What's the best charger for the iPod in a car?

[Dynamite]

I'm so lost when it comes to chargers! Please help!

[bhb399mm]

The Belkin Auto Kit (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/70603/wo/qtMCBY9yZMWS2wd0K5E2GlKP0UU/1.3.0.6.10.3.20.1.13.0) is a very nice charger. I used it in my auto instal. As far as chargers go, there probably isnt much difference, but if you want to use the audio out port on the auto kit, it works very well. The belkin products also have an exceptional warentee

[bluntman]

I have the Belkin, but I'd have to give a nod to the iCharger from Monster Cable. Like the Belkin it has a line out connector, but its profile is much smaller than the Belkin, it's black and has a "smart charging" system.

[bhb399mm]

the monster cable is also pretty good i've heard

monster also makes a cable with a line out, if you're interested in that feature, but i went with the belkin because the line out is located on the actual cigeratte plug, where it can be hidden. moster located theirs on the cord closer to the dock conector

never the less, both are good solutions... i sugest you check them both out

Belkin Auto Kit (http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201526&pcount=&Product_Id=149006) and Monster iPod Charger w/ Line out (http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=2132)

[animalchin]

i havent used either, but monster always makes great quality tihngs, its $10 cheaper and it has an audio connector.

[W9FIF]

The monster charger works fine and is the cheap way to go.

[Jesper]

I choose the Belkin over the Monster.

Mainly because it allows a single cable to run to the iPod for charging and audio out. Whereas for the Monster you will need to plug in an audio cable to the bottom of the Monster dock. It just looks alot neater.

Also correct me if I'm wrong, but the Belkin offers a pause function when power to the charger is cut. Thus you don't have to remember to turn it off anymore if you leave it in your car.

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by Jesper
Also correct me if I'm wrong, but the Belkin offers a pause function when power to the charger is cut. Thus you don't have to remember to turn it off anymore if you leave it in your car.

thats not necessarly true...

it depends on how your car is wired. most american cars cut power to the cigeratte lighter plug when the ignition is turned off, but many foreigh cars leave power flowing to the plug when the car is off. In my jetta instal, the ipod will remain charging when the car is off and the key is removed.

be careful, its always a good idea to unplug the ipod when the car is off!

[mbryan822]

I have the belkin charger with line out. I connect to an Alpine deck with an AUX jack.

I question whether it is a "True" line out though. To me, a line out should not be affected by the iPod's volume or EQ settings. In my experience I have to set the EQ to "off" in order to make it sound as good as possible in my car. While it is playing if I change the EQ settings it clearly changes the sound I hear in the car.

The iPod volume setting is ignored on the other hand, as it should be with a line out.

Anyone else notice this that has the Belkin charger?

Also, does anyone know whether the Sik Imp is a true line out? What about the Monster charger? Any input greatly appreciated.

[bhb399mm]

all products that conect to the ipod dock have a true line out. the belkin differs because it uses an internal amp to modify the line out's volume (control is located on the plug) this doesnt really make much difference, if the volume on the belkin plug is left in the middle, sound thru the head unit is perfect.

also, i dont think the EQ effects the line out... in my experence anyway

[Blue_Dawg]

I have the Sik Imp and love it. No amp on the line out and it sounds great all the time.

[mbryan822]

I don't think I'm imagining things, but I will say that it is possible that the effect is less than what you hear with headphones.

Give it a try next time you're in your car, try the Rock setting and some others. I swear I hear the sound change when I switch EQ settings.

I agree about the vol setting on the Belkin charger, you can't turn it up too far or you get total distortion. I find that I can turn it up a little more with music than I can with Audible.com audio books but that is very likely the difference in bitrate. I actually wish I could just turn it off or bypass it somehow but so far it hasn't been too bad.

I'd like to know what you (or anyone) thinks about the EQ settings going through the Belkin charger. I know it affects mine but it is a high powered system with subwoofer and separate amps, etc. It may be more sensitive than most. Also, I only notice it when I have it cranked and it just doesn't sound right. Each time this has happened I fixed it by turning off the EQ on the iPod.

