Griffin Car Products

All articles on this site are by Harry Skevington unless otherwise noted with another byline

October 2010

Click below for your choice of Griffin Articles

Griffin WindowSeat HandsFree

Griffin iTrip Auto Handsfree

Griffin PowerJolt Plus Car Charge

Griffin PowerJolt Plus Car Charger for iPod, iPhone, and iPad PLUS an extra power outlet
There is never too much ice cream, vacation, or money in our lives. The Griffin PowerJolt Plus Car Charger for iPod, iPhone, and iPad tops all of that with enough capability that you can charge the three items you love most (one at a time) and have an extra connection to charge your GPS, mobile phone, or some other power using item. As long as it has a USB connector you can make it work. The coiled cable helps keep thing from getting too tangled up.

This is so simple! Just plug it into the accessory socket (also known as the cigarette lighter socket) and away you go. The PowerJolt Plus Car Charger for iPod, iPhone, and iPad comes with the usual Apple connector.

I charged a Sony Ericsson Xperia 10 phone while also charging my iPod. Nothing to it and only $29.99

Features per Griffin
Charges iPad, iPhone, or iPod from your 12 volt accessory outlet
Provides a second outlet to use for other devices while charging
Built-in SmartFuse™ means no fuses to replace
Smart coiled cable avoids tangles, never gets lost

Technical Specifications per Griffin
Input voltage: 12 to 16 volts DC
Output voltage through dock connector for iPad/iPhone/iPod: 5 volts DC
Output current through dock connector for iPad/iPhone/iPod: 2.1 amp
PowerJolt Plus power port output voltage: 12 to 16 volts DC

Griffin iTrip Auto Handsfree
Play on FM, charge, and talk handsfree.
I tested a previous version of this product. It worked well with my FM car radio if I stayed in my home town but often lost its signal as soon as I drove to another town where new stations moved to my chosen empty Channels. This version of the Griffin iTrip Auto Handsfree is much improved. The iTrip SmartScan unit makes it much easier to change and save empty channels in your town and other places you drive to frequently. Setup was simple. Within 2 minutes I was listening to Leonard Cohen. Later I had clear audio when listening to an Audio book from Audible.com.

That was only the beginning. The iTrip Auto Handsfree let me connect a Samsung Fascinate test phone so I could talk hands free while driving. I also plugged a Casio FH100 camera into the USB connector that you plug into the accessory socket in the car. The phone charged while I was listening to music from the iPod. The charging capability also worked well on a Sony Erisson test phone.

allpluggedin

The iTrip Auto Handsfree does not include a mounting unit. It does include a mic/control cable with a clip to attach to your visor or elsewhere. It will charge compatible products other than mentioned here.

Phonesample1

Overall the iTrip Auto Handsfree is a great example of taking an OK product to the next level. This is a multitasking device that performs as advertised. Don’t like Lenoard Cohen? The iTrip Auto Handsfree works well with your choice of music. At $59.99 this is good buy.

Features
iTrip FM transmitter
SmartScan easy one-button setup
SmartSound audio enhancement
Handsfree mic with control button
Power plug for charging USB-rechargeable devices
Works through your mobile’s headphone jack
1 amp power output

Griffin WindowSeat HandsFree
Windshield or dash mount with hands-free mic
Griffin products have been very good when I tested them in the past. Unfortunately the Griffin WindowSeat HandsFree for use in your car was not up to their usual standard. I carried all the parts and a test phone out to the car and attempted to connect and use the unit. The suction cup that was provided to hold the phone and the short or the long arm that shortens the distance between you and the phone/mic would not stay stuck to the windshield no matter how much I cleaned the glass. The entire package popped off the windshield and fell to the floor three times.

Use of the included microphone and cable to provide audio through your car stereo auxiliary jack is fine if you have a jack. Many new vehicles have one. Older cars do not.

Other than that the product performed well when I just placed the connected phone on the dashboard. Voices were clear and hands free communication was possible. I hope that griffin corrects the issue mentioned here.


	Harry Skevington has been involved with electronics since 1981. He has taught, written for, and provided support to, computer users since 1985. Information that will help consumers with buying decisions is more important than ever due to the current convergence of computers and other consumer products . Harry attends CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas on assignment as a working press writer each year to find and write about emerging technology that seems to fit the needs of his readers. Contact Harry

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