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Driving along in my automobile, with an iPhone or iPod

by David Winograd Jul 6th 2009 at 7:00AM



Taking a holiday drive with the music blaring is a very American thing to do, but getting your iPod or iPhone to take part has often caused a world of confusion and crude jury-rigged solutions.

Apple has reported that 90% of all current cars are iPod/iPhone enabled, but I have never met anyone who bought one of those cars, so this short article will give you an overview of what's left for the rest of us.

There have been many ideas slung around on how to best integrate your car stereo with an iPod or iPhone. Some time ago we covered a 'complete solution to iPhone car integration. The solutions provided in the referenced iLounge article tells of many combinations of power adapters, FM transmitters, Bluetooth earpieces etc. But that's not the best way.

There is a much more elegant (if expensive) way of doing it, and I would like to scratch the surface on that topic.I am currently using a Vais Technology SoundLinQ 2 in my Lexus 400h. Instead of plugging into a cigarette lighter, using the tape or CD deck or using any form of FM transmission (which I have never heard working perfectly), the VAIS unit avoids all of that by hard wiring a connection between the head unit and the iPod or iPhone.

In my case the unit I bought was specific for the model of my car and the Lexus navigation system. It allows me to listen to playlists and switch tracks from buttons on the steering wheel, while descriptive text appears on the radio. It doesn't handle Bluetooth, since Bluetooth and phone pairing were already built into the Navigation system. It also allows me to hook up video to the Navigation screen, but I found no use for that. The result is that you are left with no messy wires or connections, just plug in the iPod or iPhone and it works quite elegantly.

Vaistech mostly handles foreign cars, but a company named Peripheral Electronics makes versions for most domestic cars as well. Crutchfield has published a iPod Car Stereo Adapter Shopping Guide which can provide a bit of help, but it was written in 2004, so it's of limited value.

Using these, the your Apple device is no longer a foreigner to your sound system, but an integral part, giving you all the functionality that should have been there in the first place when you bought the car.

You should note that these devices are pricey. Depending on what you need they can cost anywhere from about $125 to over $400, but I see it as a one-time charge that will amortize its price well over time. It's also, by some measures, a bargain. I found out, when I bought my car, that Lexus would add iPod functionality with less utility for $1500! When I told them the information I had found on a cheaper solution, the salesman's eyes lit up and everyone wanted the URL.

Installation of these devices is not too challenging. My friend who knows car stereos reports that on a scale from one to ten, installation is a 5 if you know nothing about cars and a 2 if you do. Yes it's a bit of a pain out front, but once it's done, it's done.

The sound quality you get from a direct wire is hands down the best you can get from your device and your audio system, which is a wonderful thing compared to the FM transmitter solution (dicey at best depending upon your location).

But there is a problem: New iPhones will not charge their batteries when plugged in. This is something my iPod Classic 80 GB did with no trouble at all. Apple changed the electric specifications from 12VDC in previous models to 5VDC in current models including the iPhone 3GS. Not good.

But there is a solution, tipped to us by Earl Newton. Peripheral makes a simple four foot cable that changes voltage from 12VDC to 5VDC allowing charging of new devices and bringing back the functionality that was removed by Apple. The cord looks like a 30-pin dock extension with a male on one end and a female on the other. Add it to the existing iPod dock connector, hide the new wiring and along with having an integrated iPod or iPhone, you can charge anything. Right up until Apple changes the specifications again.

If you would like the best possible sound and the most integrated functionality with your existing car sound system, this is the only way to go. If you have the cash.

If you have even more cash, you can get your head unit replaced. But if you have a really good head, or one with a navigation system and want to replace it with something in kind, you will need far deeper pockets that any solution mentioned here.

Have you tried anything like this, or have you found a better solution? Tell us about it.

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Taking a holiday drive with the music blaring is a very American thing to do, but getting your iPod or iPhone to take part has often caused...
 

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jwhenry1407

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July 14 2009 at 12:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TeamAWAC

I use the USA Spec adapter with my Accord. It displays the track info on the radio by simulating the XM Radio interface and also charges the iPhone. There is some noise interference when data is transferring, but otherwise, it works great. Here's my full review:

http://www.lunch.com/data/USA_Spec_iPod_Interface-1357246.html

July 06 2009 at 6:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dann

One benefit of having an older car: cassette player. Cassette adapters (for connecting anything with a regular headphone jack) are about $3 on eBay, and actually sound pretty good as long as the source isn't a low-quality rip.

July 06 2009 at 4:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gary

I have a great setup. I drive a 1976 Lancia Scorpion. So my OEM stereo is long gone (not that Lancia included a stereo, it is a sportscar. They are kind enough to leave a standard size hole for a stereo). I added a Pioneer DEH-P5100UB which has the coolest thing- an iPhone 3G compatible usb port. So quite simply you use a spare sync cable (or in my case a Griffin one which came with a charger) plugged into the back usb (or front usb port). The stereo's integration is great as mentioned about another Pioneer unit. Controlled either by the head unit or the iPhone. Also it charges, which was a big deal to me. When I get a call i just unplug it and answer. I find it to be an easy and inconspicuous solution.