[bhb399mm]

i too have a high powered system, but havent noticed any change in sound when i mess with the EQ - never the less, when im using my ipod in my car i always have the EQ off anyway... maybe i just wasnt paying enough attention when i was fooling around with it.

also, because of the way i did my car instal, i cant change the output volume on the belkin because the entire plug is hidden behind my dash (take a look at my instal in my signature) i have the volume set to around the middle of the dial, which hasnt seemed to be a problem. i listen to all types of music, and i've never had a problem with distortion even with high bass music (the monsoon system in my VW is stock, but it has a small - 6" i think- woofer in the trunk. maybe i would notice it more with a 10 or a 12)

anyway, ill mess around the the EQ alittle today and repost any findings

[mbryan822]

Originally posted by bhb399mm
also, because of the way i did my car instal, i cant change the output volume on the belkin because the entire plug is hidden behind my dash (take a look at my instal in my signature) i have the volume set to around the middle of the dial, which hasnt seemed to be a problem. i listen to all types of music, and i've never had a problem with distortion even with high bass music (the monsoon system in my VW is stock, but it has a small - 6" i think- woofer in the trunk. maybe i would notice it more with a 10 or a 12)

I was trying to look at your install pictures earlier but most of them wouldn't load for me, now they all work. You've done an amazing job with your car install!! Sweet!! Mine is not quite as custom as yours, but the end result is similar. I have both a Tun-Dok and my Marware case came with an adapter which I installed on my dash, so I can do it either way. I then use the Belkin charger which I really like because the aux cable plugs in at the cigarette lighter.

I have a 10-inch woofer custom built into the center console of my Toyota Tundra. Having the woofer in between the two seats sounded like a strange concept to me until I heard one. It's actually very cool and the nice thing is it doesn't take up any space other than losing most of the center console storage. I wanted to set it up like you did but there's no longer enough space for even an iPod in there. :( I actually like the Tun-Dok a lot since it is so easy to manipulate the iPod while driving. The Marware setup is nowhere near as good in this respect.

Sorry to get off topic but had to comment on your super cool install job! :)


anyway, ill mess around the the EQ alittle today and repost any findings
I'm very interested to hear what you discover one way or the other. I definitely noticed it a lot more at high volumes. At low volumes it seems to make little to no difference, at least on my system, and some EQ settings were more intrusive than others as well.
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[bhb399mm]

yeah... alot of people have been having problems accessing my site... its the free nonsense included with my email service (i no longer have verizon DSL but i opted to keep the same email address for a nonimal fee every month)

anyways, the site works most times, you just gotta get to it when its in a good mood... lol

thanks for the kind words about the my insta.... check back later this summer for pics of my ice link instal in my 04 audi S4!

[tanakasan]

The iPod EQ *does* affect the line out signal. Always leave it set to "off" for line out usage. Let your HU or home amp do the adjustments.

More on topic, I use a Vector pocket inverter and Apple AC brick/3G firewire cable/dock for my truck. Its the little single outlet one that fits a lighter socket. I tapped its 12v from the common power/ground points used for the entire system, just in case, for minimal ground loop issues. Clean, quiet and isolated power.

[bhb399mm]

pics?

[tanakasan]

A Google search turned up this (http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?mt=a&n=0&coe=0&oidPath=0%3A-23541%3A-27181%3A-27204%3A-29664%3A654640).

I paid $19 at a Pep Boys Auto parts. Looks like I got ripped off! :eek:

[bhb399mm]

i ment pics of your instal.. but thanks

[tanakasan]

Nothing to really see on the install. So simple.

Dual 6810 HU, rear aux-in. Signal to HU via Apple dock in ashtray, all wires hidden. Inverter/AC brick under dash and HU fed by power tapped from common system +/-, connected to dock by Apple dock connector cable.

With the pod removed and ashtray closed, all you see is the HU, unless the faceplate is removed.

[bhb399mm]

clean ... sounds alot like my instal... i like the idea of using AC power

[tanakasan]

Granted, its somewhat bulkier than a straight 12vdc charger, but it allows for better isolation from noise and DC power spikes. Besides, I had an extra brick and cable!

[Jesper]

Yup sorry forgot to mention for the pause feature the Belkin must be on switched power.

To get the best sound from the Belkin, you would definitely need to rewire it to bypass the internal Belkin amplifier.

From all that I have read, the lineout IS affected by the EQ changes.

[trunkguy]

Is the Belkin the PowerPod or is that made by Griffin?

I just ordered an iTrip and buying the PowerPod at the same time has saved me 10% :)

[Jesper]

Nope the Belkin is the Belkin Auto Kit. The PowerPod as you said is made by Griffin. The main difference being that the PowerPod has no lineout.

[bhb399mm]

The Griffin PowerPod (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerpod/) has nothing on the Belkin Auto Kit (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=T6715LL/A).

with the powerpod, you have to use the firewire cord that came with your ipod. who wants to schelp your cord with you everytime you go to the car? Also, the added feature of a line out (that you gain with the belkin) is work a few more $$ to me (and to alot of people, i think)

Go with the belkin, or the Monster ipod Dock Charger (http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=2132), that also has line out.

Alot of people like the low profile desigh of the monster charger, but the location of the line out (on the dock plug) make in inocnvient in auto instals (because you have two wires insted of just one)

[mbryan822]

I just ordered a Sik Imp (http://www.sik.com/imp.php) to replace my Belkin charger.

