[RunsWithScissors]

Completed the installation of the aux connector to my factory honda car stereo via CD changer connection. I used this aux adapter: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piehonaux.html
(I have a '99 Accord V6 coupe with factory CD player with CD changer controls but no CD changer)

I also used the acoustic research rca-mini cable - at $12.99 from BestBuy you can't go wrong and it beats the hell out of radioshack crappy cables (thanks to Hirsch for recommending this in another post!). Model AP042
http://www.bestbuy.com/Detail.asp?m=...803&e=11054074

Also bought the monster iPod car charger - low profile plug fit my installation needs but generally I hate all Monster products cuz they are overpriced and usually poor quality - I hope I don't regret this purchase - other iPod car chargers are less money and may fit your needs better - shop around.

I also ordered this mount (still waiting for it):
http://www.welovemacs.com/cm128.html
do a web search on part number 'cm128' and you will find it for less $$$.
one example:
http://www.dsmiller.com/cgi-dsmiller...3071419affba89


Lots of nice accessories here (prices are a bit high):
http://www.welovemacs.com/ipod-stuff.html


So - how does it sound?

I compared an album on my iPod which I ripped with EAC and then encoded to MP3 using LAME 3.90.2 -alt-preset extreme with the original CD - the subtle differences were not worth mentioning - for all intents and purposes the iPod sounded just as good as my CD player.

Overall, I'm very happy with the result and the effort is well worth the small investment.



Some more info for anyone who wants to explore AUX input with their factory or aftermarket car stereo...

Where to get connectors/adapters:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/caraudio.html
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/auxinpconv.html
http://www.rcainput.com/
http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_cata...tz_catalog.html
http://www.soundgate.com/

Some of these vendors offer products which allow you to hook up both a CD changer and an AUX connector support varies depending upon your car stereo model.

Mounts for holding iPod:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...oduct_id=17-548


http://www.panavise.com/nf/comm/cell_portagrip2000.html


Cables:
http://www.radioshack.com/category....02%5F000&Page=1

http://www.monstercable.com/compute...er.asp?pin=1731



step by step installation with pictures:
http://www.installdr.com/


Hope this helps you with your installation!

 

[jaskin]

Sounds really cool, I wish I had the time to do such an installation.

 

[RunsWithScissors]

Installation took me a little more than one half hour. Finding all the parts (adapters, cables, mount, etc) took longer and my post is intended to help save you time searching since I've already done a lot of it myself.

 

[MadDog5145]

What was your total cost? And how do you figure out if your cd player accepts a cd changer?

 

[RunsWithScissors]

cost:
PIE AUX-in adapter: $49.99
RCA-mini cable (Acoustic Research model AP042): $12.99

++++++
adapter and rca-mini cables are all you need to pump sound through your car stereo so you could call it quits right here
++++++

Car mount (Arkon model cm-128): $13.98 ($22 after S&H) (other vendors sell same product for as much as $39 so shop around)
(other nice mount options avail from www.panavise.com)

iPod car charger (Monster): $29.99
(other car chargers readily available for $12.99 to $20)

(don't forget - you'll need to buy an iPod too

)

self installed thanks to some help from www.installdr.com

Your car stereo will typically have markings on the control buttons for CD changer operation if it supports a changer. It was fairly obvious on my factory honda stereo. Otherwise, consult the manufacturer or go have a look at the rear panel yourself.

The advantage is that you don't have to fiddle with fm modulators like the iRock or iTrip but you do have to deal with some wires - I'll take the trade-off for the sound quality you get with the hardwired approach anyday!

 

[charlesb]

Quote:

Originally posted by RunsWithScissors cost: PIE AUX-in adapter: $49.99 RCA-mini cable (Acoustic Research model AP042): $12.99 ++++++ adapter and rca-mini cables are all you need to pump sound through your car stereo so you could call it quits right here ++++++

Oh, boy. I think you've just pushed me over the edge on getting an iPod. One question: Which document(s) did you use from installdr.com? I'm pretty clear on all of this, except how I get access to the ports on the back of the CD/cassette player. The car is a 2003 Pilot.

 

[RunsWithScissors]

Newer models are harder to find info for. I looked quickly at installdr and could not find any info for the 2003 honda pilot - sorry.

