Griffin Smart Deck

[atomx]

I've been waiting for this to become available, but Griffin keeps pushing back the release date. They just emailed me, and stated that it looks like mid-October.

For those of you who don't know about this product:

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/smartdeck/index.php

This product looks like a nice upgrade from adapters that are currently available.

At least my tried and true Sony adapter (from an OLD Walkman!) still works.

[foobart]

I've been waiting for this for the last several months. It seems like these Griffin guys really can't get their act together. Everytime they keep saying next month, this quarter etc..

I'd really like to speak with the product manager at Griffin to see what the problem really is. They demoed this early this year, right? One or two of the sales guys who answer the phone parrot the same new deadline everytime which they never seem to keep anyways.

Is there any reason to believe they'll ship it in October?

[ipodaround]

Guys, the Smart Deck is now available on the Griffin web site.

[foobart]

Anyone found this available anyplace other than at Griffin? I need 2, so would be better if I can find a cheaper place. I can't seem to find it anywhere else in stock yet..

Also, anyone receive theirs from Griffin?

[poky]

Are these really shipping yet? Has anyone actually held one or tested one? Anyone???

[seymouru]

Originally posted by ipodaround
Guys, the Smart Deck is now available on the Griffin web site. It's been available for ordering on their website since January. But it doesn't say it's available for shipping. The FAQ still says:When will SmartDeck be available?

SmartDeck will be available in the third quarter of 2005. You may pre-order now through our online store.It's now two weeks into the 4th quarter of 2005. :rolleyes:

[enjoisoad]

they probobly wont release it now because of the 5th generation ipod it is already obsolete. look at the jack.

[macattacks10]

They already have a version where it plugs into the dock connector.

[-James]

My dad just ordered one and the website he got it from (www.essentialipod.co.uk) said they should be available on October 20th.

[HalloweenOnXmas]

lol, theyve been out for atleast a week. Theres was one at my local best buy, last wednesday...

[seymouru]

From: Mychal - Griffin Tech Support <support@griffintechnology.com>
To: seymouru
Subject: Re: Your Order with Griffin Technology
Date: Oct 17, 2005 1:53 PM
On 10/16/05 2:08 PM, you wrote:

> Hello,
>
> Could you please tell me when my order will be shipped? I understand the
> product is now available in some retail stores (e.g., Best Buy).

We are shipping preorders only right now (in limited quantities) and hope to have all preorders cleared within 4 weeks or so.

We are working very hard to get out all orders and will send out shipping notices to you once your order ships.

In the meantime, your credit card will *not* be charged until we actually ship your order.

Our apologies for the inconvenience.

[okidoki]

Anyone know if the Smartdeck will wake (turn on) your iPod when your iPod is OFF?

[NISSAMISSA]

Be careful, totally disfunctional in a 2005 Maxima. Sending it back today, after Griffin admitted it won't work in late model Nissan's

[poky]

It seems like we really need a thread to list which cars or maybe more appropriately, which stereo head units have been confirmed to work or not work with this device.

I've got a 2000 VW Jetta with factory unit and I'm planning on buying the SmartDeck with dock connector once they're shipping. Anyone try yet with a 1999 - 2002 VW factory unit?

All others who have actually tried the SmartDeck in a car, please post your results, including make, model, year and details of the stereo unit itself.

So far we've had a confirmed "No" on a 2005 Nissan Maxima. Maybe if we actually get some good results, we could make this thread sticky in the "In-Car Solutions" forum.

[evgeshais300]

Originally posted by NISSAMISSA
Be careful, totally disfunctional in a 2005 Maxima. Sending it back today, after Griffin admitted it won't work in late model Nissan's

Could you elaborate on what was wrong? How was the sound Q compared to sony tape adapter. ( was it the dock conector one or remote port). any explanation on why it wont work on Nissans? does it also include Infiniti?

[-James]

The site now says 3rd November...

[NISSAMISSA]

Track controls did not work, made horrible loud noise while playing, also a great deal of backgound static. I'm also using the Sony and the difference is night and day in terms of SQ. Stay away from this product if you have a Nissan cassette player. Verified by Griffin support who may issue a buyer caution statement regarding this.

