[gr8tfly]

Although there's several options for playing the iPod through a car's stereo system, the best is a direct connection. I tried a portable FM transmitter - it's OK if you live in a sparsely populated area and can find a really quiet frequency to use. Next, is to have a shop install an in-line FM modulator. This isn't too bad, but still limited due to FM's constraints. Also, you've got someone mucking about under/behind your dash. If you have an in-dash cassette, you can use one of those adapters. I think this is probably better than FM, but still not as good as a direct connection. (My car only has an in-dash CD).

If you're lucky enough to have an AUX input jack on your radio, you're good-to-go.

My car ('00 BMW 328i) is pre-wired for a CD-changer, using the in-dash single CD/FM unit. So, I started some research to find the wiring diagram for this in the hopes of "fooling" the car into thinking it's got a changer. To my delight, I found a unit that adapts the BMW harness to a Yamaha (or other) changer that also has BUILT-IN aux. input jacks! It's made by Precision Electronics (Peripheral Electronics). They have units for other cars, too. Since I don't have a changer (and don't plan on getting one, since the iPod holds so much more music), I needed the Pioneer unit. It's the unit that will allow you to use the AUX jacks w/o the changer.

The unit runs $120 (I bought it from Auto Sounds, link is from Peripheral's site). Took about 1/2 hr. and a 12' RCA to stereo mini-plug cable to install. It's literally plug-and-play. Just needed to ground the "gray" wire to enable the AUX jacks. The cable runs from the trunk up to the center console and I just sit the iPod in a cup-holder and enjoy the music!

Hope this gives some others the ultimate connection solution for using their iPod in the car.

[ 12-09-2001: Message edited by: gr8tfly ]

[RWoelk]

Good for you. Certainly a direct connection is by far the best alternative. I haven't ruled this out quite yet, but ....

I recently ordered the Soundfeeder SF-121 FM transmitter. This is the smaller and cheaper FM transmitter that Soundfeeder suggest over it's more expensive models for use with newer late model car stereos and CD and MP3 players. It works as advertised and to date, I'm very pleased. It's a little less than half the size of the iPod and essentially the same depth. It uses two AAA batteries and it's extremely light, and convenient to use in conjunction with my iPod. I have only tried it in about a 5 square mile area locally (An FM station dense area of So CA) on my 2001 Honda, but so far, I am very pleased with the lack of station drift and clarity. Yes, you do have to up the volume a bit on your car stereo, but the "insert" for Soundfeeder claims this is an FCC requirement for these types of devices. It's suggested that one tries to keep it in a stationary placement via a Velcro like attachment, and indeed, I did find changing the unit's spacial orientation could increase or decrease reception, albeit, very, very slightly when appropriately tuned on my car stereo. The real test will be to see how well it performs on an upcoming cross country trip.

[zac4mac]

I've got a Pioneer Supertuner DEH-400 in my Fiero. After getting bad info from Car Toys, I called Pioneer and got the input adapter for mine(CD-RB10). IP-BUS to RCA adapter, cost ~40 bucks. Hooked an RCA to mini-stereo Y-cord and I'm set. Also picked up a Radio Shack "Adjustable-Subcompact Universal Phone Mount" p/n 17-551 that has a big suction cup for the windshield and a removeable clear plastic "squeeze type" holder that's perfect for the iPod. Radio Shack also has a version that hooks into the heater/AC vents with the same holder.
Looks just like in the link above p/n BMWPILA(doesn't have pass-thru for IP-BUS, that one's a CD-RB20 and costs ~80 bucks)

[ph@lmi.net]

i paid 130 for the aiwa cd/cd-rw faceplate mambo (cdc-x217) in my 65 fairlane. it came with an 1/8 inch auxiliary jack.

my ipod shipped yesterday (30 days after ordering it). i ordered the same stereo for the girlfiriend's 74 2002 for xmas. we'll have ipod access in both cars soon!

