930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: kosmo vinyl on July 29, 2008, 12:20:00 pm
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Anyone got one of these installed for hooking an iPod into the car stereo? We are planing on getting one of these and were just wondering what people think of them. Also, what installation route did you choose? self or have a professional do it....
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Add my voice as one that would like to know more about this.
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For probably not much more $$ you could get a new head unit for your car - something like this (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=500CDE9874&tp=5684)
Installation is easy easy easy. Crutchfield includes everything you need and even has good phone support.
You can run cable to the glove box and just control the ipod from your car stereo. Very intuitive and easy.
Better sound quality than fm transmitters or modulators, though not sure what delivery method the HK uses.
Of course I say all this having no idea how much the HK unit costs or how much you may love or hate the car stereo you already have, but i've been very happy with my alpine and always enjoy the satisfaction of a diy project.
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And if you want to give up CD's in the car altogether you could get this (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=500IDAX001&tp=5684)
If they'd had this when i got mine i'd have been all over it.
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I looked at the HK but didn't want to add an additional screen to my car so I'm waiting for this (http://www.coastaletech.com/ULTIMATE%20IPOD.htm) to come back in stock to tie into my existing navigational screen.
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If memory serves, Kosmo's got a Mini so he can run an aux cable from the back of the unit in his car (he may have already done it).
I think he's looking for easier control of his ipod while driving.
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The first generation HK device is selling for $50 via Amazon at the moment, down from $200... It provides separate mountable ipod control switch and screen display for the ipod, plus hooks in via the aux port of the stereo...
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actually it's for kosmette's vibe... and my aux cable is being used by the cd changer at the moment... her iTrip just died and obviously FM transmitters are problematic, so despite some glitches this HK appears the best route to go. the second gen HK's cost $400 :eek:
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Originally posted by vansmack:
If memory serves, Kosmo's got a Mini so he can run an aux cable from the back of the unit in his car (he may have already done it).
I think he's looking for easier control of his ipod while driving.
Funny - I also have a Mini. Kosmo, have you done any sort of iPod jack installation in your car? I love the Harman Kardon sound system in the Mini, but I'd really like to install an affordable iPod system that didn't rely on FM transmission so I can maintain some sound quality...
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I got an entirely new head unit for my car... I can switch between AM/FM radio, XM Radio (which I'd had a subscription to previously but was using a separate tuner), my iPod, CDs and there is actually another auxiliary unit still open.
My iPod simply sits in my glove compartment, runs directly through without FM transmission and i can control it through my stereo or the little remote it came with.
I love it so much and it's so simple and seamless.
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I had an FM transmitter in our old car which was great for drives between SF and LA, but worked horribly in both SF and LA. You just can't use them in major metropolitan areas.
For $50, kosmo, how bad can it be? I'd do it.
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no i went with CD changer for my mini back when the cooper's were first available and since i primarily listen to music in the car via CD it's what i'll be sticking with. if you don't have the changer then you can either go with just the audio input with no control or get something fancier like the HK system.
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I'd seriously look at a new head unit too, but that's just me:)
And i will not make this suggestion again. I don't remember hearing too great things about the 1st gen HK unit.
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Originally posted by kosmo:
no i went with CD changer for my mini back when the cooper's were first available and since i primarily listen to music in the car via CD it's what i'll be sticking with. if you don't have the changer then you can either go with just the audio input with no control or get something fancier like the HK system.
Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive? I feel like it was the last time I checked...
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well kosmette has ordered it... i was wondering what people thought of it and how hard it was to install but oneself... also, since HK doesn't list anyone in the DC area as being authorized to install it, if there were other shops that do that sort of and are reasonable and reliable.
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Originally posted by callat703:
Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive? I feel like it was the last time I checked...
Anybody want to dig up that Mini post Markie made a few years ago about not using the Mini factory option and getting your own?
I think it was like $20-$30 for him...
