iPod car adapter question

Jonathan Peterson · 02-02-2007, 01:06 PM

What is the best adapter to purchase for listening to an iPod in the car? Also, can you control the iPod's volume and change songs with the steering wheel controls?

Matt Stryker · 02-02-2007, 03:31 PM

I would say, in order of preference:

1) direct wiring - if your head unit is ipod ready or even if it just has RCA jacks on the back, hook it up that way. Best sound quality, and may be relatively inexpensive if you can run the cable.

2) tape adapter - not quite as good sound quality-wise, but still not bad. Plus you probably don't use your tape deck much anymore, so you can just leave the cassette adapter in there until you need it.

3) FM transmitters (Tunecast, etc) - while they can potentially give you better sound than a tape adapter, if you live near a decent sized city or travel you will have to constantly find clear FM stations to broadcast on. Even then the sound quality tends to be somewhat poor, and the unit either requires batteries or you have to hook it up to your cigarette lighter.

You could potentially use bluetooth if your car supports it and you got a transmitter for your iPod.

MarkHastings · 02-02-2007, 03:48 PM

in 2004, BMW was the first company to integrate an iPod directly into the radio. Mine is hooked up via the 6 CD Changer connection and the wire connection lives in the glove box and plugs right into the bottom of the iPod (not the headphones or other crappy output). This way, I can control the iPod (to an extent) through the steering wheel.

You create 5 custom playlists and can select them as "discs" like you would select CD's from the 6 CD Changer. The 6th button is an "All Play".

You can flip through songs and even use the random function (right from the radio). Of course, the downside is, you can't see what song is playing and you can't search for a specific song.

I know other manufacturers have jumped onboard with this integration, so you should look into your cars possibility.

Of course, I have heard of radios that allow better control (with song and artist display), but I don't know what those are like.

Also, just as an FYI, the direct connection from the iPod actually sounds better than anything I've ever tried (i.e. Casette adapter, FM transmitter, etc.) - and, in fact, it even sounds better than burning the songs to CD.

Jonathan Peterson · 02-02-2007, 04:52 PM

Matt,

With this option:

1) direct wiring - if your head unit is ipod ready or even if it just has RCA jacks on the back, hook it up that way. Best sound quality, and may be relatively inexpensive if you can run the cable.

How would I know if my stereo has those jacks? My car is a 2004 Honda Accord. It is the 6 CD with XM radio version. Is there a kit I can purchase?

Matt Stryker · 02-02-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Peterson

My car is a 2004 Honda Accord. It is the 6 CD with XM radio version. Is there a kit I can purchase?

I just found this on google, step by step for a 2004 accord:

http://www.distantcreations.com/accordipod/

there were other results that might help - try googling 2004 honda accord ipod. Another mentioned there is a way to disable the XM radio (if you don't use it) and run the ipod in through that input and maybe even be able to see song titles on the display of your radio.

**HTF Ads**

Ray Chuang · 02-02-2007, 11:33 PM

A number of car manufacturers now offer special adapter kits that allow you to use the iPod's data connector so the car stereo can directly control the iPod. Honda has such a kit for the current Honda Civic and Accord models and most Acura models.

Also, many new car stereo head units now can directly control an iPod through the data connector with special adapter kits, too.

drobbins · 02-03-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

tape adapter - not quite as good sound quality-wise, but still not bad. Plus you probably don't use your tape deck much anymore, so you can just leave the cassette adapter in there until you need it.

I originaly used one of these.
Pros: If you adjust the ipod volume & the radio volume, you can get a consistant volume level between songs. I had no issues with the quality of sound, but my factory speaers are nothing to brag about.
Cons: I didn't like the wire going into the center of the dashboard. The adapter doesn't recharge the ipod so you need a charger also. You have to turn on & off the ipod manually.

Quote:

FM transmitters (Tunecast, etc) - while they can potentially give you better sound than a tape adapter, if you live near a decent sized city or travel you will have to constantly find clear FM stations to broadcast on. Even then the sound quality tends to be somewhat poor, and the unit either requires batteries or you have to hook it up to your cigarette lighter.

I am currently using one of these. Mine is a combo charger / transmitter.
Pros: Only one wire to the plug - hardly noticeable. I don't lock my car. Always charged. Turns off with the car, but I still have to press play when starting.
Cons: I have a 45 minute rural drive to work. The last 5 minutes in the morning I get some static when I am in town. I am still using the default frequency though. I haven't had time to scan. I have about 600 songs from various sources and the volume level is different on each song. Strangely, only the songs that I purchased from itunes are the hardest to hear. Even with the car volume all the way up, the music sounds flat & hollow - no bass. Most of the time the songs are close enough so I don't mess with the volume.

I am planning to stay with the transmitter because the car is less cluttered and I don't have to remember to turn it off or charge it. It is a small Ford ZX2 (escort) and the kids were always getting tangled in the wires of the tape adapter.

MarkHastings · 02-03-2007, 09:05 AM

Dave, I had the same issue with the FM transmitter. Having a 50 mile commute made it almost impossible to get a clean signal the whole ride into work. Not to mention the interference from trucks on the highway, but yeah, it's better than the cassette adapter.

In fact, even my cassette adapter (when I actually had a cassette player in the car) had issues. Over time, the heat would warp the cassette slightly and the head wouldn't make a good connection in the stereo. Sometimes I had to stick my finger in there and press down on the cassette to get it to line up. Of course, after a little bit, it would work it's way back to not connecting.

I know the direct connection isn't the easiest (or most practical) solution, but it is SO much better than any other method that I can't ever imagine going back. Not only does it get power from the car, but I leave it in the glove box and never have to see it or futz with it. It's very "James Bond"

drobbins · 02-03-2007, 09:14 AM

Mark,
Currently I am about 2-3 months from completing the house I am building (still have tiles to install, hard wood flooring, finish paint, wood trim, drop ceiling) & my DVD player just died.

After I get moved in and my new theater set up, I will probably look into the direct connection. It sounds like the way to go.