[OAW]

I use a simple Radio Shack cassette adaptor in my SUV. I was using a Sony previously, but for whatever reason it made a lot of "snap-crackle-pop" noises. The Radio Shack is much quieter. Tried an FM transmitter and all I can say is that it imbibes major quantities of gluteus maximus! The volume and sound quality simply was no comparison.

OAW

[SnowmanX]

Originally posted by ph@lmi.net:
<STRONG>i paid 130 for the aiwa cd/cd-rw faceplate mambo (cdc-x217) in my 65 fairlane. it came with an 1/8 inch auxiliary jack.

my ipod shipped yesterday (30 days after ordering it). i ordered the same stereo for the girlfiriend's 74 2002 for xmas. we'll have ipod access in both cars soon!</STRONG>

I got the x317 for $109+tax, installed free, which was, of course, made up for by charging $15 for a plastic kit and $15 for the adaptor, (which should've costed more than $5 and $1, respectively). Oh, well, one can only outsmart the market so often.

Of course, audio from the iPod via auxillary in is quite different than via a CD. I can't say if it's worse or better...just different.

[schalliol]

If you have a Sony Unilink compatible Car Stereo this if for you: The Sony XA-300

It has two RCA ins, a headphone out, and a USB audio in! Just hook up the iPod with the RCAs and then hook in your PowerBook or iBook with USB if you want to! So you get three aux inputs. Mine's somewhere over Ohio in transit to me.

Got from Crutchfield (has great description): http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/P...asp?i=158xa300

[-Q-]

Originally posted by ph@lmi.net:
<STRONG>i paid 130 for the aiwa cd/cd-rw faceplate mambo (cdc-x217) in my 65 fairlane. it came with an 1/8 inch auxiliary jack.

my ipod shipped yesterday (30 days after ordering it). i ordered the same stereo for the girlfiriend's 74 2002 for xmas. we'll have ipod access in both cars soon!</STRONG>

That's the nice thing about the AIWA models: they all come with an AUX port on the face plate. Of course, the AIWA I got for my car also plays MP3 CDs so I'm torn between just burning CDs or getting an iPod. (I really, really want one but I can't justify it yet... )

[Prufrock]

-Q-

I'm gonna get hit here...

The iPod is not a justifiable purchase, it is a luxury item in the guise of a 'useful' drive. Don't worry about talking yourself into one. If you want it, buy it. Plain and simple.

Now that I got that out, I have been enjoying my iPod every day since Nov. 10. I play MP3s, Breakout and transfer files. Everyone I know can't beleive how obsessed I am with the iPod. The device is that good. It works like a champ, even after dropping it twice in 1 minute.

If you overthink your purchase, you will constantly be looking for a weekness and not fully appreciating what you have in your hand.

[Paco500]

Has anyone ever heard of an adapter for the Alpine Ai-net system that works like the sony system referenced above. My iPod has made my CD changer irrelivant, but it's hooked up through a cassete adapter. Ugly and marginal sound quality.

And insight apreciated.

Paco

[tooki]

I plan on buying a Blaupunkt "Casablanca" for my Civic... the Casablanca (either the 2000 "50" version or this year's "51", which differ only in maximum output) has two extra inputs, for two aux sources, or a CD changer and one aux source. Each input requires a $12 wiring harness, but the overall quality of the stereo is so good that it more than makes up for it. It has a digital tuner that actually decodes the signal digitally! (And Crutchfield has the Casablanca 50 on clearance for 33% off, so I'm gonna get that.)

tooki

[ 12-12-2001: Message edited by: tooki ]

[G4 Mac User]

Guys compared to you all I am very cheap. I had my stepson suggest I use his Pioneer cassette adapter that he uses to play his cd player through his radio in his car. It works just fine for my needs - but then again I have a 2000 Mustang and not a BMW - hehehehe


Your (not the greatest ears anymore) Pal


G4 Mac User