OK.... I need to fix my '97 900 "lost the CD problem" for the 20th and I think it's time to try a new changer. But, for not much more than the cost of a replacement changer, I can buy an Ipod and get much more utility out of it both in and out of the car.
So... question... has anyone blazed this trail yet - hooking up the Ipod to the in car system ? I know I can find wiring diagrams and I am not too concerned about the details there ... just looking for strategies and experience.
Thanks,
A neat solution is to fit an RF transmitter unit to your IPOD and tune your car radio to your own personal radio station! Personally I'd recommend a modern head unit / amp / CD player that will play mp3 discs. You can fit
8-10 albums on one CD if you're not ultra fussy about quality etc. Works well for me ;)
Well, if you're that fussy about audio quality, you won't be listening to mp3's, and in a car, in the first place. There's times to be fussy, I suppose, but even a 9-5 isn't an ideal listening environment.
LOL! But they must be good for something...
Or if 8-10 albums isn't enough, there's a few MP3 DVD players out now. You have to be careful about the specs though, there's loads of DVD players that will play MP3s, but only from CDs.
What I really want for my car though, is a hard disc MP3 player, so I can have my whole collection in there. The trouble is, the marketing men have decided the only solution for that is to tape an iPod to the dash. Whatever happened to Dension?
Cheers,
Colin.
Dension??
These people...
Cheers,
Colin.
What about an iPod with a Griffin iTrip?
iPods in cars are one of my pet hates. They look really crap, and the first time I try to use that titchy little user-interface whilst driving, I will end-up with a peice of street furniture in my face.
Cheers,
Colin.
It's a good solution if you tend to drive around one particular area, but if your driving takes you further than your local radio stations you may find that the unused frequency allocated to your iPod FM transmitter in your own neighbourhood is used by a bona fide station in a different neighbourhood.
My question - related to this topic - is can the standard steering wheel controls work a non-Saab car stereo if fitted?
Some manufacturers make gadgets to interface some of their head units to Saab steering wheel controls. ISTR Sony was one of them.
Cheers,
Colin.
I was thinking of a more hardwired solution... perhaps a jack on or under dash to feed the Ipod output to. Probably needs some kind of limiter if CD Changer output is normally to a preamp vs. the Ipod output to an amp.
Thoughts ?
There are good quality RF adapters that are hard wired inline (antenna) and will over-ride every signal coming in when turned on providing crystal clear sound. I've got one in my Ford Windstar which has a headphone jack that I plug into my tablet PC which holds all of my music and maps. (Plus it has a larger screen than an IPOD or phone).
I suppose it all comes down to how much you are willing to spend and what quality you want. Any Decent stereo shop should be able to get one for you
I have installed an Omnifi Dmp1 in my Saab:
That is a pretty cool idea, wi-fi car MP3 player... I could upload songs to my car while it sits in the garage.
How much did it cost you? What sort of interface do you use for the file transfers?
That looks like just the sort of thing I'm after. I might well have to get one. What's it like to live with?
Cheers,
Colin.
I mounted an ipod case with some tacky glue to my steering wheel i can look at it (if i have to) and drive at the same time.
Headphones at a proper volume are no more dangerous than loud music.
my twopence
Damn. If only I didn't have a airbag to embed the iPod into my brain, I too could experience the joys of having my arms tied together with headphone cable whilst manoeuvering in car-parks :o).
Cheers,
Colin.
Bringing us back to Bob's idea of wiring in a jack for Ipod output.
:-)
I paid about $199, but you should be able to get it for less. However, installation can cost more than the price of the unit.
The best place I found for the hard drive has in the glove box. In the instructions it says to not put the hard drive in the glove box since it is an enclosed space it would overheat; but since I opened the AC hole in the glove box I figure that should keep it cool enough. I put the head unit in place of ash tray.
The company has ceased any development on this product and with the low priced sales I have seen lately I would not be surprised if this product is discontinued before long.
The auto synchronization feature works, but I do not use it. The software has a bug (remember no more development) that when synchronization with your PC is performed the unit forgets the current track and the current CD. Also, I tend to load about 10 CD's at a time and wireless synchronization will never work with such a load, I have to bring the hard disk inside and attach it directly to my PC.
The software they provide for the PC is pretty bad, but there is an active open source project where you can replace the provided PC software and the software on the unit with something better.
The unit plays WMA files in addition to MP3, but since the company did not implement DRM properly you will likely find it is not suitable for playing WMA's.
I wish there was more choice >> I have installed an Omnifi Dmp1 in my Saab:
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