iPod Car Adapters
tmartin2 -- Thu, 03/09/2006 - 08:30
Has any one tried these? Is FM modulation or cassette connection better? If you don't have a cassette machine (newer cars), which FM modulator is best?
Has any one tried these? Is FM modulation or cassette connection better? If you don't have a cassette machine (newer cars), which FM modulator is best?
I tried the Monster adapter. FM reception is fine (not true for all adapters), but high frequency response is severely rolled off.
I haven't been happy with any of the FM modulators for playing an iPod in the car. Check out Monster Cable's iCruz system that replaces your CD changer with an iPod port and interface.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision
One of the tricks with iPod-to-car stereos is to get song information
and browse the iPod's library/menus right from the head unit -- Alpine, among others, has kits available to do this. I've also heard that some kits are better than others in terms of getting quick access back and forth from the menus.
Another option, and a cheap one at that, is a cable that connects the iPod dock connector to an aux input, if your car deck has one. I wrote up just such a cable for TPV #70:
If your car stereo has an auxiliary input, the Ziplinq 3.5 mm Digital Audio Cable is a nifty, inexpensive way to get solid sound quality from your iPod. By connecting through the iPod's dock-connector port, you get true line-level audio output. The cord expands from 4 inches to 4 feet, and can also be used to hook into PCs, laptops, home stereos, and anything with a standard 3.5mm stereo plug.
www.Ziplinq.com Zip-Linq $13
Like Robert Harley, I haven't liked any FM modulators. If you live in an area where the FM dial is crowded, it's hard to find a noise-free slot. And if you're travelling, you have to keep changing the frequency to stay in an unoccupied channel. The cassette adapter works fine, if you don't mind the noise of the cassette transport. The best solution is a line-level input.
Barry Willis
When the adaptor is connected our car stereo buttons will control the iPod, the iPod battery will charge, and the sound will play from our car stereo speakers. This is the best iPod car adapter kit available on the market.
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Adam
New Cars
IMHO the best iPod adapter is a radio with a dedicated iPod input.
Here's a link to my article about installing a system in my 2008 Outback:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/0708/nearfield20.htm
After almost 3/4 of a year this system never fails to get my attention for its detail, musicality, and ergonomic ease.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
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