Griffin iFM (Dock Connector) / FM Radio and Wired Remote Control for iPod

• Digital auto station scan with wraparound
• Band-Switch function to switch between US, European and Japanese FM bands
• Controls pause, play, fast forward, rewind, next song, previous song, volume
• 6 Station presets per band
• Compatibility: iPod nano (1G and 2G), iPod mini, 3G iPod, 4G iPod with click wheel, iPod Color, iPod Video

Griffin iFM vs. Apple Radio Remote

iFM Pros:

++ arrangement of buttons makes operation by touch a cinch

+ (cosmetic) available in black (only)

iFM Cons:

Lowest volume setting is still a little too loud for certain circumstances/environments

clip is somewhat flimsy

Radio Remote Pros:

++ iPod integration is great

+ volume can be adjusted in much finer detail compared to iFM (64 vs. 16 levels)

+ clip appears more sturdy and usable

+ includes a set of Apple earbuds which a shorter cord

Radio Remote Cons:

arrangement of buttons makes operation by touch not as convenient as iFM

(cosmetic) available in white (only)

Both seem about equal as far as FM radio performance is concerned.

While the Apple Radio Remote seems like the better of the two, I use the iFM (with the shorter Apple earbuds) when skiing because the button layout is much easier to use on the slopes while wearing gloves.

Buy Griffin iFM (Dock Connector) / FM Radio and Wired Remote Control for iPod Now

I love my iPod, and what's more I love iTunes (especially since I have gotten a broadband connection.) One of the things I like doing in my apartment on Saturday mornings is listening to my music, but often, I alternate this with public radio from my iTunes (by way of a streamed URL feed.)

So, when I go out, I wander around town with my iPod, but I chose to get rid of my other portable FM radio a while ago when it broke, and haven't replaced it since.

Until now. I picked up the iFM by Griffin Technologies to test and review for as part of the local Apple User Group, and I was immediately taken with the device.

This is a great iPod accessory. To use it, you need any iPod with a dock connector (such as the mini, the nano, the video or the older generation iPod with a dock connector.) I use the device with my mini iPod.

The connector snaps into place and a cable connects you from iPod to the iFM remote. Then instead of connecting your earbuds (or other earphones) to the top of your iPod in the usual place, plug into the remotes connector. The audio quality is indistinguishable. And with a flip of a button, you can chose between the iPod's selection and whatever's on you local FM radio.

And I found the reception to be pretty good (better than compared to the radio in my car anyway.) I suspect this is due to the remotes cable connection between the iPod and itself, acting as an antenna.

However, for me, this cable was the only detractor of the iFM. And I believe this is just because it was hard for me to get used to having it around (I almost zipped the cord into my jacket a couple of times while using it walking around town.)

Otherwise, I liked the variety (and freedom) of being able to chose to listen to either my music on the iPod and that found on local FM.

The iFM has another advertised feature that I've yet to test -the remote has a microphone built-in. Unfortunately, my iPod is a mini, and it doesn't have the recording capability of the current models of the nano and the video iPods.

However, I found this a non-issue; since I'm not recording with my iPod, I don't miss the feature.

Read Best Reviews of Griffin iFM (Dock Connector) / FM Radio and Wired Remote Control for iPod Here

Functionally, the iFM is great. I like to use it for workouts at the gym to watch FM transmitted TV's. However, the construction is extremely cheap. I bought two of them and both fell apart. One fell apart the second time I used it. The construction is so cheap that I couldn't put it back together because the controls don't line up. I wish there was an alternative but I can't find one. I like being able to switch between iPod tunes and FM, but will have to carry two devices from now on.

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I received the iFM 2 months ago, and while the tuner is excellent -regularly pulling in stations I couldn't always get with other portable radiosthe build quality has left something to be desired.

First of all, the belt clip is made of a cheap plastic and snapped off easily when the cord snagged on something as I walked along. It didn't pull that hard, but it was enough. A metal part in place of the plastic one would have easily withstood the strain without complaint, and if not, could have been bent back into place. It wouldn't have snapped.

Second, I accidentally dropped it from waist height, and the whole unit fell apart. The parts snap together during assembly at the factory, so I was able to snap the housing back together, fortunately. However, it was disconcerting that it should be so prone to break or fall apart from these relatively light knocks or bumps. I emailed Griffin's customer service center, and unfortunately, they do not have replacement belt clips. *Sigh*

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Pros:

Good FM reception

good remote functionality

value for money

Cons:

build qaulity seems to be fragile, it still intact for me.

Eqaulizer button is too small to be usable.

both ipod dock connector and head phone jack come from the bottom, it would have been better if headphone jack comes out of the top