iPod and iTrip in Toronto

[Sharkus]

Good morning all,

I'm considering getting the latest generation iPod. One of the main uses for it will be in my car, and thus I'm also looking at an iTrip.

Before I go out and purchase, I wanted to ask if there are any members on here in the Toronto area who have iPods and iTrips, just want to make sure that the iTrip's frequencys work ok in around the GTA area (specifically the Etobicoke/Mississauga areas).

Also, what is the quality of using an iTrip really like?

I guess i could get my ass down to Carbon Computing or the local Best Buy to try things out, but I thought i'd ask on here first.

TIA

[rusto]

Can't speak for Toronto, but here in the Boston area, iTrip works great for me and my 20G iPod.

[e_to_the_m]

All you really need is one radio station that is pure static, preferably with no noise on either side of the dial. If you go to the iTrip web site you can download a utility that will look up usable local radio stations for you (http://www.griffintechnology.com/software/software_itrip.html). It doesn't always work, no one place in Vermont was even listed but I found a couple stations that would work and submitted them for future use. It's also handy to be able to look up radio stations in other areas if you're going on a road trip.

Hope this helps!

Also Post #2 here (http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?t=27443) may be helpful.

[DeltaMac]

Wouldn't one look for a radio frequency that is NOT used? I believe the iTrip would use an UNUSED frequency. The less interference you have, the better the sound. So, an empty frequency with the surrounding frequencies also unused would be what you want. The lack of actual radio stations in Vermont would be a Good Thing (for the iTrip). Major metro areas (such as Boston) would lack these blank areas, so iTrip would likely have better sound in Vermont, or other areas more than 75-100 miles from major markets.

[e_to_the_m]

I guess I wasn't clear. What I meant by usable was that the program listed radio frequencies that were unused by anyone (i.e. local radio stations) and therefore useable for people with the iTrip. Sorry for any confusion.

[CAlvarez]

Here in Phoenix, it doesn't work well at all in my girlfriend's car. We're just going to replace the stereo and hard-wire it. Not only do you have the intrinsic low quality of FM transmission, but it's about impossible to find a frequency that doesn't have a little bit of bleed from some radio station.

[Candyman]

I live & work in Mississauga (near Etobicoke border), don't waste your time & money! In order for iTrip to work, you must find an empty fm station - NOT A CHANCE! I thought there would be plenty of blank frequencies, but I was wrong. It works well outside the city if you do alot of travelling, although it still does not sound as good as a radio station or cd.
I even tried it on a ghetto blaster, thinking it may not pick up as many frequencies as my car radio, but that was also unsuccessful.
Hope this helps.

[schneb]

I live in Redlands, CA and am 60 miles east of LA, so you want to talk about STATIONS! Yet the iTrip works fine for me. What I like is the large amount of stations available to choose from. It is a bit of a power hog, so you will want to get a cigarette lighter power adapter. However, if I had my druthers, I would hard wire it or use a cassette adapter. I am going to Maui in November and I have rented a Jeep for the week that only has an AM/FM, so hence the need for the iTrip-- either that or two earbuds for me and the wife.

[Sharkus]

I live & work in Mississauga (near Etobicoke border), don't waste your time & money! In order for iTrip to work, you must find an empty fm station - NOT A CHANCE! I thought there would be plenty of blank frequencies, but I was wrong. It works well outside the city if you do alot of travelling, although it still does not sound as good as a radio station or cd.
I even tried it on a ghetto blaster, thinking it may not pick up as many frequencies as my car radio, but that was also unsuccessful.
Hope this helps.


Interesting, thanks.

My friend whose in the same area has an iTrip and has been using the default 87.9 freq with no problems at all.

I picked up the iPod and iTrip this afternoon so I'll be giving at a go on the way home, so I'm sure I'll find out what happens pretty soon.

So far I'm rather impressed with the little fella.

Thanks to all of you for advice/warnings

[Sharkus]

Thought I'd report back.

Music all on iPod. iTrip plugged in and set to use the default station (87.9) and it worked flawlessly in the car (I work near Pearson Airport, and live down by the lake, near Park Lawn).

I also setup the AV reciever in my house with it, works fine as well.

Thanks to all for the help and suggestions, I'm a very happy iPod chappy :)

[rusto]

I had an exhibit of my work open on Thursday evening and used my iPod/iTrip to broadcast through a boom box to pipe out a nice 2 hour mix of jazz and ambient music.

More than one visitor to the gallery was more interested in my iPod than my photographs.

:D

[robertm]

You lucked out I think. I live in the Beaches area of Toronto and most places I can usually find an empty frequency. But it doesn't last long, perhaps half an hour of driving before another station starts to intrude.