And Kosmo, what's a CD?
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Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by callat703:
Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive? I feel like it was the last time I checked...
Anybody want to dig up that Mini post Markie made a few years ago about not using the Mini factory option and getting your own?
I think it was like $20-$30 for him...
And Kosmo, what's a CD? [/b]
That would be awesome, if anybody is able to sort through all of that and track it down.
The Mini option, without installation, is $185. If that's the only option I've got, then I'd be willing to do that...but obviously if I can do it for $20-30 and have it hooked into my stereo, that's the option I want.
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Originally posted by callat703:
The Mini option, without installation, is $185. If that's the only option I've got, then I'd be willing to do that...but obviously if I can do it for $20-30 and have it hooked into my stereo, that's the option I want.
I'm going to have to go back and look, but for my old man's Mini that $185 option would allow him to use his stereo to control his iPod with his stereo.
Markie's option was simply an aux plug in the back of the stereo and he ran a cable to the glove box. He wasn't interested in controlling the iPod from his stereo, he just wanted to listen to his music.
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Originally posted by vansmack:
I'm going to have to go back and look, but for my old man's Mini that $185 option would allow him to use his stereo to control his iPod with his stereo.
Markie's option was simply an aux plug in the back of the stereo and he ran a cable to the glove box. He wasn't interested in controlling the iPod from his stereo, he just wanted to listen to his music.
That's good to know as well - perhaps that's the way to go, since it sits in the glove box. Thanks for the help.
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Originally posted by callat703:
Originally posted by kosmo:
no i went with CD changer for my mini back when the cooper's were first available and since i primarily listen to music in the car via CD it's what i'll be sticking with. if you don't have the changer then you can either go with just the audio input with no control or get something fancier like the HK system.
Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive? I feel like it was the last time I checked... [/b]
Yes it is... It appears it more intelligent now but at one point all you really get is cable hooked up to the stereo and a jack inside the glove box, plus "expert" installation... Now at least you can control the iPod from the stereo.
One of our former forum members, Markie who is also a Mini owner, was able to hook up a cable to the back of his unit which than had a 3.5 inch plug at the other end for the iPod. Obviously, no fancy controls are gained from this route, but better sounding than an FM tuner and you end up with a dangling cable.
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Originally posted by kosmo:
no i went with CD changer for my mini back when the cooper's were first available and since i primarily listen to music in the car via CD it's what i'll be sticking with. if you don't have the changer then you can either go with just the audio input with no control or get something fancier like the HK system. Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive? I feel like it was the last time I checked... Yes it is... It appears it more intelligent now but at one point all you really get is cable hooked up to the stereo and a jack inside the glove box, plus "expert" installation... Now at least you can control the iPod from the stereo.
Yeah, I looked again - the new edition of it is actually more than $185, and only works with Minis from 2007 and on. Not entirely sure what the difference between the old one and the new one is - I imagine it has some fancier interface, but it seems both can be controlled from the stereo.
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Originally posted by vansmack:
And Kosmo, what's a CD? [/QB]
It's what I use at the Club when DJing....
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Originally posted by kosmo:
One of our former forum members, Markie who is also a Mini owner, was able to hook up a cable to the back of his unit which than had a 3.5 inch plug at the other end for the iPod. Obviously, no fancy controls are gained from this route, but better sounding than an FM tuner and you end up with a dangling cable.
I looked for that thread but I couldn't find it.
As for the dangling cable, I poked a whole in the corner of the old man's glove box and ran the cable through there. You can't see it dangling, but it can be a pain in the ass if you don't wrap it up before you put the iPod back in the glove box.
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If you want the interface with your stereo, here are instructions for a self-install. (http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/08/mini_ipod_interface_install_instructions/)
If you don't want the interface, call Circuit City and ask for an aux hook up for a mini (the same hookup is used for CD changer and iPod). Cost me about $30 and I installed it myself using the Mini owners manual to get to the radio.