How do you have your iPod hooked up?

**daweinah** · 09-08-2009, 06:47 PM

I'm curious what solutions folks have come up with to hook up their iPods to the factory radio. I'm not currently interested in taking my dash apart to install some $200 kit so that song info will be displayed on my head unit, and I am not a fan of FM transmitters, so I've been exploring the AUX input options and I've tried a couple solutions that didn't work, but eventually settled on one and thought I'd share my experience.

What works:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JLG5ZY"]Amazon.com: Universal Apple iPod USB Charger Kit[/ame]

The coiled aux cable is made by Griffin, it cost $10 at WalMart. It's the perfect length between the aux input and my cupholder where I put my iPod. The charger plugs into the DC outlet and it has a retractable, adjustable length cable. And yea, it costs 66 cents. Which is BS because it was 1.46 when I bought it haha. Shipping is about $3.50. Total cost? ~$16

What I tried that didn't work:

1. Griffin TuneFlex AUX SmartClick
http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...ith-smartclick

This one seemed great, but the DC plug would not fit securely into the outlet and none of the dock adapters fit my 30gb iPod video! Cost? $70

2. Griffin Power, Protect And Connect Auxiliary Bundle Pack
http://www.gigaweb.com/products/view...ndle-pack.html

The version I bought came with a straight 6' aux cable instead of the cassette adapter. This was decent except the straight cable strung out all over the floor and the cup holder is actually very shallow and did not really secure the iPod. You could hide the cords below if you tried, but they would come undone every time you move the iPod (such as picking it up to change the song). Price? $30

**Project1** · 09-08-2009, 08:16 PM

i just searched for a ipod ready head unit that came with the cable and stuff and its pretty sweet

**Mean_Green_95** · 09-08-2009, 08:40 PM

On my old radio, I just used a 6' double male jack cable and the aux input. I know this isn't want you wanted, but I bought a kenwood and then bought the cable for that head unit, works awesome, except u have to control the ipod through the radio.

**unplugged** · 09-08-2009, 08:59 PM

I went with a Kenwood head unit and just plug the iPod into the usb port.
See my post here: Kenwood KRC MP435U

When I'm not in the burb I use:

**BLUBURBAN** · 09-09-2009, 02:12 AM

Got my IPOD Classic pluged directly into my KENWOOD DDX812 using the IP300V adaptor cable.

**TRPLXL2** · 09-09-2009, 07:59 AM

I'm glad this discussion came up, because I am stuck using my crappy FM transmitter for now. But I will keep these suggestions in mind when I go to buy a new head unit for my S-10, I really like the idea of the USB port in the head unit. Thanks for posting all of these good ideas, I have added it to my bookmarks.

**daweinah** · 09-09-2009, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by unplugged

I went with a Kenwood head unit and just plug the iPod into the usb port.

Does the USB port allow control through the head unit or iPod?

My old radio had an iPod adapater that charged it and allowed me to control it through the head unit. But navigating the iPod was a pain on that head unit so I'm happier with the control I have using the iPod itself since its now connected through the AUX cable.

**5speedsilverado** · 09-09-2009, 05:46 PM

my head unit has the front usb port that you plug your cable into, but i wish i would have gotten one with a connection in the back, that way i could hid the ipod or usb drive in the glove box, and look less noticeable

**unplugged** · 09-09-2009, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by daweinah

Does the USB port allow control through the head unit or iPod?

My old radio had an iPod adapater that charged it and allowed me to control it through the head unit. But navigating the iPod was a pain on that head unit so I'm happier with the control I have using the iPod itself since its now connected through the AUX cable.

Yes, it controls it thru the head unit. I also have an 3.5mm aux input at the rear that I can plug in if I want to control it from the iPod. The head control is ok unless you are skipping around looking for a particular track. I have my playlists organized and usually just play whatever is in a playlist.

I can also just plug in a usb thumbdrive and play music from it.

It has a cd/mp3 disc player, but it doesn't get much spin time when competing with the ipod or my g1.

**tbplus10** · 09-09-2009, 08:58 PM

My wifes HHR came with an IPOD single line in/out adaptor thats located in the center dash compartment and the IPOD is controlled by the in dash stereo controls, the steering wheel controls, or the IPOD itself.
The adaptor is available as an option on all GM vehicles.