Is there there any headunits that allow you to run your iPod into the head unit. I know I can hook it up with an Input on the CD player, but i am looking at something to control the iPod from the HU.

What I don't want: the FM transmitter...

 

the new alpines have an Ipod module that can actually control the Ipod from the radio. the module is about $100, plus the cost of a new alpine AI-net headunit.

 

I think most of the '04 Alpine units will control an iPod with the adapter sold here for only $80 plus shipping.

http://thewholesalematrix.zoovy.com/

 

any alipine HU with AI-net and the alipine ipod adaptor..i dont think you can control music from the ipod though, just from the HU which would be really slow and annoying unless you have a multiline display. dension makes an adaptor also that allows you to control from the ipod itself i forget what its called though

 

I have the Alpine unit and it works well, just hook the iPod up and throw it in the glove compartment, music to your heart's content. 89macrunner is right, though, about it being slow and annoying since I don't have a multiline display, You just have to have some patience when going through the playlists; I reccomend being parked when you do that as it can be frustrating at times.

 

With Alpine and their iPod adapter you can controll the iPod from the HU. If you don't really need the HU to control it then just about any mid-range stereo from most companies support an AUX input on their proprietary bus (Alpine = Ai-net, Pioneer - IP-bus, etc.) with stereo RCA inputs. The part will cost you 30-50 bucks. My suggestion (if you don't need the HU control) is to buy the RCA input for whatever deck you have, an mini-phono (headphone)-to-RCA cable, and the Belkin (I know, Ew) iPod charger that has the mini-phono jack in it. With this you can set up a 12v plug behind your dash and hide all the cables so that the only cable you'd have visible is the dock-type connector that you'd plug into your iPod.

Here's what the Belkin thing I'm talking about looks like.

 

I read about Dension units, they are sorta expensive, but better than a new head unit. I hear they have great reviews, just google it. www.dension.com thats their website, lol. Anyways, hope this is something you are looking for, fully controllable by the headunit.

Kyle

 

I would highly recommend the IVA-D300 headunit. It is probably more than most people need, but the touchscreen is nice. It is a great overall unit. Especially if you have an ipod to interface to it. I have an ipod mini connected to this unit using the KCA-420 ipod adapter. The unit works but could use some refinement. The ipod shows up as a cd-changer and to choose the search option you have to set it for disk1, disk2 or disk3 for playlist search, artist search, and album search respectively. Yeah I know, very intuitive. It seems like the interface box could have been made alot smaller. IMHO, it should not be any bigger than the ipod mini.

My 2 cents.

Paul

 

i am writing this from las vegas were i just finished up CES 2005.

just about EVERYONE has an iPod aware head unit that can control it as well.

unfortunately, i dont like the iPod so i wasnt paying attention to them...

but trust me, if they havent it out yet, they will soon... check your fav head unit maker's website...