IPOD help, NO IDEA WHAT TO DO!

zimmy0615 · 12-18-2005, 03:19 PM

okay guys...just got a brand new 60 gig ipod video a couple days back and trying desperately to figure out how i can listen to my ipod in my truck.

i DONT have the aux. input as my truck is an XE - and from what I understand, the OEM stock radio on the XE's doesnt have any inputs in the rear of the radio as well.
so what is a guy to do??

i spend 400 smackers on this damn thing so i really dont want to settle for fm radio quality sound for such a high quality machine! being able to listen to the ipod in the truck is one of the biggest reasons i bought an ipod and now i dont know what to do??

i realize the FM i-trip/transponder thing will do the trick, but from what i understand - the sound quality is much less than CD!

i dont have a tape deck - so that option is out...

and you can only "hardwire" if you have the AUX input, help guys what should i do!?!? i wanna get this thing rockin ASAP!

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 12-18-2005, 03:29 PM

My guess is .....you're SOL. Without the AUX input or rear connections of some type, you're pretty much stuck with using an FM modulator if the IPOD isn't equipped with one internally.

vw1972bugs · 12-18-2005, 03:34 PM

The FM modulator isnt that bad dude, dont sweat it.

TitanicDJ · 12-18-2005, 06:05 PM

Like VW said, The FM mode isn't that bad. My wife uses it in her Altima. Even if you had the cassette adapter, that would be your worst option.

DJ

rdfeatherstone · 12-18-2005, 06:17 PM

Contact the folks at Crutchfield.com. They have excellent techs on hand that can offer suggestions. Perhaps there is an adapter that connects to the stock radio that will take line level inputs from your iPOD.

Good luck. Another option that might serve you well is to buy a "take-off" head unit for an SE or LE from one of the Audiophiles on these forums who have upgraded their stereo systems. Check past posts in Buy/Sell.

Ralph

Mustard · 12-18-2005, 06:34 PM

FM would be my last resort. Cassette would be better but not an option. I would go with an after market unit that has an Ipod interface or Aux input.

TitanicDJ · 12-18-2005, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullDawg

FM would be my last resort. Cassette would be better but not an option. I would go with an after market unit that has an Ipod interface or Aux input.

Why would that be? I've herd the cassette version in a friends car and the bass was blown out and all of the highs sounded tinny? I thought the FM mod sounded a lot better.

DJ

TITAN MAN · 12-18-2005, 07:18 PM

I have a voyager fm modulator and it works great!http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Hol...ts/Item/20800/

Jim Truett · 12-18-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmy0615

okay guys...just got a brand new 60 gig ipod video a couple days back and trying desperately to figure out how i can listen to my ipod in my truck.

i DONT have the aux. input as my truck is an XE - and from what I understand, the OEM stock radio on the XE's doesnt have any inputs in the rear of the radio as well.
so what is a guy to do??

i spend 400 smackers on this damn thing so i really dont want to settle for fm radio quality sound for such a high quality machine! being able to listen to the ipod in the truck is one of the biggest reasons i bought an ipod and now i dont know what to do??

i realize the FM i-trip/transponder thing will do the trick, but from what i understand - the sound quality is much less than CD!

i dont have a tape deck - so that option is out...

and you can only "hardwire" if you have the AUX input, help guys what should i do!?!? i wanna get this thing rockin ASAP!

You will not likely hear the difference, and there are a few reasons why. FM frequency response is 50-15,000Hz. Your stock stereo will not faithfully reproduce frequencies below 50 or above 15,000Hz. Road noise will attenuate the lower frequencies, and reflective surfaces will mess with the highs. Just get the Griffin iTrip and tune it to an unused station in your area and it should be fine. The ipod will also not be tethered via it's cable.

zimmy0615 · 12-18-2005, 10:43 PM

thanks for all the replys guys!

ive heard a couple friends with the itrip and it sounds like...well.....an FM radio station lol

i guess i just really wanted "cd" quality sound, but i guess i can't always get what i want. i guess there are SOME positives about the itrip as it isnt all that expensive and i can also use it with any other stereo or in another car, so i guess thats good.

but i really dont think the quality of sound is THAT much better with the hardwire plus belkin kit to warrant spending about 250 bucks on a decent CD player with the aux availability plus another 40 or so for the install plus the 40 for the belkin kit and wire....

i mean id be lookin at closer to 400 bucks - i really dont think its worth it at this point. I mean i have to look at my options, and for me - it's either fm transmitter or a new cd player. call me crazy, but i'd rather keep that 400 smackers in my pocket. shoot, with 400 bucks plus a few more, i can get me a dual exhaust setup, vent visors, a bug shield, and fog lights! i just dont think its all worth it guys.

regardless thanks 4 the help!

Timba24 · 12-18-2005, 10:44 PM

peripheal(spelled that wrong I know) sells modules to adapt an ipod into a stock stereo look them up on crutchfield

DR Jon · 05-26-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Truett

Just get the Griffin iTrip and tune it to an unused station in your area and it should be fine.

I have the Griffin iTrip, and it's OK if you get lucky enough to find an unused station with plenty of vacant air space on both sides. If you live in an area like Southern California, be prepared for frequent frustration. I've personally grown tired of the background noise, and am also in search of a decent hardwired solution for my basic XE stock radio.

*Contra* · 05-26-2006, 10:42 PM

they are right the FM modulator isnt that bad but it is a step down from the AUX port

i say buy an after market radio that offers an i pod accessories kit like a GOOD Alpine or something

DryHeat · 05-26-2006, 11:24 PM

Not sure if this will work on the XE, but here it is anyways: Ipod Integration Kit

Another post same item: factory ipod intergration

I have a Peripheral Electronics PXNI in my Altima which is similar to the PAC Audio AAI-NIS2. It does not control the iPod, but adds two RCA inputs behind the factory head unit. I use a mini-plug to RCA cable that runs from the iPod cig. lighter adapter to the PXNI. On the Altima all I do is hit the SAT button to select the iPod input.

Wallrat · 05-27-2006, 07:02 AM

You're not going to get anything resembling quality sound out of the stock HU no matter how you wire your ipod up.