iPod + Car Stereo

[Norske]

Lately I've been using my FM transmitter to use my iPod in my car, and even though that sounds really crappy I think I want to upgrade to a "higher end" solution.

I've done some research and the stuff that Alpine has looks really cool, but I don't want to spend $450 to find out that it doesn't work as intended. So if you have any personal experiences with having a nice, semi-hardwired iPod setup in your car I'd like to hear. I do not want to simply play the music in my car, I want to retain full functionality of the iPod through my car stereo, which I think you can do with the Alpine equipment.

KCA-420i - iPod Controller
Alpine CDA-9853 $350
Alpine CDA-9855 $450
(Either of these two decks, the 9855 has 4v preamp instead of the other with 2v)

Check out Alpine USA for a cool demo. There's a link to it on the front page, just click the iPod.

 

[jpeyton]

Or you can use any car stereo with a front-panel stereo minijack input. There are several different brands that have them for ~$100 or less.

 

[swtethan]

yes.. older stereos have that jack in the front

 

[bootymac]

.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Or you can use any car stereo with a front-panel stereo minijack input. There are several different brands that have them for ~$100 or less.

Yup, that's what I do. My JVC MP3 player has a jack that I put my Axim w/ 4gb microdrive in to..

 

[InverseOfNeo]

I use that Alpine product with the Alpine CDA-9851...its great! Try getting the HU off ebay. I think I saved like over $100 (compared to retail).

Edit: Didnt completely read your post, but yes you will be able to do everything through the head unit.

 

[gsethi]

Cant beat this setup for the price

I switched from the FM transmitter to this. Works only if you have a CAS player.

 

[zeruty]

pioneer has their own adapter too, thats what I have installed in my car. The deck I purchased at the same time was cheaper than any of the alpine decks that fit my needs...

 

[Modeps]

I've got a JVC that plays MP3 CDs and has an aux minijack in the front... so I just jack in.

 

[randomlinh]

auxmod.. heh.. it's specific to my car... doesn't really help you does it with that said, I'm not sure how well these things can be functional.. ie browsing playlists, and then navigating back to your music library. i too have yet to see one function in real life. If you don't want to spend the money, i'd vote for finding a head unit that has an auxillary input. and if you want to have to charge too, you could follow this guide.

 

[thirdeye]

Well as for the deck and I can confirm the 9855 is an awesome unit. I never purchased the iPod thing though (thought about it) mostly because I hate my iPod and never use it.

 

[Pepsi90919]

i have a JVC with an SD card input, so yeah.

 

[Dulanic]

Dont use that, use a Kenwood MusicKeg, 20GB hooked directly into my head unit, love it.

 

[PatboyX]

you might just need a better fm transmitter.
ive got one built into my xm radio that is perfect. i live in northern-middle nj and anytime i would try to use an ipod with the standard itrip the signal was too weak.
i think belkin makes a decent one.

 

[new2AMD]

Originally posted by: Modeps
I've got a JVC that plays MP3 CDs and has an aux minijack in the front... so I just jack in.

Ive got one too but I dont use that jack anymore. I have an RCA to mini cable running from the line in behind the stereo and up through my dash into my cupholder.

 

[PatboyX]

Originally posted by: Modeps
I've got a JVC that plays MP3 CDs and has an aux minijack in the front... so I just jack in.

i probably have basically the same model...mine probably didnt cost too much more than 100 bucks. so...if the OP is willing, thats a pretty good step up in all regards for not too much cash.

 

[Abhi]

I just plug in it in to a AUX in on my Sony CD Player...

 

[Norske]

The main thing is I don't want to just have a simple connection from the front of my deck, I want it to look nice and basically be a part of my car stereo. I also want to retain full functionality of my iPod through the HU, and from the replies it seems that that will be the case with the Alpine unit. I'll check out the other recommendations as well and see if there might be a better price/setup (such as that arm rest idea). Also I could purchase off ebay, but if I go through Bestbuy or somewhere similar the installation is included + garunteed.

As for the improved FM transmitter and all that, I could go that route but I would like a new deck anyways, and it would be really nice to have the whole setup look like it is part of the car rather than something I can use in my car.