iPods

Since Vid is getting all pissy about the iPod topic taking over his current problem thread, I have some questions that some of you iPod users maybe can answer.

I want an iPod to use in my car.  How are the FM transmitters for this?  Also the car battery charger is just that correct?  It isn\'t like a phone charger meaning you can\'t just plug the iPod into your car and have it run off your cars battery?

I hope that made sense.

You learn something new everyday.

[http]http://www.apple.com/ipod/accessories.html[/http]

All the accessories you ever need .

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=T8702LL/A

I just wanted to know how it worked and hear from people that had used it.

I want to know how much the battery lasts.

I\'ve never done this, but my understanding from others is that the FM transmitters are generally a crappy solution.  I can\'t remember what all the problems are, but reduced frequency response is definitely one of them.

I have seen many people do custom iPod wired connections to the auxiliary input on their headunit, and it\'s not as hard as it sounds.  That is definitely the way I would go.  You can also draw power from the cars electrical system, rather than running on the iPod\'s battery.

I\'ll try to find a thread regarding this on another forum.

[videoholic]

THey were talking in the E46 forum about a new way to hook in an IPod to your system.  Me no remember where I saw it though.

If your factory headunit doesn\'t have an auxiliary input, you can add one using a device like this:  http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/piefrdnaux.html which utilizes the stock CD changer port.  I was assuming you were looking for this for a Ford mustang, but they have other versions for many vehicles.

From there, hardwiring an iPod connector to your headunit is pretty easy.

Yeah looking for one for the Mustang... I think I am going to try the FM transmitter so I can swap in and out of cars and then look into hardwiring once I turn the Jetta back in.

Core, I finally bought the Ipod and it is fantastic.  I found a cheap way to listen to it in the Jetta by using the $19 Sony Cassette Adapter (the lease ends in about 9 months so I didn\'t want to hard wire it), but the problem is the Mustang.  

You were correct when you said that the FM Transmitters are bad - I tried 2 and they were really bad, so here lies my problem.  The site you linked to has a auxillary input converter that are not compatible with the new Ford Mach radios that have the 6 CD disc changer in the front.  Car audio is not my thing and frankly I don\'t know jack about it.  Do you have any links to places that might sell an adapter for the Ford Mach 460 Radio?  As of now I can only use it in the VW since the Mustang doesn\'t even have a cassette player.

I heard the battery lasts for 18 months and a new one is like 50 bucks.

Hrm...I think the one I bought had a faulty battery out of the box...it lasts only for a few hours.  Kinda annoying...

Originally posted by GigaShadow
The site you linked to has a auxillary input converter that are not compatible with the new Ford Mach radios that have the 6 CD disc changer in the front.  Car audio is not my thing and frankly I don\'t know jack about it.  Do you have any links to places that might sell an adapter for the Ford Mach 460 Radio?  As of now I can only use it in the VW since the Mustang doesn\'t even have a cassette player.

I am no expert on Mustang electronics, as you can well imagine.    If I were you, I would start searching the Mustang forums.  I\'m sure someone else has encountered this problem and could give you good advice.

If it were me, I would just put in an aftermarket headunit.  You can get one that has more features than the OEM unit, such as the ability to play MP3 CDs.  Of course you\'ve got an iPod, so maybe you don\'t need that.    One of the features that is not hard to find on aftermarket headunits is an auxiliary input.  That would certainly solve your problem.  Good luck.

[MPTheory]

I picked one up right after christmas.  I like it. The battery doesnt last 8 hours.  It last for about 4 at most.  Other than that, Its great.  I hooked mine up to the car through the audio input on my cd player. You wont have one of those on your car cd player unless yours doesnt have a cassette player.

Originally posted by Coredweller
I am no expert on Mustang electronics, as you can well imagine.    If I were you, I would start searching the Mustang forums.  I\'m sure someone else has encountered this problem and could give you good advice.

If it were me, I would just put in an aftermarket headunit.  You can get one that has more features than the OEM unit, such as the ability to play MP3 CDs.  Of course you\'ve got an iPod, so maybe you don\'t need that.    One of the features that is not hard to find on aftermarket headunits is an auxiliary input.  That would certainly solve your problem.  Good luck.

I am wondering if I switch head units, will my amps (for the Mach 460 still work with the new head unit?  I have searched everywhere, even the Mach 1 Registry and had no luck in finding an answer.  I would much rather run the Aux Input Converter and since my radio is alreadly prewired for Sirius I wonder if it would be possible to use that input and "trick" the radio into thinking the Satellite Radio button to function as the auxillary button.