Ipod in Car using Dock

[telinoz]

I have all the components ready now to install the iPod in my car, but my one regret is that I do not have a 'proper' mounting method to incorporate the dock and iPod in one solution.

Components:
1. 1x 30Gb 3rd Gen iPod
2. 1x Kenwood KDC-6023 head unit - This has AUX INPUT for stereo RCA connectors. Speakers Rear - 2x KFC-M6930 6x9's and Front - 2x KFC-M1620.
3. 1x Cable - Stereo RCA connectors to 3.5mm stereo jack for connecting iPod from Line out on Dock to Kenwood head unit.
4. 1x Xtreme Mac iPod Car charger (model IA-CAR-30P) for charging from a new installed (and hidden) cigrette lighter socket. This will be connected to the dock.

Now I can fit the iPod and dock in a storage compartment beside the stereo, not ideal as it is a tight fit and is harder to operate. I have already tried this in the car and am 80% happy with this.

What I want is a car mount that can incorporate the dock to utilise the Line Out, which will produce the best sound at a normal volume level, so my ears don't explode if I forget to change the volume when I switch to the Radio!!

Is there a mount out yet or coming that the dock can fit into the bottom and the iPod docks and is held in place as you would use it in the house when connected to your home stereo??

[bdjohns1]

Originally posted by telinoz
I have all the components ready now to install the iPod in my car, but my one regret is that I do not have a 'proper' mounting method to incorporate the dock and iPod in one solution.

Components:
1. 1x 30Gb 3rd Gen iPod
2. 1x Kenwood KDC-6023 head unit - This has AUX INPUT for stereo RCA connectors. Speakers Rear - 2x KFC-M6930 6x9's and Front - 2x KFC-M1620.
3. 1x Cable - Stereo RCA connectors to 3.5mm stereo jack for connecting iPod from Line out on Dock to Kenwood head unit.
4. 1x Xtreme Mac iPod Car charger (model IA-CAR-30P) for charging from a new installed (and hidden) cigrette lighter socket. This will be connected to the dock.

Now I can fit the iPod and dock in a storage compartment beside the stereo, not ideal as it is a tight fit and is harder to operate. I have already tried this in the car and am 80% happy with this.

What I want is a car mount that can incorporate the dock to utilise the Line Out, which will produce the best sound at a normal volume level, so my ears don't explode if I forget to change the volume when I switch to the Radio!!

Is there a mount out yet or coming that the dock can fit into the bottom and the iPod docks and is held in place as you would use it in the house when connected to your home stereo??

Too complicated. Just buy the Belkin charger unit. It plugs into the Dock port on your iPod, and provides a line out at the 12V plug. Then, get a cell-phone type mount. If you're concealing the 12V plug, the only wire that will be in view is the cable running to the iPod.

[macaddicted]

I would agree with the above. If you have the ability to connect RCA jacks then get the Belkin and a stereo 1/8" to RCA jack splitter. I'm not sure if the amp on the Belkin would be enough for an audiophile, but it is sure alot simplier in set-up.

[curtw]

Originally posted by bdjohns1
Too complicated. Just buy the Belkin charger unit.

I have to disagree here. While the setup is complicated, it leads to a VERY cool conclusion: a plug and play iPod. Just drop it in the dock and the music starts flowing through your car stereo. No worry about attaching a power or audio connector. I'm working on something along these lines, and will post back when I have a functional prototype.

[torchedlh]

Originally posted by telinoz

What I want is a car mount that can incorporate the dock to utilise the Line Out, which will produce the best sound at a normal volume level, so my ears don't explode if I forget to change the volume when I switch to the Radio!!

Is there a mount out yet or coming that the dock can fit into the bottom and the iPod docks and is held in place as you would use it in the house when connected to your home stereo??

why not just use something like double-sided tape and stick it to the dash or area near the shifter/ebrake.

[Taskman]

I know that another user installed the dock in his truck but I would strongly suggest you dont do it. Unless you actually have some sort of brace that does not allow the ipod to have any movement while in the dock your asking for trouble when you hit any bumps, sharp turns or anything else that makes the ipod shift. Realise of course that it wont be instant but over time youll eventually ruin the dock or the ipods connection from the constant movement of them grinding.

