Best Setup with all new 2005 releases?

[blazer5913]

Hello. I guess I got into the car integration scene at the right time, because it seeems as if there are loads of updates right about now. I currently have an 03 Nissan Xterra and my only real option is to get a new headunit, and then work from there. Before a couple of weeks ago, I was just plannning on getting any "random" headunit that I liked, then I would get the IceLink to go w/ that headunit and be good to go. But now w/ other companies, other than Alpine, in the market, I am not sure if this is the best way to go. I mean, with Kenwood and Pioneer each having their own interface, and Alpine fixing its bugs, there are definately other alternatives to the IceLink. The main things I want is it to charge, able to use the iPod itself to change the song, as well as headunit and steering controls, and finally the ID3 text display on the headunit (my number one concern). Now, the IceLink Plus does all of these, but I would really just get some random headunit. But w/ these new interfaces by the differnt companies, is there a better route of headunits to go down? Because I don't want to get a Kenwood headunit, and find out that the Pioneer interface is absolutely amazing and not be able to take advantage of it. So, please, some help! Guide us all!
Thanks alot for your time!

[TheBum]

I can only speak on the Alpine CDA-9851/KCA-420i combination.

1. Charging: Yes, the iPod charges while it's connected.

2. Use the iPod to change songs: I don't believe that any of the integrated solutions will allow it. It's a limitation in the iPod Accessory Protocol. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

3. Use the head unit to change songs: There's much discussion in this forum already on this subject, including my own, so I won't elaborate any further.

4. Use steering wheel controls: The 9851 has a port on the back for a steering wheel control adapter. I have no info about the adapter, though.

5. ID3 text display: The 9851 only displays one 12-character line of text, so only one tag is visible at a time. A single button toggles between elapsed time, time of day, artist, album, and title. The display scrolls long tags manually or automatically depending on the settings. The really nice thing about the 9851 display is that it uses dot-matrix characters, which means that it can display some characters that segmented displays on many other head units cannot, such as letters with diacritical marks.

You also need to consider the ability to sculpt the sound. My SUV presents some acoustical challenges (mainly, resonances at annoying frequencies). With quite a bit of tweaking of the 9851's Bass Engine settings, I have been able to all but eliminate the annoying harmonics while getting pretty impressive sound.

[blazer5913]

Well, as far as I know, the IceLink Plus can charge the iPod, use the iPod and the headunit/steering wheel to control (next track, ect) the iPod, and the IceLInk also has the Text Display. I am not sure, but its sounding like the IceLink is still my best option for what I want, and then get a headunit based on what people recommend.

Can anybody recomend a sub 175ish headunit, supported by the Icelink, that you all prefer? I am new to the aftermarket HU scene, so any help is really appreciated! Thanks

[ProDriver24]

Searching the net I saw some sites talking about how all the headunit makers released the addon adapters for now, but in 2006 all the headunits will have full ipod hookups built in

****CHRIS****