X03

oh btw, i just realized that I dont have a cigarette lighter thats been missing for years and years

anybody got an extra one lying around?

BenzBro

my panasonic unit has AUX input jacks already, so all i had to do was buy the RCA to headphone jack cord from RadioShack. Then i just ran the wire under the center console.

myfirstbenz

ha ha,

oneill_1

Alpine CDA-9857 FTW!!!! Best connectivity ever!!! scroll and find what you want to listen to.....all controlled on the head unit.....cant go wrong

-OG

MediumKahuna

I'd try to get a Nav Unit mount or use the holes from where the phone was and make a mount. Get a simple ipod dock (I'll look) and run the power and sound wires to behind your radio head unit. If you have an Aux In, thats where the sound goes. If you have a stock radio (no aux in) you can connect to the cd changer input with an adaptor or get an FM transmitter and tap it into your antenna coax.

Aren't you working on your interior anyway? So make a nice mount that can hide a few wires.

If you're really interested in doing it right I'll do some leg work (well, finger work to help find stuff). I know all about the electronic side (I'm an electrical engineer) but not much about interior work. I need to mount an ipod too. If you figure out the mount, I'll figure out the rest.

Garfunkle_W124

whenever th GPS accessory is released in the US, I will be intalling my PSP on the dash. I have seen the japanese version and it is comparible to Tom Tom's services. If you consider the PSP is $199 and the GPS is $60, it is cheaper than most NAV systems, and stylish.

bjay51d

thats Hottness

myfirstbenz

that's pretty cool

MediumKahuna

oops

MediumKahuna

Here's one of the ipod docks I was talking about:
Ipod power and sound cable
You need to get one that charges and has audio out so that only one thing plugs into your ipod (at its docking connector)
Then you cut off the end with the cigarette lighter plug and attach the a mating connector for your aux in on your radio (usually two RCA plugs) and hard wire the power leads to same power as the radio gets. I can probably find one of these with a cradle that will hold the ipod. Then you mount the cradle (hard part I think) and run the wires to the back of your radio.

If you don't have any kind of Aux input to your radio then you still run the wires to the back of the radio and you get an FM transmitter that connects right to your radio antenna input (with a splitter). This is the only way to go for an FM transmitter.

If you have a radio that is meant to connect to an in-trunk CD changer, you can get a really cool adaptor that fakes out your radio into thinking the ipod is a CD changer. You make a playlist for each fake CD and run the ipod from your radio panel The ipod lives in your glove box or trunk even since you don't have to touch it. These can be a little pricey ($200 - $300) but for sure the way to go. If you have a CD changer then ditch it for the ipod.

I have a stock Benz radio that has a plug for a CD changer. I haven't figured out which model radio it is yet but I will be finding an adaptor for an ipod and going this route. If I can't find the adaptor I'll make one. So if you have a stock radio get back to me.

MediumKahuna

Here's an example of whats called a
"factory stereo ipod adaptor" which makes an ipod look like a CD changer and connects to your stock radio.

Factory Stereo iPod adaptor for euro cars

I haven't figured out if this one will work with my radio yet.
I've been finding these things priced from $100 to $700

mgw, do you have a stock radio? or what radio do you have? I can look for you while I'm looking for me.

Also the FM transmitters that connect to your antenna input are called "wired FM transmitters" if you go that route.

Koolwipski

Oneill hit the nail on the head(unit) - okay not funny - but - I have the CDA 9856 which is actually iPod ready - Ibought the iPod cable and ran it under the center console into the glove box under the armrest - the face of the iPod actually reads "Alpine" when it is plugged in. You control the iPod from the head unit - it basically displays the iPod screen on the head unit screen.

It is an awesome set up. i think the Head Unit cost about $179.00 at Best Buy and the cable is like $25. I also hooked up the XM sat radio converter and got XM. Best of all, the unit looks really good in the car.

Attached a pic - old one - car is in the shop - when I get it back - I will take some pics of the set up.

oneill_1

^Mine is exactly like yours....iPod ready and all i needed was the same cable...i ran it just like you did but my model is just one step up....it doesnt take long to scroll through the artists...the display is a lil nicer on mine but also a lil more expensive...my buddy has the exact same as yours...ours looks the same but with different internals...overall Alpine FTW!!!

-OG

Koolwipski

True....True....

mgw_300e

What I'm thinking about doing is fabricating a mount to fit in the space where the ashtray goes. Maybe a dock or something like that, with wires running to the head unit.

MediumKahuna - I have an old Sony CD head unit, I don't know the model #. It utilizes the console mounted fader switch, but I don't think it was stoc since it's not Becker.

MediumKahuna

If its got Aux inputs, you're good to go else use a wired FM transmitter tucked behind your head unit.
I can mod one of those charger cables to remove the cigarette lighter plug and have just have wires to connect to power for you. Make sure you get one with audio out else you'll have to connect seperate plug to ipod to get audio (which looks stupid and is less convenient)

mgw_300e

so you mean you can mod the USB cable to connect directly to the 12V power for the lighter?

MediumKahuna

Probably not. Theres probably a 12V to 5V converter in there which you extract, solder wires to, dip in hot glue and stuff behind with the rest.
If you get one, call me on the phone, tell me what you see, and I can tell you how to do it.
Or I'll be getting one soon, if I can't find one that's thats sold like that. I'll mod it and make instructions.
Or I'll find the cheapest price, you send it to me, I'll buy one, mod it and send it on.

You don't use a USB cable you get one that has a cigarette lighter plug and analog audio out (usually mini 1/8th" phono socket).

Saijin_Naib

Becker Mexico Pro (just buy the ipod control cable, it integrates into the headunit controls and ****)

mgw_300e

some of the docks I'm considering have a USB cable that is supposed to be used to sync and charge. Would the converter thingy be built into the base? If so, would I just need to isolate the power wires and splice them into the 12V?

Can you tell I don't know **** about wiring?

mgw_300e

this is an example:

Bigpete123

IMO, the best way is to get a HU with an auxiliary input and run RCA cables. This way, any of your friends who get into the car can plug any device into your stereo they want to.

If you're really concerned about charging, you could just get a cigarette lighter charger and plug it in when the ipod gets low.

This is the path of least resistence, least wiring, most elegence (no bulky devices to stick to your dash/windshield or to attach to your cigarette lighter), and best sound quality. And if you already have an HU that has AUX inputs, bonus. All its gonna cost you is time and a few bucks in cables.

Koolwipski

Oh yeah....the Alpine head unit also charges the iPod.

mgw_300e

I may try to go that route (Alpine CDA 9856) and just fabricate a mount that fits in the ashtray.

myfirstbenz

Alpine I thought about doing something similar in the ashtray, however I found that with the gear lever, it didn't quite work and the same goes with the angle at which the ipod would face you. Seriously, the RCA into AUX is the best route The whether I am using my ipod or my nano ipod, either one is so small that they fit nicely on top of the window switches.. just resting there. If you want a holder, you could always try puting it where your old cell phone dock was on the side.