On Thursday, July 21, 2005, Barry Midgorden reviewed the TransPod FM, which is billed as "The only all-in-one car solution you'll ever need for your iPod!" The TransPod FM is an entertainment product made by Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) and works with dock-able iPods (and iPod minis, too). It doesn't matter if you use your iPod with a Macintosh or a Windows PC. Barry gave it an overall rating of 6, "Good," with a required skill level of 1, "Anyone Can Use It." (Note: All ratings on this page are based upon a seven point scale.) Barry will use it in both his and his wife's car, at various locations and would recommend it to friends, coworkers, and family members. Barry had the following special comments to make about the DLO TransPod FM:
"The DLO TransPod FM charges your iPod (or iPod mini) while you listen to your digital music collection on your car's FM radio. It has an auxiliary sound output, adjustable mount and charging arm, and includes a dash-mounted option, which allows you to move your iPod between two automobiles by taking only the base dock back and forth."
The TransPod FM is easy to install, and extremely easy to configure and use. The documentation is rather sparce, but good. Barry had the following comments about the TransPod FM support and documentation:
"It has worked so well--as advertised--that I have not needed to contact DLO support. The double-sided sheet of documentation was adequate, but poorly designed."
Barry thought the top 5 points about the DLO TransPod FM were:
- Charges the iPod while in use
- Multi-position adjustable mounting arm
- Easy to read LCD display for FM frequency
- Securely holds iPod in base dock, even on bumpy dirt roads
- I don't have to listen to the limited radio offerings available in this area
Mr. Midgorden had the following special good comments to make about the TransPod FM:
"As indicated, the DLO TransPod FM is very easy to configure and use. It comes in three colors: white, black, and silver. I had been in the market for an FM transmitter for my iPod for some time. And while there are certainly cheaper options available, only a very few charge your iPod at the same time (without purchasing an additional accessory) and most of them are only compatible with the iPod mini. The DLO TransPod FM is an excellent value given that it works with all dockable iPods and the iPod mini and gives you accessories for mounting in two vehicles."
Barry noted the following 4 negative points about TransPod FM:
- The package was extremely difficult to open
- Target ran out of them when they were on sale before I was able to purchase one
- The limited documentation/instructions were a bit hard to read due to poor layout design
- The application of depth customizing pads was awkward
Mr. Midgorden had the following special negative comments to make about the TransPod FM:
"My gripes about the product are minor (and one isn't even a gripe against the product, but was my own fault for not buying when I first saw it on sale). The packaging would have been easier to open if I had not wanted to keep it for storing the parts and accessories I was not going to use all the time. But because I was trying to open it without destroying it, it took a bit more patience. The documentation was certainly adequate for such a simple device; I just thought it could have been designed better given such a finely designed product. The one real gripe has to do with the self-adhesive felt pads that are used to customize the base dock for the varying thicknesses of the different iPod models. (To use an iPod mini, there is an insert that slides into the dock to make a pocket just the right size for the mini--no felt pads needed.) The adhesive is very tacky and it's awkward to get it into the exact right position without accidentally getting it stuck before you are ready for it to be stuck. All in all a very minor gripe. The pad is a nice touch to keep the back of the iPod from excessive scratching while in the base dock; it cushions the iPod as well as providing a custom fit so the iPod will not move around in the dock.
Barry had the following overall observations to make about the TransPod FM:
"Overall, I am very happy with this device. If you are a Windows or a Macintosh user with an iPod and have not purchased an accessory for listening to your tunes in your car yet, I highly recommend the DLO TransPod FM."
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Date Revised: 13 August 2005
