This is a guest post / article by Becky Stone.

Impressive. That is all I can say about the Griffin RoadTrip with SmartScan. I have used similar products previously to play music from my iPod to my car radio but after purchasing an iPod Touch, nothing was on the market to support it. I am not the type to have wires hanging all over the car like a booby-trap so I refused to give up the wireless feature; going the FM transmitter route was the only acceptable way for me. Also, the wireless feature needed to have a secure arm to hold the weight of the iPod Touch because I shouldn’t have to worry it falling over out of my reach while driving. While searching for these needs, it was necessary for me to be pricing conscious.

Griffin’s RoadTrip with SmartScan offers me a wireless connection with a strong arm but flexible to hold the weight. It is the latest technology where it actually scans for a clear channel for me without shuffling through the stations. A command on the RoadTrip itself is to find three clear choices with the SmartCcan. I can then pick one of the three by pushing the corresponding button then go to the radio and find the station.

The first station I pick from is a failure because of too much static and so is the second. However, scanning one more time and the RoadTrip gave me three new stations to choose a winner and I finally found a radio station with clear reception. Reception varies depending where you are in the country and how many radio stations are available. The website instructions that came with are simple and straight forward, telling me it’s a breeze to setup and it really is! It’s best to set up radio choices and adjusting the arm before leaving your driveway and is not recommended to setup while driving to your next destination.

Some unexpected features I came across while using to set up the RoadTrip:

  • Swivel Rotation Scroll through music by looking at album covers or playing/watching music videos (not recommended while driving).

  • Digital Display Displays what station you’re on at all times and navigates through all options on the RoadTrip.
  • Station Presets By presetting your favorite three clear station opportunities allows more time to focus on the road and less time trying to find a clear station.
  • Charger The RoadTrip plugs into a cigarette lighter and charges the iPod while using it in the car; so you can pick up and go on a full charge.

All in all, a great product. The RoadTrip delivers on all the features it brags about and is very user friendly. I would be curious to see how it does on long destination trips. I know that the clear station would change frequently so you’re station preset feature wouldn’t come in handy at all. But it is something you could deal with to listen to your favorite songs for your entire ride to and from home.

Griffin Technology RoadTrip with Smartscan official product page.
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