Harman Kardon Drive+Play

[kosmo vinyl]

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....

[Sage 703]

Add my voice as one that would like to know more about this.

[chaz]

For probably not much more $$ you could get a new head unit for your car -  something like this
 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.

[chaz]

And if you want to give up CD's in the car altogether you could get  this
 
 If they'd had this when i got mine i'd have been all over it.

[vansmack]

I looked at the HK but didn't want to add an additional screen to my car so I'm waiting for this to come back in stock to tie into my existing navigational screen.

[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.

[kosmo vinyl]

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...

[kosmo vinyl]

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:

[Sage 703]

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...

[miss pretentious]

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.

[vansmack]

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.

[kosmo vinyl]

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.

[chaz]

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.

[Sage 703]

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...

[kosmo vinyl]

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.