SDI iHome iH5 Docking Station, FM Transmitter (IH5R) for Apple iPod

I bought this product about 3 days ago so I've had some time to use it. I've used it to play music via the radio and IPod (I own the 30G IPod photo which works just fine). I've used the sleep timer function and the alarm function. I'm pretty familiar with what it does and some of its quirks.

The sound is good (for an alarm clock, the sound is great). I use it both as an alarm clock with my IPod and as a portable music player for my IPod (sort of like a boom box for the IPod). One big requirement for me was a docking port. I didn't want to use the headphone jack; I wanted a direct connection. I also wanted decent sound and reasonable bass – which this has (don't expect big sound like the more expensive Bose system). The iHome is light, so it's easy to move around – although my unit stays mostly in my bedroom. My unit came with the backup batteries (AA size) already installed and the time set for E.S.T; so the time stays correct even when I unplug to move to another room. I also use the iHome as a music player to put me to sleep using the sleep function.

I bought the iHome as a cheaper alternative to the JBL IPod plug-in system (about $160) and the expensive Bose system (for about $300). Both were pricey and all they really give you is a speaker and perhaps a remote (a $20 option for the iHome which I didn't purchase). I had a clock radio (analog) with LED numbers -- which the iHome replaced. I figured I'd get the docking port, speaker, and alarm clock/radio all for $100 (very good value). I like the fact that there is a audio-in plug that you can use to plug in any device via a headphone jack interface and the fact that there is a line-out on the iHome to hook up to a secondary speaker system for added sound. This means you can have an IPod direct connection and an external speaker system plus the speaker system of the iHome – a nice feature if you want to hook it up to a more powerful system. I'm not sure that if I use the line-out, if both the iHome and external speaker function.

When I used the sleep timer, it worked well (you get 15, 30, 45, up to 120 minutes time). One issue is turning the iHome volume up/down from a laying down position or a standing position for that matter. The same type of knob is used to adjust the time of day/alarm. The controls are round and flat/flush with the top of the unit. So, if you have dry hands, you will have trouble adjusting the volume. I kind of feel like the iHome engineers were trying to copy the IPod click-wheel but used cheaper parts. To remedy the problem, I cut out a sticky foam piece and stuck it onto the tops of both controls to add some grip. The foam is white so it looks like part of the unit.

As far as physical appearance, the iHome is pleasant to look at. My bedroom has cherry furniture (dark brown) in a somewhat "traditional" look; my old digital clock radio was tan so it matched well. The iHome does not match as well but still looks good – it adds a "techno" flair to the bedroom. The LCD digital display is bright; it illuminates my side of the bed a bit more than I'd like. The dimmer doesn't dim the light as much as I think it should. I tried the iHome for at least 3 nights to make sure that this is acceptable and I'm finding that I can live with it. I figure I can use it as a night-light. If the brightness bothers me too much, I can angle the LCD display such that much less light hits my eyes while allowing me to still see what time it is at night.

If a new model comes out, I bet it will be slightly more expensive, have stronger bass, have better controls, and a dimmer LCD display adjustment that is dimmer than now.
The price of $100 is a great value but I'm willing to pay say $25 more for my suggestions. Best Buy (where I bought my iHome) charges $10 for a two year plan where you can get credit for what you spent so you can upgrade later – I'm seriously considering this since my bet is if a new or competing model comes out (with some of my suggestions), this thing will surely drop by more than $10 easily.

In all, I really like this unit. Simply put, you get a great value for your $100 spent.

My update about a month or so later ...
I recently had a chance to try the iHome outside. It works well; the sound quality is very very good. I listened to music with lots of thump, classical, and vocal kind of music (e.g., Sarah McLachlan). The quality reminds me a lot of listening to good music via headphones -- you can hear lots of detail.

I have a corner on my deck where I listened outside. I put the iHome in the corner to help make the bass sound better and it worked. I can put it on volume level 32 maximum -- anything more put distortion in the music. I stepped away from my deck onto my driveway about 25 yards away and could still hear the music (although not very loud).

One thing to note: the AC plug is big on the end where it plugs in so I could not plug it into my outside socket due to the flip up covers on them. I had to buy an extension chord and it use to get power to the iHome -- a little inconvenient but doable.

I woke up to this thing and noted that it climbs (automatically) in volume for you; I was unable to turn it down unless I turn it off and then back on and then adjusted the volume using the volume control. I guess this is a feature to get you out of bed.

I still love this unit.