Griffin GC17090 AUX Cable with Handsfree Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I originally wanted an AUX audio cable to link my iPhone 4 music to my car stereo, but when I came across this I figured that for the small price difference I'd try this as an option for hands-free calling too. I drive across states for business trips, and several of those are no-handheld calling states such as NY. I expect other states to move this way in the coming years, so it seems a logical move.
Here are some notes based on my usage (in no particular order):
- Setup is as simple as it comes. Plug it in to the AUX input on your car console, plug the other end into your headphone out from your player. Its ready to use.
- The AUX audio function plays very clearly and cleanly from my iPhone, and doesn't seem to be adversely affected by the incorporation of the mic and/or the switch. I was a little concerned that sound quality might have been impacted by the build of the cable, but this is not the case.
- The volume definitely needs to be turned up much louder on my car system than for other functions (i.e. louder than when I use it for CD/radio/OnStar calls)
- An alternative to turning the volume up on the car stereo is to turn the iPhone volume up to max, but this means I have to keep resetting this each time I get in and out of the car. Its easier for me to just whack up the volume on the car. (If you have easily switchable 'profiles' on your phone you might be able to take advantage of that instead)
- The sound quality of callers is excellent over my car speakers. I couldn't tell the difference from using my OnStar hands free calling, and this saves me from burning through those more expensive minutes.
- The mic quality (as reported by the people I was speaking to) was described as "clear but quiet" and "far away". Like being a little too far from a speaker phone. No road noise or static/crackle was reported, just that it was very quiet. To me this is acceptable, I just need to be aware that I need to speak up and speak clearly, but speak normally (no need to shout). If you need perfect outgoing audio then you will probably need to get a jawbone of some kind or some much more expensive factory/aftermarket car-installed option.
- I used this cable with my iPhone 4, which is not detailed as being compatible, but it is. It is not listed on the box either (just 3G,3GS), but it is listed on the Griffin Technology website. I guess the packaging just hasn't been updated yet.
Some extra little tips you might find useful:
1) The switch that is used to answer incoming calls can also control your music playing on your iPhone... (I'm not sure exactly what other devices this works on though)
... Click once to stop the music, click again to continue (essentially a Pause)
... Double-click to skip to the next track
... Triple-click to go to the previous track
2) If your phone has call waiting capability, when you have an incoming call...
... Click once to put the current call on hold and switch to the incoming call
... Click again to switch between calls
... Press and hold the button to end the call
It does a reasonable job for a hands-free phone mic, and the AUX audio output to the car (phone and music) is excellent. Mic quality is decent but quiet. If you can live with this quieter mic, then the extra cost to get this hands-free feature is very good compared to the cost of a good audio-only cable, especially when you consider that the switch allows some control over your music playing without having to fumble for the phone itself.
Recommended, as long as great outgoing call quality isn't necessary (again, its clear but quiet).

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