iPod ready car stereos - which is best

[Devil\'s Refugee]

Looking to replace the standard Rex units, so wanting an iPod ready or iPod connectable stereo. Single or Double din, not bothered.

Have seen a very nice JVC (I think) DVD/ mp3 double din player which has a seperate connector for the iPod, but would appreciate experiences of other makes/ installs you have. Would like something with a larger screen, whether double din or flip.

Also, what sizes are the standard speakers, front and back ??

[Bazza]

The kenwoo kdc w 8534 looks very good £200 as well  :wiggle

[Lisa Chen]

This new iPod adapter
Makes iPod or MP3 as a CD changer, and play iPod or MP3 through car
Audio system, it does not use FM transmitter, but wire connection.
(Plug into the CD changer port of the Head Unit). Once it is equipped,
You can choose music of iPod or USB disk from the car stereo\'s buttons or steering wheel controls,
For example,
1 choose playlist from iPod
2 Select songs by Next or Previous
3 Multi Play modes: Repeat, Random, Scan
4 Charge function

[RedRummy]

how do i get me one of them?

[elford_tim]

Several of the iPod connector units that are available from the H/U manufacturers do offer that kind of functionality.

[Frankie]

I\'m running a Pioneer DEH 8600 head unit with a CD-IB100 iPod adapter.

Once cabled up its all controlled from the heat unit.  No messing about with the iPod while on the move and song title, artist etc are displayed on the screen.

[RedRummy]

Looks good... :Thumbs-up

how do you change Album, or change to a playlist or whatever using the head unit..?

[elford_tim]

The 8600MP is a very good HU, I\'ve got one in my FC (although with the normal line-in box and not the real iPod connector). In my limited understanding the \'real\' iPod connector makes the iPod look like a gigantic MP3 cd so you just scroll through the albums/playlists by twiddling the rhs knob in the appropriate way.

Which reminds me, I need to look into getting another one for the FD that\'s pending. This time with the real iPod connector box... That is, unless someone can recommend a HU of similar specification and quality that\'s a bit easier to find.

[Frankie]

That\'s correct the right hand knob moves between playlists by flicking it up or down and between tracks by moving it left or right, same as you\'d control a CD changer.

[N777CK T]

using the head unit to select songs is crap...

get a head unit with an aux input 3.5mm hole in the front and plug in your ipod that way with a wire that costs like £2 from halfrauds...

[Frankie]

using the head unit to select songs is crap...

get a head unit with an aux input 3.5mm hole in the front and plug in your ipod that way with a wire that costs like £2 from halfrauds...

Yeah great idea....


If you\'re a cheapskate and want worse sound quality and a messy dashboard :2Confused

[eyedee]

I think there\'s some sense in what N777CK T says.  Basically, lots of headunits that claim to have iPod functionality (JVC\'s, Sony\'s Kenwoods etc.) use a converter box which translates the users headunits command to the iPod.  It allows you to have full control of the music aspects of all iPods, but often the time it takes to cycle through the iPods data brings the user close to suicide.  It\'s a common problem and not the best idea when sat in a car doing XX(X)mph, as you just might top yourself.  So save your friends and family a small fortune on funeral costs, simply invest in a second generation USB2 connectivity head unit (such as the Alpine: iDA-X001).  It will require a fifth generation iPod, but it controls the iPod at the same speed as if you were rolling your thumb over that click wheel.  Nice.  :mmmm

But yes, 3.5mm headphone jack style "aux" in connections suck.  :rolleyes:

[RedRummy]

Yeah great idea....


If you\'re a cheapskate and want worse sound quality and a messy dashboard :2Confused

you can get connecteors that plug into th back of the headunit and can be wired into the glove box that end in a 3.5mm jack... but yeah, the sound quality will be a bit worse (i think it will anyway... think its only aux input but not 100% sure).

[N777CK T]

Frankie - to be honest you have to be really ANAL to complain about the sound quality - mine was fine... and it can be solved anyway... if you\'re so worried about it just make sure you have higher kb/ps mp3s...

My Aiwa head unit (havent put it in the RX7 yet) was perfect cos a 3.5mm aux input on the front means that there doesnt have to be anything on display too so no ipod cradles screwed into your dash etc...

Plus its soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much quicker to find a tune with the ipod....
Ive used an "Ipod Compatible Head Unit" and i didnt notice an amazing sound quality and it takes so long to search through playlists, albums, genres, artists, etc with one of these units which are "supposed" to be designed for an Ipod.
Messy dash? its just one wire FFS!

Cheapskate? HAHA! Yeah Right! whats the point of spending more money for the same thing.
Thats my opinion anyway.