[evgeshais300]

Originally posted by NISSAMISSA
Track controls did not work, made horrible loud noise while playing, also a great deal of backgound static. I'm also using the Sony and the difference is night and day in terms of SQ. Stay away from this product if you have a Nissan cassette player. Verified by Griffin support who may issue a buyer caution statement regarding this.

thanks for info, i asume it was remote port one.

[poky]

Well, I was wondering what was going to happen to the dock version since the pre-order page has said that it will ship in late October, and late October is now officially behind us. Looks like they changed it over night to say that it will ship in November...hmmm

Does anyone else have any experience with the remote port version? I'd really like to know if this thing is actually worth waiting for.

[davidkfraser]

This is a report on the use of a Griffin Smartdeck with Remote and Headphone connector (NOT Dock connector) in a Saab 9-3 (1999, UK T-Reg)

Summary:

1. FF/FW controls intermittent.
2. Low sound volume.
3. Loud tape mechanism noise.

Detail:

The biggest problem is that the FF and FW works intermittently.

The problem seems to be with the smartdeck correctly interpreting the commands and implementing them whilst in "Skip" mode. "Study" mode seems to work a lot better but since I don't want to use it this is annoyingly irrelevant.

Occassionally it recognises the Fast Forward command and goes to the next track within a few seconds of my pressing the steering wheel button. This is the exception rather than the rule.

Usually If I want to Fast forward, I have to press the ">>" button on my steering wheel until the cassette player goes into "skip" mode (signalled by a beep and the words "tape skip" on the dash display.) I then wait for a full ten seconds or more then press ">>" again. That always works.

To skip back a track I have to press "next" twice at one second intervals (if in the first 5 seconds of a song) or four times (at any other point in the song). The "next" button swaps the tape sides one way then back again. I'm sure that the FW control works as well as the FF does - but this is quicker.

The second problem is that the sound volume is low (and occassionally fades out altogether for a half-second). This seems to be related to the "anti-clipping" mode, possibly coupled with the saab's dynamic volume level (which compensates for road noise by raising the volume). As a side note, playing "Side B" is impossibly quiet - it looks like this adapter only has tape simulation for Side A.

Finally, the tape mechanism is noisy. Whilst driving I don't notice this at all, but at rest it is rather intrusive.

[mrb712]

I have a 2002 VW GTI with a factory-installed Monsoon system, and I just got my Smart Deck, after waiting for three months, only to have the Monsoon system kick the tape out with an error. Actually the stereo display reads: Error.

How vague.

Anyway, it works in the sense that it controls the iPod. I fiddled around with the tape deck/CD controls (they're the same, you know) while the tape deck was trying to recognize the thing, and the Smart Deck moved forward and backward through the playlist, but the iPod remained paused and wouldn't play. And then the tape deck spit the tape out. Very sad because this would be so cool to have to replace the iTrip, which works beautifully...outside of the Bay Area which is oversaturated with legit and pirate radio stations.

If anyone can make this work on the Monsoon system, I would love to hear about it.

Cheers,
mrb

[brianp6621]

Well I just got mine after waiting for a quite a while for them to become available in my area.

Here is my datapoint for a 2000 Chrysler Sebring LXi with stock stereo and a Old Ford truck with a Kenwood cassette deck.

Chrysler Sebring LXi

The Good
-----------------------------------------------------------
The adapter is accepted fine by the deck.
The audio quality seems rather good (have no recent tape adapter experience)
No perceptable noise from the tape motion.
The auto play/pause works as advertised.

The Bad
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Skip functions do not work. Every once and a while I'll manage to get it to work once but it is so infrequent to be useless. When I hit skip, my cassette deck does into FF scan mode and the ipod goes from play-->pause-->play within 1 sec. So the song is still playing while the deck is FF'ing. My cassette deck never stops FF'ing and I miss the song.
I haven't tried the scan mode as I don't care about that feature.


