Alpine iPod Ready - no more KCA-420i !!!

[animes2k]

Apparently Crutchfield has added these to their site (they weren't up a few days ago when I called). I believe they're due in February. Interestingly, Alpine appears to have updated their own site as well (finally, it was total crap before)...

No more KCA-420i required - it's built in. Just use the proper AiNet -> Dock connector cable and go ($30?). I was about to order a new HU, as I got a KCA-420i for Christmas, but I'm going to exchange the adapter towards the purchase of a HU with the built-in "Full Speed" iPod interface (let's hope it's truly faster than the adapter route, which I have installed in my other car).

Here's the links to Alpine's site - it appears as if all of their new models from the CDA-9852 on up will have this "Full Speed" iPod interface built in.

alpine-usa.com/en/products/series.php?category=AV_HU

Very cool, indeed.

edit: they've got a whole site dedicated to this... should have done more searching on my other auto forums first :)

alpinefullspeed.com

[jhpope]

does this charge the ipod at the same time...it doesn't really say

[krabby5]

$1,100?

GEEZ

[TheBum]

Nice! I have a 9851 with KCA-420i in my SUV now and the only thing I don't like is the scrolling speed. Even though the marketing for the new head units doesn't actually come out and say that they scroll individual items any faster, having the ability to do jumps by percent or skipping a certain number of tracks at a time is a welcome change and one that might actually get me to upgrade.

Before I do that, though, I'll have to research the features of the new head units because they seem to change every year for the worse.

[kdogg]

Originally posted by jhpope
does this charge the ipod at the same time...it doesn't really say

There's a low end one with the new "FullSpeed" iPod feature on Crutchfield for only $179!!! I'm going to hold out for at least a dot matrix screen one.

[Nutmeg7]

Originally posted by krabby5
$1,100?

GEEZ
Yeah, for the IVA-W200 with the double-din LCD touch screen that plays DVDs, too. You're not gonna find a decent head unit with all those features (including the iPod interface, of course!) for under $1000 retail. I'm not sayin' I'm ready to blow that much cash on a head unit, but check out Alpine's demo of how it works: alpinefullspeed.com/iPodFullSpeed/howItWorks.html. Looks sweet! If I had more money than I knew what to do with, I would totally put this my car.

Barring finding the IVA-W200 for 1/2 price on eBay, I'll prob'ly get the CDA-9857. My hubby got the 9855 & the iPod control box for Christmas, but he's taking it all back. (Even after getting used to the scroll bar, it's still annoying to use.) The 9857 is cheaper!

Originally posted by kdogg
I'm going to hold out for at least a dot matrix screen one.
Looks like you want the 9857, then, which doesn't come out till March :( But I want it now!!<stomp> <stomp>

Interesting note: In the demo, the biolite display is blue, but on the product page, it's white (alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=CDA-9857). The color isn't adjustable, is it? The button color is blue, not adjustable like the 9855 was. Kinda a bummer, but hey, I care more about the functionality than the looks....

[jhpope]

Originally posted by jhpope
does this charge the ipod at the same time...it doesn't really say
Originally posted by kdogg
There's a low end one with the new "FullSpeed" iPod feature on Crutchfield for only $179!!! I'm going to hold out for at least a dot matrix screen one.

haha that really doesn't answer my question...think you quoted the wrong one

[TheBum]

Originally posted by kdogg
There's a low end one with the new "FullSpeed" iPod feature on Crutchfield for only $179!!! I'm going to hold out for at least a dot matrix screen one.

It looks like the low-end for a dot matrix screen is the BioLite display on the CDA-9857 series ($400 MSRP). If the pictures on Alpine's web site are accurate, all the 2006 CDA-series models below the CDA-9857 have segmented displays. None have the type of dot matrix display that the CDA-9851 does.

Be careful of the that $179 CDE-series HU at Crutchfield: It doesn't appear to have an AiNet bus if you should like to add a satellite receiver later.

[pInK]

Originally posted by TheBum
Nice! I have a 9851 with KCA-420i in my SUV now and the only thing I don't like is the scrolling speed. Even though the marketing for the new head units doesn't actually come out and say that they scroll individual items any faster, having the ability to do jumps by percent or skipping a certain number of tracks at a time is a welcome change and one that might actually get me to upgrade.

Before I do that, though, I'll have to research the features of the new head units because they seem to change every year for the worse.

Arrgh, arrgh, arrgh! :-) Just put the same in my car and after hours of work (mostly fighting with a seatbelt bolt) am not real inclined to undo it all... if it was still in the box, that'd be different.

[27psiBOOM]

the CDA-9857 seems like the best option for full speed integration with ipod you can have 3 lines to select tracks from a list the low end ones only have one line.

[TheBum]

I'd also have to opt for the 9857 even though it's a bit more than I want to spend, especially considering that I bought the 9851/420i combo just 11 months ago -- unless someone knows of a trade-in offer somewhere. I'll probably just hold off and see what 2007 has to offer.

[TheBum]

I did some more digging around on Alpine's web site. It appears that the faster search functions are only available on the CDA-9857 and higher. I base that conclusion on the lack of mention in the User Manual for the CDA-9856 (the next HU below the CDA-9857) and the description of the KCE-422i cable.

[27psiBOOM]

I'm sold for the new Alpine CDA-9857, I'll be eagerly waiting till the release date in march

[jbirney]

Thanks for the info as I was holding of too get one due to some of the compliants or drawbacks of KCA-420i... Ok I was cheap and did not want to spend the money..till now that is :)