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Leddy said:
Okay, I finally got round to installing my ipod link.
I ran the AI-NET cable from the rear of the HU to the adapter box which I hid behind the glove box and then ran the cable to the ipod through a hole in the bottom right of the glove box. Like this, the ipod can stay in the right hand side of the glove box where it won’t rattle around and out of sight of scallies!
Initial plug-in was disappointing, the display on my HU said ERROR2. This, apparently, is a software conflict. A firmware upgrade on my 3G ipod later and everything was functional.
First impression was that navigating through all the albums on my ipod was laborious, I have 6gb of 160kbps mp3’s, navigating 40gb would be even worse!!! The trouble is with the current Alpine HU’s not being designed with this application in mind. To find your desired album/artist, first you have to select your search type by pressing the 1-6 buttons (their functions are described in the user manual) then press the search button either once or twice, then use the rotary dial to select your artist/album/file. This brings in another issue, the rotary dial is not speed sensitive, it doesn’t matter how quickly you rotate it, it still scrolls through the files at the same speed – slowly.
That being said the level of integration is more comprehensive than anything currently available. All file information is displayed on the HU, you can even scroll through and select your playlists, the cable even charges your ipod.
I am generally pleased with this adapter/connector, what I think is essential is that you set-up your playlists as these are easiest to scroll through. It just means that playing an album on a whim can be painfully slow to set up.
Alpine have suggested on their website, that the 2005 range of HU’s will have a higher level of integration. I would expect to see much more intuitive searching, in time the need for an external box will surely disappear too.
It’s also surely a matter of time before the ipod is available as a wireless device, then compatible wireless HU’s would negate the need to strip your dash too. Combine this with wireless on your mobile and muting/handsfree integration will become a lot less hassle.
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Sorry to trouble you mate, a few questions if you dont mind. I currently have a 3g ipod and have the concert stereo in my car, i use the itrip which is quite good but on a night its really hard to read the screen with the back light.
I have weighed up the options and im now really stuck, should I go for a new alpine head unit with the ipod adaptor? or phatnoise? what sort of costs am I looking at? Thanks for any help.