The belkin on the other hand gives you a sound and power solution. As well as going into your hidden outlet.

Taskman

[tuffgong]

I tried the setup with the dock and the tunecast from Belkin and the sound was very distorted when using the line out of the dock.

But when I use the tunecast with the auto kit only and not the dock, the sound is much better as long as the line out volume is not too far up on the auto kit.

[telinoz]

Thanks everyone.

Yes I am a bit of an Audiophile (with a relatively limited budget!), so I will persist with my setup. The sound quality at home using the dock has made me very happy!

I've not been to convinced on reading reports on Forums that the Belkin charger that it delivers good quality and is reliable, so I decided to give it a miss. It's difficult to get in Australia anyway!

I'm already working on a solution to Taskman's point. This involves a anti-shock footprint to minimise vibrations.

This is in-corporated into the custom made moulding I'm making to fit in the compartment I mentioned. It will brace the iPod and also minimise shock and vibration.

So you will 'soft' insert the iPod into the moulding with no effort!

I know most people can't be bothered doing this much work, but I don't like to see cables or have a setup which requires to much effort each time to use it. Quality is everything! :D

[briansp]

Ok... I've done it. I got an FM Modulator hooked up to my car stereo, and the Belkin cable attached to a new "Hidden" outlet under the dash.

Problem: The Belkin cable provides power to the iPod, and it's line out works great when it it plugged directly to the iPod. HOWEVER... If you hook the Belkin cable to the dock, then it still supplies power, but the line out on the Belkin ceases to work. It seems that the Apple iPod Dock does not pass audio down the dock connecter cable. It must split it off to its own line out port, and not include it in the other connector.

Not a huge deal... It just means that you have to run two cables to the dock from behind the dash instead of one... the dock connecter and the line out cable.

But... I've now got an Apple iPod Dock installed in my XTerra, so I've got plug and play iPod access to 88.7 FM. No cables, or anything else visible.

--Brian

[Fundex]

My dad and I were recently driving back to our house from a friends around an hour and a half drive. I had my iPod and the dock, and i sat the dock on the dash, and connected useing line out to the head unit using a tape adaptor, after some initial scared cuped hands surounding the ipod to see if it would slide or move at all i left it there. after a while a fell asleep, and about 45 mins latter, ipod and the dock were still in the same place as i had left them, and the road had lots of curves and hills, so i think the dock isn't going to slide around if you place it some where, thats from my experience. Thanks, Dougs.

['_']

i used the dock i my setup, and love it it's secured with velcro and does not move at all. unless your car has no shocks or you are an avid offroader, it will be fine. all the cords and connections are hidden, i just put the podd in the dock and go. i didn't want to mess with plugging in the connections

heres the thread:
http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7532

[deftdrummer1]

My stereo setup (http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=257628&page=2)

[Tommy]

http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4368&highlight=truck

Sorry about the long ### link.


This is a very do-able project. All I used was a dock, belkin charger, 1 piece of ABS plastic and 4 screws. Also in no way does it stress the dock or IPOD (my baby), and as far as vibration, well the 15" sub vibrates EVERYTHING and after 2-3 months nothing but smooth music.

Check out page 4 of the sounddomain page. It has the best pics of the Pod and Dock.

[telinoz]

The project is about half way through now, I'll post some pics and any problems encountered for other people to use as a guide.

I got carried away with the rear speakers though, building a box for them now as the 6x9" are also about 6" deep!! Should get some good bass from those babies!

[Clio_Williams]

I too am a Audiophile (am from the UK) comes from my Brother in Law owning a car audio company. I have recently got a iPod and this is my set up below. No pictures yet. But will be soon!

Nakamichi CD400
JL Audio XR 5.25" Components up front
Polk Momo 12" Subwoofer
JL Audio 300.4 amp
JL Audio 1000.1 Amp

Brother in law has made me a custom Fibreglass pod for my iPod. Which is lined so as not to scratch. I used the Belkin Charger and audio output. Ran this to the AUX IN on my headunit and hey presto. Easily removable and in such a place on my clio Williams that all cables are easily hidden and is easy to operate.

Also am going to order the Wireless remote for the iPod so I can control the iPod even easier!

Will take some photos!

