AAUG Reviews

by Marcia Arnold ,AAUG Member

When I finally purchased an iPod with a screen, I had already gotten plenty of advice from other iPod owners about how easily scratched the screens and bodies tended to be. I knew that I needed some kind of protection before I even opened the package.

The Griffin Reflect mirrored case is a tough, polycarbonate shell that not only protects the body of the iPod from dings and scratches of everyday handling, but also looks and feels very sleek. The back portion is a rubberized non-slip finish that is also transparent. Instructions on the back of the packaging are minimal and to the point and include an explanatory diagram. There is a notch in the bottom right corner that comes apart easily by inserting a coin and gently twisting. Simply place the iPod on one half and snap the other half together and youíre ready for some carefree jamming.

I really like the mirrored finish, but it does not cover the click wheel. That said, itís extremely attractive while serving its main purpose, which is protection of the iPod body and video screen. Controls are easily accessible through the open bottom while the weight and size increase is minimal: (more…)

by Gary Miller ,AAUG Member

The new RaodTrip with SmartScan works perfect. I had about given up on using a FM Transmitter plugged into my car’s cigarette lighter/power adapter to pick up clear signals for listening to my Ipods in the car. I wanted a charger for my iPod, and a way of having the iPod be easier to see, versus just sitting it on the passenger seat. And I wanted more than one FM station to switch to in case of poorer signal strength/static. Now the genie heard my requests, and YES, Griffin Technology, just released the RoadTrip with SmartScan, it hit a home run~

Here’s how easy this gadget necessity is to use. It plugs into your cigarette lighter or power adapter on your console, then with it’s flexible neck,that allows infinite ways on bending so you can see your iPod’s face, use the click wheel, and the function screen on it. It’s lit up, for easy viewing, white on black, so I could see it in bright daylight or at night with ease! I aligned it, and then used my Ipod Video, 5th generation with it’s case on, yes, finally, a device that allows you to keep your case on. Next, I was driving, so I pulled over in the worst reception area, and used the Scan feature to find 3 unique blank station frequencies for tuning into. I then synced 3 of the same radio stations on my car’s audio system. Next I decided to use it’s MODE (more…)

by Gary Miller ,AAUG Member

As many shuffle users know, it’s small, has a clip, but we’d like a way of having it on your arm, so we can easily use the click wheel to change selections. Enter the Tempo for iPod Shuffle by Griffin Technology, makers of all things great and wonderful.

The Tempo is made a stretchable fabric, like velcro, that will fit any arm. It has an adjustment if you need it. Think the blood pressure wrap around.. It has reflective accents for high visibility too. Machine washable, and with a soft inner lining to avoid scratches. But because the Shuffle isn’t covered, I found I did bang it. Could use a simple cover over it.

All in all, the Tempo for Shuffle by Griffin Technology works great.

by Richard Geiger ,AAUG Member

I picked up the leather Griffin Elan Sleeve for the Apple’s iPhone in search for a more protective case with a belt clip. The case looked like it offered more protection than the leather Incase case I am presently using on my iPhone.

I like the Elan Sleeve because it has more protection around the iPhone camera lens on the top of the iPhone and the phone fits tight in the case. The case comes with a plastic mask but it does not cover the home button. In addition it comes with a cleaning cloth. The sleeve has a two directional belt clip which can be used vertical or horizontal direction. Being able to change direction without having to purchase an additional case is a great benefit. If you need to change direction you just pull out the clip out and change direction. I found the clip belt clip weak compared to the Incase I am presently using. The sleeve does not fit snug around the iPhone home button and the leather seems to flair up making it harder to access the home button.

I found the Griffin Elan Sleeve for the Apple’s iPhone to be a good case. It offers good protection for a leather case. However, the case does not fit well around the home button and the belt clip is weak.

by Zachary Zaletel (With input from iPhone owner Chris Schutte), AAUG Member

The Griffin SmartShare + Adapter package is labeled as the “must-have connections for your iPhone,” though I think the more accurate description would be the “nice to have connections for your iPhone in two or three specific situations.” The package contains two separate devices: first is the Headphone Adapter that lets you use any 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo-mini plug headphones with your iPhone. Though Griffin says “without our Adapter, most available headphones won’t fit,” that simply is not the case. All of the headphones I own except for one pair fit into the iPhone headphone jack, and the one pair that didn’t fit was my studio reference Sony MDR-V900s. Those cans are way too large to lug around with me all the time anyway, not to mention way to overpowered for the less than high-fidelity sound quality of the iPhone/iPod. But more importantly, if you really want to upgrade your headphones for the iPhone, why not just buy a pair that have the microphone already built-in? I love my V-Moda earbuds and bet that the V-Moda Vibe Duo iPhone-compatible headphones/headset are a much smarter investment.

The second item in the package is the SmartShare adapter that lets you plug two sets of headphones into one headphone jack, so each listener can each set their own volume level. Of the two items in the package, this is the more useful – though in very specific situations. (more…)

by Wayne Watson, AAUG Member

This sport armband measures 3″ x 5″ and has an elastic velcro band that accommodates my skinny 13-year-old son’s arms (biceps) as well as my adult biceps. I selected this sport armband for my wife along with an iPod Touch as a Christmas present. She works out three times a week and has enjoyed taking her new iPod to the gym with her–in the sport armband. The armband can be used with either the iPhone or iPod Touch. The neoprene backing allows for easy washing. The iPod can be carried rather roughly as you are getting ready to work out without fear that it will fall out of the armband pouch.