While it does connect to the dock plug like the PowerPod, it will pull straight down on it. I notice that the PowerPod line out is on the side of the dock connector which could be a problem for me. I'm using a Monster cable (stereo RCA to mini-plug 2m) which is a very heavy cable.

You can't beat the Belkin lineout at the cigarette lighter, but I don't like that it's not a "true" line out. The Sik Imp is advertised as an "unadulterated line level audio output" so to me that means that the iPod EQ setting will have no effect. The Sik also has no built-in amplifier.

I'll report back after I've tested it (just ordered today so it'll be a few days before I see it). I believe that others have reported it to be a true line out but I won't be convinced until I hear it for myself. After all, I was told by the dude at CompUSA that Belkin's line out was a true line out and it indeed is not.

[tanakasan]

Hmm, the Imp gets its signal after the iPod.

The EQ is S/W driven inside the pod itself and will still affect the line out signal at the dock connector. The Imp is a conduit for the signal and does not adulterate it in any way. Leave the EQ set to "off".

Yes, I have owned an Imp. It is a quality cable solution.

[mbryan822]

Ok, that makes sense to me. I'm not sure what I was thinking. However, getting rid of the amp inside the Belkin charger will be a step up in any case.

I rarely use the EQ settings when I listen w/headphones but when I do I usually forget to turn it back off and later in the car I'm wondering what the hell has happened to my sound!! Then I remember.

It would be nice if the signal coming from the dock connector wasn't affected by the EQ setting, but if it's software driven as you say, then I guess it's impossible to bypass no matter what.

Maybe they'll fix this in the 4th gen units??? I guess it depends on whether they consider it to be broken now or not.

I used to own an RCA Lyra 40gb player and it had a true line out until they put out a firmware upgrade that did away with it! The EQ then affected the sound coming out of both the headphone and line out jacks. Unfortunately there was no way to go backwards with their firmware upgrades without sending in the unit. Needless to say, I sold that thing once I got my iPod.

[bhb399mm]

the ski imp looks like an awesome unit, it was between that and the belkin kit for me in my instal. i decided to do with the belkin for the exact reason of the location of the line out. if you look at my instal (link in my signature) you'll see that the belkin leads fo the cleanist instal. i have the volume setting on the belkin set to the middle, and it sounds perfect. i have a high end audio system, and even at a high volume and a high bass setting, i never get any distortion from my ipod.

as far as the EQ effecting the line out... it infact does effect it, i wish it didnt, but for now, the only solution is to make sure its turned off when using a line out.. watchya going to do

[Dynamite]

Thanks guys for the help! I'll probably get a Sik Imp as it's also 10 dollars cheaper and it seems to have to same quality as other chargers. But if I'm getting some other stuff at Apple store I'll just get the Belkin cuz of shipping and handling is combined. :)

[dfiler]

I bought the Belkin last week and am dissapointed with the quality of its line out. With my system, there is an obvious audible difference between headphone out, dock line out, and belkin line out. No combinations of settings on my Alpine headunit and belkin volume knob resulted in crystal clear sound.

For this reason, I bought the Monster power adapter with its line out located near the dock-plug side of the cord. This is inconvenient when compared to the location of the belkin audio output. However, it is perfectly distortion free.

I'm unsure if all belkins exhibit this problem or if mine was a defective unit. One thing is for sure though. Monster offers 100% pure unadultrated line output.

[Guy Kuo]

I like the Belkin because of its pause on power down feature. However, I didn't like what its built-in amplifier did to the sound. Fortunately, it was possible to rewire its internals to bypass its amp. Now I get a direct line out signal AND pause on power down.

[dfiler]

Interesting that you were able to bypass the internal circuitry of the belkin. Perhaps I should have tried that before returning it.

On another note: The monster one also pauses upon power down, it just isn't advertised.

[Guy Kuo]

That's the first time I've heard that about the Monster unit.

[dfiler]

Really. It's 100% repeatable. :)

Turn off my car and the iPod display lights up at the same time as it pauses, same as the Belkin.

[Guy Kuo]

Well if it does that, then you've saved me some rewiring effort for my next install. Then again, if the Monster doesn't pause I'll be considerably annoyed with that tidbit's accuracy.

[Corbet]

I dunno about you guys, but I have my belkin volume on full blast and it sounds perfect. But for the sake of "true" line out, can someone post pics/describe how to bypass the built-in amp?

[Guy Kuo]

I'd have to find it again, but the easier method of simply adding a new jack has been posted to this board. I did it the hard way. I desoldered the existing jack, cut the appropriate PC board traces, added some insulators, resoldered in the jack, and reattached the line out lines to the now isolated jack. Sorry, I didn't take close photos during the project since I didn't believe anyone would want to do it my way. The far easier way is to add a new jack. I just wanted something that was neater looking.

