Car MP3 player--am I searching for an 8 track deck here?

[sammykhalifa]

Hey all,

It's my Dad's birthday. My mom is looking for an MP3 player they can use in the car during trips, perhaps reading the music off of a USB. Now I realize that most people will just use cell phones, but this is my dad we're talking about here.

I'm seeing several very inexpensive (cheap?) options online, but I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions for me for something easy to use, relatively inexpensive but not junky. I was under the impression that standalone players are a thing of the past at this point.

 

[TheStu]

Are they going to connect it to the car's stereo, or use an external speaker?

If the former, what sort of connection options are there (bluetooth, aux, tape deck, USB port, SD card)?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Hey all,

It's my Dad's birthday. My mom is looking for an MP3 player they can use in the car during trips, perhaps reading the music off of a USB. Now I realize that most people will just use cell phones, but this is my dad we're talking about here.

I'm seeing several very inexpensive (cheap?) options online, but I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions for me for something easy to use, relatively inexpensive but not junky. I was under the impression that standalone players are a thing of the past at this point.

How will they get the audio to the car stereo? Is it so old they have a tape deck adaptor? Or is it now a CD player so you have to use crappy fm modulation?

If its the latter I would strongly consider something like this instead:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer...iver-with-detachable-faceplate-blue/7496002.p

 

[corkyg]

It would help to know the kind of car and model. Many newer cars have USB ports that can handle flash media loaded with MP3 files. Even easier if the car has Sync. Some 2015 cars now have Bluetooth.

 

[maevinj]

If it has a usb connection, then a flash drive will work. I buy the cheap ones and just leave it in my car until it melts and then get a new one.

 

[Ichinisan]

Does the stereo have an 3.5mm AUX input jack?

 

[CZroe]

I think he's talking about replacing the car's stereo, guys. So far all replies seem to ignore this possibility. If so, watch SlickDeals for a head unit.

 

[VashHT]

Digital only head units are easy to find, you can get one for under $100 on crutchfield. I had a kenwood one in my old car that I got for $90 I believe, had bluetooth and USB and played a ton of different file formats. Only problem with a lot of modern cars is you need an adapter which usually costs more than the head unit, but some sites give you a discount if you buy it all there. Otherwise if the OP just wants a mp3 player to plug into aux I'd just get a sansa clip probably, they're dirt cheap and mine has lasted me a couple years so far.

 

[JeffMD]

If you are looking for easy to use.. just get a bluetooth deck and connect your phone. navigating any kind of mp3 list on a deck that itself does not have a 4" or bigger navigation screen is itself very frustrating no matter what.

 

[DefDC]

Many/most(?) car CD players will read MP3 files from the disc. Can your dad burn a disc? Or you can load a disc up for him? Obviously, you can put a TON of MP3 on a CD. At bare minimum, your dad will be blown away about how much music is on one disc...

If he just has all the albums from his favorite artist per disc, that'd be pretty cool for someone like that.

If you don't mind exposing him to a little tech, maybe get a vent clip and put a $10-$20 Verizon MotoG? (unactivated) If he already has an AUX input, total cost will be under $30 A good free player like PowerAmp won't have TOO steep a learning curve. There are many "Car Mode" apps that might make it easier, but you probably know all this...

 

[sammykhalifa]

Thanks. I'm not actually looking for a head unit but I can understand from reading my original post why you'd think that. Sorry about that.

I'm still trying to hear back from mom about what kind of inputs they have. I'm about 99% sure there isn't a USB option (which is what I do on my Ford), but I'm thinking there may be a line in which would obviously make it much easier.

I understand the option of just burning onto a CD, but I'm thinking they'd like a player. She's still thinking they might like a dedicated player though.

 

[Ichinisan]

Thanks. I'm not actually looking for a head unit but I can understand from reading my original post why you'd think that. Sorry about that.

I'm still trying to hear back from mom about what kind of inputs they have. I'm about 99% sure there isn't a USB option (which is what I do on my Ford), but I'm thinking there may be a line in which would obviously make it much easier.

I understand the option of just burning onto a CD, but I'm thinking they'd like a player. She's still thinking they might like a dedicated player though.

If there's an aux jack, the iPod touch 5th gen would be great. AWESOME little device. No need to get the newly-revised (6th-gen?) one with the 64-bit processor. Since it will be used primarily for music, the A5 version is just perfect.

For a while, a cheaper version was sold that had no camera. That would probably be really affordable to get a pre-owned one. A lot of people leave their iPods in the car (wouldn't summer heat absolutely destroy the battery?). If it was me, I would get a Mountek nGroove Snap and adhere the magnetic plate to the iPod.

I have the nGroove Snap with the plate sandwiched between my iPhone 6 Plus and the case (Incipio NGP). It works great. My iPhone 6 Plus sticks to the mount and I can turn it whichever way I want. I press the button on my Belkin AirCast Auto bluetooth adapter (Belkin BT connects to the car through my radio's Aux jack) and it connects to my phone. Then, I can use Siri to play songs from artist ____, play all songs shuffled, play album ___, "take me to 123 Wharf Avenue," ... Since the iPod is WiFi-only, you can disable Siri and use basic voice control commands. Even without Bluetooth, you can activate voice control by holding the only button on the front of the iPod touch for 1 second.

A perfect case for the 5th-gen iPod touch is the Incipio Frequency. I don't know if they made a version without camera / strap cut-outs for that cheaper version of the iPod. If the iPod stays in the car, I guess you don't really need a case. I'd recommend the magnetic mount so the device can easily be stashed away and won't attract interest from thieves.