New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Best iPod <=> car interface?

post #1 of 11
7/15/05 at 6:05pm
Thread Starter 
Hey all,
I'm planning on buying a new car, and currently I've been using a decent 1/8" jack to tape converter from sony I think. It sounds pretty good, and I feel better than radio stations. So the issue is that I have 3 potential new cars, (mazda 3, acura rsx, and mitsubishi eclipse, if you're curious). Only the mazda and acura offer tape decks, so the question is whether there will be a noticeable degredation in sound quality by using a special radio transmitter. Of course, the best option would be to hardwire an external input into the radio device itself, but that's a lot of work, and could leave me without a radio. Man, why haven't these car manufacturers figured out to put a damn external jack in their radios yet? (well one figured it out, but they don't make good cars... GM). Anyhow, any thoughts?

cheers
Reply
post #2 of 11
7/15/05 at 8:11pm
Check if any of them have a line in.

My setup is ipod --> pocket dock --> mini to mini --> car line in.

Sounds far better than the tape deck or radio.
Reply
post #3 of 11
7/15/05 at 9:41pm
If you live in a fairly large metropolitan area I wouldn't go for the fm transmitters - most (if not all) are pretty weak and have bad sound quality, especially in an area with lots of radio stations.

Do any of the cars you're looking at have a line in?
Reply
post #4 of 11
7/15/05 at 9:47pm
OK, for the Mazda 3 there is the AUXMOD which you plug into the back of your stock stereo and provides a new line in plug. It's about $50
http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/

For the Acura RSX, there is this device which provides AUX input for $99
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/logjam/sounsnhond3.html

There may be an AUX input add-on for the Eclipse, but I couldn't find it during a quick Google.

I'm sure these aren't the only options for AUX input for these cars. Just Google the car you want and 'AUX Input' and you should find an option that works. As far as Tape deck and FM Modulators, I would avoid them at all costs. Neither sounds very good, and if worse comes to worse, just pull out the stock stereo and replace it with a cheap aftermarket stereo that has AUX inputs. I had to do that with my 2004 Nissan Altima.
Reply
post #5 of 11
7/17/05 at 3:59am
Buy GM...they could use the help...and their cars aren't that bad!!! Save the company!!!

Alright enough soap box...If you get stuck with the FM transmitter go with Monster's...definitely not Belkin...big difference (I own both).

If you can buy one of the new head units that have the ipod interface...I bought the Alpine ($200 for the head unit + $99 for the interface). This is the ultimate in sound quality as far as the ipod goes. I believe Kenwood and Pioneer now offer similar products. The only complaint is how slow the Alpine scrolls through artist names, albums or whichever means of thumbing through your ipod you perfer.
Reply
post #6 of 11
7/17/05 at 4:59am
Just buy a Mini Cooper or some other BMW-manufactured car -- the iPod seamlessly runs through my mom's shiny new Green Mini
Reply
post #7 of 11
7/17/05 at 4:30pm
Ah, another mini owner in the house. :-)
Reply
post #8 of 11
7/17/05 at 5:55pm
http://harmankardon.com/drive ?
Reply
post #9 of 11
7/17/05 at 6:43pm
I use the Sik Din line-out connected to a tape adapter and the sound is 10 times better than using the headphone out. But yeah, an aux input would be the best option.

If the car manufacturer doesn't offer an aux line input, there are inexpensive cd decks from Aiwa that feature front panel aux line inputs like this one. You can use these with any car you buy.
Reply
post #10 of 11
7/17/05 at 6:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ e
Ah, another mini owner in the house. :-)
Well it's not mine -- but I always 'test drive' it when I visit back home That car really goes!
Reply
post #11 of 11
7/19/05 at 7:53pm
my friend just bought a new alpine deck and alpine also sells an adapter for about $100 that goes from the line out of the ipod (like docking stations do) and then into the line in on the alpine deck. it sounds really good, and alpine stuff looks really nice. this wil get you the best sound quality out of the ipod possible.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home