May 23 2005
DLO TransPod FM Transmitter Car Kit for iPod
Do you think it would give too much away to say that I think I have a new favorite
iPod FM transmitter?
Seriously. There is so little not to like about the DLO TransPod. And if you
were like me and thought it was no different than the Griffin RoadTrip, you
may be intrigued by its subtle differences. I’ve tried both and prefer the TransPod.
It adapts to any dock connecting iPod or iPod mini taking a firm hold on the
device. It comes packaged with soft adhesive spacers for slimmer iPods and even
an adapter for iPod minis. The TransPod then attaches to either the cigarette
adapter arm (which, by the way, has one more posable joint than the one supplied
with the RoadTrip) or the dash mount "Base Dock" adapter (no such
option with the RoadTrip). This allows you to choose between having a posable
and removable plastic arm keep your iPod in reach while you drive or go hardcore
and actually install the TransPod as a permanent fixture in your vehicle. The
TransPod is packaged with a second auto-charger specifically for the Base Dock.
Both the arm and Base Dock options have their pros and cons:
MOUNTING
OPTIONS:
A) Cigarette Adapter Arm
Pros: Arm is extremely posable. Allows you to have your
iPod accessible while driving. Offers the option to hide your status as an
iPod owner when you leave you car parked by allowing you to take all traces
of the device with you.Cons: Over time the connection between your cigarette lighter
and the adapter part of the arm will loosen and may send your TransPod flailing
during high speed chases. The weight of the iPod can also affect connectivity
with the car cigarette adapter when disregarding speed bumps or pulling G’s.
B) Base Dock Dash Mount Adapter
Pros: Provides a solid base for attaching the TransPod to
your dash. It may be possible to attach the adapter to an Arkon SR-88 15"
Flexible Gooseneck Satellite Radio Mount.Cons: Requires screwing the device into your dashboard.
With the prevalence of passenger side airbags, many users will find their
vehicle has no acceptable spot to attach this adapter.
Once you’ve decided how you’re going to use the TransPod to connect your iPod
to your car, the rest is easy and pleasurable. The FM transmitter in the Transpod
is comparable to that of the Griffin RoadTrip, Sonnet PodFreq or, I suspect,
any consumer level, dock connector, iPod FM transmitter that conforms to US
FCC regulations. It is, however, much better than any top mounted FM transmitter
I have tested. Connecting through the dock connector and not the earphone jack
is key here in my opinion. The TransPod covers the entire FM spectrum down to
a tenth of a megahertz.
Choosing an FM frequency is easy using the up and down arrow buttons situated
on the side of the TransPod and the backlit LCD (a feature missing from the
PodFreq) makes the display of the frequencies easy to read in most conditions.
The Transpod also has an additional button for accessing 6 preset frequencies
that, unfortunately, are not user assignable. If these 6 frequencies are not
clear enough in your area for you to use, this feature still comes in handy
for jumping ahead several channels in the pursuit of a known vacant one.
For long distance drivers, the folks at DLO have included an Auxiliary Output
for those times when no clear signal is to be had. You can simply acquire a
cassette adapter (if your car has a play that is) or even a set of travel speakers
and plug them right into the TransPod. This feature may even come in handy if,
down the road a way, you get a car audio system that has an auxiliary input.
With the DLO TransPod, you have options, my friends.
If
you like to use your iPod as a personal recorder, the DLO TransPod will not
stand in your way. The top of your iPod is totally accessible, leaving it available
for use with a microphone adapter or any of the vast selection of top mounted
iPod accessories. I suppose you could even attach another FM transmitter through
the earphone jack and compare the difference in transmission clarity as I did.
The DLO TransPod not only fits various iPods, but it also suits various cars.
The device comes in white, silver and black to match your standard white iPod,
black iPod U2 or silver iPod mini, but also give thought to how a big white
plastic arm is going to look in your car. Most car interiors are on the dark
side so consider matching your interior also. The Black DLO TransPod was the
ticket for me.
There are a few options missing from the DLO TransPod and a few minor issues
I have with it, so I thought I should mention them. The PodFreq which I reviewed
earlier runs off the iPod battery and thus allows you to take your FM transmitting
activities out of the car. If that ability is important to you, you will not
be able to do that with the TransPod.
Another minor is the lack of an off button. If you leave the TransPod in your
car when it’s parked, the TransPod stays active even if the iPod is removed.
It doesn’t draw much power of course but it does constantly display the frequency
on which you transmit which adds to the other aspects of the device that will
make it too attractive for thieves to pass by. If you, like me, decide then
to take the TransPod out of the car when you park, you will find that the button
placement causes you to change your FM frequency as you remove the cradle from
the arm. Also the repeated detaching and reattaching wears on and loosens the
grip your cigarette adapter has on the arm. There is nothing much I can think
of that DLO could do to make the TransPod less of an auto-crime target without
making it less of a competitive product, but I feel the warning should be made
here if you are in the market for any of the iPod car kit solutions. You will
have the same issues with the Griffin RoadTrip or any other similar device.
All in all, the DLO TransPod is loaded options and should fit all your iPod
car kit needs.
