequency that's unused in virtually all parts of the U.S. and that therefore makes it one of the best to listen to. The iTrip, however, only goes as low as 88.1MHz.

If you're looking for a stylish and portable way to broadcast your music to a radio, the iTrip with LCD is a decent solution. If you primarily intend to use it for automative purposes, you're better off investing in a cassette adapter if you have a deck or direct line-in connection if your stereo supports that. If not, then the RoadTrip!+ is still the one to get.

Correction: In International mode the iTrip can dial in from 76.0MHz to 90.0MHz, including 87.9MHz. While this raises the appeal of the iTrip for users in crowded cities, it doesn't negate the mediocre sound quality and thus our rating remains unchanged.