I tried the search with no success so I thought I would post this to maybe get some help from those of you who have IPODs installed in your cars.

Did you connect it to your headunit directly from behind in the AUXILARY space? I do not want the cassette adaptor or FM Modulator, I woud like a direct connection. Where can I buy the car adaptor? Apple or aftermarket brands? Any good brands you guys know of?

Do you have a neat mounting position in the car for the actual unit when you drive? Any pictures? If you connect the ipod to the back of the stereo then did you drill a hole up through your center console to bring it out?

I saw Walkabout's install and it looks great, but I don't have a charging dock. Do I need one? Can i just get it to play in my car stereo?

Anybody have a nice setup that can help out? I am so confused!

 

Look for a device called the HON-AUX from PIE. This allows any device to connect to the CD-changer as aux input via RCA cables. Getting the iPod to connect is trivial with a Y-cable.

My setup also includes the Belkin adapter, which powers the iPod via the dock connector on the bottom. It also gets line-out audio from the iPod via the same connector. Now if you have a 3rd gen or 4th gen ipod or ipod mini, you can connect with just one cable.

I have the Belkin under the center console wired into +12V. A Y-adaptor connects from the Belkin to the HON-AUX. The iPod sits in the glovebox or on the center armrest.

This setup will remain until Alpine gets their new iPod solution out in September (requires a new headunit and iPod interface).

 

Agree with Robert, the PIE Hon-Aux adaptor is a necessity.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...25&pagenumber=1

I installed a power outlet in the front of my car, courtesy of Ron Blanford's instructions and use the Belkin auto kit too. That kit uses a line out feature in the dock connector so you get better sound than the headphone jack.
http://www.blanford.com/AccessoryPowerOutlet/index.html

I have mine mounted next to my Pocket PC GPS system within reach when needed.

You don't need a charger (the Belkin auto kit), but then you either need to buy a ground loop isolator or wire your Hon-Aux to ground it. Once again, the Belkin auto kit (charger) also has a line out feature which makes it easy to connect your ipod.

 

I assume you are using the stock headunit? If so, the previous responses should be all you'll need. If you're going after-market, you have a couple of other options. Here's my install - Waiting for the Alpine iPod controller, when that comes, I'll be upgrading from my 14th century, 1st generation iPod...

 

iTrip for iPod

 

Thanks for all the input guys! Fortunately I soon realized that I had an Aux Input in my Sony headunit, so all I had to do was buy a $3 mini-RCA cable to connect my Mini Ipod.

New question that came into mind as I was reading your guy's posts was in the Ipod you have the headphone jack. Am I losing sound quality but connecting that directly to my headunit or would it be better if I purchase that Belkin power adaptor with the line out feature and connect my headunit to that instead?

thanks!

 

Not really. As long as the volume is reasonable and does not distort, you should be OK. The Belkin adaptor I mentioned does have line out, but there also is an amplifier in it. The iPod with the Belkin loses it's volume control ('cause it's line out), so the volume is adjusted on the Belkin to make the iPod the same volume as the radio and CD. Once set, you forget it and use the head unit to fix the volume.

 

ok last question i promise!

When i plug the headphone jack into the aux input on my headunit, i do not have the ability to control the ipod from the headunit (skip songs, pause, etc) except volume control. Is this because I am going through the headphone jack? Can this be alleviated with using the line out on the Belkin power adaptor? Or is this just what happens when you use Aux Inputs in headunits?

 

Unfotunately, the headunit will not control the Ipod. Volume is the only control you will have.

 

nope, volume only. the only way to control the ipod is with the new alpine ipod solution.

remote controls require specific signals. your head unit doesn't have them. when you connect to the aux in, you only have 3 pins...right, left, ground. there is no pin for control.