TransPod FM works well with the iPod photo and regular iPods too

Author's Rating:

Pros: Works as advertised, and provides convenience as an all-in-one car accessory.

Cons: Flimsy build quality. It may last, but it doesn't feel like it will.

The Bottom Line: 
For iPod photo owners it's a must. For all other iPod owners if your iPod is out of the car more than its in go with the iTrip.

Author's Review
Note: This review is for the current 2005 version of the Transpod FM for iPods with Dock connectors only.

For the past year or so I’ve been using the Griffin iTrip FM transmitter with my iPod mini and iPod 15GB (3G version). Despite living in the metro DC area it has always worked static free for me at 87.9 FM. I simply put my iPod in my console or Belkin Tune Dok holder and enjoyed my tunes.

Then I bought an iPod photo to replace my 15GB iPod and an odd thing happened. My iTrip didn’t like my iPod photo. I’d put it on my mini it would play great. I’d put it on my iPod photo and ugly static emitted from my car speakers. I’d then put the iTrip on my 15GB iPod and sweet sounds were again filling my car. How frustrating the iTrip would not work with my new toy. I tried other frequencies, but inevitably the static would appear again and again.

So the search began for a different FM transmitter in hopes of finding one that would work with my iPod photo. I came across the DLO Transpod FM. At first it didn’t grab me. It is so bulky and the arms that stick out of it are so ugly. No! Not in my BMW. (I unfortunately have one of those models the BMW iPod cable won’t work in).

The beauty of the iTrip, to me at least, is that it sits on top of the iPod almost like it is part of the iPod. No other FM transmitter does that. They all connect via cable or docks, or only allowed you to use specific FM frequencies, rather than the entire spectrum allowed by the FCC. So I bit my tongue and bought the Transpod FM as the best of a bad selection, or so I thought.

The package includes:

•The base dock with a removable insert for the mini. If your iPod has a dock connector it will fit.
• Charging arm and a connectable extension
• Dash mount kit with screws and a lighter adapter (I have NO idea why anyone would need or use these).

It took about 5 minutes in the store parking lot to open and assemble the unit. After than I slipped my iPod photo into the dock. This took a little work. It is a very tight fit both in and out of the dock. And because of the looseness of the arms, you’ll need both hands. I think of it as plug n’ play, with a little effort.

Assembled, the unit connects to your cigarette lighter, and charges your iPod as you listen to it. I have to admit, this is a fantastic feature I couldn’t live without now. With the iTrip I was always running low on battery power, which meant I either had to use it with the car adapter that was messy, or not use it at all.

Next I dialed in a frequency on my radio and then on the Transpod dock. If you’ve ever used an iTrip before you’ll be amazed how intuitive the Transpod is. You literally tune it in like you’d tune to a radio station. None of that preprogramming stations like the iTrip requires. After a few scans on the radio I found a frequency that worked well with no static or interference. What a relief! I was in business with my iPod photo. 400 albums should get me though rush hour traffic for a while I think.

The Transpod FM is a great product and does what it says, but it’s far from a perfect product. What I don’t like about it is that it’s rather cheap looking and feeling. Very un-iPod if you will. Specifically the arms feel like they are going to snap apart with one wrong move or bump in the road. I don’t like having to constantly readjust them either as they are prone to slips at the joints. And the white arms don’t exactly match my car’s interior either. In fact they stick out like a sore thumb. I’m probably going to paint them black to blend in better with my interior.

Also, because the Transpod is essentially a dock for your car forget about putting a case on you iPod, even a something like an iSkin. This wouldn’t bother me so much if the dock wasn’t so visible. I’d just leave my iPod in the car. But I can’t leave my iPod just sitting as bait the way the Transpod advertises it. I have to remove it from the Transpod, put it in a case, and then hide it in the car. Putting my iPod in the case is just another step. It shouldn’t have to bee this much work. The neat think about the iTrip is that it doesn’t interfere with your ability to put a case on your iPod.

But reality is reality. The Transpod as a car charger/FM transmitter works with my iPod photo, and works well. The iTrip doesn’t. Is the Transpod FM overpriced at $99, or even $79? Probably. But what iPod accessory isn’t overpriced? That comes with the territory. Still iPod owners do expect accessories to have a better build quality than your average music player add-on. And that is where the Transpod FM fails. But given what few other competing products are around, it’s the one iPod photo owners should buy. For all other iPod owners, it’s really a toss up between the convenience of a car charger/FM transmitter/Dock that the Transpod FM is, and the simplicity that the iTrip represents.