I have a '99 Accord V6 coupe so I got my info here:
http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/Honda/Accord.html

Don't give up! It is definitely worth the effort!

You might even be able to walk into any place that installs car audio and ask them to perform the installation for you - I inquired at a local circuit city and was told it would not be a problem and most likely only get charged around 20 bucks - this was all verbal so I don't know if this is typical.

 

[charlesb]

Quote:

Originally posted by RunsWithScissors Newer models are harder to find info for. I looked quickly at installdr and could not find any info for the 2003 honda pilot - sorry. I have a '99 Accord V6 coupe so I got my info here: http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/Honda/Accord.html Don't give up! It is definitely worth the effort! You might even be able to walk into any place that installs car audio and ask them to perform the installation for you - I inquired at a local circuit city and was told it would not be a problem and most likely only get charged around 20 bucks - this was all verbal so I don't know if this is typical.

Well, I ordered the auxilliary input adapter and the male>mini adapter. I looked at the install instructions for the Accord and that gives me a good idea how this will proceed. I'll see if I can do it, if not there is a circuit city across the street from where I work and I bet they'll do it for a nominal charge. Step one is to plug in my Tibook and then decide which iPod to get. Pretty exciting to think about high quality sound input and every song I would ever want to play in the car without carting around that shoebox full of CD's.

 

[Nick3D]

that's funny...
my "iPod in the car" project took all 5 minutes and $0.

But that would be inaccurate, to say the least, the car was already modded with a CD changer and throwing in a FM modulator that I had gotten for FREE

helped too...

(FM modulator, I know, I know, will get a better car stereo sometime soon...)

I had the monster cables and this one that merges them in 1/4" and I haven't bothered to install an iPod holder yet, but using the dock's line out doesn't seem like it would help out THAT much with the stock radio/speakers...

that's where my real cost is going to be...new front and rear speakers, a sub or two, amp(s) and naturally a new much better than stock radio...by then I'm pretty sure I'll have a super-dock for home use so the regular dock will find its place inside the car, too.

 

[charlesb]

Well, I've tried an FM transmitter before, the "iRock", which is probably the worst one of the available choices and it was just -awful-, so I am determned to do better than that.

BTW, both the cable solution and the FM transmitter approach also let you play DVD's on a laptop and get the sound over the card speakers. Honda charges something like $2k for a "rear seat entertainment system", so doing it with a laptop is basically like getting a free laptop..

I'll report back when I get this working!

 

[charlesb]

It works! I got the CD changer cable, and an RCA>mini Y adapter, and then also needed some RCA extender cables, but the 10 gig iPod works in the car. I ended up having the boys at Circuit City do the install ($63) and when I saw how they had to take the console apart, I was pleased to have spent the money to let them do the work.

I ended up having the cable run to a compartment in the Honda Pilot center console, where Honda has thoughtfully included a celphone holder and a power outlet. Eventually, I'll get a car power adapter for the iPod and the thing can charge alongside the celphone. There is sufficient cable that I can pick up the iPod and hold it to change songs.

This wasn't exactly an audiophile project, because its mp3's over a car stereo system, but OTOH, I have a -good- car stereo and I have to spend 2 hours/day in that car commuting, so I am very pleased with how this has turned out.

Thanks for posting the URL's and the howto! I am learning why the "sorry about your wallet" greeting is so apt....

 

[SpoonSports]

Great info - I have been thinking about ordering the neo ion from www.mp3yourcar.com I have been researching this and so far I have heard only good things about them.

 

[Sledge]

I did the same thing to my 2k1 Civic. I bought the adapter from Log Jam, got an RCA-2-mini cable and installed it in under half an hour. Much better than those crappy FM transmitters. I don't have a holder for my Karma. I just let it sit on the passenger seat or in the cup holder.

 

[SpoonSports]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoonSports Great info - I have been thinking about ordering the neo ion from www.mp3yourcar.com I have been researching this and so far I have heard only good things about them.

I went ahead and ordered one of these units and I love it. It sounds really good and I had no trouble installing it. I highly recommend getting one from them.

 

[Cyrillic]

Is there a way to do this without having a CD player?