Finally added an iPod kit
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
Finally added an iPod kit
I kept threatneing to do this, so finally decided to get off my ****.
I went with the Scosche FM modulator from Crutchfield. I know this isn't going to be the best sound quality, but I was looking for
1) keeping the stock system
2) ease of install
3) low budget
It satisfies all three of these and only took about 30 minutes to install:
- Removed the head unit
- Removed the ash tray and loosened the center console
- Tapped into the 12v and ground from the lighter (pink/green for 12v, brown for ground)
- Plugged in the two adapters (VW female/male and male/female available at Crutchfield as well)
- Tested the iPod
- Double-stick taped the unit to the air bag sensor (perhaps a bad choice?)
- Cleaned up the wiring
- Cut a hole in the rear of the change holder for the switch and cable
- Reassembled
Pardon the blury pics. It wasn't unit after *****ing about it I discovered the AF was off :/
I went with the Scosche FM modulator from Crutchfield. I know this isn't going to be the best sound quality, but I was looking for
1) keeping the stock system
2) ease of install
3) low budget
It satisfies all three of these and only took about 30 minutes to install:
- Removed the head unit
- Removed the ash tray and loosened the center console
- Tapped into the 12v and ground from the lighter (pink/green for 12v, brown for ground)
- Plugged in the two adapters (VW female/male and male/female available at Crutchfield as well)
- Tested the iPod
- Double-stick taped the unit to the air bag sensor (perhaps a bad choice?)
- Cleaned up the wiring
- Cut a hole in the rear of the change holder for the switch and cable
- Reassembled
Pardon the blury pics. It wasn't unit after *****ing about it I discovered the AF was off :/
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C63 AMG P30 *EuroCharged*| Porsche Cayenne | Buell XB9SX
thanks for sharing that. looks cool.
how is the sound quality, btw? the schoche unit isnt like the itrip radio transmitter, is it? do you have radio signal interference issues with yours?
how is the sound quality, btw? the schoche unit isnt like the itrip radio transmitter, is it? do you have radio signal interference issues with yours?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
The sound quality is actually pretty good. I found a couple MP3's that are 256 bit that sounded really clear. Much of my collection is weird old death metal and Bay Area stuff from the late 80's that's hard to get in good quality, but the few songs that I ripped from CD are almost as good as CD.
The unit actually hard wires in to your head unit. Although it uses the FM band, it's not transmitted over the air like some of the other devices. Nonetheless, this does limit it (I believe) to the frequency range of your FM tuner.
The unit actually hard wires in to your head unit. Although it uses the FM band, it's not transmitted over the air like some of the other devices. Nonetheless, this does limit it (I believe) to the frequency range of your FM tuner.
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From: Portsmouth, NH
none
Thanks for the DIY.
I'm going to do this sometime this week. Geat idea. The other day my radio was on scan and it stopped at 88.5 . I was saying to myself "this radio station sucks and they keep changing songs". I then realized I was picking up the MP3/transmitter signal from my girlfriend.
Nice job.
I'm going to do this sometime this week. Geat idea. The other day my radio was on scan and it stopped at 88.5 . I was saying to myself "this radio station sucks and they keep changing songs". I then realized I was picking up the MP3/transmitter signal from my girlfriend.
Nice job.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,165
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C63 AMG P30 *EuroCharged*| Porsche Cayenne | Buell XB9SX
am i correct in assuming that there are no interference issues, since this unit is hard-wired and not transmitted over the airwaves? i.e., does your ipod signal override any music or whatever that is being broadcast on 88.5 or whatever the case may be?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
There are two choices for frequency - 88.3 and 87.9 (If I recall correctly). Neither of them broadcast anything here so I don't know how well it would work if there was a signal. I suspect it would be capable of overriding it. There is an on/off switch that you have to engage to get the full signal, so I believe this effectively "prioritizes" the signal from the box instead of the antena. When engaged, the regular signals are weaker and fuzzy.
I'd say for the price ($50 total with the adapters) it was well worth it. I might actually go this route for my other cars too so I can always have my MP3 collection available when I happen to be in a car full of childrens CDs the wife has left in
I'd say for the price ($50 total with the adapters) it was well worth it. I might actually go this route for my other cars too so I can always have my MP3 collection available when I happen to be in a car full of childrens CDs the wife has left in
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From: Portsmouth, NH
none
Originally Posted by SDR
There are two choices for frequency - 88.3 and 87.9 (If I recall correctly). Neither of them broadcast anything here so I don't know how well it would work if there was a signal. I suspect it would be capable of overriding it. There is an on/off switch that you have to engage to get the full signal, so I believe this effectively "prioritizes" the signal from the box instead of the antena. When engaged, the regular signals are weaker and fuzzy.
I'd say for the price ($50 total with the adapters) it was well worth it. I might actually go this route for my other cars too so I can always have my MP3 collection available when I happen to be in a car full of childrens CDs the wife has left in
I'd say for the price ($50 total with the adapters) it was well worth it. I might actually go this route for my other cars too so I can always have my MP3 collection available when I happen to be in a car full of childrens CDs the wife has left in
Nothing wrong with "Rafi" or "Big Bird Sings the Blues". Just keep the windows up when the bass hits. No one will know.
I feel victim to an episode of "Dora the Explorer" with a family friend this weekend. This reminded me of it.....kids music/movies kinda make you feel as if you were crazy while your watching them.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 386
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From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
Originally Posted by NitrogenBalance
.....kids music/movies kinda make you feel as if you were crazy while your watching them.
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