I'm not much of an apple fan, but man, the iPod simply rocks. Without going too into detail (unless provoked by responses to this thread) the iPod is a very well designed, easy to use MP3 player. Add in it's 5GB hard drive, firewire capability and 10 hour battery life, and there's no product that even comes close. I have a Creative Jukebox with 6GB hard drive and an Archos Jukebox, but both have their limitations... nothing close to the iPod.

<img src="http://a912.g.akamai.net/7/912/51/d045a356306f8e/www.apple.com/ipod/images/indextopipod10232001.jpg">

The Apple iPod supposedly only works on a mac, but I use it with my PC using Ephpod software. The Ephpod software is awesome, and works really well. It even lets you move songs from the iPod back to any computer, something Apple's iTunes doeesn't even do.

Anyhow, I've ordered a universal car mount to hold my iPod securely when in my car. Not quite sure where I'm gonna put this, but hopefully it will fit somewhere cleanly.

<img src="http://www.everythingipod.com/products/prolarge/001-CM131.jpg">

I'm hoping it will fit right over the cupholder on the center console. I find that cupholder to be kinda worthless anyways... and won't miss it much.

As for connection to the factory Symphony radio, I'm not exactly sure either. A cassette adapter isn't a really clean install, so I think I'm gonna go with an RF modulator installed inline between my antenna and radio, so I can listen to my iPod on 88.1 or something. Hopefully the sound quality will be good enough. I will either route a 1/8" cable to where the iPod will be mounted, or I will drill a 1/8" jack somewhere on the center console and use a patch cable to plug in the iPod... not sure yet.

Any suggestions from the group?

 

Yes, you are correct, the iPod rules. Probably one of the best consumer electronic purchases i've made in recent years - right behind my TiVo....I also agree, it leaves my Nomad Juke in the dust --

I too use in in my car and find the GUI indispensible....Fast and easy to "free-associate" my "sountrack of life"

I've been reluctant to get an RF unit, but i really hate the tape hiss of the cassette adapter and the "squeak" of the wheel turning uselessly....

I trust the opinion of this forum, and would love to hear the critique of how they think an in-line RF unit sounds...(wireless RF will be probably worse sounding that the tape adapter)

Please share....

 

sounds kewl.
i dont have the ipod yet but i got a mac g4 titanium laptop. it rocks. ive always had macs and they are simply the most amazing computers. in my field everyone is on a mac.
(photography and graphics) all of my art director clients use macs.
it will be amazing when auto companies see the light and ipods or ipodlike units are factory installed. heck i can see ordering them already loaded with music. " ill take the atlas grey one with the alternative music" heh heh
by the way nice pic by the palace of fine arts. (built for the 1913 worlds fair)

 

This doesn't work if you have a CD changer since it plugs into the same connection but you can always just unplug the CD changer. Who needs it if you have the MP3 player?

I have this adapter in my allroad and keep my Archos MP3 player in the armrest so it's out of site and not cluttering up the car. Works great with no sound quality degradation!

It's the first adapter on this list:<ul><li><a href="http://store.autotoys.com/cgi-bin/wfp53024.storefront/3c5aca82003c6db62750d8f5a506069c/Catalog/1750">Aux Input Adapter</a></li></ul>

 

Does this use the plug in the trunk compartment? or off the back of the radio? Is there any electronics involved, or is it just a DIN to stereo plug(s)?

fj..

 

the one below, because your link is taking me to your Brian Ulmer account.<ul><li><a href="http://store.autotoys.com/cgi-bin/wfp53024.storefront/3c5aca82003c6db62750d8f5a506069c/Catalog/1750">autotoys.com</a></li></ul>

 

There are electronics involved, as it has to fool the head unit into thinking a CD changer is attached. You just hit the "CDC" button on the head unit and it displays "Disc 1 Track 1" indefinitely.

 

Hey Ulmer, I will get that AUX adapter... updates to follow. Thanks.

 

Updated...wierd

 

Excellent, it'll do the trick