Which would you choose? iPod2car, Neo, Others?

[joebunn]

Guys, I have a 2004 GMC Yukon XL so my choices are limited as far as hardwiring into the factory headunit. I have read several posts on this site and am getting alot of helpful info. However, I am very impatient and am ready to order something to get this ipod running in my car. It looks like the Icruze is not out yet and the Ice Link by Dension does not support a 2004 GMC Yukon. Therefore, my choices are the ipod2car and the neo ion. What would you pick if you were me? Are there any that I am overlooking? Or, should I just wait for something else to come out? Any advice/help would be great. Please PM me or post to this link for all to see! Thanks!

[GavinD]

I have the neo ion www.mp3yourcar.com and have been very happy with it. The sound quality is excellent and the install was very straight forward.

[joebunn]

GavinD, what kind of car do you have? Did you lose any functionality on your factory headunit? I spoke to an awesome rep, Catherine, at mp3yourcar.com a little while ago and she said that you could keep your XM and your cd changer. This is a major plus over ipod2car's solution. Anyone else have the Neo Ion?

[coasterlvr]

Originally posted by joebunn
GavinD, what kind of car do you have? Did you lose any functionality on your factory headunit? I spoke to an awesome rep, Catherine, at mp3yourcar.com a little while ago and she said that you could keep your XM and your cd changer. This is a major plus over ipod2car's solution. Anyone else have the Neo Ion?

You can keep 6 disc in dash and XM but not external 6 disc. The Neo and Ipod2Car are the same thing in different clothing all now owned by Peripheral Electronics.

[joebunn]

Thanks Coaster. I ordered mine yesterday from mp3yourcar.com with 2 day shipping and have an appt. to get it installed and my Alpine removed on Friday morning. I also have a Proclip coming for the console. I hope this is better than Alpine's weak excuse for an interface. That thing is to hard to scroll and the limited songs/playlists is pitiful.

[MrCoaster]

Hey now,
This is my first post to this website. I just finished installing an ipod2car in my 2004 Dakota and want to share the experience. The install was quite easy since I used the Dodge install instructions to remove the dashboard.

The ipod2car came with well-written documentation and everything went very smoothly. I set the dip switches and plugged the cable into the back of the head unit. Then I fished the ipod connector down through the back. Excited, I reassembled the dash and plugged in my iPod.

WOW! The sound quality is excellent and the volume level is comparable to the radio and CD player. I've been disappointed by cassette adapters and FM modulators that I previously tried. They always had inferior sound quality and low volume levels.

The controls on the Dakota head unit will skip forward/back one song and scan through a song. However, the disc up/down controls do nothing. I was hoping they would take the ipod to the next disc, but that's not the case.

The volume control on the ipod does nothing as the sound is taken from the line-level output. I really like the fact that the ipod2car supplies power to the iPod. There's only one cable to plug in. I also noticed that the power stays on, even when the key is switched off.

Overall, I give this device a very high rating. It's a little pricey at $200, but I wanted a direct solution that allowed me to keep my factory head unit. I only use apple-lossless files on my iPod (can't stand mp3s) and sound quality was my number one concern.

The salesman where I bought the ipod2car recommended this forum to me. He said that he was installing an ipod2car in the forum moderator's vehicle. I won't mention the name of the store as I'm not sure if that's allowed here.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about the ipod2car or installing it in a Dodge Dakota.

ROCK ON!

-Randy in Sacramento

[joebunn]

I just got my car back on Friday from the installer after having the Alpine head unit and ipod interface removed. I replaced the factory headunit and then had them put in the Neo ion. I must say that thus far I am impressed. The sound quality is good and you can use not only the h.u. controls, but also the steering wheel controls. The other great part is the you can also use the ipod. It is not locked down like some of the other interfaces. The only negative is that I lost my XM tuner in order to have it. Also, make sure that the hold is off when using the unit. Good luck!

[al007]

I'm interested in getting the Neo for my Ford Escape. My only concern are the cables...

When you remove the radio, and plug the Neo cables in the back, where do the cables go ? I know they plug into the Neo and then the iPod, but do they simply hang there, outside of your radio ?

Thanks for your help.
Al

[joebunn]

The only cable hanging out is the one that goes to the ipod. I had mine done by a local independent stereo shop so I can't really help much!

[mikeu02]

I'm considering getting the Neon. Does the neon display the track names?

I wonder which one is better, control via Ipod or control via radio?

[joebunn]

You can control the ipod or from the stereo with the NEO, but will not show track names on the radio head.

[mikeu02]

So what is the real advantage of spending the $200 for the Nero as opposed to buying the http://www.enfig.com/ unit for $120.00?

Charging?

[joebunn]

hmm, don't know. Never researched that other one. First time I've seen it.

[mikeu02]

It shows the track (not by name) but doesn't allow for control via stereo (or column).

Do you have a Neon?

