Help/suggestions, for a 2003 Honda Civic LX

[MikeSuds]

I've looked through tons and tons of installations here on the forums, but I just don't know what to do really.

I have stock everything in my Civic, and the 5g black iPod. I'd really like to just keep the stock stereo. It's fine, plays cd's if I need it to, and I'm thinking I'd rather do line-in in the car anyways. I have no use for a head unit that displays the iPod info.

That brings me to the next thing. I really, really want it to be mounted in such a way that it is very easily accessible to me while driving. I don't want it to sit flat in the dash or something where I can't angle it to see it better, you know?

So here is what I am thinking: connected through line-in, powered by the car battery, very easily accessible, ... I can't think of anything else right now, but I'm wondering if anyone has ideas for where I should start and whatnot.

Someone out there has to have done a Civic :)

Thanks for reading, I am excited to do this, so I can't wait for some good ideas :)

--EDIT--

A friend of mine did basically what I want, but he used the cup holder mount... This would be fine but my cup holders sit pretty low to the ground almost. This is why I'm looking for another solution...

--EDIT#2--

I just remembered, in case you aren't familiar with the 2003 Civic, right underneath my stereo, there is a drawer, about the size of 3 cd cases stacked, in all aspects.

Im now thinking I could make have a slide/pull of tray of some sort perhaps, sitting on some type of swivel when it's pulled out... ?

But this is the extent of my thoughtfullness. I don't know how to do it.

[whenders0n]

Do the HON-AUX/DFHON + a flexDock/Belkin Auto and Cup holder mount. Did my Civic that way... That's the best, cheapest way.

[MikeSuds]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I am worried about the length of the arm on the Flexdock since it is just 6 inchs. The cigarette adapter is pretty low, but then again it may end up placing the iPod right where I want it. I'll have to do some measuring.

I dont want the cupholder because my civic cupholders sit basically on the ground and I want the thing about steering wheel height but to the side obviously.

[whenders0n]

Well there are some longer versions of products similar to the Flexdock. There are also several docks that mount somewhere, you can use a sik amp or belkin to do the rest. What I use personally is an airclick - that way I can put the ipod wherever and still control it from the steering wheel.

[pdp76]

I'd check out something like the "panavise" or "pro-fit" custom car mounts (google for it). After you get the mount, you have to get a separate holder for the iPod that screws onto the mount. It's a tad bit pricey, the two parts will run you around $60 total, but the nice thing is it's more at eye level, unlike the cup holders. Plus it's out of the way and you can still have 2 drinks in your car instead of 1!

EDIT: Found a picture of what it looks like http://www.panavise.com/idfinalimages/75117-401nc.jpg

[MikeSuds]

Thanks whenderson and pdp!

Im thinking that the flexdock would still be the best route so far, because the placement wouldnt be fixed like with the panavise.

I like the idea that with the flexdock, if I play a video or something, a passenger would be able to swivel it over and watch it with ease. And if I need to change it I can maneuver it in front of me more or less.

[DelSolMan]

Hey man. I have the same car as you and I have my iPod hooked up. Just a few notes based on how I like it.

You mentioned that you like the stock deck. I got a pioneer deck and I can tell you that it is the best upgrade you can do ipod or not. It makes your car sound way better. Just make sure you aren't blowing out your speakers. I have my iPod hooked in with the aux/line in (no fancy display) and thats only 50 bucks on top of a deck which makes your car sound pretty.

The best (for accessibility), in my opinion (and keep in mind my iPod is attached via a long headphone jack cable) place to put your iPod is that little cube next to your e-brake. It makes changing volumn/songs a breeze. Its way better than reaching out for somewhere on your dash as I can find it with my eyes on the road.

However I also want to have it set up so you can watch videos and see the songs being played. I've been pondering it for a while now. I have a few ideas that I'm still debating over. The first 2 is covered in this thread are the flexdock and that thing that sticks out on the dash. Those are cool however i have a case on and the flexdock needs physical modifications to work with my case. That and I read horror stories about the sound quality from the plug.

Another idea I had was making a custom box thing that sits next to the radio. I'm thinking of either using a pda mount or something thats shaped like the ipod and making a little holder. I'm still thinking about it.

I've been thinking of converting a mindv tape box into a dock. The width fits the ipod+case and its strong enough with some modification to hold up an iPod and not let it fall out. I'll keep you posted :)

I rambled a lot.. basically:

practical > little cube thing next to ebrake
looks nice > dash