Ipod in your car

[burnin_vernon]

Has anyone ever hardwired an ipod? I'm just wondering what you think of the setup (ease of use, sound, installation etc.) I have 14 gigs of music and I'm tired of making mp3 cd's. I see there are many different brands with the best looking to be ones that can be controlled through your deck for about $200.

I might wait to see what the microsoft Zune looks like and see if hardwire kits are available for it before I decide on an ipod.

[Nuje]

I hate iPods, but the advantage is, that decks are already iPod compatible. I will suggest an Alpine for ergonomic and sound quality reasons, and most/all of them are iPod ready.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Not hardwired. Easiest method IMO is a simple aux input.

[jroc]

Originally Posted by Nuje

I hate iPods, but the advantage is, that decks are already iPod compatible. I will suggest an Alpine for ergonomic and sound quality reasons, and most/all of them are iPod ready.

the price of the deck + the price of parts (fitting kit, wiring harness [especially newer GM vehicles], and perhaps a antenna adaptor) + the price of the ipod interfacing cable (roughly $130-$150)+ the installation of both the deck and the harness

all that adds up to way more than $200

[HelloHockeyFans]

I used to have a wireless FM transmitter which worked well. Cheap and easy with no need to add anything to your car to get it to work.

You plug it into the headphone output and tune your car's radio to the proper FM station which your IPOD is transmitting on.

There are numerous other hard-wired options already mentioned as well.

[RedMan12]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Not hardwired. Easiest method IMO is a simple aux input.

thats how I have mine set up.

Just ran an rca to stereo cable from my cd player to my ipod.

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by RedMan12

thats how I have mine set up.

Just ran an rca to stereo cable from my cd player to my ipod.

can you control through the deck with this setup, or do you have to use the actual ipod for everything

how often do ipod batteries need recharging anyways?

[CubicleGeek]

In order of good execution:

1) A deck with native iPod support. What I mean my native iPod support is an actual iPod input, rather than overloading the CD changer functions (see below). As of last year, when I was looking, I know of 2 companies that make this solution - Alpine and Clarion, though more may be available now. They are both expensive and the Clarion one is a much better solution because of the touch screen and only deck to support iPod Video. $1000+ & installation.
2) An iPod integration kit for non-native iPod decks. (Usually uses the CD changer controls to control the iPod) The kit is around $200 + installation, but your deck may not necessarily be supported.
3) FM transmitter. Cheap, no installation required and can be moved into another car. ~$100.
4) Conversion to tape. This is going the way of the dinosaurs.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by CubicleGeek

4) Conversion to tape. This is going the way of the dinosaurs.

There is not anything wrong with this. Mine cost me $10 and I get better sound than any FM transmitter I've seen. After spending more than $400 for the ipod and a case and such I didn't really want to spend any more. They really gouge you with those ipod accessories.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

can you control through the deck with this setup, or do you have to use the actual ipod for everything

how often do ipod batteries need recharging anyways?

No, it's just a direct input of the sound, not control.
The only control you would have on the deck is the volume.

Batteries last about 8 hours on my ipod. I also have a car charger which ensures I won't run out of power even on a long road trip.

[CubicleGeek]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

There is not anything wrong with this. Mine cost me $10 and I get better sound than any FM transmitter I've seen. After spending more than $400 for the ipod and a case and such I didn't really want to spend any more. They really gouge you with those ipod accessories.

Sorry if it sounded like I was suggesting that it was a bad solution, because it isn't. The intent of that statement is that tape decks are on a decline and this solution will also follow suit. Likely your next deck or vehicle purchase will not contain a tape deck.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by CubicleGeek

Sorry if it sounded like I was suggesting that it was a bad solution, because it isn't. The intent of that statement is that tape decks are on a decline and this solution will also follow suit. Likely your next deck or vehicle purchase will not contain a tape deck.

I agree with you one hundred percent. I guess I'm still a little bitter about how much 10 inches of leather cost for a ipod case. . .

[BananaPancakes]

I have an ipod and tried an FM transmitter, and needless to say, I will never use another FM transmitter again. The quality is horrible, and there's static all the time.. I recommend using a direct-link between your factory and mp3 player, whether it's through AUX-IN or Cassette Tape.

If your car doesn't have aux-in, and you don't want to dish out $200+ for a new stereo deck, i'd suggest one of these..
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxinpconv.html

These will convert an open port (ie CD Changer) in the back of your factory stereo into an aux-in, and you can install it yourself in about 10 minutes!

I have one for my 2001 honda and it's great. I also have it connected to a Griffin TuneFlex so I don't have to worry about charging it all the time.

[Fobby]

http://www.therpmstore.com/product_i...roducts_id=142

That link is particular for a mazda vehicle. Don't know what you drive, but maybe they make one for your vehicle.

[Ironhorse]

I'm still considering getting an Ipod interface in my car. MINI makes quite a nice OEM one that also charges your Ipod.

But I would have to buy an Ipod first...