Best way to hook up an iPhone in my car?

[brikis98]

I just got a 2007 Toyota Corolla S which has the standard CD player in it, pretty much identical to the one in this picture. What is the best way for me to hook up my iPhone 3GS to it? There is no tape deck (so I can't use a tape adapter) and as far as I can tell, no AUX in either. My requirements:

(1) Music: the sound from the iPhone needs to be outputted through my car's speakers.
(2) GPS: I use my iPhone for turn-by-turn navigation, so it needs to be mounted in a way I can easily see and reach it.
(3) Phone: I want the calls to go through my speakers

Do any FM transmitters actually work well? Or do I need to replace the stereo/receiver? If so, with what? I'd like to spend < $50, but if it's something really nice, I'll go up to $100.


Update

Ok, after doing more research, I have it narrowed down to 2 options:

Sony Xplod CDX-GT130 CD Receiver: $97 including shipping, in-dash kit, wire harness and coupon
Cheapest receiver I could find that had an AUX input, was made by a decent brand, and had good reviews. I'd connect the iPhone to the cigarette lighter for charging and to the car speakers via the AUX input.

Sony CDX-GT630UI CD Receiver with iPod Control: $120 including shipping, in-dash kit, wire harness and coupon
Similar to the receiver above, except it also has a USB input that will both charge the iPhone and play its audio over the speakers. This is a slightly more elegant solution as I'd only need a single wire. Unfortunately, I've read that the sound from phone calls does NOT go through the iPod cable, so to satisfy my 3rd requirement I'd still have to use the AUX input... I wonder how the stereo reacts with both iPod and stereo cables hooked up?

If not for the phone call issue, I'd probably be willing to dish out the extra $20 to only have to deal with a single wire. However, that may be a deal breaker and push me towards the first solution.

 

[mafia]

Does your car have a casette player? If it does get one of these. I have one, doesn't need any battaries and comes with a long cable so you can place your iPod virtually anywhere.

 

[mafia]

Originally posted by: brikis98



Edit --> I found the Boss Audio 750Di, but it seems awfully expensive, especially as it seems to have no FM radio or CD player. However, the general design a very elegant solution to my requirements above - any cheaper alternatives like this?

Someone might break into your car because of that

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: mafia
Does your car have a casette player? If it does get one of these. I have one, doesn't need any battaries and comes with a long cable so you can place your iPod virtually anywhere.

My previous car did and I happily used a tape adapter with it. However, this 2007 Corolla does not, so I'm looking for affordable alternatives.

Originally posted by: mafia

Originally posted by: brikis98



Edit --> I found the Boss Audio 750Di, but it seems awfully expensive, especially as it seems to have no FM radio or CD player. However, the general design a very elegant solution to my requirements above - any cheaper alternatives like this?

Someone might break into your car because of that

Heh, well, I'd never leave my iPhone in the car and I'm typically not in sketchy neighborhoods where people would break in to steal a $100 stereo.

 

[mafia]

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: mafia
Does your car have a casette player? If it does get one of these. I have one, doesn't need any battaries and comes with a long cable so you can place your iPod virtually anywhere.

My previous car did and I happily used a tape adapter with it. However, this 2007 Corolla does not, so I'm looking for affordable alternatives.

Originally posted by: mafia

Originally posted by: brikis98



Edit --> I found the Boss Audio 750Di, but it seems awfully expensive, especially as it seems to have no FM radio or CD player. However, the general design a very elegant solution to my requirements above - any cheaper alternatives like this?

Someone might break into your car because of that

Heh, well, I'd never leave my iPhone in the car and I'm typically not in sketchy neighborhoods where people would break in to steal a $100 stereo.

Ok cool.

 

[brikis98]

Crap, just realized that Boss Audio 750Di thing only works with iPods but not the iPhone.

 

[RichieZ]

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...uct.php?model=DPR-RDS1

hard wired FM transmitter that also does RDS (transmits the names). I use my iphone for all the reasons you mentioned. Easy install into my boxster this last weekend.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: RichieZ
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...uct.php?model=DPR-RDS1

hard wired FM transmitter that also does RDS (transmits the names). I use my iphone for all the reasons you mentioned. Easy install into my boxster this last weekend.

How is the sound quality through this FM transmitter? How did you mount it and the iPhone in your car?

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: RichieZ
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...uct.php?model=DPR-RDS1

hard wired FM transmitter that also does RDS (transmits the names). I use my iphone for all the reasons you mentioned. Easy install into my boxster this last weekend.

How is the sound quality through this FM transmitter? How did you mount it and the iPhone in your car?

very strong FM station, quality is noticeably less than CD but the engine is so loud in my car I can live with it. but since your car doesn't use fiber optics I'd reccomend this:
http://www.diceelectronics.com..._Code=DICE_IPOD_TOYOTA

I used to have this in my old BMW, sound quality is great.

this is how my iphone is mounted for now:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/windowseat

 

[Synomenon]

If you live in a mid-sized to large city, avoid FM transmitters. Replace your head unit with one that has an auxiliary jack or check if you can get an auxiliary jack adapter for your stock head unit.

Check these out:
http://www.pac-audio.com/produ...65&Year=2007&YearId=18

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: brikis98
Crap, just realized that Boss Audio 750Di thing only works with iPods but not the iPhone.

I have used the tape adapter, FM transmitter and the ipod jack method. I will say, replacing the head unit with a deck that had ipod control is the BEST way since the deck would control the ipod. FWIW, nearly any unit that supports the ipod touch will control the iphone as far as i have seen. FM transmitters are ok, but they tend to have poor sound and are prone to static.

