Installing an iPod cable in a car

[Ramor]

I'd like to install one of those simple cables that you can plug into an iPod and have it play on your car stereo, but I don't really know much about it or even where to start.

I'm just wondering about how difficult this would be and if it's not something I'd be able to really do by myself about how much would it probably cost me to get done?

I have a '98 Volvo S70 if that matters at all, and I'm relatively comfortable about where things are located under the hood (major stuff, nothing really super car~techy).

Thanks

[Cantide~]

One way to get your ipod on your stereo is to get an ipod fm transmitter. Basically you plug it in the bottom and select a station that isn't in use and you then tune your radio to that station. Not sure how good the sound quality is but i wouldn't expect it to be much worse than normal radio.

Example product from Target

[Rockstaru]

I have the setup Cantide is referring to. It's not bad, but there is a noticeable "fuzz" to the sound. Ideally, your car stereo has a built in aux-in stereo 3.5mm plug and all you need is a 2$ cable. Of course, if you need to charge the iPod in your car as well, this isn't the ideal solution.

I'd go with Cantide's suggestion; it's probably the cheapest route (unless your car has a built in aux-in port, in which case I'd just make a trip to Radioshack and buy a stereo 3.5mm male-male cable and some sort of car charger for your iPod.)

[Linliel]

FM transmitters suck
If you have an aux-in on your stereo it's easy. If not, either consider getting one with one, or if you want to use the head unit you'll probably need to investigate getting some adapter cables.

If you want a no-fuss one to go with the built in HU, you can use something like this: Buy online from Advanced ICE today!
It'll be more expensive though. I got one for my Mazda 3 for around US$130, but it doesn't look as though that model is available for a Volvo.

One thing I'll warn you is to make sure you get something that doesn't sit directly under the dashboard. I had one originally that only came with a short cord so the box that did all the magic sat right under the dashboard in a convenient hole there and baked in the sun, eventually the goo holding the components kinda melted and the whole thing broke (after a year or so). Now I have one of these: XCarLink iPod Integration Kit for Mazda - Revolution Performance Motorsports! and it has a nice long cord so the box sits down the side of the seat

Good luck!

[Fortytwo]

lbuy a casette that has those aux cables un should have a cassette player on a volcó 98 if you have a new radio maybe un got an aux cable jack behind it

[cdgreg]

lbuy a casette that has those aux cables un should have a cassette player on a volcó 98 if you have a new radio maybe un got an aux cable jack behind it

Ya, I'm so glad my jeep has cd player/tape/amfm because I use the tape deck for my xm radio and Ipod/iphone. I previously tried a couple brands of FM tuners and even had the wiring professionally installed and the sound/reception still SUCKED. I dug out an old tape transmitter that goes into the tape deck and into the headphone jack of the player. It sounds great!

edit: i often wonder what I'll do on my next car since it probably wont have a tape deck

[Tythera]

edit: i often wonder what I'll do on my next car since it probably wont have a tape deck

Buy a car with a 3.5mm jack or one of the brands (VW, BMW, I'm sure there's more) that you can put in a proper ipod dock. Problem solved!

[Maksudyst]

Nissans too! (At least sentras and altimas like my wife and I have) <3 auxiliary inputs!

[Reality]

get a headunit that's got an auxillery input, or there are other options as well

here's what I use

http://www.detailshop.com/upload/Ken...KDC-MP438U.jpg
+
http://images.macnn.com/macnn/news/0808/30-mount-in.jpg

[budd]

I had a Dice in my last car.

DICE Electronics

Just traded my old car in for a RX-8 and I'll probably get another Dice product for it. They are pretty solid.

[Ikith]

Recently got this:
http://www.dualav.com/images/mobilea...es/xhd6420.jpg

Was about 10-20 bucks below new price at a pawn shop and in new condition. Loving the AUX jack so far and wiring it was easy (1990 Toyota Celica. Bought a little set that plugs into the stock jacks so I didn't have to slice the stock shit up). If you can find it its cheep. Theres also a newer model that has USB and a remote (6425).

