Navigate Inline controller and FM radio(tuner) for iPhone and iPod
Product Review
Contact: +1 (615)-399-7000
Price: $ 59.99
Pros: The Navigate device works like a charm bringing in every FM station in a given area. It’s ability to bring in the classical radio station is a very large plus for me.
Cons: Only 4 station presets; more would be better.
Product Rating
Impressive
by Bob Thomas, AAUG Member
I initially had purchased the Apple device (iPod Radio Remote) for FM radio for my iPod, however when I received my iPhone I did not have the ability to listen to FM. I enjoy listening to a variety of music and therefore I don’t download as much music as a lot of people who download music all of the time. When I saw that Griffin had come out with such a device I was very happy to have the opportunity to acquire one through the AAUG and also evaluate it as well. It works like a charm!
It weighs only an ounce or two and has about three (3) feet of cable. There are six buttons, play/pause, volume up, down, next and previous buttons, mode button and a sliding lockout switch on the top. There is the standard connection to the iPod/iPhone. It has a clip on the back for attaching to a belt or piece of clothing. However, due to the small size of the Navigate the clip part if small.
When you initially plug it in to your iPhone it goes directly to your iTunes playlist. There is an OLED screen display showing the artist and song. In the FM mode it shows the station. There are only four presets for radio stations. The local 98.1 classical music station [FLEF FM 98.1] comes in clear as a bell whereas in some other devices and even some FM radios you don’t receive the reception as well as the Navigate.
Supposedly, there is going to be an application called iFM by Griffin sometime this year, 2009. I checked at the App Store and nothing is listed as of this review date, June 2009.
The Navigate works with my iPod 60GB. You can bring up the playlist, artist, etc. I use it primarily with my iPhone while I exercise.
Suggestion: Have the various buttons have a contrasting white color versus all black.
