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Bigfoot · Jan 4, 2005, 09:29 PM

I hear the FM transmitter thingies for iPods are not so wonderful... static etc. I heard the only way to really do it right is an Alpine radio w/ an Alpine $100 wire harness that plugs into an iPod. Is this correct? And has anyone done this? What is the ultimate way to hook up to your car radio?

Thanks

Carl Norum · Jan 4, 2005, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by Bigfoot:
I hear the FM transmitter thingies for iPods are not so wonderful... static etc. I heard the only way to really do it right is an Alpine radio w/ an Alpine $100 wire harness that plugs into an iPod. Is this correct? And has anyone done this? What is the ultimate way to hook up to your car radio?

There are lots of options - I have a Neo iOn in my car - it's awesome. www.mp3yourcar.com

-- Carl

GILBERT948 · Jan 5, 2005, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by Bigfoot:
I hear the FM transmitter thingies for iPods are not so wonderful... static etc. I heard the only way to really do it right is an Alpine radio w/ an Alpine $100 wire harness that plugs into an iPod. Is this correct? And has anyone done this? What is the ultimate way to hook up to your car radio?

Thanks

I use my iPod in my truck with the Dennison Ice Link. It too is awesome.

Joe

SuperGroove · Jan 6, 2005, 12:31 PM

deja vu. I felt like i've answered this already.

I have Aux-In on Nakamichi CD-400. It's a really nice deck. The only con: no built in capability to use with the head unit, i.e., I have to select a song directly from the iPod.

Alpine decks like the CDA-9827+Alpine's Ipod controller would only cost around $270ish.

C.J. Moof · Jan 6, 2005, 01:41 PM

I had a Kenwood with a cable that adapted from the CD changer input to 2 RCA Jacks, which I could then convert to 1/8" headphone. Anything direct like that is the way you want to go, if possible. It can't always be done, though.

JMII · Jan 6, 2005, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Bigfoot:
What is the ultimate way to hook up to your car radio?

The Alpine system is the best thing available right now because it allows you to scroll thru playlists/albums/artists. The good news is both Clarion and Pioneer are coming out with similar solutions soon: http://macnn.com/news/27457

Any other solution will require you to still use the iPod itself for song selection. Some adaptors will change songs via the radios controls, but they can't display the data from the iPod thus your left guessing as to which song is next. Even the much hyped BMW system works this way.

Apline's system still has it's downsides - noteable the scroll speed thru long playlists is painfully slow according to users reports. In addition it's not as user friendly as the iPod. However their new ('05 model) radios are rumored to fix these issues.

The iTrip does have alot of static... afterall it's just a tiny FM radio station transmitter. The other products on the market that offer a direct connection between the iPod and the radio are clearly a much better way to go.

t500 · Jan 6, 2005, 11:35 PM

I guess I'm the only one that will admit it, but I have an I trip. It works great for me. I have a little cubbie thing on my dash where I sit my Ipod. No problems. It even seems to over power the radio station that comes in on my way home from work. It alot easier to list to all those pod cast......

Jerr

mindwaves · Jan 7, 2005, 12:36 AM

iTrip works well for me. :-)

wuzup101 · Jan 7, 2005, 03:12 AM

iTrip works fine for me. But then again I'm still using the factory infinity head unit and speakers in my eclipse. If I switched to something nicer I would definitely want something hard wired. Static isn't that bad though. The sad thing is it sounds just about as good as direct from my CD player. Neither are bad sounding... but definitely not a high end setup.

jebjeb · Jan 7, 2005, 08:10 AM

A lot of newer cars (last 4-5 years or so) will have headunits where you can buy an AUX in adapter for. For my new Mini I was able to get a part made for a 5 series BMW that added a 3.5mm jack to plug in any source.

Most cars OEM headunits are made by a known brand. For example, most of Audi's units are made by Blaupunkt. You can buy a Blaupunkt AUX-in cable and it will plug straight into the standard head unit.

If you want to plug your iPod in to your standard headunit, ask your local official dealership if they make a AUX-in cable for you model of car. Also try a car forum that specialises in your make or model of vehicle.

If you have an aftermarket headunit, check out their website or dealer. Others have already mentioned a few specifics. If you are in the market for a new headunit, wait until after CES as there are heaps coming out with direct iPod control.

The Alpine adapter would be nice but my BMW AUX-in cable cost me �30 and keeps everything neat. It would be nice to flick back and forth through tracks with the steering wheel controls but not for that sort of money.

wuzup101 · Jan 7, 2005, 11:57 AM

I just looked at the apline unit that was featured on the main macnn page a few days ago. It really looks sharp. I might have to redo my car stereo this comming summer (assuming a decent internship).

Tolly · Jan 8, 2005, 02:38 AM

i connect my ipod to the front aux input of my cd receiver, located directly on the faceplate. i just use a streo cable which goes from the headphone jack to the aux input. but decks like mine (JVC KDSX990) are rare these days, with the front aux input. most decks will have this type of connection on the back, sometimes making wiring a pain, but it seems the new alpine system has replaced the whole aux input thing. but either way its the same connection, definitely the most clear, its just with the apline system you can change tracks and everything through your actual receiver, rather than on the ipod like i have to.

(^you can see the input jack im talkin bout in the bottom right corner of faceplate)

but that deck only set me back about $140, and its a clean, clear, and direct way to hook up my ipod. one of those alpine systems sure would be nice tho.

Rychiar · Jan 9, 2005, 01:40 AM

im still usin the same cassette tape adapter i used for my discman years ago, works perfect as always

hotani · Jan 9, 2005, 02:23 AM

I just bought the Monster iCarCharger for about $40. I chose it over the belkin because it was black and didn't stand out so bad inside my car. However, it has an annoying LED on top that seems to stay on 24x7 - I might have to do a hack and just disconnect it.

Its nice since it plugs into the dock outlet on the iPod and has a jack to plug the tape adapter into. Sound through that is way better than thru the headphone jack since it is an unaltered signal. One advantage the Belkin has over this one is that it has a level adjustment for the signal going out - sometimes the tape adapter connection has too much signal and gets some static which is very annoying.

trek2008 · Jan 9, 2005, 03:41 AM

If you want to go an expensive route, try getting one of the BMW's equipped for an iPod, LOL! But seriously, I have an iRock FM transmitter and it works fine. You can get them at Radio Shack and it comes with a DC adapter so you do not have to use batteries. I work at Radio Shack so that is how I know this, hehe!

robby818 · Jan 9, 2005, 04:28 AM

I got the most bang for the buck by 1. replacing the stock Toyota cassette/radio in my '95 camry with an Alpine single cd player ($130) and 2. purchasing the alpine cd changer rca cable ($20). my 2g and 4g ipods sound excellent, much better than a cassette or fm modulator solution. of course you still need to use the ipod to navigate between songs but that is not such a bad thing considering that most of the in dash solutions have clunky user interfaces.