Op-Ed: iFrustrated over iPod-car dilemma
Posted by Frank Petrie 
Dec 22, 2004 at 12:20am
I am losing my tiny, little mind trying to find a way to get a solid connection betwixt my iPod and my Ford’s sound system. Hence, iFrustrated. First, a little background is in order.
I used to own a 1989 Toyota Corolla wagon. I replaced the speakers and the factory-equipped AM/FM/cassette player with a Blaupunkt. The beauty was that the Blaupunkt had an auxiliary input on the back. So (even though this was in those dark days before the iPod), I had a portable CD player which would benefit greatly from this. So I drilled a hole in one of the dash compartments and fished a mini-plug through, which I could plug my CD player directly into. Not bad.
Fast forward to early 2003. I buy a used iPod which also benefited from my auxiliary input. Even with a entry-level system, the music sounded very nice. Lots of dynamic range and a large breadth of sound. Good for me.
Skip forward to early 2004. Through a series of incidents (it’s one of those long family-politics stories) my beloved Toyota was replaced with a Ford Taurus wagon. Bad for me.
While the factory AM/FM/cassette isn’t bad sounding and has a good deal of oomph to it, I can no longer connect my iPod directly to the sound system. And there in lies my frustration. How can I get the best sound out of my iPod without jumping through too many hoops to attach it to my car stereo?
The Search Begins
FM transmitters. I tried this option first but with little success. I found that if you live in a metropolitan area, the airways are already packed. So, you end up getting a lot of bleed-through of other stations. And that’s totally unacceptable.
Cassette adapters. I never thought that I’d say something like this, but I found these to be more satisfactory than the transmitters. Note that I used the word “satisfactory.” I get a bit of interference from the engine’s electronic components now and again. It’ll do but it still doesn’t fully tap into the capabilities of my iPod’s output.
An iPod-friendly car. Read on when you’ve gotten up off of the floor and have stopped laughing.
Special adapters. There are some that will let you put a “black box” into your CD magazine, but then you have to run another wire back to the front of your car so that you can plug the iPod into it. Seems like a bit too much work and too high of a cost. As I write this, one of the Mac news pages has the press release of an optical connector that I can use with my iPod in my Mercedes-Benz. What a relief. At least I’ll have good sound on my Sunday drives.
A new radio. I just spent a chunk of change on the iPod! Now I spend that much again? Not to mention the labor involved. Remember, I purchased an iPod partly for its ease of use. So, no, I don’t think so.
Answer
What’s really needed here is something like Bluetooth. Or Airport Express technology. But at a reasonable price, of course. Apple (or whoever develops it) would make a mint! It shouldn’t be hard for Apple. They have already created the transmission technology. Hell, they even came up with colored socks to keep my iPod ever so warm. So why should this be such a stretch?
This would make the iPod experience an ease all the way around. I play through my home stereo via AE technology and it sounds great. Why not the same wireless experience for my car?
Steve? Jonathan? Can you hear me?
Frank Petrie is a freelance writer, curmudgeon, technologies and products specialist.
John Says:
I bought a new Aiwa deck from Best Buy with a line-in right in front. Total with install was about $200 and I just love it.
=)
Posted on December 22, 2004
Frank Petrie Says:
The next day after I wrote the piece, Belkin announced its adapter to beam your iPod over to your stereo. The transmitter goes onto the iPod and the receiver would reside on your stereo.
If they would make a receiver that fit into the cassette opening, then I could be up and running literally in minutes. I could pass the iPod around the car to whomever I wanted to and they could pick a song, album, artist or playlist.
Again, if you’re headed to MWSF, please plant this seed in the Belkin rep’s head.
Posted on December 22, 2004
Liz Says:
I had the same problem with my car, only my tape deck was busted due to the previous owner’s love of books on tape. So, I used the Apline solution of getting a new head unit with their iPod black box controller. Total cost about $300 and worth every penny. I can control the iPod through the head unit which is just great and safer while driving. Check it out:
My boyfriend took the low rent solution for his Rio Karma (<$50). It gives you that AUX in. Check that solution out:
I love the Apline solution, but they both work well.
Posted on December 22, 2004
Kokyunage Says:
Exclusive: Belkin’s TuneStage Bluetooth stereo solution
Discussing the future of its iPod accessory line with iPodlounge today, third-party developer Belkin Corporation has disclosed details of its newest iPod accessory, provisionally titled “TuneStage,” a Bluetooth Class 2 stereo solution for the iPod.
