InvisibleMan

Has anyone connected their iphone 3G / 3GS to the car stereo? How have you done it (by FM transmitter?) how good and what recommendations?

Ta

deanb1980

i have a fm transmitter for my iphone and its rubbish lol if i was you i would get a propper lead to fit your stereo thats the best option

JackClark

I use a iPod specific Alpine head unit, not sure of the number but it's got no CD, just digital media. IDA X'something. Works perfectly with the iPhone, album art and the best iPod interface you can get. When I feel like streaming music from Last.FM or want to pass the iPhone around I use bluetooth audio, again, works perfectly. Of course the phone also pipes through via bluetooth.

mike1210

iPod Ready Car Stereo - Car Audio Sextons Direct

for an ipod but most would work im guessing

I use the alpine with an ipod classic and it works great

Markus

Hello IM
I've had an iPod and now my iPhone 3GS connected to my car for quite some time. Car is a Honda Accord. I originally used a Griffin iTrip with the iPod, mainly as the head unit I had in my previous car didn't have AUX in, so it was the only real way to get an input into the head unit.

If you do have to go the FM route I'd go with an iTrip device as they are pretty good. However, the best solution would be something that uses the AUX IN input on the head unit, if indeed it has one. What make and model of head unit have you got?

On the Accord it does not have a specific aux in, but it does have a CD changer port and I don't have a CD changer (head unit is single CD) so I was able to get a little adaptor from enfig which plugs into the CD changer port and allows aux input via red and white RCA leads. I then got a 3.5mm headphone to red and white RCA lead, and connected it up. Plug the 3.5 milly into the headphone socket on the iPhone/iPod (or any thing with a headphone socket) and then simply select the CD changer option on the head unit. The on wheel vol controls still work for the car too.

There are some systems out there, I think one is called icelink by dension, that will, if you car has full audio controls on the steering wheel, allow better integration with the ipod, ie; the controls will allow you to select tracks and such like.

Because of my setup, and not having anything bar volume controls on the wheel, my iPhone sits in a vent mounted cradle, which is well within sight and reach if I need to change anything, which I obviously don't when driving

I would also look and see if there is any official manufacturer solution for iPod connectivity that could be retrofitted, though it could be expensive as we all know the dealers love to charge silly money for this official type stuff.

InvisibleMan

Thanks. Hey Markus

Its a Sony Drive S stereo. It doen't have an aux socket up front unless these things are from the back. There seems to be things designed for ipods but not really iphones and the stuff for them is a little patchy so a trial n error

Hanley

I use a Dension Icelink in my Audi A4, it links up with my RNS-E sat nav unit and allows full controls from there.

StickyMicky

Lots of car stereos come with an AUX in now.
A cheap 3.5mm stereo lead will allow you to listen to the phone no problems at all, for full control you will need one of the specialist head units.

I really love Last.fm and use this the majority of the time now, both in the car, and at home, what an amazing service.

InvisibleMan

yeah unfortunately both cars dont have aux both are old. I did find a fm transmitter thats a few years old. Have tested on one stereo so far. Its awful on the blackberry so turned off aerial a little better but bad. I tried a mp3 player and its better but in noway usable i dont think. so it seems to be quite stereo and device specific

That would be the other key issue i guess call interference, would be best not to keep putting it into plane mode

Markus

I'm guessing it does not have CD changer control on it? It's possible it might have AUX In on the back of the unit, might be worth pulling it out and having a look, or if you have the manual for it, look in there first (If you do pull it then BEFORE you do, make sure you have the radio code, just in case you need to remove power from it, as it'll probably reset and require the code). If there isn't Aux In on the back and no Changer control feature.

I'd have thought most of the iPod stuff should work with the iPhone too, perhaps more so if it's using the dock connector.

You could pop over to the iLounge Forums and search/ask on the there.

StickyMicky

I bought one of these about a year ago to use in the car.
2GB CAR MP3 PLAYER OLED With FM TRANSMITTER on eBay (end time 04-Jan-10 18:50:30 GMT)

Never had a problem with it at all, although FM quality is not as good as a proper "source"

The only minor problem i found with that model, is that while it remembers what mp3 you were listening to when you switch off the power, it does not remember at what point you were in the track, not such a biggy for most, but i wanted to listen to 1 hour plus DJ mixes


The missus was so impressed with it considering the size, that she asked for one for christmas, i only stopped using it when i got my new phone.

That reminds me that hers has not been delivered yet

InvisibleMan

erm ok never really messed around with stereos :O but can you just take off the faceplate and put any back on? the price comparison isnt all that much so it would be easier and guaranteed to work if i got one with aux in/usb

Markus

Depends on the car really. Most units will be either single or double DIN sized. I've switched out a few stereos in my time, pretty easy for the most part. The difficult ones are those on cars with funky facias, for example the new Civic's as there isn't a little faceplate, it's part of the surrounding facia, thus you need to, gently, remove that to get at the DIN unit behind it.

How about taking a couple of pictures of where it's installed and we'll be able to tell you how easy it'll be to get the little bugger out and how easy to put a new one in.