seeking iPod-friendly car stereo

[lawatt]

hello -- I am looking to buy a radio/cd player for my sailboat that I could plug my iPod directly into -- does anyone have any recommendations as to brands, features to look for, etc?

thanks
laura

[grizel]

I think aiwa has most of thier models with front inputs... some are even like $100 or less.

http://www.us.aiwa.com/default.asp?page=products&action=viewSubcat&subcat=11

that little hole in the lower right is the input...

the cheapest one at best buy is $109.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1072284972827&skuId=6263599&productCategoryId=cat03066&type=product

[BarracksSi]

Feature to look for: Auxiliary Input. Whether it's on the front or back, it'll be the best-sounding audio connection.

If you want to dump some more cash, get an Alpine and their iPod interface. I really want to try one for myself, but it looks to be the best solution yet. You could even conceivably hide the iPod in a waterproof container of some sort while still controlling it from the Alpine head unit (after all, which is more replaceable -- a stereo, or your iPod? ;) ).

I thought I also saw a rumor somewhere that Pioneer was going to do something similar.