TuneStage will consist of two components - a receiver and a transmitter - which will connect any iPod via wireless Bluetooth link to any stereo system. The receiver will connect to a stereo via 3.5-inch minijack or RCA left and right ports, and Belkin is currently considering whether to additionally include an optical TOSLink output on the final product. TuneStage’s transmitter will attach to the top of the iPod, enabling it to wirelessly broadcast audio to the receiver and act like a “remote control” for the playback of iPod audio, explained Belkin product manager Randall Stowasser.
Numerous design factors can impact the audio quality of Bluetooth signals, but Belkin is “extremely pleased” with the sound quality of the TuneStage, according to Stowasser. It will output digital stereo sound taken from the iPod’s headphone jack, which while not line-out quality is likely to satisfy the needs of most iPod users. iPodlounge will have photography of TuneStage closer to the product’s first p
Posted on December 22, 2004
Peter Gnemmi Says:
Get a modulator. This is a little “black box” that’s put in-line with your radio antenna. In/under your dash, you get an on-off switch and a jack. When it’s turned off, it just passes your antenna to your radio. When it’s turned on, it detaches the external antenna and broadcasts anything on its input directly on the antenna wire. It’s like the little FM transmitters, but with no noise and interference.
Posted on December 22, 2004
Lorin Rivers Says:
You can order a Mini (Cooper, not iPod) with an aux in.
Posted on December 22, 2004
Sam Bean Says:
I too am looking to use my iPod in car......with no cassette.
Posted on December 22, 2004
Steve Fuller Says:
Check out this link to products built by P.I.E.
http://www.pie.net/appl_aux.pdf
They have aux-in adatper boxes that plug directly into many factory radios, including your Ford Taurus. I’ve been researching the same item for my 2004 Explorer and this is about the best I’ve found. They run around $70 - $100.
Posted on December 22, 2004
Stevie Stets Says:
Why anyone would own a Ford Taurus Wagon is beyond my imagination
Posted on December 22, 2004
Frank Petrie Says:
“Why anyone would own a Ford Taurus Wagon is beyond my imagination.”
I agree. Like I said in the article, it’s a very, very long family story. Not proud of it, but there it is.
Thanks all for the different suggestions and keep them coming in!
Happy Holidays,
Frank
Posted on December 22, 2004
MCO Says:
Ditto the previous commenter.
I swapped out the factory decks in my wife’s 2003 Subaru Forester
and my 2003 Outback for Aiwa units with 50W RMS output x4 channels, remote control and AUX input on the front panel. Install took about a couple of hours on each using Crutchfield’s install kits, the results are great.
I can’t understand why all these companies are focusing on high-tech expensive units where you still (often) need to use the iPod’s controls when a 5c 3.5mm jack on the front panel does it all!
Posted on December 22, 2004
Frank Petrie Says:
MCO,
You’re right. But remember, logic has never been the forte of most industries.
Posted on December 23, 2004
Throppy Says:
For you lucky iPod owners.....
I am sad to say that I bought into Rio, and their Karma 20Gb player. All the magazine articles were saying it was better than the iPod, in every department but styling. They unfortunately weren’t also able to predict the future, and state whether there would be a massive aftermath of accessories or not for each of the iPod wannabees! And this is where I am sad! My Karma has NO accessories. Or at least none that weren’t already present in the box!
I really want to connect my Karma to my car stereo, and am finding it difficult, unless I trade my car in for a new BMW 1 series - which has an all important AUX jack under the armrest!
However, in my endeavours to find a way of connecting, I have discovered loads of ways of connecting your iPod!
There is a company called “Connects2” which makes connector cables for factory fitted stereos from Ford to Ferrari! If you own a Kenwood car stereo, they make a special cable, which not only lets you connect your iPod, but also displays the Artist’s name, Track name, etc. And select track from the head unit. They also make a cradle!!!
Now I have to rethink whether I should trade in my Karma for an iPod, and lose my 14 hours of battery life, the ability to play 5 different formats of music file, the less likleyhood of getting robbed, and have to sign up for iTunes???
Posted on July 24, 2005
Mike Stamp Says:
I’m still debating whether to buy an i-pod or not?! The only time I would use it is when in my company car which has a moulded factory stereo with cd, no tape. I can’t think of how I connect the two? any suggestions, please?
Posted on August 01, 2005
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Frank Petrie
Frank Petrie is a freelance writer, technologies and products specialist and curmudgeon-in-training.
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James Arnold Says:
Icelink from Denison.com looks pretty good to me, it seems to work with third gen iPod’s and later which is why I have not had it installed. Monster cable just released a similar product. Both plug into the CD changer port on the back of most car stereo’s. These seem to be the best options to me, assuming you have the right generation of iPod.
Posted on December 22, 2004