YACAT

[nageov3t]

anyone have this? I've been looking for some unbiased reviews on the head unit...

I'm getting a new car next week (new-ish, at least... 2003 mazda protege 5 with super low milage) and I think one of the first things I want to do is install a new audio system, since I've been dying for an audio system that can control my ipod. I'll be using this car for a couple years, god willing, so it doesn't seem like that bad of an investment.

(if anyone clicked on this looking for a cat, here ya go -- http://www.loki-online.net/images/Loki_in_box.jpg -- my cat inside an empty beer box)

 

[nageov3t]

nothin'?

 

[NaOH]

My experience with those HU that control your ipod are AWFULLY sluggish. Especially with a large library. I have an alpine HU too and I love it for it's simplistic look. The audio quality is also superb. Mine came with an aux line in (3.5mm jack, just like headphones). So i bought the monster cable charger that has a lineout (best sound from ipod), ground loop isolater (removes alternator interference), and hooked it up to the aux in. That way, my friends can control everything from my ipod and it's a lot safer to scroll through since it's so fast. I usually use playlists though.

So mine was hooked up like this ipod => monster cable charger => ground loop isolater => HU

 

[MrChad]

You're referring to the Alpine KCA-420i iPod interface? My brother has that in his car. It works ok, but the scrolling is a bit slow and there are also limits on the number of playlists and songs it can display. The sound quality is excellent (for an iPod-head unit solution).

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have this in my car and love it!

It also has Aux in but it is in the rear of the unit so I have a plug sticking out from under the center console between the driver's seat that I can plug my iPod into.

 

[NaOH]

I believe his deck comes built in with support for an ipod.

 

[NaOH]

I got sick of the sound from my ipod so I'm back to sticking to good old original CDs. Traded all my stuff for a snowboard helmet.


You can't really go wrong with an Alpine HU. Pioneer's line is good also.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: AMDUALY
My experience with those HU that control your ipod are AWFULLY sluggish. Especially with a large library. I have an alpine HU too and I love it for it's simplistic look. The audio quality is also superb. Mine came with an aux line in (3.5mm jack, just like headphones). So i bought the monster cable charger that has a lineout (best sound from ipod), ground loop isolater (removes alternator interference), and hooked it up to the aux in. That way, my friends can control everything from my ipod and it's a lot safer to scroll through since it's so fast. I usually use playlists though.

So mine was hooked up like this ipod => monster cable charger => ground loop isolater => HU

I'd actually *much* rather get one with a front line-in, so I'm not screwed if I ever change to a different MP3 player, but I can't seem to find one on Crutchfield that won't require me modifying my car (2003 mazda protege5)

 

[FeuerFrei]

I'm considering that unit myself.
Alpine has an adapter that will connect to any USB drive to play the mp3s and allow you to control playback from the head unit.

With Alpine head units that have USB connection feature, now you can connect a leading brand MP3 player like iRiver? to your system, and control it right from the head unit! All it takes is Alpine?s KCA-620M for digital quality sound. You can even charge your portable MP3 device while you drive and listen.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: AMDUALY
My experience with those HU that control your ipod are AWFULLY sluggish. Especially with a large library. I have an alpine HU too and I love it for it's simplistic look. The audio quality is also superb. Mine came with an aux line in (3.5mm jack, just like headphones). So i bought the monster cable charger that has a lineout (best sound from ipod), ground loop isolater (removes alternator interference), and hooked it up to the aux in. That way, my friends can control everything from my ipod and it's a lot safer to scroll through since it's so fast. I usually use playlists though.

So mine was hooked up like this ipod => monster cable charger => ground loop isolater => HU

I'd actually *much* rather get one with a front line-in, so I'm not screwed if I ever change to a different MP3 player, but I can't seem to find one on Crutchfield that won't require me modifying my car (2003 mazda protege5)

You misunderstood. There will be a 3.5MM cable coming out of your deck (just snake it into the cabin of your car). Now you can plug and play anything you want that has a headphone jack.

So you have your deck. Then you have the ground loop isolator which will be connected to your deck via 3.5mm. Then the ground loop has a 3.5mm cable coming out of it so you can snake it so it hangs somewhere you can easilly access. That's where you have your monster cable charger that has a line out. It plugs on the the bottom of your ipod and also has a 3.5mm jack. Plug the 3.5mm cable you snaked from the ground loop into the monster cable charger. That's it. If you ever want to plug something else, just unplug the cable from the monster cable charger and plug it into a different mp3 player, ps2, dvd player etc.