Ford Truck with Kenwood Deck

The adapter doesn't work at all. I mean at all, I don't even get audio out. Nothing. and I have confirmed the deck plays tapes fine.

So for me I am kinda torn. It works as a basic cassette adapter in only one of my vehicles (I don't have another method of getting ipod audio to my car stereos so if I return this I have to get something else) and the only real additional feature it offers is the auto play/pause feature.

What would I replace it with? A basic cassette adapter until they release a better version? I don't want an FM transmitter.

This sucks.

[poky]

Not much encouraging news thus far...

I'm still waiting for the dock version of this item to be released. In my view, if I have a docking cassette adapter that sounds good and gets the play/pause, this thing is probably worth it. On the other hand, if I found a different docking cassette adapter that was cheaper, I'd probably go that way, instead of waiting for this thing any longer. Does anybody know of another cassette adapter that connects via the dock?

Any bets when the pre-order page will change to say that it will ship in December?

[brianp6621]

Originally posted by poky
Not much encouraging news thus far...

I'm still waiting for the dock version of this item to be released. In my view, if I have a docking cassette adapter that sounds good and gets the play/pause, this thing is probably worth it. On the other hand, if I found a different docking cassette adapter that was cheaper, I'd probably go that way, instead of waiting for this thing any longer. Does anybody know of another cassette adapter that connects via the dock?

Any bets when the pre-order page will change to say that it will ship in December?

The dock version is released. I bought it at the Apple store here in San Jose on Saturday. This is the version I tested above. Like I summarized, in my main car the audio and play/pause works fine but all other control features don't work right.

[poky]

Thanks for the update brianp6621. Strange that they've got them in stores and yet the web page still says pre-order only. Anyone else seen one in stores, or is it a West Coast only item at this point?

I'm in Idaho with a Best Buy and Circuit City in town. Would really like to buy local in case of return. Anyone had one shipped from an online vendor? Amazon still says pre-order also.

[atomx]

Well, I ended up just getting the Sony CPA-9C adapter, especially after reading all of the negative feedback on the Apple website--there are far too many negative feedback reports to justify the $30 + shipping I'd have to pay to get this item.

So, I'll wait until Griffin works out the bugs and buy the dock version only if they resolve some of these issues.

[Rob9874]

A buddy let me use his in my Durango, to see if I wanted it. The cassette deck functions didn't work, and it sounded horrible. I'll stick with my Belkin charger/amp and Sony cassette adapter. Sounds much better. I'm disappointed, as I was excited about the cessette deck controls and "optimum sound quality".

[bltkmt]

Originally posted by mrb712
I have a 2002 VW GTI with a factory-installed Monsoon system, and I just got my Smart Deck, after waiting for three months, only to have the Monsoon system kick the tape out with an error. Actually the stereo display reads: Error.

How vague.

Anyway, it works in the sense that it controls the iPod. I fiddled around with the tape deck/CD controls (they're the same, you know) while the tape deck was trying to recognize the thing, and the Smart Deck moved forward and backward through the playlist, but the iPod remained paused and wouldn't play. And then the tape deck spit the tape out. Very sad because this would be so cool to have to replace the iTrip, which works beautifully...outside of the Bay Area which is oversaturated with legit and pirate radio stations.

If anyone can make this work on the Monsoon system, I would love to hear about it.

Cheers,
mrb

As noted in my separate thread, I have a 2001 VW Passat with the Monsoon system. While all of the Smartdeck functions seem to work fine with the Monsoon, the biggest "con" is that the Smartdeck is sending a signal to turn off the Monsoon periodically. Thus, my car stereo is shutting down every few minutes, and when I turn it back on I get a "Safe" message briefly. Talk about "vague"...

[brianp6621]

This is a followup. Based on the recommendations of this forum I ordered at Sony CPA-9C from Amazon for $10 and just got it over the weekend.

It works perfectly and silently and sounds better than the smartdeck (and this is through the headphone jack not the dock connector). And best of all it works fine in the crappy aftermarket tape deck(remember the smartdeck didn't even transmit the audio in this deck) in the truck.

So I am very happy now but the Smartdeck was such a let down. Oh well. I'm starting to wonder how Griffin got such iPod accessory maker status.

[evgeshais300]

i use sony adapter in combination with Griffine AirClick for mini, where remote is attached to gear shifter(Auto) and mini is in glove compartment. i usually keep it in rendom mode so it works out just perfect, skipping to next song or back never been better.

[wiredtothemax]

someday I'll learn to research before I make purchases.....


Hey, Griffin... can you say class action? 2 pages of replies and the FF/RR doesn't work for anyone, isn't that what this product advertises?

I smell a scam.

[Soup]

I got one at the Apple store a few weeks ago. As for the directional controls, I have no idea if they work or not. I have never tried them, I would just rather manually find the tracks, but when I am driving I am usually listening to a podcast and not music, so I don't need to change the track as often. I regularly drive 5 different vehicles, and the only one that it doesn't seem to perform well in is my F-150. The sound on the left side is noticable less than the right side, and the auto play/pause functions do not seem to work. In all of the other vehicles, the smartdeck gives better sound quality than any other product that I have tried.

[wiredtothemax]

with the Bose stereo package. The radio displays "tape error" and ejects the smartdeck.

What a piece of junk!

[Wilkie]

Got the SmartDeck as a Christmas gift. Plugged it in, the car deck reversed directions a couple times and ejected the adapter. Looks like I'll be returning it. Wanted a replacement for the Monster brand cassette that I have. The Monster is noisy, so I was hoping the SmartDeck would be better quality. Guess not!

[wiredtothemax]

how about a Griffin rep addressing this problem? Since iLounge is the premiere site I've got to think all the vendors troll these forums.

If this thing actually works how about a list of vehicles that recognize the FF & RR function.

[TylerInTampa]

My Acura TL spits out the device, and my partner's Lexus accepts it but the controls don't work all that well.

Returning today... oh well.

Anybody have good ideas for an '05 Acura TL w/ NAV & XM? I've tried several FM transmitters and they don't work well.

[wiredtothemax]

So here's the score card. This is a device that purports being able to play music via a cassette adapter and allow the user to FF/RR via the controls on the steering column or radio. Well many people like me found that in some cases you could actually get music to come out of your radio. But.... the FF/RR feature... the feature that we all bought this for doesn't work.

Now you maybe asking why does this guy even give a sh!@. Well I'm sick of hack vendor charging us for products that don't even come close to working as advertised, and if you’re like me your probably sick of it too. I just hope a few people see this post & tell their friends companies like Griffin need to feel it in the pocket book.

Score card:
NO - Late model Nissan
NO - Saab 9-3 1999
NO - 2002 VW GTI with a factory-installed Monsoon system
NO - 2000 Chrysler Sebring LXi
NO - Ford Truck with Kenwood Deck
NO - Dodge Durango
NO - Volvo S80 2004
NO - GMC Yukon XL (Bose sound package)
NO - Subaru Forester
NO - 2005 Acura TL
Kind off - 2005 Lexus RX330 (controls don't work that well) - REVISED - NO - doesn't work!
Kind of - 2001 VW Passat with the Monsoon system (car stereo is shutting down every few minutes) - REVISED - NO - doesn't work!

By my count that's 12 people that bought this and found it doesn't work.

[TylerInTampa]

Perhaps my post wasn't clear enough: the SmartDeck does work in the Lexus RX330 insofar as transmitting sound is concerned. It does that part well... very little tape noise is heard, and the iPod music comes through very clearly.

The controls do not work, however.

[brianp6621]

Another update and recommendation. If you are out there with tapedeck adapter problems I would suggest what most people have recommended for a long time. I got the Sony CP9A which gave me good sound in both of my vehicles (previously the griffin played but didn't even give sound in the trucks kenwood deck). For Xmas I received the Belkin car kit and this allows you to plug into the dock connector for better sound and the cassette adapter plugs into the belkin, so you're charging, and getting better quality audio through the dock connector at the same time.

All you have to figure out is where to leave the Belkin's volume control so that the ipod doesn't distort and/or is the same volume as all other sources from your deck(CD/Radio) and leave the volume fixed and use your radio's volume.

It works perfectly and I'm very happy with the solution.

[DanielNTX]

Ford Taurus Gen. 4 and Mercury Sable: controls don't work, but sound comes through

[BobH]

I posted some detailed comments on this in another thread, so I'll be brief here. This unit works great in my 2003 Honda CRV.

I haven't seen what I feel is the best feature of all mentioned yet. When you shut off the radio, it shuts off the iPod! No running down the Ipod's battery when you forget to turn the iPod off with your FM transmitter installed. Just click off the radio or turn off the car and your iPod stops. When you turn the radio back on, your tunes start where you left off. (You do miss hearing a second or two of the sound between turning it off and back on, but it's brief.)

[Soup]

Originally posted by BobH


I haven't seen what I feel is the best feature of all mentioned yet. When you shut off the radio, it shuts off the iPod! No running down the iPod's battery when you forget to turn the iPod off with your FM transmitter installed.

I agree and wish that I would have mentioned that part earlier. Like I mentioned earlier, the lack of the directional controls doesn't really concern me, but the auto stop and start is very nice.

[brianp6621]

I did like how the smartdeck autopaused if you stopped play the tape or switched the radio/car off but all its other drawbacks and price (and the fact I didn't even get audio out in one car) just made it not worth it.

I'll have to double check but I got the belkin autokit for Christmas which charges the iPod and allows for an amplified output from the dock connector and I'm pretty sure the autokit does something similar (at least autopausing when you turn the car off). However this only works when actually shutting the car off and if the lighter socket is switched (I think when the belkin loses power it autopauses the iPod) So this works very well for me even though I have to manually start the iPod again when turning the car back on.

[iscripter]

Add me to the list of cars that do not work.

Does not work in a Toyota Camry LE 2004. I have the factory dual deck that has a CD player and tape deck in one unit. When I insert the Griffin (Not so smart) SmartDeck it will begin to play songs for about 20 seconds and then it will randomly FF, RW or Pause by it's self. The FF and RW functions do not work at all. The sound quality is very good though for the 20 seconds I can get it to play.

I am using the smartdeck-dock connector with a new 5G video ipod. With so many people having problems with this thing I wonder if Griffin even tested it in a variety of different car stereos.

[wiredtothemax]

Originally posted by iscripter

I am using the smartdeck-dock connector with a new 5G video ipod. With so many people having problems with this thing I wonder if Griffin even tested it in a variety of different car stereos.

I think not.

BTW, I should have clarified that I had tried the Smartdeck adapter that plugs into the headphone jack and the tab slot on the top of my 30GB photopod. I saw that Best Buy had a model that plugs into the dock connector. Has anyone tried that one? I'd really like for one of these to work.

[brianp6621]

Originally posted by wiredtothemax
I think not.

BTW, I should have clarified that I had tried the Smartdeck adapter that plugs into the headphone jack and the tab slot on the top of my 30GB photopod. I saw that Best Buy had a model that plugs into the dock connector. Has anyone tried that one? I'd really like for one of these to work.

Yep, that's the one I and a few others on this thread tested. No difference in how well it works it seems other than where it connects to the ipod.

[Soup]

I bought thr onr that connects thru the dock connector, adn that is probably the reason that I like this thing. It sounds better than the CD's sound. But the fujnctions don't seem to work, and that is not a problem ssince I am used to using the ipod to switch songs and podcasts.

[poky]

I guess I should add my experience since I was on here begging for this thing.

I finally got my hands on one (dock version) in a RadioShack. I tried it in 2004 Chevy Suburban...spit it right back out and said check tape. Next, tried it my 2000 VW Jetta. It worked perfectly! I was ecstatic. Besides the slightly annoying delay when skipping tracks, it was exactly as I had hoped....until I let it sit in the car for an hour while I was in a store. I live in Idaho, and it's pretty cold here now, and when I came back to the car and started it the iPod starting going crazy, pausing and playing and pausing and playing about every second or two. After playing around a little more I'm convinced it was when the thing got cold, cause after a while it would seem to start working again.

