Car and iPod integration.

P

Psychopomp

Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
2,662
Greetings all.

It's been a while since I've posted 'round here, but I've got a question and I know someone here's probably got an answer.

I've got a second generation iPod Nano that I'd like to run into my car's audio. But the catch is I want everything to look as clean and stock as possible... no wires running all over the place and if possible I'd like to control the iPod remotely so it can be hidden away in the glove compartment or the center console.

I am most likely going to have to buy a new head unit with built in aux-in jacks because the stock radio in my car (2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i) is lacking in that department.

So I'm open to any good suggestions on CD players. I'd like to keep it in the $200 range (which I'm sure will get me a very good unit).

But the fact that I want to keep the iPod hidden away presents another problem. What's out there in terms of remote controlling? It doesn't have to be a wireless remote, just something I can mount somewhere in reach but low profile. I've read that a lot of the iPod ready CD players that control the iPod through CD controls are very slow at scrolling through songs and finding things, so I'd like to keep as much normal iPod functionality as possible.

Third, what can be done about charging? Since I want the iPod hidden away somewhere, it's not going to have access to the outlet.

I'm fairly good at electrical work so putting it all together shouldn't be a problem, I'm just having trouble knowing where to start the search for parts. And I really don't know if everything I want is even possible. Or am I going to be stuck with some cables running through the car?

I'm open to any idea or suggestions anyone has.

Thanks.
 
go to best buy and inquire about a new stereo for your car. They'll take make, model, etc and tell you exactly what parts you need, which radio will fit, etc. Then take the slip they fill out for you and RUN!!!!!! You can use the info to do it yourself.
There are some cool options for Ipod integration. They will tell you all about them.

good luck!
Brett
 
i am an installer. i mainly do some of the higher end work but ipod integration into the factory systems is becoming a very routine install. i use an interface called ipod2car from peripheral electronics. it will allow you to listen to your ipod through the factory radio and control it from the factory radio. it is a great setup for people that want to keep the stock head unit. you can have your ipod out of sight in the glove box. it plugs in through the bottom of the ipod and charges it as well. do you have a factory changer in your car? or a SAT radio? or even a SAT radio button?
 
I though about replacing the radio in my Mini CooperS but went this route instead http://www.icarkits.com/ . It allows me to use the factory radio and steering wheel controls to control my ipod. Installation was a breeze as my Mini was wired for a cd changer but did not have one installed, the kit plugs into that wiring and even charges the ipod with an auto turn-off so it doesn't drain the battery.
 
CrawlinYJ said:
do you have a factory changer in your car? or a SAT radio? or even a SAT radio button?
Click to expand...

No, not built in. I think the CD player has a changer port, but I'm not 100% sure. The owner's manual says it does, but they can never be trusted and I haven't found the time to take the CD player out and look.

I looked at the ipod2car adapter not too long ago when I was thinking about doing this in my old car. But looking at it now, it doesn't seem to list any compatibility with Subaru's stock units.

If that's an option, what's the speed of scrolling through music like? I've read bad things about some of the early iPod ready head units that take forever to scroll through several hundred songs. I usually just put it on shuffle in the car, but sometimes I like to listen to something in particular.

Like I said before, my ultimate goals are ease of control and keeping the interior of the car as clean as possible.

If the ipod2car is out of the question, what are some good choices in head units that will let me control the ipod and charge? Again, I'm not looking to spend much over $200 and will do the install myself.

Thanks again.
 
Psychopomp said:
No, not built in. I think the CD player has a changer port, but I'm not 100% sure. The owner's manual says it does, but they can never be trusted and I haven't found the time to take the CD player out and look.

I looked at the ipod2car adapter not too long ago when I was thinking about doing this in my old car. But looking at it now, it doesn't seem to list any compatibility with Subaru's stock units.

If that's an option, what's the speed of scrolling through music like? I've read bad things about some of the early iPod ready head units that take forever to scroll through several hundred songs. I usually just put it on shuffle in the car, but sometimes I like to listen to something in particular.

Like I said before, my ultimate goals are ease of control and keeping the interior of the car as clean as possible.

If the ipod2car is out of the question, what are some good choices in head units that will let me control the ipod and charge? Again, I'm not looking to spend much over $200 and will do the install myself.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

alpine has the best ipod integration with its full speed cable. the decks range in price, the cable is 30 bucks. dash kit and harness will probably run you roughly 40 bucks for both. do you have steering wheel controls? if so, and you want to keep them, it will run another 100-150 bucks. the alpine also has the best interface since it allows you run hard wired controls versus the lame IR repeaters which basically turns your controls into a hard mounted remote. if the sun hits it, it doesnt work. and also if you hit the button once, it doesnt equate into one level increase in volume. its a bad setup.
 
If you're going to put a new head unit in, another option is to just get one that will play mp3s and then burn them onto a disc. You can put a ton of them on one disc and that avoids dealing with the ipod.
 
I've decided to go with an Alpine 9884 unit with the full speed cable.

After some thinking and making a few quick electrical diagrams, I realized that everything I wanted would work, but be so much added effort that it probably wouldn't be worth it.

I like the looks of this unit, the reviews are good and for ~$230 (deck and cable) + tax it seems like a pretty good deal. I don't know what kind of wiring harness I'll need, if any, and the stock deck is a single DIN so it should be able to mount in the same place. I plan on doing the install myself to save some cash

It looks like the only modifications I'll have to make to the interior of the car is a hole running into the glove box to the iPod. I'll fill it in with a rubber grommet to make it look all nice and purty and find some way to secure the ipod so it's not flopping around and I should be all set.

Anyone ever used this unit?

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top