My wife’s iPod Touch fit snugly inside the rubber housing that features a clear plastic face. There was no problem pressing the iPod’s feature through the plastic sheet. The plastic cover sheet feels very sturdy but not so thick that the finger pressure does not register on the iPod’s face “desktop”.

The iPod Touch slides inside the band’s pocket from the top, allowing a slit on the bottom if you want to charge or sync the iPod while it is in the armband. The only drawback I found was accessing the headphone jack (plug-in hole) through the factory slit on the bottom. This does not appear to be a problem because the material/cloth stretches back to allow access to the hole. (I wonder if this could be remedied on future iPod Touches by moving the jack hole closer to the synch connector.

The armband protects the iPod Touch or iPhone and looks good at the same time.

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

When Mrs Claus brought me a new iPhone, I wanted to protect it. I had reason to worry with my various iPod’s and scratches no matter how I attempted to protect them. Griffin Technology is a leader in ways to accomplish exactly what we users want and need, and with the new Elan Form hard shell case, they did it perfectly.

What one sees very quickly about this case is how they knew we’d need a hard shell that would snap around the iPhone keeping dirt and liquids out, and yet, an outer layer of nice black leather to hold onto, and enjoy it’s tactile feel.

When i decided to install it, I opened the plastic display case, and inside I found:

Top Grain leather outer shell with high quality look/feel
protective polycarbonate inner shell that surrounds and shields iPhone
static peel screen protector and quality cleaning cloth
and installation instructions

I found it easy to snap the case on, and still easily use the various buttons, switches, and camera on the iPhone. I use the phone, then put it into my pocket in my jeans or coat, and it protects it perfectly, no worries, never has come apart either.

I highly recommend Griffin Technologies new Elan Form hard shell case with nice quality leather outer shell.

by Guy Okada, AAUG Member

When I first saw Griffin’s mirrored case for iPod touch called Reflect, I wanted it because it projected the sleek look of the touch. I was also looking for a case that would not add a lot of heft to the slimness of the iPod touch.

Included with the case is a clear film cover that you peel the backing off and apply over the iPod touch’s screen thus protecting it. When you do it, I suggest that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to reduce fingerprints that you may leave on the sticky surface. Applying this film over the screen is not easy to do without leaving a small air bubble or two. Try as I did, I still had one small bubble near a corner that I couldn’t get rid of but it does not detract from the screen much.

Reflect’s polycarbonate case with mirrored finish keeps my iPod touch snug and secure. Your iPod touch cannot have any other covering on it like the popular shields that are being sold because of the tightness of the fit. To open the case there is a small notch at the bottom right corner that you use a coin to twist to open. (more…)

by Dave Enders, AAUG Member

I recently just bought an iPhone and although it includes an ac adapter , Apple has made no provision for charging in your vehicle. That is where the Power Jolt for iPhone comes in. Compatibility with other iPods can be found here. It should be noted that although the iPod Touch is not listed, Tech Support did confirm that it is compatible with the Power Jolt for iPhone.

The Power Jolt for iPhone works , it just seems to be lacking a bit in attention to detail. My observations included that the cigarette lighter portion is loose when inserted into the socket and feels cheaply made. My Motorola adapter fits snug and feels like a quality build. Being winter here in Anchorage, the usb cable was not very flexible in the colder temperature. I would like to see a retractable or coiled cord and one that remains flexible in the cold. My final observation was that the dock connector portion is difficult to insert into the iPhone (or iPod), the Apple cable or my Griffin cable from my Power Block do not have these problems. Perhaps , I just got a bad cable although nothing appears to be visually suspect with this cable. (more…)

by Elaine Robinson, AAUG Member

Apple’s iTouch™ is a thing of beauty and I want to keep mine that way sans scratches and such. The Griffin elan Convertible Leather flip top case seemed to be the answer to keeping the iTouch its the original pristine condition.

It seems everything today comes encased in plastic and you need heavy duty scissors and sometimes bandaids in the end to finally get it open. Griffin packaging, although plastic, did not require any tools and opened quite easily. Once opened, the lovely smell of top-grain leather emerges. It was quite intuitive to slip the iTouch into the case. It fits perfectly and exposes the entire screen and Home button. The top is open for the on/off button and the bottom affords full accessibility for your earpods and the USB cable connection. The stylishly embossed flip cover is sturdy and magnetized at the bottom to keep the cover closed. Also in the box was a static peel screen protector and a soft cleaning cloth.

The features include a soft microfiber lining to prevent scratching, a removable two-way clip for belt, bag, pocket or briefcase. The flip cover can be removed and reversed for horizontal viewing and serves as a built-in stand. The static peel screen protector is great to keep scratches from your iTouch screen. The screen protector is sandwiched between two plastic sheets with attached labels 1 and 2. (more…)