VW Touareg Install Done - Blitzsafe, Belkin, Arkon, Radio Shack

[tinlv]

I just got my Ipod hardwired to my stock non-nav head unit. Following are the parts and some photos. I purchased all of the parts myself and then went to my local Circuit City, whose staff is much more capable than I am on installation. (Someone tell me if there are too many photos and I should slim down the post.)

Parts:

Radio Shack Ground Loop Isolator $14.99 Catalog #: 270-054
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/270/270-054.jpg

Radio Shack 12VDC Car Power Adapter Outlet $5.99 Catalog #: 270-1556
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/270/270-1556.jpg

Blitzsafe VW/AUX DMX V.5 (Suggest buying directly from Chris at Enfig. Price is better than direct from Blitzsafe.)
http://www.enfig.com/online-store/scstore/graphics/VW_AUX_DMX_V.5.JPG

Arkon CM38 flexible steel mount plus mini gripmatic euro cradle. Special bundle price $24.95 Contact Arkon direct - Benjamin Arana Email: arkon5@arkon.com Tel: 626-254-9005 http://www.arkon.com/pedestals.html
(See photos below)

Belkin Auto Kit for iPod w/ Dock Connector Part # F8V7058-APL. I got a really good price ($19.87) by going through Amazon.com. They have a selection for "In store pickup". It turns out they do this through the local Circuit City. (Don't know if this will work for all geographic areas?) What costs $39.95 when you walk in is currently only $19.87 with online order. The little satisfactions in life!
http://images.belkin.com/F8V7058-APL/STD1_F8V7058-APL.jpg

Apple 3g Ipod

Comments:

I chose the Arkon mount in the cigarette lighter outlet because I think I want something that I can remove easily and leave no trace of the mount or Ipod. I will see how this works. I think it looks pretty good (except for the dangling Belkin wire, which is hard to avoid). The Ipod fits perfectly in the cradle.

The Blitzsafe interface connects to the Ground Loop Isolator (GLI). The GLI wires run under the wood surface of the center console. The GLI has male RCA's at each end, and the GLI kit includes a Y-adapter with two females RCA's to a single 1/8" stereo plug. A small hole was drilled in the center console storage box for the 1/8" plug and the extra 12 volt power outlet wires. The extra 12 volt power outlet wires are tapped into the cigarette lighter outlet in the center console. The extra 12 volt power outlet is attached to the corner of the center console store box. The 1/8" plug goes into the Belkin unit which then connects to the Ipod via the docking port for audio and power.

The way it is set up I could put in a different MP3 player by using the 1/8 plug. I could also replace the Belkin unit easily if necessary (without having to take out the head unit).

One thing that I didn't have done (and should have) was to connect the extra 12 volt power to the radio via a relay so that the Belkin would shut off when the radio is shut off. As it is now, the Belkin is always on.

Thanks to all those who have posted details about their Ipod installs. This is a great resource for sharing info. Thanks also to Phil Mendoza of Findlay VW who was nice enough to pull the head unit to check out the pin configuration and harness.

Photos:

Ipod in Arkon Cradle
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2ipodinmnt2.jpg

Ipod in Arkon Cradle
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2ipodinmnt.jpg

Read Out on Head Unit
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2hureadout.jpg

Pin Configuration on Back of Head Unit
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2hupinout.jpg

Harness Wiring
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2huharness.jpg

Belkin and New 12 Volt Outlet in Center Console
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2belkinmnt.jpg

Arkon Cradle and Flex Mount
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2arkonmnt2.jpg

Arkon Cradle and Flex Mount
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2arkonmnt.jpg

Stowed in Center Console
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2allaway2.jpg

Stowed in Center Console and Closed Up
http://members.cox.net/ddiffley/2allaway.jpg

[kman1666]

That is nice. I love how it can be totally hidden in the console. Good work!
Mine can be seen here
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kman1666/lst?.dir=/ipod+in+my+car&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/

[tinlv]

Originally posted by kman1666
That is nice. I love how it can be totally hidden in the console. Good work!
Mine can be seen here
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kman1666/lst?.dir=/ipod+in+my+car&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/

That looks good. Does the device in the glove compartment allow you to select from another audio source?

[kman1666]

Yes, it allows me to add one more rca input, plus, anything that plays music and has a usb port (IE laptop or something), it has a usb input for that too.

[mjoshi]

Hi,

Excellent work and finish in installing iPod. I'm at present using iPod with Belkin autokit and Monster iCable in my honda Odyssey & Nissan Altima. After seeing your solution it seems to me that you are using iPod without any protective cover. Is it possible to use iPod with iSkin or some other form of hardcover and still mount it ?

[kman1666]

yes, you can...but most mounts that are made just for the ipod are made for one without a case. If you use a generic, or one made for a cell phone (which work great) you should have no problem.