Ipod connection queston, its a quicky!

**Xenotaku** · 11-03-2004 06:20 PM

Is there a plug that can connect the ipod to a head unit, and charge it at the same time? So for example, it sends the audio to head unit, and recieves power.

Does this exist?

I ask because of this...i really wanted the Alpine ipod unit, but I tried it in the store, and I didn't like it at all, I felt it scrolled horribly, and I couldn't even figure out how to play anything other than playlists.

So while, I still want an alpine for the sound, I would rather just hardwire to the ipod into the HU, but only if it charges as well.

Any help would be cool, thanks!

**lilaznbro** · 11-03-2004 08:27 PM

i actually bought the special aftermarket adapter that plugs into ur ciggerate lighter port and it charges the iPod, but also doubles as a FM transmitter that ur car can pick up...the connection isnt always the best so u'll hear alot of static every now and then, and it gives u 8 different channels to choose from, over all tho i really like it and i cant hear the static much becuz my loud music drowns it out neways

**jimmy04wrx** · 11-03-2004 10:47 PM

if u want to get better sq compared to fm mod, get the alpine deck and the kca121b plug for A-bus decks. it wont charge your ipod, but you'll get better sound. im not sure if they make that combo. i guess manufacturers still dont realize what consumers want and need. please prove me wrong if anyone knows of a product that does that combo

**StonedWheat** · 11-03-2004 11:46 PM

I was thinking about getting that $99 Alpine Ipod unit. No good huh?

Well the way I have it setup, I spliced my cig adapter power and ground wires and attached it to a belkin car charger with built in amplifier. The car charger is inside the dash, to the left of the stock cig adapter. I have the kca121b wire going from the back of the deck to the belkin car adapter. Then, the car adapter wire goes underneath the center console, right under the parking brake. So I just plug in my ipod and rest it in that little area right under the parking brake. I haven't figured out how to hide the ipod real nicely yet, but it works really good. Actually I would rather have the ipod in a different place, since the parking brake covers it a bit.

**StonedWheat** · 11-03-2004 11:49 PM

Oh, and i thought about getting that charger/FM adapter thing, but those FM adapters sound pretty crappy to me. Also, if you go on long trips, the station that you set it on is bound to get overtaken by another radio station.

**ej20fan** · 11-04-2004 12:41 AM

Ahh.... The quest continues. I've had this problem/question from every customer that has an Ipod. Unfortunately, Apple didn't make it very convenient to charge/receive information from the ipod directly. I don't see why you'd need to charge it all the time though. The amount of time these things play for is incredible. So unless you're driving cross country I'm sure you could live with an extra wire to charge it, or charge it overnight. In regards to SQ on ipods, I wouldn't worry about it as we're talking about a highly compressed media file. SQ will be horrible when compared to a CD. The FM piece is pretty good and so far offers the most elegant way of mounting/charging/transmitting I've seen. Besides, you can change the broadcast frequencies on the adaptor on the fly.

**Xenotaku** · 11-04-2004 07:44 AM

I do a lot of driving, so its pretty crucial to have that sucker charging.

Thats pretty disapointing about the lack of a product for this. I heard that Alpine is coming out with newer HU's that will work better with the ipod deck thing, any truth to this rumor?

**GetawayInBouldr** · 11-05-2004 01:51 AM

Denison. Thats all I have to say. I'm thinking Santa might be bringing me one of these this Christmas.

**perfusionista** · 11-05-2004 06:49 AM

There's nothing that will do this for the OEM stereo, but go to http://www.mp3yourcar.com/ or http://icelink.densionusa.com/ to see devices that are compatible with various aftermarket units. Basically you need one that has the capability to control a seperate CD changer. Monster Cable have just announced something called iCruze, which sounds like much of the same, but isn't available yet.

For more general news on what's available for the iPod, go to http://www.ipodlounge.com/ . They have a complete buyer's guide available for download in pdf.

**Xenotaku** · 11-05-2004 07:58 AM

Has anyone bought the Alpine thing and liked it? It seems like its still the best option on the market.

Maybe I just didn't give it enough time when I tested it out in the store.

**Wrinkleboi** · 11-14-2004 08:32 PM

i'm looking into this very thing right now and was originally planning to get an alpine 9825 or something similar with the ipod adapter. after reading up on it more i'm really not impressed and think i would be better off with a normal aux in cable and seperate car charger when i need it. what i am still looking into is a good way to mount the ipod next to the head unit. anyways, i'm gonna go check out the links posted above and see what i find... if anyone has any other ideas please let me know.
o-|-<) bryan

**rgold01** · 11-14-2004 09:18 PM

I just got the Alpine adapter with a new alpine, so far it is ok. The things I dont like are you can not do any random or shuffel functions, and it is a little slow in choosing an artist with the dial. So I have been makeing different play lists for the ipod which should solve my problem. It is nice to be able to hide the ipod in the glove box though.

**GTScoob** · 11-14-2004 09:27 PM

I want the Ipod adapter for my alpine but I've got an older model 9813.

You can get the headphone jack adapter and plug it into the AI-net port to listen to the mp3s.

As far as charging the Ipod, you could mount the cradle and connect the headphone jack to it and then get a power inverter and plug the AC power cord into the inverter to get AC power.