iPod/new Subarus

[Guy Pfeffermann]

I am thinking of getting a WRX, but notice that they don't come with
cassette players anymore. Has anyone figured out how to listen to yor
iPod ? Transmitters like iTrip don't work well in cities, where there
are lots of radio stations.

Thanks,

Guy

 

[Roger]

I use a Monster RF link from the iPod to the radio's FM band and have set up
a frequency that is not used in most city areas. The Monster RF link comes
with up to 3 programmable frequencies to dodge the congestion. There is one
problem however, and that is if you use the accessory power socket to drive
the iPod to conserve battery power, you have to re-start the iPod if you
switch off the engine. I believe this can be overcome by bypassing the
accessory relay, however I have not done so as yet.

Cheers,

Roger.

I am thinking of getting a WRX, but notice that they don't come with
cassette players anymore. Has anyone figured out how to listen to yor
iPod ? Transmitters like iTrip don't work well in cities, where there
are lots of radio stations.

Thanks,

Guy

 

[Guy Pfeffermann]

See:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearn
More=TB003LL/A#rev

Customers seem to have very different experiences, some excellent, most
terrible. Anything better on the market ?

Guy

 

[thomashanno]

http://www.carplayer.com/


I don't have one, but I discovered it when I was looking for an iPod
solution for my Outback. I ended up getting an Alpine unit with iPod
Full Speed (which is awesome, btw).

I think there are other solutions besides carplayer. If you do a little
research you can probably find something that doesn't require FM.

 

[j]

I use a Monster RF link from the iPod to the radio's FM band and have set up
a frequency that is not used in most city areas. The Monster RF link comes
with up to 3 programmable frequencies to dodge the congestion. There is one
problem however, and that is if you use the accessory power socket to drive
the iPod to conserve battery power, you have to re-start the iPod if you
switch off the engine. I believe this can be overcome by bypassing the
accessory relay, however I have not done so as yet.

I also have the monster RF adapter. Actually, I have one in my Baja,
and one in my wife's Altima. Everyone says these are the best fm
transmitters available, but I have yet to see what is so great about
them. Roger's must work a lot better than either of mine. I actually
had to return the one in my wife's car three times because it would
tranmit static every time you touched the wire. At 80 bucks a pop I
have slightly higher expectations from these things. Oh yeah, it also
transmits a ground loop noise in my Baja. This noise is very subtle,
but it's there. And another thing, you have to crank the volume in
order to achieve "normal" sound levels, which then increases the
static.

BTW, I've had these transmitters for a couple of months, and played
with them a bunch. I'm not just some guy who barely picked one up,
can't figure it out, and wants to bitch to anyone that will listen.

I know that I'm ranting, and I'm almost sorry. I'm not saying these
things are total crap, I'm just saying that they didn't even come close
to my expectations, which I don't think were unreasonably high, given
the high prices of iPod accessories. $80 isn't too far off from the
cost of a new, aftermarket stereo these days, one with iPod abilities.

Plink Plink, there's my two cents.

Jason

 

[Guy Pfeffermann]

What is the Alpine unit ? a replacement for the radio/CD that the car
comes with, or an addition ? And roughly how much ?

Thanks,

Guy

 

[thomashanno]

I bought a $200 Alpine head unit (replacement stereo) for my Subaru and
installed it myself without any trouble. I also bough a $20 cable that
you plug into the back for the iPod connection.

You could do something much less expensive though. You could buy a
cheap head unit with an auxiliary in port for about $100 and just use a
regular audio cable to connect your iPod and stereo. I just preferred
the ability to manage playlists right on my stereo's face.

I used crutchfield.com for all of my information. It's slightly more
expensive but the customer service and installation info was more than
worth it.

 

[j]

Many car stereo manufacturers are making iPod compatible stereos,
meaning that they plug into the port on the bottom of the iPod, not
just a wire from the headphone jack to an auxilliary 3/8 jack on the
front of the car stereo. Although there's nothing wrong with that.
The iPod compatible units allow you to control the iPod from the head
unit, while keeping the iPod charged, and while vastly improving the
sound quality, over the FM Transmitters, cue to the fact that they are
hard wired. It really is a beautiful thing.

I have a class with a guy that does regional sales for Pioneer/Premier
car audio, and their iPod connector works retroactively with stereos
going back a few years. For whatever that's worth.

Also, I've only heard rave reviews about the Alpine head unit...that's
probably the direction I'll go. I hate to lose the 6 disc changer,
plus 1 in my Baja, but it's of no use to me anymore, and damn Subaru
for not making their systems a little more open to accessories
(remember the first generation Legacy had an Aux input jack on the
front of the stereo).

anyhow.

 

[j]

Many car stereo manufacturers are making iPod compatible stereos,
meaning that they plug into the port on the bottom of the iPod, not
just a wire from the headphone jack to an auxilliary 3/8 jack on the
front of the car stereo. Although there's nothing wrong with that.
The iPod compatible units allow you to control the iPod from the head
unit, while keeping the iPod charged, and while vastly improving the
sound quality, over the FM Transmitters, cue to the fact that they are
hard wired. It really is a beautiful thing.

I have a class with a guy that does regional sales for Pioneer/Premier
car audio, and their iPod connector works retroactively with stereos
going back a few years. For whatever that's worth.

Also, I've only heard rave reviews about the Alpine head unit...that's
probably the direction I'll go. I hate to lose the 6 disc changer,
plus 1 in my Baja, but it's of no use to me anymore, and damn Subaru
for not making their systems a little more open to accessories
(remember the first generation Legacy had an Aux input jack on the
front of the stereo).

anyhow.