If Car Lacks An Ipod Connection

[triffid]

I presently use a cassette tape 'thing' with a cable and ipod jack at the end - it's made by Sony and it slots into the cassette player in the car. Before that I had a device which plugged into the cigar lighter and played via an available fm band on the car radio - this device was expensive and a nuisance to use for more than one reason.

I am looking to buy a vehicle again and some I like don't have either an ipod connection or a cassette player. What are my options other than the Belkin/radio/cigar lighter device? One showroom salesman said he could find a local mechanic/workshop to fit something for me, but I would hesitate to let someone loose on a new car unless I had evidence that they could do tis properly.

I notice the cars now all have cd and mp3 players in he dashboard, but not the cassette slots.

[onnut]

MOst new cars now come with an iPod jack so it shouldnt be an issue. but if it does not then tell the sales guy that you want this as an extra and they will fit it in for you so you just plug your iPod into the cable.

[HDRIDER]

HI

Have a look at the Apple forum

[MoonRiverOasis]

As onnut noted, most higher-end cars do come with some type of iPod connection and/or AUX input - though some will require an additional adapter (squeeze the dealer for this if that's the case).

If you're looking at a lower-end model that cannot support iPod or AUX-in, your best bet will be to upgrade the OEM stereo system.. Name brand CD/DVD players with iPod support start at around 3K Baht - and many will also give you Bluetooth and USB support as well. A decent car audio shop will point you in the right direction here.

[triffid]

The cars I have in mind to buy one of (new) are Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Escape.

As onnut noted, most higher-end cars do come with some type of iPod connection and/or AUX input - though some will require an additional adapter (squeeze the dealer for this if that's the case).

If you're looking at a lower-end model that cannot support iPod or AUX-in, your best bet will be to upgrade the OEM stereo system.. Name brand CD/DVD players with iPod support start at around 3K Baht - and many will also give you Bluetooth and USB support as well. A decent car audio shop will point you in the right direction here.

[triffid]

I'll do that. Assume it's to be found on the Apple website.

HI

Have a look at the Apple forum

[triffid]

I shall try to do that.

MOst new cars now come with an iPod jack so it shouldnt be an issue. but if it does not then tell the sales guy that you want this as an extra and they will fit it in for you so you just plug your iPod into the cable.

[HDRIDER]

I'll do that. Assume it's to be found on the Apple website.

HI

Have a look at the Apple forum

Hi

No its Apple here on TV

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/150-apple-forum/

[MoonRiverOasis]

The cars I have in mind to buy one of (new) are Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Escape.

The Pajero Sport GT model can support full iPod integration (i.e. full control through the stereo) with an optional 1400 Baht adapter. The GLS model can't though (lower grade stereo in this model) - not sure about the other models you've listed. Is the Grand Vitara still for sale? I have seen a red-plate Vitara for at least 3 years now..

[techno]

I have a 4 year old Honda Civic which does not have a connection for a I Pod so i use a connection via the cigarette lighter/ spare radio channel and it works fine for me. The gadget only cost 150 baht

[onnut]

I have a 4 year old Honda Civic which does not have a connection for a I Pod so i use a connection via the cigarette lighter/ spare radio channel and it works fine for me. The gadget only cost 150 baht

is it the 2006 model? the new shape. if so I had that car as well and next the the lighter there is another flap and it is an AUX whatever to which you plug the ipod into.

[britmaveric]

Depends on the model and newness off the car - however most radios these days have rca inline jacks in the back of the radio - so you can least run a cable from it to your ipod. Won't charge it, but least you would have access to the music.

[triffid]

I have a 4 year old mazda 3 and the same device - much more than 150 bht, made by belkin. For it to work reasonably well I need to unscrew and remove my outside aerial to cancel interference. Secondly if I am travelling outside (in my case Chaingmai) it means having to refind another place with an available band...etc...a hassle, which is why I bought the Sony cassettte contraption which works fine - but doesn't charge my iPod.

I have a 4 year old Honda Civic which does not have a connection for a I Pod so i use a connection via the cigarette lighter/ spare radio channel and it works fine for me. The gadget only cost 150 baht

[triffid]

Thanks. This I think is what Suziki said they would do for me if I buy their car.

Depends on the model and newness off the car - however most radios these days have rca inline jacks in the back of the radio - so you can least run a cable from it to your ipod. Won't charge it, but least you would have access to the music.

[triffid]

Thanks. This is very useful to know. The salesgirl at Mitsubishi as well as the showroom manager were completely ignorant about this. Eventually she said she would have the necessar thing done at a cost of 3000 bht - which I then persuaded her to absorb as a discount in kind. You seem to be saying that there is an adaptor specifically for the purpose. Should this be available from Mitsubishi or from a car radio shop?

(The new Grand Vitara in the Suzuki showrrom was snapped up during the few days I was talking to the dealer. I see quite a few going around in my town (Chiangmai) and of course the Szuki Swift is very popular here.)

The cars I have in mind to buy one of (new) are Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Escape.

The Pajero Sport GT model can support full iPod integration (i.e. full control through the stereo) with an optional 1400 Baht adapter. The GLS model can't though (lower grade stereo in this model) - not sure about the other models you've listed. Is the Grand Vitara still for sale? I have seen a red-plate Vitara for at least 3 years now..