 

[BassBomb]

wierd the canadian Corolla had Aux in when we were shopping

did you check inside the console box?

ohhh you have 2007 not 2009 like I read

 

[DivideBYZero]

Be aware that any device that says it doesn't support the iPhone usually just means it won't charge it. Apple took the Firewire charging line out of the dock connector of the iPhone and a couple of other devices and that is what most docks/integrations use to charge the device.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Be aware that any device that says it doesn't support the iPhone usually just means it won't charge it. Apple took the Firewire charging line out of the dock connector of the iPhone and a couple of other devices and that is what most docks/integrations use to charge the device.

he would be well advised to not go this route then if he wants to use the iphone for nav, its almost 1min 1% battery drain:
- screen on all the time
- GPS on all the time
- processor running (gets noticeably hot)

 

[Imported]

Was gonna mention..

USA Spec iPod Interface

.. but it's about $160. I had one on my last car and it was great. I'll probably get one for my current car if I decide not to do a double-din setup.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
I will say, replacing the head unit with a deck that had ipod control is the BEST way since the deck would control the ipod.

That's the thing: I don't need/want the head unit to control the iPhone. The iPhone's own interface is perfectly good at that as long as it's mounted in an easily reachable place. Moreover, since I use the iPhone for GPS, I have to use its own interface for control (and be able to easily reach/see it), so the head unit controlling the iPhone might even get in the way.

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Be aware that any device that says it doesn't support the iPhone usually just means it won't charge it.

That's a problem then. The GPS in the iPhone burns up the battery at a crazy rate, so I need to be able to charge it.

Originally posted by: Imported
Was gonna mention..

USA Spec iPod Interface

Thanks, I'll consider it. Seems crazy expensive for (basically) a set of wires, but if combined with a car mount, I think it would be pretty close to fulfilling my requirements.

 

[brikis98]

I'm now considering getting a Dual XD1222 in dash CD player. It's the cheapest head unit I've found that doesn't get horrendous reviews and it includes an aux input (for audio) and a USB input (for charging). Combined with a car mount, it may be a decent solution that's in my price range.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Imported
Was gonna mention..

USA Spec iPod Interface

.. but it's about $160. I had one on my last car and it was great. I'll probably get one for my current car if I decide not to do a double-din setup.

Can you tell if this is the exact same thing, just at a cheaper price?

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: Imported
Was gonna mention..

USA Spec iPod Interface

.. but it's about $160. I had one on my last car and it was great. I'll probably get one for my current car if I decide not to do a double-din setup.

Can you tell if this is the exact same thing, just at a cheaper price?

It looks to be the same.. Wish they'd show the part number.

 

[evident]

spend a little extra and get a name branded head unit like pioneer or kenwood. my friend had a dual in his elantra that broke after a year. no need to scrape the bottom of the barrel to save $50 bucks and have alot of hassle later on.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1...H-P4100UB.html?tp=5684

http://www.sonicelectronix.com...+eXcelon+KDC-X493.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_0...DXZ385USB.html?tp=5684

 

[brikis98]

Am I the only one who thinks the prices for car head units are absurd? A CD player + radio isn't exactly cutting edge technology and the form factor shouldn't be difficult (standard size cube), so charging a few hundred dollars for it seems absurd when you can get WAY more powerful, portable devices for the same price (e.g. iPod touch for $200). How the heck are they getting away with these kinds of prices?

 

[Hellotalkie]

the prices aren't too bad, i just think your cheap
Really, the models priced over 100 are pretty good for your value
you get a built in amp, cd player, radio and maybe a fancy screen. plus some have hd radio, satellite or bluetooth
I paid 300 for my alpine 9886, mostly because it looks amazing and its a good brand. Look at receivers for a home system, a GOOD receiver alone cost 300+, I don't see what your comparing it to?

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: brikis98
Am I the only one who thinks the prices for car head units are absurd? A CD player + radio isn't exactly cutting edge technology and the form factor shouldn't be difficult (standard size cube), so charging a few hundred dollars for it seems absurd when you can get WAY more powerful, portable devices for the same price (e.g. iPod touch for $200). How the heck are they getting away with these kinds of prices?

prices have gotten alot cheaper for head units now. for $150-200, you can get one with ipod control, usb mass storage playback, cd (mp3 cd included) playback, and radio. and aux inputs. for a little more you can throw in bluetooth with that as well, and better DAC's and SQ. they USED to be very expensive. i remember buying for $200 a pioneer head unit that had "cutting edge" mp3 cd playback capabilities. any aux input would require a $50 proprietary cable.

 

[brikis98]

Update

Ok, after doing more research, I have it narrowed down to 2 options:

Sony Xplod CDX-GT130 CD Receiver: $97 including shipping, in-dash kit, wire harness and coupon
Cheapest receiver I could find that had an AUX in, was made by a decent brand, and had good reviews. I'd connect the iPhone to the cigarette lighter for charging and to the car speakers via AUX in cable.

Sony CDX-GT630UI CD Receiver with iPod Control: $120 including shipping, in-dash kit, wire harness and coupon
Similar to the receiver above, except it also has a USB input that will both charge the iPhone and play its audio over the speakers. This is a slightly more elegant solution as I'd only need a single wire. Unfortunately, I've read that the sound from phone calls does NOT go through the iPod cable, so to satisfy my 3rd requirement I'd still have to use the AUX input... I wonder how the stereo reacts with both iPod and stereo cables hooked up?

If not for the phone call issue, I'd probably be willing to dish out the extra $20 to only have to deal with a single wire. However, that may be a deal breaker and push me towards the first solution.

 

[brikis98]

Ok, thought about it and decided that getting the more expensive receiver with iPod control doesn't make sense if it can't handle phone calls anyway. Therefore, I ordered the Sony Xplod CDX-GT130 and will post thoughts once I have it installed and hooked up to my iPhone.