GOOD TO KNOW:

• Perfect for roadtrips
• Easily transportable
• One-touch SmartScan functionality
• Works with the iPhone and iPod Touch

After a somewhat rocky start with issues regarding tuning and maintaining a stable connection, I am finding the iTrip an absolute pleasure to use. The device is tiny and it fits into the palm of my hand making it easy to transport, even when I'm not using a handbag, I can just slip it into my pocket. The size of the device makes it very easy keep on me at all times so I don't have to leave it in my car and risk it being stolen.

Once I had figured out that using the SmartScan functionality was the easiest way to find an 'empty' station on my radio, tuning the device was as easy as - well - pushing one button on the device and matching my radio frequency. Simple. Smart. Exactly as it's intended to be.

However, I still had a few issues with the iTrip in terms of maintaining a stable connection to the frequency selected. I figured out that the closer the device and my iPod were to the radio the more stable the connection would be. This meant having the device in clear view, placed in the small open cubby below my radio, which is rather risky and I would have preferred to be able to leave the iPod and iTrip in the closed glove compartment rather than in plain view, just asking to be grabbed.

I have a feeling that if the device was connected directly to the radio the frequency connection would have been stronger and in fact I would rather replace my radio with one that has a built in iPod connection than rely on this version of the iTrip. You see, this one plugs directly into your iPod, as opposed to others I have seen that plug into your car's cigarette lighter, and then into your iPod.

The advantage of this particular iTrip should be apparent if you have a car that comes without a cigarette lighter, as it does not need to draw power from your car battery. There's also no cable clutter, which can get a bit dangerous when wires start getting tangled around the gearstick.

So if you're all about convenience and the freedom of being wireless wherever you are, then this iTrip would be appropriate. If you're like me, however, (and you have an unused cigarette lighter in your car) I'd suggest looking at other versions of the iTrip, that can charge your iPod or iPhone while it's playing.

Turn ons:

• Small, light and compact
• Wireless and clutterfree
• SmartScan really makes for easy tuning

Turn offs:

• Trouble maintaining connection
• Device needs to be quite close to the radio
• Doesn't charge your iPod or iPhone while playing

Overall rating: 3/5

SRP: R899.00