Belkin or Sik Imp

[krabby5]

Are there any differences between these two devices? I am going to hook up my iPod using the aux-in on the back of my head unit. I would rather put the mini jack into the Belkin or Sik Imp so I can use the dock instead of the headjack....plus it charges the iPod at the same time..

Are they both good choices? Do they both have a volume adjuster to compensate for the lack of volume the iPod produces in car stereos?

thanks

[pdp76]

Originally posted by krabby5
Are there any differences between these two devices? I am going to hook up my iPod using the aux-in on the back of my head unit. I would rather put the mini jack into the Belkin or Sik Imp so I can use the dock instead of the headjack....plus it charges the iPod at the same time..

Are they both good choices? Do they both have a volume adjuster to compensate for the lack of volume the iPod produces in car stereos?

thanks
Only the Belkin has an additional volume adjustment knob. Personally, I like the SiK IMP better because it DOES NOT have the extra volume knob. To me, the extra amplifier in the Belkin to control the volume is just a source for more noise while the SiK IMP is just straight passthrough. Maybe I'm just being picky.....

[krabby5]

I agree...I just ordered a Blitzsafe universal adaptor...one connection

The Belkin worked fine though...I just got sick of adjusting the volume

[catpodder]

I'd stick with the SIK cable - it fits fine in the bottom with the iSkin on. The Belkin I tried was too thick and the cases would have to be altered. I did have to buy a volume cable for it to sound right in my VW Passat.

[krabby5]

volume cable?

What is that and how does it work?

[catpodder]

It's a little cable I got at Radio Shack for a few bucks. The volume was too powerful coming out of my iPod. I plug this volume cable in between the SIK cable and my RCA connections. Can't remember the specifics. It gives me the ability to adjust what's coming out of the iPod and into my stereo system--since I can't control the volume with the click wheel when I'm using the docking port.

[Murphy5156]

I'm currently using the Belkin, and I really like it. I wired up an extra cigarette lighter outlet up under the dash (wired to a circuit that only provides power when the car is running) and have it plugged in to that. I just set the volume knob on the Belkin once and stuck it up under the dash. Any further volume adjustments I do through the head unit. I have an AUX OUT on the back of my HU so I just plugged that into the Belkin charger so that wire is hidden as well. Now I only have one wire going to the Nano that handles both the power and the audio. Works great.

There is one feature about the Belkin that I absolutely LOVE and wasn't even aware of...but when I turn off the ignition my Nano PAUSES AUTOMATICALLY!!! It must have something that senses that the power has been cut and tells the Nano to pause (and eventually turn off completely). It's great. No more having to remember to pause it before I get out of the car. I really love that it does that. Not sure if the SIK does that or not.

One thing I would change on the Belkin though is the orientation of the cable on the dock connector plug. It enters the plug from the side, rather than from the bottom like the SIK does. I just think it looks better coming straight up and into the iPod rather than coming up and making a 90 degree turn first. A minor thing of course, but something that does bother me a little bit.

All in all I really like the Belkin. Works great for me.

[catpodder]

I never heard back from Belkin and never got it working with my Altec speakers, so I returned the adapter to Best Buy.

[krabby5]

Originally posted by catpodder
It's a little cable I got at Radio Shack for a few bucks. The volume was too powerful coming out of my iPod. I plug this volume cable in between the SIK cable and my RCA connections. Can't remember the specifics. It gives me the ability to adjust what's coming out of the iPod and into my stereo system--since I can't control the volume with the click wheel when I'm using the docking port.

That's funny....most people have the opposite problem..not ENOUGH volume

[catpodder]

I know. It may just be the stereo system that came w/my Passat. It works perfectly now. When I want to crank it up, I just turn up the volume on the headunit and it's a good, pure sound now.