[kloh]

I took the Apple dock and modified it to fit in a cupholder area of my car. The biggest problem was the angle, so I mounted the dock on some brackets to make it more visible.

Been having trouble attaching pics so I'm not sure if it's going to show up on this post, but additional pics can be found in this thread (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8743).

[exdotcomer]

gorgeous.

[carlin]

yah, thats the best one I have seen so far, it has inspired me to do a little creating of my own...Awesome job, awesome car, all around awesomeness...

[iamaustin]

exerior, lets see the exterior!

[kloh]

Here you go.

[bobkornz]

Good point regarding the battery life. I am looking at an install in my car using the Dock and this is a valid concern.
If the iPod internal battery is charged too often (as would be the case with a Dock install), is this detremental to the iPod's internal battery? My car lighter (which I'm assuming would be my power source) stays on when the car is shut off, ths too concerns me.


Or I could just opt for NO POWER SOURCE and just charge it thru the Belkin charger as needed thru the ashtray plug. Just would need a very clean mount or hidden mount and run the Blitzsafe aux input wiring.
Problem would be the Line in.... (without the Belkin charger or the Dock utilized in the install, how would I line in??)

Still searching for best possible solution.... Comments appreciated..

[mp3mooch]

nice G35, my uncle has a Black one w/ the 6 spd trany

anyway nice clean install of the dock.

[Nicholas]

Awsome install and awsome car! Infiniti's are so nice. Just wondering how you view the screen when driving since its like facing 90 degrees away from you.

[kloh]

Originally posted by nick954
Just wondering how you view the screen when driving since its like facing 90 degrees away from you.
Actually, the screen is at a pretty decent angle. It's not the best viewable angle while driving since you do have to take your eyes off the road, so I pretty much limit my interaction to things I can do without looking at the screen (like FFW). Thankfully, I have volume control on my steering wheel, so that's no problem. But if traffic is slow or I'm at a stop light, it's real easy to just take a quick peek down there and everthing is quite visible. Holding the Menu button down for backlighting also helps readability.

Here's a wider shot for more context:

[philldo]

nice install. it seems your budget is not as limited as mine (or you spent all your dough on that sweet car).

anyway, good work. looks great.

[swimfreak]

Currently looking into a solution mentioned at the beginning. Incorporating a universal mount, angled for perfect viewing, and the apple docking station, and a charger (probably Belkin).

I want a very plug and play solution, with the clarity of line-out direct input, and charge-ability for those long drives.

This will be plugged into the Alpine 9815, running to the 4 way Arc Audio 4150, then to Dynaudio 340's and a Boston 10".

Overall, I think it'll be a good solution, but the dynamics of it still need to be worked out for the best look and feel.

[cualexander]

Here's my solution that works good in my explorer. My explorer has a center console area that is empty right under the air conditioning knobs, so I got a arkon cd mount Link (http://www.arkon.com/SF40.htm) and drilled the arm into the center console, and I have it angled so that the flat plate of the mount sits level. Then I attached the dock to the plate of the mount with mounting tape. So basically the end result is when I pop my Ipod into the dock, it sits right in front of the air conditioning temperature knob and is directly below the head unit and it is tilted slightly back. Perfect position for viewing and changing songs, only slight annoyance is having the reach behind the Ipod for the temp knob, but I usually either leave it on all hot or all cold so its not too bad. Would post pics but don't have digital camera setup right now. Oh yeah and its connected via aux in to my Alpine head unit, and I have 4 Nakamichi speakers and 2 12" subwoofers... Sounds unbelievable. I can crank it up insanely loud with no distortion. Just got my 40 gig Ipod 2 days ago and I already love it.

[RandyP]

I'll probably catch some grief for this posting :), but I miss my TransPod. I had a 20Gb 2gen iPod, and had cut/jumped a "line out" jack in its side that I plugged into a cassette adapter. The TransPod put the iPod right by the gearshift and (once modified) I loved it. I'd like to get a new TransPod, well, a "LinePod", for my 40Gb unit.

[lbboarderh2o]

is there a solution in which the dock can be used but still be mounted, i like being able to just drop the iPod into the dock and have it plugged into the belkin and aux just like that, the only problem is the Dock is not in a good place and falls down into the passanger seat sometimes...