Pics of real car installations here!

[Marilynfan]

My website has lots of pics of the install plus all the parts I used and where I ordered from. Really easy!!

http://marilynmonroe.ca/bug

[hansenc]

Heres the install i just did in my car, i'm still waiting on my dock connector but this will do for now...

[i_am_petro]

Originally posted by reelmagik
Here's a pic of my recent custom install of my iPod mini in my Ford Explorer Sport. You can see all the pics at this address:

http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/sho...threadid=28019

This is the kewlest thing E-V-E-R!!!

[STAT 007]

There are some pretty slick installations here, but IMO, the best installation is not one that's all showy and puts the iPod on display as the center of attention on your dash. I mean, first of all, the iPod's controls are fairly difficult to operate while driving and unless the screen is right up near the roadway (basically, you holding it up in the air), it's a great distraction when driving. I know because I've been using mine like this for about a year along with a cassette adapter.

I think the best solution is like what Alpine has done with their new KCA-420i iPod Controller Unit, which lets you put the iPod out of sight (and out of sight of potential thieves too!) and control the iPod through your stereo. Still lets you search songs, playlists, albums, etc., but you get to do all this through your stereo (and can use the Alpine stereo remote to do this as well). Much safer, less wiring, higher quality, and less chance of theft, IMO. Might want to look into it.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mM3Xh8u...rch=kca%2D420i

[JohnnieRay]

Congratulations and envy to those of you playing your iPods through your car stereo. I've been waiting nearly a month for an AuxPod auxiliary input for my 2000 Honda Accord.

iTrip, you say? I think not. Have you tried to find an empty space on the FM band in Los Angeles?

[bhoward43]

Originally posted by STAT 007
There are some pretty slick installations here, but IMO, the best installation is not one that's all showy and puts the iPod on display as the center of attention on your dash. I mean, first of all, the iPod's controls are fairly difficult to operate while driving and unless the screen is right up near the roadway (basically, you holding it up in the air), it's a great distraction when driving. I know because I've been using mine like this for about a year along with a cassette adapter.

I think the best solution is like what Alpine has done with their new KCA-420i iPod Controller Unit, which lets you put the iPod out of sight (and out of sight of potential thieves too!) and control the iPod through your stereo. Still lets you search songs, playlists, albums, etc., but you get to do all this through your stereo (and can use the Alpine stereo remote to do this as well). Much safer, less wiring, higher quality, and less chance of theft, IMO. Might want to look into it.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mM3Xh8u...rch=kca%2D420i

im not quite sure i agree with you on this one. i have my ipod mounted on top of my dash (rather, a holder mounted, which i put the ipod into) and its much easier to look at that and control it than it would be to reach (and look!) further down away from the road to the headunit.

and to go against your argument for having the ipod in the air, do you control your headunit from a spot at eye level? also, unless you have a 400+ dollar alpine headunit, its only going to display a line or two of text at a time. tell me you can scroll through your head unit quicker and easier without taking your eyes off hte road just as much as you would if you had the ipod-which would scroll faster and display more at the same time anyway!

and honestly, whats complicated about using 3 buttons (menu, scrool wheel, and select) as compared to using a slow volume knob and three buttons on your stereo which arent even properly labeled to correspond with the ipod? im sure its something like "preset button 1 is playlist, 2 artist, 3 genre etc. etc.

and keeping hte ipod out of site to potential theives, i dont really know anyone with an ipod who would keep their it in their car all the time.

i really only see the alpine controller being for people who a) already have a compatible alpine headunit, b) have lots of money to spend if they dont, or c) prefer a "clean" install (which isnt hard to obtain without the fancy controller stuff)

overall, i believe the best way to control an ipod is the ipod itself, whether it be in a car or not. you can get the exact same sound quality for far less (so far ive only spent 40 dollars, another 30 for the sik imp soon)

[STAT 007]

Originally posted by bhoward43
i have my ipod mounted on top of my dash (rather, a holder mounted, which i put the ipod into) and its much easier to look at that and control it than it would be to reach (and look!) further down away from the road to the headunit.

Fair enough there, but if you'll look, most people on here are "mounting" their iPods VERY low like around the cigarette lighter area or even down in the console area. Your "heads-up display" type approach is the best method if you insist upon using the iPod's controls, in my opinion. At least that way your eyes just have to dart a short distance between the road and the small iPod text display.

Originally posted by bhoward43
and to go against your argument for having the ipod in the air, do you control your headunit from a spot at eye level?

Well, it's close to eye level I guess, but honestly when driving, I prefer to use the IR remote control, which works with the KCA-420i. That's the safest method IMO.

Originally posted by bhoward43
unless you have a 400+ dollar alpine headunit, its only going to display a line or two of text at a time.

Well, I personally have the Alpine CDA-9835 with the BioLite display, but ALL the Alpine head units display text larger and clearer than the iPod. I'm sorry, but the text on the iPod is VERY small when driving and focusing on large objects like trees and other cars. Switching between objects like that and 11 pt. Geneva font isn't intuitive in any sense of the word.

Originally posted by bhoward43
tell me you can scroll through your head unit quicker and easier without taking your eyes off hte road just as much as you would if you had the ipod-which would scroll faster and display more at the same time anyway!

Again, the display on the iPod is quite a bit smaller than the head unit display and the text size is MUCH smaller on the iPod than on car stereo head units.

Originally posted by bhoward43
and honestly, whats complicated about using 3 buttons (menu, scrool wheel, and select) as compared to using a slow volume knob and three buttons on your stereo which arent even properly labeled to correspond with the ipod?

I'm not saying it's complicated--the iPod's controls are elegantly intuitive. HOWEVER, the touch feel buttons on the iPod are EXTREMELY sensitive and when bumping up and down on the highway at 70+ MPH, one "click" of a button tends to do more. Same goes for trying to get to a particular listing with the scroll wheel. You gotta look, scroll, look, oops you scrolled too far, scroll back, look, oops too far back, scroll forward carefully, look, OK there you got it. I mean, gimme a break...that's too much to do when driving a 1,000+ lb. piece of machinery.

Originally posted by bhoward43
and keeping hte ipod out of site to potential theives, i dont really know anyone with an ipod who would keep their it in their car all the time.

It doesn't take a bunch of times, but just one time for a thief to take off with your beloved iPod and music collection. Unless you enjoy a rather extensive "tear down procedure" every time you turn your car off, get out, and leave it parked, having the iPod out of site (but still usable) like the KCA-420i allows you to do is optimal as far as loss prevention goes.

Originally posted by bhoward43
i really only see the alpine controller being for people who a) already have a compatible alpine headunit...

Well I guess that's me. I doubt I'm the only one though--Alpine's a pretty popular brand in car audio. lol.

Originally posted by bhoward43
b) have lots of money to spend if they dont...

Ummmm...we're talking about $200-$500 portable music players here. Join the club man. iPod owners like toys and apparently are willing to shell out the dough for them. I'm not ashamed of that. <shrugs>

Originally posted by bhoward43
c) prefer a "clean" install

Who doesn't?

Originally posted by bhoward43
overall, i believe the best way to control an ipod is the ipod itself, whether it be in a car or not. you can get the exact same sound quality for far less (so far ive only spent 40 dollars, another 30 for the sik imp soon)

I think you're actually referring to the MOST ECONOMICAL [and still good-looking] way and I'm referring to the BEST way. So...two different points of view, I guess.

[mongooSSe]

good reply 007. i think a lot of people are hating now that they put a lot of time and effort into these "clean installs" (which are still great btw). the interface keeps the ipod out of sight and out of mind, locked in the glove compartment. there are definately some beautiful installs out there but you just can't beat "built in." say what you like but the interface is THE BEST way to go. justify other installs all you like.

[DrewT]

I have a friend with the interface. He prefers to use the ipod controls over the interface, and is probally gonna sell the interface on ebay.

My "tear-down" procedure consists of unplugging the ipod and sticking it in my pocket. Takes all of 2 seconds tops. I already have to unclip my cell from the visor, so I use one hand to unclip the cell, and the other to put the ipod in pocket. I'm out in less than 4 seconds.

-Drew

[STAT 007]

Originally posted by DrewT
I have a friend with the interface. He prefers to use the ipod controls over the interface, and is probally gonna sell the interface on ebay.

Well then he must be a Communist!


Just kidding. To each his own really, but I think that MOST people prefer to keep both eyes on the road and manipulate large knob and push button controls instead of small touch [hyper-]sensitive controls. I know that I would prefer that other drivers do the former rather than the latter.

Originally posted by DrewT
My "tear-down" procedure consists of unplugging the ipod and sticking it in my pocket.

I see. Well, I already carry enough things in my pockets (you wouldn't imagine...) and don't care to add a 40 GB iPod to the list. Esp. since I wouldn't be listening to it from my pocket. For me, it's something that I prefer to leave in the car. ...just not something that I prefer to leave in plain view in the car and have stolen.

[parkov]

I like the clean look, and you can't leave your iPod showing in Baltimore anyway. Here is the set-up I had in my 2003 Honda Accord, connected to the stereo via AUX.

Photo

I have plans to do the similarly with a 2004 Civic + gen 4 iPod.

[DrewT]

Originally posted by STAT 007
I see. Well, I already carry enough things in my pockets (you wouldn't imagine...) and don't care to add a 40 GB iPod to the list. Esp. since I wouldn't be listening to it from my pocket. For me, it's something that I prefer to leave in the car. ...just not something that I prefer to leave in plain view in the car and have stolen.

Well, I'm also in a small town, and when I'm not parking at wal-mart or the mall, I just leave my iPod sitting in the cupholder, althought if I'm anywhere but home or a friends house, I'll slide the cover onto it, so it's not quite SO obvious.....

I can see where you're comming from though!!

I'm gonna have my simi-stealth iPod install posted sometime soon.....once I get time to do it.

-Drew

[mongooSSe]

interface mounted behind the glove.

ipod mounted in the glove.

9820xm

what it all resides in:

that is all....

[STAT 007]

Looks good man!!!

[joedereko]

hey MongooSSe, Whats up with the black cables?? Did u buy it or like paint it. I cant stand all of the white with my ipods. I think i might colorware em.