Ipod Interface: Harmon Kardon Drive+Play

[Donny Carlson]

If you're considering adding an Ipod interface to your MM, you should check this out, the Harmon Kardon Drive+Play.

http://playlistmag.com/news/2005/07/12/driveplay.jpg

Check out the web site - it's a lot of fun!
http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/tour.aspx

You'd need some kind of additional input interface, several are out there from P.I.E., Blitzsafe, and others. Check out Logjam Electronics on the web for great prices. Or you can use the FM modulator (eechh).

[Gre8one7]

Hmmm i have to say i am interested...looks better then anything i have seen so far....anyone else watch the videos? The one atleast shows a Vic

[DEFYANT]

Options. Give me options.

I am sick of listening to iPod / CD quality music through a tape deck. The FM modulator sux and the tape deck has squeaky gears and wheels in there.

There has to be another way!

EDIT:
Wired FM transmitter? Ok, thanks.

[blackf0rk]

Looks like a lot of "place stupid sticky stuff on your dash" crap. Not for me, no thanks.

[Donny Carlson]

Options. Give me options.

I am sick of listening to iPod / CD quality music through a tape deck. The FM modulator sux and the tape deck has squeaky gears and wheels in there.

There has to be another way!

The "aux input" interface would work. It plugs into the back of the OEM head unit and provides an RCA input. You'd select this input much as the Blitzsafe interface I had for my XM Commander did - by usint the "seek up, seek down" sequence on the head unit - it would switch over to the iPod (aux) input. You'd have a direct connection to the head unit like the CD changer, with the best possible sound quality.

This Harmon Karden device is just a way to move the iPod's display and controls to a more usable location - so instead of taking your eyes off the road and fumbling for your iPod, you can look at the display and use the remote control. One other thing I see on the HK is another auxiliary input on the side, so you can have a satellite radio input as well.

[Donny Carlson]

Looks like a lot of "place stupid sticky stuff on your dash" crap. Not for me, no thanks.

The control unit could be placed on the center console, the wiring routed down inside and through the console. The wiring would be hidden, and I would guess the mount is or can be sturdier than stick on.

The display unit could be dash mounted, the wiring again routed down into the dash and hidden by the display's mount. Many people have mounted gauge pods on the dash and they look fine.

Edit: I just looked at the installation instructions. The display has three mounting holes in the back, the base can be mounted three ways: bottom, or pedestal mount, center for straight out mounting, or top, for top down mounting. The mounting pedestal can be mounted to the windshield, and the wiring run around the weather stripping, down the a pillar, and down to the brain, much like owners have down for Valentine 1 installs. The top down mount could be used to mount the display to the upper console.

To each his own.

[dwasson]

I've been using the Griffin iTrip (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/index.php) with my iPod. It's much better than the cassette interface but an AUX input would be even better. The iTrip is cool because it powers from the iPod negating the need for one more 12V tap.

[bigslim]

I checked this unit out Friday. I maybe doing this in the car soon. It is a nice quality unit.

[Rider90]

See: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piefrd03aux.html

For auxiliary input converter.

Another neat item:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/blitzuii.html

I am considering these. I am growing weary of the sloppy look of having a wire stick out of my tape deck.

[Vortech347]

See: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piefrd03aux.html

For auxiliary input converter.

Another neat item:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/blitzuii.html

I am considering these. I am growing weary of the sloppy look of having a wire stick out of my tape deck.

I like that first link but from what it says it renders the 6 disc useless? But then again there is the single disc in the dash...

Has anyone installed one yet? I can't STAND the squeaky wheels of the factory tape deck for my mp3 player.

[Rider90]

I like that first link but from what it says it renders the 6 disc useless? But then again there is the single disc in the dash...

Has anyone installed one yet? I can't STAND the squeaky wheels of the factory tape deck for my mp3 player.
Already ordered. I'll post when they're installed.

[hdwrench]

I've been using the Griffin iTrip (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/index.php) with my iPod. It's much better than the cassette interface but an AUX input would be even better. The iTrip is cool because it powers from the iPod negating the need for one more 12V tap.

I used the Itrip for several months. It got me by. I have an ipod mini and it was a real hassle to read the thing especially at night, and there was too much static with the FM modulator (as compared to a cd), so i upgraded my ipod connection.

I have a pioneer DEH-P8MP head unit. I recently added the pioneer cd-ib100 ipod adapter. this basically hardwires the ipod to the back of the head unit so there is no need for fm modulation etc. I had best buy do the install. they ran the wires under the shifter console and into the armrest storage area. now i just plug in the ipod when i get into the car and control it from my head unit, remote control, or steering wheel controls (with adapter). the sound quality is way better than fm modulation and i can select tracks playlists etc on the head unit and leave the ipod stored in the console. it is also charging while connected.

[Vortech347]

Already ordered. I'll post when they're installed.

Sweet :beer: