Hands-On Report--iRock! for your iPod

by Robert Gallo, MD.

If you are an iPod user, you have probably been amazed at how this little cigarette pack size device has affected you. I've stumbled upon an inexpensive and incredibly useful add-on that enables the iPod to broadcast to a nearby car or home stereo system without cables or wires, with full stereo sound. It is called an iRock! (Model 300W), and I found it at CompUSA selling for $29.95. Their Website is at www.myirock.com.

This tiny, light unit is powered by two AAA batteries, has a simple on-off switch on the front, and a pleasant red LED that lights up when the unit is on. There is a single wire that terminates in a mini-jack that you plug into the headphone jack on the iPod. That wire stores into the iRock! so the plug is protected when not in use (very Mac-like design).

The iRock! transmits its signal on a choice of 4 FM frequencies (88.1, 88.3, 88.5, or 88.7), selectable by a slide switch on the unit. Here in the NYC area, all of those frequencies are "noisy", but the iRock! was able to clearly "overtake" any of those four frequencies, without any interference. The transmitted sound sounds great on my car radio, and my home stereo. The stereo separation is good and the tone seems fine. I am even able to "hide" my iPOD in the glovebox of my car, with no signal loss.

If you have an iPod, this is one of those "must-have" accessories. It also works with any other MP3, CD, or tape player. No, I don't work for the company--just a happy user.

[After receiving Dr. Gallo's report, we rushed out and bought an iRock! plus a $30 2-yr service and replacement agreement for our iPod at our local CompUSA. Our iRock works as well as Dr. Gallo's.--ed.]