Ipod Car kit?

[PapaBear]

Anyone have a car stereo that can control your Ipod?

Looking at something like:

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X305

Anybody have any experience with any specific unit?

Basically, Looking to control the Ipod through the head unit. I have very large library so simplicity of search is important.

Any sugestions?

Regards,
Nick

[SevenDeuceOffsuit]

I didn't want to replace my head unit, so I got this:

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default_dp1.aspx

It has an LCD display that shows the same menu you're used to on your Ipod, and a control unit with the same controls you're used to.

You can wire it to the back of your head unit for the best sound (requires an adapter, 20 buck or so), or use the built in FM transmitter to listen to the Ipod through an unused FM frequency.

As in your case, I have a huge library so I need to be able to search by artist, song, album, etc., which is easy on this because it acts exactly like my ipod.

[dermaestro]

I didn't want to replace my head unit, so I got this:

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default_dp1.aspx

I bought one of these for my wife. Unfortunately it didn't work well for us because there are WAY too many FM stations being picked up by her antenna. This meant we couldn't tune it.

I have one laying around, brand new if you want it. Say $20 shipped?

My wife got a new head unit for her birthday. I got her this Alpine (http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDA-9884).

She likes it. It controls the iPod directly. I just wish it had a remote. Great little head unit for the price.

[Quads]

Do you want to control your mp3 player from the head unit, or do you simple want to be able to listen to muzak from your mp3 player to the car stereo / head unit? You should be able to (depending on what you have now) is to use the aux. input with a cable (aux. to mp3 player of choice) and connect them that way. Krutchfield, along with others sell the kits to do so.

[PapaBear]

Do you want to control your mp3 player from the head unit, or do you simple want to be able to listen to muzak from your mp3 player to the car stereo / head unit? You should be able to (depending on what you have now) is to use the aux. input with a cable (aux. to mp3 player of choice) and connect them that way. Krutchfield, along with others sell the kits to do so.

Looking to control it through the head unit. I'm basically looking to clean up the mess o wires I have sitting on my passenger seat, and get the sound quality a bit better than I have now. Currently I have one of those cheap Belkin cassette player adapters. Sound quality is hideous. And would like to just hide the ipod away in the center console.

[Quads]

So your existing stereo doesn't have aux inputs?

I'd consider buying a unit that does, or has a usb port / aux jack to direct connect to it. Probably find something in the 200ish range. Which may be well worth it after you f* with adapters, plugs, aftermarket BS and so on.

I'm lucky, both our cars have a usb port in the dash that the mp3 player plugs into.

[dermaestro]

The Alpine I linked above I got for $169. Head units are cheap now.

Also, if you have audio controls on your steering wheel, you'll need an adapter to retain those controls if you do replace your head unit.