Well, since it's always cold here and I don't want to take this inside every time I get out of my car, it went back to RadioShack. :( I had such high hopes. Back to square one.

[alfordsteven]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by poky
[B]It seems like we really need a thread to list which cars or maybe more appropriately, which stereo head units have been confirmed to work or not work with this device.

I've got a 2000 VW Jetta with factory unit and I'm planning on buying the SmartDeck with dock connector once they're shipping. Anyone try yet with a 1999 - 2002 VW factory unit?

All others who have actually tried the SmartDeck in a car, please post your results, including make, model, year and details of the stereo unit itself.

*************************

I have a 2006 Acura RSX with a Bose 6-CD changer. The Bose is unadaptable and has no AUX option. I bought a Griffin SmartDeck this morning at BestBuy in Fort Lauderdale, FL for thirty bucks. It works fine: songs are advanced with the tape controls, etc. I "blind" tested it against the traditional headphone cassette adaptor (i.e., my wife swapped them in and out while I closed my eyes). The Griffin was superior in sound quality--not so much muddy bass on U2's "Vertigo." While I would like to have something without wires sticking out of my cassette player, this product seems to work well for rock and roll listening.

Steve

[lkalliance]

I purchased the SmartDeck dock port adapter at the Apple Store yesterday, and it did not work acceptably with my 4G monochrome iPod in my 2005 Honda CR-V headunit (basic Honda unit, not aftermarket).

WHAT DID WORK
--I did get audio.
--The iPod did appropriately pause when ejecting the adapter or turning off the ignition.
--The unit was quiet. It felt much more solid and sounded much quieter than my existing cheap generic adapter.

WHAT DID NOT WORK
--There was a tremendous amount of distortion. Reading some online reviews, I learned to turn the iPod volume all the way up to maximum, and let the SmartDeck adjust downward to find its optimum volume. But no matter where I set the iPod volume before inserting the adapter, I always got distortion.
--Skip controls worked about 1-in-10 times.

I'll be doing more tests to see if I can figure out what went awry.

[LikeAFox]

Just out of curiosity, did anyone ever think to try this thing in a boom-box with a cassette player? I would be interested to see if the controls on the boom-box work to control the iPod, and if the adaptor even works at all...

If someone tries this please let me know! Thanks!

[BlackBuzzardNYC]

I have a2006 Lexus GS430 and this griffin sh-- tape didnt work. As far as this thread goes....this tape is good for nothing. How can they get away with selling people this piece of dysfunctional garbage? On top of that shipping cost 8 bucks. If I return it I would be losing what I paid on shipping plus what I pay to ship it back so its not even really worth it to return. Best bet would be to find someone to sell it to.

[kackroff]

I waited a long time for a SmartDeck (ordered in March, received in January) on the strength of early reviews. I got the original headphone connector version. I get only left-speaker output in a 1999 Honda Accord and a 1993 Maxda 626, both with factory units. Griffin had only one suggestion: check the car manual for deck-adapter instructions. That didn't work, so it gets returned (and Griffin ain't paying, of course). A real shame. It'll be a long time before I buy another product from them.

[iscripter]

I also sent Griffin support an email and they told me the same thing. Luckily I bought mine from Best Buy and I was able to return it and get all my money back. Doesn't the Griffin not so SmartDeck have the official made for Apple Ipod logo on the packaging. Maybe Apple should make them take the logo off since their product works so poorly. :mad:

[p_boucher]

Hey there

2003 VW Jetta 1.8T - monsoon sound system
not working at all - tape is heavily clicking - and then I get a tape error - no sound, but switching to tape makes the nano play.

I don't think I can return it :mad: ... I'll try.

EDIT: Phew my online e-tailer will take it back as a defective unit.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS PIECE OF JUNK!

[callofwild]

I've tried the Smart Deck (with the headphone connector) in 2 cars - a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee with original sound system: first try got great audio (better than my Sony adapter) but no functionality. Second try - very erratic - switching songs, playback stopping, etc. It may have been due to cold.

