Griffin Auto Pilot (Amazon $19.99!)

Hawk · 02-25-2009, 05:54 PM

If you have read any of my other posts about finding the correct docking solution in my car, you might know that I was trying to make a car dock out of an old V1 dock. Something I could simply dock my phone in and then it would be connected (via the dock) to power and audio. And you would also know that although still in the early stages, I failed to build my beast.
So I decided to go retail and here is what I have purchased so far :
( I know, I know, you want to hear about whats in the title, I'm getting to it.)
1) 3.5mm ground loop isolator
2) Griffin Auto Pilot for iPods ( I have an iPhone 3g)
3) Dice iPod dock with pass-through connector and 2.5mm video out

I ordered on Monday. The first 2 from Amazon, the last from Vivid Racing ( I get the impression that it's going to be a long while before I see the dock)

So today, I got the Auto Pilot. I hadn't't even parked the car when I opened it up and plugged it in. I was now in my car, in the CLOSED garage with the engine still running...Yeah, excitement sometimes removes the smarts.
Mind you that this is apparently waiting for Apple approval for listing the iPhone 3G, but I am very happy to report it worked perfectly. I connected the line from my cassette adapter to the plug, set the setting to high, and stuck it into the socket.
I connected my phone, which was locked/asleep. It immediately showed it was charging. No message about this product not being made for the iphone or anything like that.
Still with the locked screen, I hit the play button on the side of the unit and my ears were about torn apart from the System of a Down song that started playing VERY LOUDLY. Quckly set it to "low" and turned the stereo down and everything was great.
My cigarette port is on the right side of the console, and my phone on the left. The cable coming out of the Auto Pilot comes out on the right and I inserted it with the cable on the left. Took me a second to realize that I was hitting back and not forward...
All functions work fabulously and not error messages. This is a great car accessory for those that simply want to use their AUX in on their stereos.

More soon... ( With Pics!)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WKW6HS
$19.99 from DiscountJungle

psylichon · 02-25-2009, 06:19 PM

Good looking out, Hawk. I just placed an order. $25 with shipping from Discount Jungle through Amazon.

My Griffin recently bit it due to rock salt... I cleaned it up the best I could, but it won't charge my phone at all anymore and I was looking for another unit with the same functionality. This looks like just the thing.

Tell me more about the ground loop isolator... is this to get rid of "alternator whine"? Do you need it with the Griffin? Got a link? Thanks... I definitely had this issue with the Belkin, so I'd like to know where to get these and if they work.

Hawk · 02-25-2009, 06:36 PM

It is to get rid of the whine, but mine is more from the cassette player than anything else. And it's not terrible, but I would rather avoid it if I can.
Believe it or not, now that you mention it, I don't really recall any whine with the Auto Pilot.... I'll test after dinner.

Anyway, IF you need it, this is what you want:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015G2EZ2
I was being pre-emptive more than anything else. Some people have horrible whine while others don't have anything at all.

I have a high pitched Hiss from the cassette adapter itself whether the iphone is connected or not.

psylichon · 02-25-2009, 07:43 PM

I don't think a ground loop isolator will solve your tape noise issues, but I could be wrong. My issue is a high-pitched whine that varies with intensity, but at times can be a deal-breaker. Because of that, I've only been using the Belkin to charge and have a second 3.5mm cord for headphone jack connection. Obviously, this is not pretty nor ideal, so I'm hoping this new unit doesn't have the same issues. How long is the dock connector cable?

On the Element, the aux port and charger are right next to each other and I have a 3" audio cable jumper that works perfectly... as long as it doesn't whine

Let us know more about your experiences as you... um... have them

Hawk · 02-25-2009, 08:33 PM

Well I just went down and tested, and it's a hiss and only when a song is paused with the volume up loud. I also found a couple other things out as well.
1) I got the error. I tried every different way to connect and found that the only way you don't get the error is if you connect to the phone and THEN plug the auto pilot into the cigarette lighter port -which is what I did the first time I tried it out. I figure it's something to do with the power. Maybe there is a slight residual charge or something that causes this. When I get my dice dock, I'll just dock the phone and then plug in the Auto pilot, if it really bothers me, but because my phone it right there next to the steering wheel, it takes no time to hit NO. Hey, maybe my dock will stop the error altogether. It could happen.
2) When you turn off the car or unplug the auto pilot, the ipod stops playing. Very Very important. Apparently the Kensington unit does NOT stop playing for some reason, but since it's connected, there is no way to hear it through the iPhone speakers. People would leave their iPhones connected in the car over night and come back the next day to find it dead with the Kensington version. I'm not dumb enough to leave my phone in the car, so I will never fully test this out, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to drain my battery if I did leave it connected and the car off.
Other than that, it functions just like it should, and for the price of just 20 bucks, I am definitely not complaining.
The kensington unit has a male 3.5mm jack off of it, so I couldn't use my deck without a Female to female connector. But it does come with a remote. I'd say about 70% of the reviews were positive for the Kensington Liquid AUX, but that 30% complained of parts breaking, parts not working, poor shielding, etc. That kinda pushed me to the Auto Pilot.

psylichon · 02-25-2009, 08:59 PM

Yeah, I don't need the controls of the Liquid Aux. I have volume controls on the steering wheel, and my iPhone mount situates the iphone almost flush with the steering wheel to the right so it's easy to reach.

seanwes · 02-25-2009, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by psylichon

Yeah, I don't need the controls of the Liquid Aux. I have volume controls on the steering wheel, and my iPhone mount situates the iphone almost flush with the steering wheel to the right so it's easy to reach.

Do you have pics of that setup dave?

psylichon · 02-25-2009, 09:13 PM

Somewhere on here. Let me try and find it.

Ah yes... from this thread:

http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum...dge-37806.html

Keep in mind I had to modify that cheapo ebay mount to make it work for my iPhone in case.

Hawk · 02-25-2009, 10:05 PM

That's very much about the same place I keep mine, which is why the accessory error I get is not that big a deal. Extend my finger and all is fine.

seanwes · 02-25-2009, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by psylichon

Somewhere on here. Let me try and find it.

Ah yes... from this thread:

http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum...dge-37806.html

Keep in mind I had to modify that cheapo ebay mount to make it work for my iPhone in case.

very nice. how is the mount attached?

edit: nm, saw this post.