[Guy Kuo]

Here you go. I had to do another Belkin and this time I took photos.

http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44706

[bhb399mm]

that looks awesome guy kuo

[Guy Kuo]

Thanks. I had to do this one for my wife's Boxster. The Belkin was used again because its audio connector is at a location that leaves one less wire going to the iPod. I had already done a nice install in my one car and my wife enjoyed listening in my car but never seemed keen on having a system of her own. Not even an iPod was wanted. That went on for months. Recently, I kept finding her listening to iTunes on her PB and building playlists. She was also complaining about how the CD's she made quickly became boring and wondered if she could get more music if she burned CD's in MP3 format. She was prime for a new iPod and car install. Ater using it one day, she absolutely loves her iPod and car install.

[PagalDesi4Life]

Guy Kuo- does removing the amplifier make a huge difference in sound? I have the Belkin Auto Kit and the Belkin Y cable, hooked up to the rca outputs I have in the center console (connected to the dvd player headunit) and everytime I pause the song, I can hear a little buzzing sound in the speakers and tweeters when the volume is set between moderate-high.

[Guy Kuo]

Yes, it's very dramatic. In order to hear the difference, just compare how your iPod sounds via the dock's direct line out vs what the Belkin's output sounds like. (I'm assuming you have a dock). That lets you compare before doing any surgery on your equipment. The line out will probably be lower volume than the Belkin so be sure to equalize the volumes to make it a fair comparison.

Even my wife immediately noticed that the sound is clearer and more dynamic after bypassing the Bellkin's amplifier. It changes form something that is just okay but not quite right to something that just sounds more open and right.

[PagalDesi4Life]

Guy Kuo- does the volume dial on the charger still work after the mod you did?

[Guy Kuo]

No, all the electronics of the amp are totally bypassed after the mod. The volume control does nothing to the output signal.

[PagalDesi4Life]

Oh ok so now I can control the volume from the ipod then right.

[Guy Kuo]

No. The line out is as in a normal line out, a fixed volume. It doesn't vary no matter what you do with the iPod volume. You control volume using your head end's volume control just as you would for other sources like radio and cassette.

[brecourt_manor]

Originally posted by Jesper
Also correct me if I'm wrong, but the Belkin offers a pause function when power to the charger is cut. Thus you don't have to remember to turn it off anymore if you leave it in your car.

I read this post and bought the Belken Charger. I installed it behind my dash and connected it to a switched power source so that it would turn my iPod mini off after the car is turned off. I was dissapointed to see that it just pauses my iPod mini, rather than turning it off. Now after turning off my car i have to hold the play/pause button on the iPod mini to turn it off completely.

Other than that I love the Belken Charger. The best part is that there is only 1 wire that is connected to the iPod. I have run the wire from the back of my dash, through the center console and drilled a hole into the side of the cup holder. The wire exits throught the hole and that is where i plug in and rest my iPod while driving. It looks great (no wire showing) and works even better!

Most people think that the iPod is just sitting in the cup holder and they dont realize it is pumping audio through my radio speakers and getting charged at the same time.

[Jesper]

Originally posted by brecourt_manor
I read this post and bought the Belken Charger. I installed it behind my dash and connected it to a switched power source so that it would turn my iPod mini off after the car is turned off. I was dissapointed to see that it just pauses my iPod mini, rather than turning it off. Now after turning off my car i have to hold the play/pause button on the iPod mini to turn it off completely.


That's what the Belkin does, it pauses the iPod. Then if you leave it for around 2 minutes the iPod will automatically power itself off. You can achieve this the same by just pausing the iPod normally, and after a few minutes it will turn off. Just give it some time...

What I do is switch of the car and then flick the hold switch. Eventhough it is still on, it is actually paused and will turn off even with the hold button on.

[matzohball]

How can I charge my iPod in my new Lexus rx330? It doesn't have a cigarette lighter but it does have 12 volt outlets that I use for charging my cell phone.

[DrewT]

it's the same thing.....

The outlets probally arn't switched though. You would need to put in a new outlet or rewire existing ones to have the auto pause feature mentioned above......


-Drew

[mvo168]

With regards to your post on the Powerpod having to use your own firewire cord that came with the ipod,.. I was just reading the specs on Powerpod at Griffin's website and it says the Powerpod does come with its own cord..

Is this a new update from Griffin or is something wrong with the included cord that I can't use it with the ipod?

Cheers,
M

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bhb399mm
[B]The Griffin PowerPod (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerpod/) has nothing on the Belkin Auto Kit (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=T6715LL/A).

with the powerpod, you have to use the firewire cord that came with your ipod. who wants to schelp your cord with you everytime you go to the car? Also, the added feature of a line out (that you gain with the belkin) is work a few more $$ to me (and to alot of people, i think)