[MoonRiverOasis]

Thanks. This is very useful to know. The salesgirl at Mitsubishi as well as the showroom manager were completely ignorant about this. Eventually she said she would have the necessar thing done at a cost of 3000 bht - which I then persuaded her to absorb as a discount in kind. You seem to be saying that there is an adaptor specifically for the purpose. Should this be available from Mitsubishi or from a car radio shop?

The adapter you want is the Alpine KCE-422i. This gives you FULL control over the iPod from the factory touch-screen stereo in the Pajero Sport GT - much better than a line-in/AUX jack and fumbling around trying to find your iPod while driving

They're available in the aftermarket for around 1,000 Baht. If your dealer doesn't understand what it is, ask them to contact Amnuay Motor Air or Kuangsingha Car Audio (both Alpine dealers in Chiangmai) and get a clue If that fails, I can PM you the contact details for a Bangkok vendor..

[techno]

I have a 4 year old Honda Civic which does not have a connection for a I Pod so i use a connection via the cigarette lighter/ spare radio channel and it works fine for me. The gadget only cost 150 baht

is it the 2006 model? the new shape. if so I had that car as well and next the the lighter there is another flap and it is an AUX whatever to which you plug the ipod into.

Thank you onnut. I wondered what that flap under the lighter was for. The car is a 2006 new shape

[triffid]

Thank you very much, MRO.

I wonder what was the 3000 bht quote she got and reluctantly agreed to include in her deal.

Is this thing you have here best fitted by the dealer (even if he admits to having had no experience of having fitted this before, or better entrusted to the Alpine dealer in Chaignmai?

Just one further question. May I assume that working through the radio doesn't expose me to the radio reception/interference problems I had with the bluetooth ting fitted into the cigar lighter?

Thanks. This is very useful to know. The salesgirl at Mitsubishi as well as the showroom manager were completely ignorant about this. Eventually she said she would have the necessar thing done at a cost of 3000 bht - which I then persuaded her to absorb as a discount in kind. You seem to be saying that there is an adaptor specifically for the purpose. Should this be available from Mitsubishi or from a car radio shop?

The adapter you want is the Alpine KCE-422i. This gives you FULL control over the iPod from the factory touch-screen stereo in the Pajero Sport GT - much better than a line-in/AUX jack and fumbling around trying to find your iPod while driving

They're available in the aftermarket for around 1,000 Baht. If your dealer doesn't understand what it is, ask them to contact Amnuay Motor Air or Kuangsingha Car Audio (both Alpine dealers in Chiangmai) and get a clue If that fails, I can PM you the contact details for a Bangkok vendor..

[khooster]

Thanks. This is very useful to know. The salesgirl at Mitsubishi as well as the showroom manager were completely ignorant about this. Eventually she said she would have the necessar thing done at a cost of 3000 bht - which I then persuaded her to absorb as a discount in kind. You seem to be saying that there is an adaptor specifically for the purpose. Should this be available from Mitsubishi or from a car radio shop?

The adapter you want is the Alpine KCE-422i. This gives you FULL control over the iPod from the factory touch-screen stereo in the Pajero Sport GT - much better than a line-in/AUX jack and fumbling around trying to find your iPod while driving

They're available in the aftermarket for around 1,000 Baht. If your dealer doesn't understand what it is, ask them to contact Amnuay Motor Air or Kuangsingha Car Audio (both Alpine dealers in Chiangmai) and get a clue If that fails, I can PM you the contact details for a Bangkok vendor..

Hey MRO,

Does this also charge the phone? Or just link it up?

[MoonRiverOasis]

Thanks. This is very useful to know. The salesgirl at Mitsubishi as well as the showroom manager were completely ignorant about this. Eventually she said she would have the necessar thing done at a cost of 3000 bht - which I then persuaded her to absorb as a discount in kind. You seem to be saying that there is an adaptor specifically for the purpose. Should this be available from Mitsubishi or from a car radio shop?

The adapter you want is the Alpine KCE-422i. This gives you FULL control over the iPod from the factory touch-screen stereo in the Pajero Sport GT - much better than a line-in/AUX jack and fumbling around trying to find your iPod while driving

They're available in the aftermarket for around 1,000 Baht. If your dealer doesn't understand what it is, ask them to contact Amnuay Motor Air or Kuangsingha Car Audio (both Alpine dealers in Chiangmai) and get a clue If that fails, I can PM you the contact details for a Bangkok vendor..

Hey MRO,

Does this also charge the phone? Or just link it up?

Answered in the other thread, but no, for iPhone 3G/S and iPhone 4 charging you'll need the KCX-422TR as well. iPods will charge fine with just the KCE-422i alone though.

[SoloFlyer]

i just got myself a Griffin double USB chager that plugs into the ciggy lighter. Works fine. Coupla hundred baht. Many people reckon the knock-offs will damage your i-pood device, but i dunno...

[Spoonman]

Just one further question. May I assume that working through the radio doesn't expose me to the radio reception/interference problems I had with the bluetooth ting fitted into the cigar lighter?

The device you had in your ciggie socket was an FM transmitter, hence you had occasional frequency interference.