So what's this business about the voltage change? If I buy a 3G S is that an issue? I'm aware of the firewire pin switch and currently have no issues with my 3G 16gb.

July 06 2009 at 3:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Gary's comment
Tom Craft

I think the author is stating the switch from Firewire to USB as that voltage switch, which isn't quite right. It isn't a pinout change either, its just the removal of the circuitry in the device to take power on the firewire pins. Now only the USB pins work.

July 07 2009 at 10:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Doug

I just installed a product from Grom Audio (http://www.gromaudio.com/store/ipod_adapters/grom-i2-toy.html) for my '05 Prius. Installation took me about 30-45 minutes following instructions in a video on priuschat.com.

The sound is amazing and it charges my iPhone 3G -- cost just under $100 including shipping.

July 06 2009 at 2:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kev orng

Yeah, the iPod integration in most cars is such an expensive option, it's completely unreasonable.

I mean, on the surface, some manufacturers might offer an iPod option for a price that seems similar to the price you'd pay a decent 3rd party head unit with installation at Best Buy, but then again, when you buy a new deck from your favourite car audio store, you're probably not financing it over 4, 5, or 6 years.

My advice on audio accessories in a new car is the same as my advice on any other new car option; don't finance anything that you can buy cash-on-the-barrel after your next pay period. Especially things like floor mats. C'mon, you can get your choice of some sweet floor mats for 20 or 30 bucks if you shop a bit. Besides, it's just a floor mat.

Same with computers. Planning to pay for a computer over three years at 28% interest? For the love of dog, you're already getting screwed by the interest rate, don't make it worse by rolling cheap extras like a laptop bag and a printer into debt. Just go to the store and pick out a nice one and be done with it!

July 06 2009 at 1:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jon Montez

When I got my new Mercury, they had the option of providing Microsoft *shudder* activesync for 600, and I was financing, so I figured why not, and it has been the easiest upgrade I ever made. Beyond other car sets that are "ipod ready" this car has a usb port that I can plug an ipod cable into, which means it will charge any ipod if I have the right cable. Or I can plug in any third party mp3 player, and I just tested this the other day, I just threw a bunch of music on a 32gb flash drive and it reads it. The usb port is under the arm rest, so it's out of the way, and it has voice activation, so I can get to any track, playlist, artist, or genre easily. Driving around in California traffic, this is very useful as I can play any song I know without taking my eyes off the road. Last time I checked, this was only available on fords, but a very good option for anyone that has an opportunity to get it.

July 06 2009 at 1:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ecobore

Cheap as chips:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDE-102

July 06 2009 at 1:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Varun

Forget that 4ft $40 cable. Here is a teensy adapter:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&q=scosche+passport&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15262054054611262239&ei=XCxSSrmHJKDKtge2yaG0BA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5#ps-sellers

Other companies make it too, but car audio enthusiasts will recognize Scosche as a VERY respected name.

As for your $125 to >$400 quoted price range, that couldn't be further from the truth. I purchased an Alpine CDA-9835 and their associated KCA-420i iPod adapter back in 2005; I paid $500 for the head unit (a bit much) and $100 for the adapter, which was a box with cables coming out of either ends at the time. I still use the pairing (awesome class Alpine head unit) to this day; they are 100% rock solid except for not charging my 3GS :(

But now, you can get a $100 head unit with the same capability (although not the same quality) and an adapter cable (not box necessary) for under $25:

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_305250/iPod-Adapters-for-Car-Stereos.html?tp=120

Crutchfield prices are always a little high, so check out froogle (is it still called froogle?) and amazon for better deals, but you get the idea. Every reputable head unit manufacturer (Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, Clarion, Dual, JVC, Sony, Panasonic, et al) offer a similar cable for $20-$30.

Chances are most who are interested in high-quality car audio from their iPod/iPhone already have an aftermarket head unit... so that means they can get the best solution for $30 and an hour of disassembly, wiring, and reassembly.

That's a far cry from $125 to $400.

July 06 2009 at 1:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Varun's comment
David Winograd

Everything depends upon the car and what's being controlled by the head unit. In my Lexus damned near everything is run by the head unit so replacing it was out of the question.
I like the 4 foot cable solution better than the Scotche because I have a feeling I'm going to need the cable to run long enough to let me mount the iPhone on the windshield. At present it terminates in the console.

But of course, everyone's installation is different.

July 06 2009 at 2:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Leslie

Has anyone done anything to their Mazda3?

July 06 2009 at 12:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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