2004 VW Passat Wagon - with Monsoon Sound System. Nothing. Spits it out (blah!) and says "Tape Error".

Here's what steams me - I checked Griffin's website, thinking that they, like a reputable hardware maker should, would provide a list of compatible sound systems. All they say is "Compatible with MOST car decks" -- with a disclaimer that it won't work in ALL...

What a chicken@#$% way to move product. Dissapointing. I expected better from them since the majority of their products get very high ratings.

[alfordsteven]

I'm the guy who posted what I think is the only positive review of the product. Your comment about cold is interesting. I live in Fort Lauderdale, where "cold" is 60 degrees. Two weeks ago it went into the mid-40s. The deck did all the erratic things users have been noting: reseting the song, jumping from song to song, etc. I tried it later in the day and it worked fine. I do think cold has something to do with its poor functionality.

Steve

[Soup]

I am probably the only other person who likes this thing, but mine acts eratically as well. Every time the unit is ejected and reinserted in the tape player, it will jump around playing bits and pieces of ssongs at the beginning of my library. It does this when it is warm or cold. I have come to except it because it stops after a few seconds, doesn't start doing it again unless I eject the unit, and it has the BEST sound of any tape adapter I have tried, and better than the 2 FM transmitters that I have. The FF, REW, SKIP,...functions do not work, so I believe that Griffin has pulled a good one over on most of us, but I can't argue with the sound that I am receiving.

[rezdog]

Add 1999 Silverado to list of no functionality. I have a plain jane RCA cassette adapter and it works like a champ with my 5G iPod. I bought this thing for it's tighter integration with teh iPod and when I instert it, the deck scans back and forth (which is translated to next, prev, play, pause on the iPod) and then spits the SmartDeck back out. I get bits of audio as it's scanning, but inevitably it will spit the smart deck out.

I guess I should have read this forum before buying.


Summary:
Make/Model: 1999 Silverado - Factory Deck
Result: Scanning Back and Forth, then ejection.

[alfordsteven]

Okay, my patience with the Griffin is officially over. I have another cassette that plugs into the headphones, but as others have noted, the Griffin, when it works, has clearly better sound quality, something that must be attributed to where it's plugged in. Are there any, perhaps obscure, cassette products that have the same plug as the Griffin?

Forever hopeful,

Steve

[rezdog]

I have an update on my experience with the "Smart"Deck. I read the manual for my tape deck, and it had a mode for cassette adapters, and I when I tried it the deck accepted the smart deck. However, it continually rewound, or fastforwarded. It would never just play. So I guess at this point I'll be returning this piece of junk, and going back to my 9 dollar RCA cassette adapter... that works.

[lisalealea]

Griffin smart deck does not work in my 2000 Audi A4, stock stereo. Clicking and hissing but no sound.

[p_boucher]

God did they ever test this crap before releasing it to market?? :confused:

We should make a new sticky : DON'T BUY THE GRIFFIN SMARTDECK...

[chaos.rox]

After using this for the first time my iPod froze. After resetting my iPod i get the unhappy iPod icon... my iPod is pretty much screwed :(

I wouldn't suggest anybody buying this.

[Razor3]

I have have had this experience in my stock 2002 Acura 3.5 RL system with the Griffin Smart Deck Once it got cold. After a few seconds it starts to sounded like the tape deck wis trying to auto-reverse the "tape", then it goes tries to change direction 2 or 3 times then ejects the cassette adaptor. When its warm, it works great. My daughter has the same exp with her $19 Sony adaptor & her 1999 stock Taurus system.

Is anybody else having the same issues?

[bobb-mini]

$29.95 seemed too good to be true. Well, some things never change I guess.

[greenmonk]

iphone compatible?

despite all the complaints, im curious if this an option for iphone users looking for a cassette adapter. does it work with iphone at all? do the track skip functions work (assuming my car's tape deck works with it at all)?

i have a VW Passat 2003 with stock stereo. anyone know its compatibility in general?