IPOD to car stereo adapter

[911pcars]

Has anyone used this IPOD accessory? Any comments?

IPOD TO RCA ADAPTOR ADAPTER CAR RADIO CABLE PLUG



12V connector charges the IPOD through the connector. They claim better audio repro than if connected via the headphone jack.

Are there any reasonably priced versions that allow the song list to display on the stereo?

thanks,
Sherwood

[kgs365]

i used it in a 2001 996 with a stock becker radio...works fine...i have not heard of any inexpensive adapters (less then $500) that display the song list on a radio...at least not with a becker head unit

Kevin

[Bench-Racing]

What you are showing in the picture is only a cable that can be connected to a radio that already has an AUX input (not an output but an input). Only radios in the last few years have an AUX input and most OEM radios do not. Depending on the model radio you might need a few more parts in addition to just this cable. To get access to the play list the radio must be capable of displaying this information, otherwise you control everything from the iPod. I have been told that the dedicated iPod connector (as shown) gives better audio but I couldn't hear the difference. Big difference is that the cable shown will charge your iPod whereas the headphone jack will not. We sell iPod/mp3 ready radios and we install iPod interfaces for local Jaguar/Land Rover/ Aston Martin dealers so we have some experience in this field.
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[David]

You can buy Ipod ready head units for about $200. I have an Alpine unit that'll control an Ipod with the optional input cable which is about $30.

[old man neri]

There is a sony unit (CDX GT420IP) that is very cheap and has an IPOD cable coming out the back. It is very simplistic when it comes to the playlists but it was priced right, I installed one about a week ago. It's not bad for the price, I just select a playlist and then put it on random.

-matt

[ramonesfreak]

[QUOTE
Are there any reasonably priced versions that allow the song list to display on the stereo?

thanks,
Sherwood[/QUOTE]


If you want info displayed on the screen you have to start with an ipod-ready head unit. I have an alpine in my 911 utilizing a similar cable to the one you show. sounds fantastic

[rgrimm]

Think about a new radio. I've always been partial to Alpines...bought a 9883 because it was mostly black without any chrome or polished trim.

Their iPod interface is nice and as an added benefit (at least for me as an upgrade) was the ability to play MP3 disks with the sone information showing on the display. I also had to replace a seized antenna so I had the antenna power wired directly to the radio. As a result the antenna only extends when using the radio, not the iPod or CDs. $200 plus their adapter, which was $20-$30 (can't remember right now). Kid at Best Buy put it in...he treated it almost like a religious experience...did a great job.

Whether it's worth it for you depends on what you're upgrading from...

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by rgrimm

Think about a new radio. I've always been partial to Alpines...bought a 9883 because it was mostly black without any chrome or polished trim.

Their iPod interface is nice and as an added benefit (at least for me as an upgrade) was the ability to play MP3 disks with the sone information showing on the display. I also had to replace a seized antenna so I had the antenna power wired directly to the radio. As a result the antenna only extends when using the radio, not the iPod or CDs. $200 plus their adapter, which was $20-$30 (can't remember right now). Kid at Best Buy put it in...he treated it almost like a religious experience...did a great job.

Whether it's worth it for you depends on what you're upgrading from...

+1 on this. i have same model. very happy with the look, sound and functions.

Best buy did mine as well. The guy that did it, was extremely slow but did a really nice job - I watched him.

His co-worker buddy however had the nerve to come over and kneel on my driver seat in order to watch the installation....a big dude, 200+lbs, kneeling on my already original torn driver seat. I almost lost it. Never underestimate the lack of intelligence of your average human

[ramonesfreak]

oh..and i finally got around to hooking up the directly connected sirius radio....it functions perfectly and took me only a few minutes to install

[4flyboy]

Originally Posted by srandallf

oh..and i finally got around to hooking up the directly connected sirius radio....it functions perfectly and took me only a few minutes to install

Scott,

Does the receiver have the Sirius sat. controls on it (sat ready) or do you have to place one of those separate radio faces on your dash? Did you have to buy the Alpine interface etc.? Thanks and sorry for the hijack.

Scott

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

The simplest way to play an iPod through a receiver that doesn't have an input jack is with a small FM transmitter that "broadcasts" to the radio through whatever unused frequency you choose to use, and you tune both the radio and the little iPod transmitter to the same frequency. If you enter an area where that frequency is in use, just tune to another empty one.

We have one in our Volvo V50, works fine, cost $200 dealer-installed but you can get them from Crutchfield for $150 and do it yourself. It also charges the iPod.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by 4flyboy

Scott,

Does the receiver have the Sirius sat. controls on it (sat ready) or do you have to place one of those separate radio faces on your dash? Did you have to buy the Alpine interface etc.? Thanks and sorry for the hijack.

Scott

Scott:

the reciever has the controls in the head unit and it works just like an ordinary radio controls, except now you have the channel information displayed.

However, you need to buy a sirius "receiver" and the "interface". The interface connects the receiver to the head unit and you need to pick up 12volts of power for the receiver. The interface plugs right into the back of the head unit....which as you know, on the 911 is simple to reach.

The store that sells the head unit, should have these two parts. They cost approx $130 for the two. If you have no problem getting to a 12Volt source, you will have these parts installed in 20 minutes tops. I hid these parts under the passenger floor board. I stuck the antenna in the corner of the dash board with double-sided tape

-Scott

[Jgordon]

I have the alpine unit shown above in my truck. It's a great unit and works well with the ipod. Only problem for me is the thing is so damn bright - looks like vegas and is hard on the night vision. It folds down for CDs and the display turns off at that time, so I typically leave it down at night.

Does anyone know of a way to get the display dimmer? There are two settings, both way too bright. I was thinking about trying to jerry-rig a switch to turn the lights off but leave the buttons functional.

Thoughts?

[joe payne]

Here's a couple pictures of my solution for $130.00!

[richde]

An iPod compatible H/U is the only way to go. They're not too expensive and sound, and work, worlds better than using a FM modulator.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Has anyone used this IPOD accessory? Any comments?

IPOD TO RCA ADAPTOR ADAPTER CAR RADIO CABLE PLUG



12V connector charges the IPOD through the connector. They claim better audio repro than if connected via the headphone jack.

True. And the headphone jack is considerably better quality that the FM transmitters. They're bad.

But you really want to mess with the iPod when you're driving?

Are there any reasonably priced versions that allow the song list to display on the stereo?

thanks,
Sherwood

The Alpine iPod interface is reckoned to be pretty good for the regular Alpine head units, but I've never used one.

I bought the Alpine iDA-X100, which is entirely digital (doesn't have a CD player at all). It's pretty light (1Kg)..

You can access the playlists and search (e.g. composer, artist, song etc) the iPod directly. Displays cover art directly on the head unit, never mind the track info



I paid $250 for mine brand spanking new.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X100

Here's a video of some guy messing with his (not me):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRku-VttOHw

Rescued an old iPod video with a dead HDD and it's the car iPod now.. I like how it resumes playing from where it left off - and as for track selection, all I do is leave shuffle enabled and hit "Next Track" if something comes up I'm not in the mood for.