[iPodiot]

Is there really a difference between the Neo and the iPod2car? It appears the differences are strictly cosmetic.

[joebunn]

They are the same.

[GavinD]

Originally posted by mikeu02
So what is the real advantage of spending the $200 for the Nero as opposed to buying the http://www.enfig.com/ unit for $120.00?

Charging?

I can’t even find the adapter one there - ghetto web site. :confused:

[GavinD]

If it really is the same product then I would call www.mp3yourcar.com and see if they will match the price.

[joebunn]

I don't know if they do the exact same thing, but i know that the box behind my stereo said "Peripheral" on the label and they are the makers for the ipod2car.

[mikeu02]

Originally posted by GavinD
If it really is the same product then I would call www.mp3yourcar.com and see if they will match the price.

It's not the same. Neo will allow for control from your car stereo, but won't list the track names (from what i've heard). The one from efig won't allow you to control your ipod.

However. If Neo DOESN'T allow you to see the names, then you'll HAVE to use the ipod if you want to play something (or at least know what you're playing).

My hope was that I could buy Neo and leave my Ipod in the trunk.

Maybe i'm wrong about Neo showing or not showing track names.

[joebunn]

My neo in a 2004 GMC Yukon does not show the track names

[GavinD]

Originally posted by mikeu02
It's not the same. Neo will allow for control from your car stereo, but won't list the track names (from what i've heard). The one from efig won't allow you to control your ipod.

However. If Neo DOESN'T allow you to see the names, then you'll HAVE to use the ipod if you want to play something (or at least know what you're playing).

My hope was that I could buy Neo and leave my iPod in the trunk.

Maybe i'm wrong about Neo showing or not showing track names.

Maybe it depends on the type of car / radio. :confused:

[shoelace]

Hey joebunn, I have a 2003 Yukon with factory h/u and I also have XM activated. I thought that you would not lose the XM with the Neo. I DO NOT want to lose XM. Anybody have a Solution?

[joebunn]

I lost it, but if you find out something that will save it, holla.

[matty dread]

I just installed the neo ion in my '03 Ford Focus, installation was a snap and the sound is great. I highly recommend it.

[joebunn]

Is anyone having a problem with Neo? My unit will go into pause mode randomly and then start playing again for about 3 seconds and then go into pause again. I have to hit play on the ipod to get it going again. I can't figure out the problem and the service that I am getting from Neo sucks to be quite honest. They have not returned my last phone call or email over a week ago. I really was excited about the product, but the service is very, very disappointing. Boo Neo!

[coasterlvr]

Originally posted by joebunn
Is anyone having a problem with Neo? My unit will go into pause mode randomly and then start playing again for about 3 seconds and then go into pause again. I have to hit play on the ipod to get it going again. I can't figure out the problem and the service that I am getting from Neo sucks to be quite honest. They have not returned my last phone call or email over a week ago. I really was excited about the product, but the service is very, very disappointing. Boo Neo!

What car do you have it in? There are bugs depending on what car you use. I know a lot of Hondas do something similiar to what you explain.

[joebunn]

2004 GMC Yukon XL. Any fixes for it?

[GavinD]

Originally posted by joebunn
2004 GMC Yukon XL. Any fixes for it?

Call their support 727-572-9255 directly - it’s a lot faster then waiting for a Email response. Play with some of the rear pins and make sure everything is tightened up. If you call support and they can’t figure out the problem you most likely have a bad box and you need a replacement.

I had no problems dealing with their support but I called the number on the instruction book.

[joebunn]

I will call them, thanks for the number

[bamron]

Hey guys,

I was hoping for some help. I got the mp3yourcar and it didnt come with a manual. Does anyone know the dip switch settings for a Ford Escape 2005?

[bob63]

Is this the same interface Crutchfield has on there site. Theirs is a Peripheral. I've never purchased from Crutchfield before, but my understanding is that the customer service is pretty good. I'm debating on which to get the Peripheral or the Denison.

[bamron]

I just got the peripheral from mp3yourcar and their service is great. Only problem is I can't figure out where to connect the ground wire to and the 12V wire to. Any ideas?

[Jordanus]

so what does the Neo Ion show if it does not display the artist/song name?

[larrytru]

I don't think the two are the same since ipod2car doesn't support Nisan (according to the website) and the Ion does. I got and installed the Ion last week and I think its great.

[schitzo]

I just got the peripheral from mp3yourcar and their service is great. Only problem is I can't figure out where to connect the ground wire to and the 12V wire to. Any ideas?


Ground - find a piece of something metal under your dash that is attached to the body, and attach it there. or drill a small hole and tap a screw into the firewall under the dash. (If your firewall is metal that is)

12V- you can either run a wire to your fuse block and plug into the slot marked PWR or you can tap into a wire under your steering column, usually a red wire.

Invest in a test light $4 to find your ground or power wires.