[Starfighterpilot]

I currently use the tape thing with my ipod touch. My friend has a transmitter and while its not horrible, wired is much better.

[Hemorabe]

Well first off, if you still have the factory deck installed then you're 100% going to have to either A) Go with an FM Transmitter like suggested which wont give you great signal due to it being transferred over a FM Signal. Or B) Buy a new head unit. You can get them for pretty cheap and some nowadays come out of the box with an adapter, otherwise you can just purchase one for like $20. But all HU nowadays have either an IPod USB, an IBus port or a 3.5mm Coaxial jack. I would look for a HU with either of the first two, problem being with the 3.5mm Coax is it is going to give you Analog signal and not digital as well as you can't control the functions of the IPod from the HU AND it won't charge it so you'll need to bring it in the house all the time.

[Ramor]

Good responses, I was aware of the FM transmitter option. I actually gave one to my mom for mother's day, she loves the thing but I haven't actually gotten to listen to anything from it yet (when I go home for the summer I will).

Looks like I'll just drop by the local audio/car place and talk to them about doing anything. Although a new head unit with an AUX input is probably what I'll end up with.

Thanks again guys!

[Reality]

Good responses, I was aware of the FM transmitter option. I actually gave one to my mom for mother's day, she loves the thing but I haven't actually gotten to listen to anything from it yet (when I go home for the summer I will).

Looks like I'll just drop by the local audio/car place and talk to them about doing anything. Although a new head unit with an AUX input is probably what I'll end up with.

Thanks again guys!

remember, USB input is a more in depth option and of course

you can charge your ipod/iphone while in use, something the AUX won't let you do

[Ramor]

Yeah, I don't do particularly long car trips, my ride to work is about 5 minutes, I just don't have my bike in Maine or I'd use that so charging or not charging really isn't too much of a problem, but good lookin' out. I'll just see what the guys can tell me and probably just go with whatever's cheaper or easier.

[Kyten]

Nevah evah use those damn FM transmitters, they blow such big ass.

[Katlan]

My car has a MP3/AUX Jack, and a USB port built into it. USB port doesnt rly work w/ the iPhone, but for 25$ I bought the AUX cable thingy and it plays crystal clear. That's what I'd recommend if your car has an AUX jack, if not prolly the FM player is the best way to go

[Furtwangler]

hard wired will always be better, I'd say in order of quality,
1) any kind of USB or Ipod cable adapter straight into the deck
2) AUX cable (3.5mm jack) Close to the same quality but no normal charging method, could incorporate a lighter charger.
3) tape converter (its a tape with a cable that plugs into your ipod/phone's headphone port)
4) If you have to use an FM transmitter, it will give you the worst quality because the reception in 90% of the cases will be far less than perfect, esp if its a recently bought transmitter (the FAA released an ordinance a year ish? idk ago that made these transmitters drop way down in their range, and it screwed up alot of things, any new XM units for instance, or this.)

[EagleCeres]

I've used both: cassette and fm transmitter and I love the cassette more.

Originally used a nice little Sony tape converter, never worried about signal problems (unless your ipod/mp3 player runs out of batteries) at all, only thing I kinda considered a trade off was how it tended to screw up with my tape deck when I played normal audio cassettes (yes I still have and use analog tapes this day and age )

I used that baby until I had to 'upgrade' to an FM when I got my new car, the stock audio didnt have an aux port nor a cassette deck. I got a nice little belkin FM Transmitter one most of the time had better FM signal that whatever weak powered station in the low FM dial (heck, 9 times out of 10 I never moved off the same preset station and had little to noise bleed in).

The next (and current) FM transmitter (which I cant remember the brand) I got is kinda picky sometimes, while it allows for frequency scanning, I still have to look for good empty stations when I'm on a long road trip.

I've rode in cars with AUX systems and love the lack of white noise in music, if you're an Audiophile and/or hate the (barely audible) sound of white noise, this is definetly the way to go.

As like the rest, I'd recommend AUX > Cassette > Transmitter.