Alternative iPod Solution

jonsteele · 03-05-2008, 08:23 AM

If, like me, you made the mistake of not having the factory iPod connection and aren't prepared to pay for the dealer fit option (robbing bar stewards), here's a cheaper alternative. Obviously it doesn't give the sound quality and control that the factory option does, but it works and is better than nothing.

I purchased a Monster Charger cable and an iJet RF remote. With the charger plugged into the 12v socket under the arm rest and plugged into the iJet receiver (which is plugged into the bottom of my iTouch), I now have remote control of the main features of the iPod (I usually stick it on shuffle and only want to skip tracks whilst driving). The Monster cable allows the AUX input to come from the dock cable so is a direct feed from the iPod (rather than the headphone socket) and the iJet remote allows the track name to be viewed (obviously not whilst driving

).

Cost less than £100 (UK prices - I got the iJet from the States and paid less) and is transferable between cars! Only gripe so far is that the Monster plug doesn't 'click' securely into place in the iJet receiver. As its stuck under the arm rest and doesn't move whilst driving, this hasn't caused any issues yet. There are a lot of wires under the arm rest now, and I'm not sure if they will get in the way of the drinks holder/cooler (will find out this summer, if we have one

), but its a small price to pay.

Bumps · 03-05-2008, 08:54 AM

Nice one jon

May well give it a try.

hmi1750 · 03-05-2008, 09:13 AM

I have the belkin charger that fits under the armrest and into the Ipod and the AUX output going from that into the car's input. The controller you have might be a good way once I get my own IPOD. For now its only used when my wife is with me, and she does the selecting.

NFS · 03-05-2008, 11:37 AM

I use the monster charger and have stuck my ipod in a 'belkin sports jacket'. This is just a wrap around rubber cover for the ipod which protects it from scratches.

However, it ALSO makes it totally non-slip, so when driving I just lie my ipod on the centre console, where I can easily use the clickwheel.

http://www.kikatek.com/product_info....source=froogle

OC Guy · 03-05-2008, 11:47 AM

I noticed the Monster charger is a PITA to unplug/plug and also has a tendency to exhibit line noise.

ChrisMWard · 03-05-2008, 11:51 AM

Sainsburys do a good line in 12V car chargers for IPODs, £4.99 I think.

Regards

Chris

scotw · 03-05-2008, 12:28 PM

Thats a pretty nice solution

AlanQS · 03-05-2008, 12:55 PM

What about the Harman Kardon iPod controller? £75 with a 4 line display and a separate iPod type controller. Looks pretty good to me.

3_toed_tree_sloth · 03-05-2008, 01:07 PM

I use the ultra low profile monster charger too, one of the positives is the fact that is it v.small and neat, suiting and in keeping with BMW.

Jon,
your solution is already described in detail in the USA section of the forum.

Bumps · 03-05-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmi1750

I have the belkin charger that fits under the armrest and into the Ipod and the AUX output going from that into the car's input. The controller you have might be a good way once I get my own IPOD. For now its only used when my wife is with me, and she does the selecting.

Does she select 80s classics, like Godley and Creme's 'Under Your Thumb'?

You need to do some reorganisation there HMI, there are things the miswah is and isn't allowed to do in your car!!

hmi1750 · 03-05-2008, 05:30 PM

LOL! She can do the tunes.. she was born in the late 80s so no classics.. instead get some random newer stuff and I tend not to listen to music much.. does my head in.

Steve505 · 03-25-2008, 05:01 PM

Jon...what was the sound quality like with the set up you suggest....better than using the headphone aux socket?
Steve

FieldingMellish · 03-26-2008, 04:35 AM

Anybody tried this one?:

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObje...wer&nplm=TM003

Available cheaper on Amazon of course. Apple are probably a rival to BMW when it comes to overcharging.

EDIT: Arrrggghhh - forget it, that cable does not actually use the Dock Connector.

FieldingMellish · 03-26-2008, 05:07 AM

This looks like a good Dock Connector to AUX cable - 'Cables To Go - 35508 - 4ft iPod Dock Connector to 3.5mm Cable' - but as far as I can tell it's only availabe in the US, not the UK:

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-3550.../dp/B000J022G6

Steve505 · 03-26-2008, 02:00 PM

Similar on ebay (UK) £4.99
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=300203759470

FieldingMellish · 03-26-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve505

Similar on ebay (UK) £4.99
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=300203759470

Yeah, I've seen a lot of those, but they look a bit cheap and flimsy. Maybe not?

FieldingMellish · 03-26-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC 335i

I noticed the Monster charger is a PITA to unplug/plug and also has a tendency to exhibit line noise.

Is this true? Anyone? I'd be much more concerned about line noise.

scottc · 03-28-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FieldingMellish

Is this true? Anyone? I'd be much more concerned about line noise.

I am getting line noise on mine and you can notice it, I have the logic 7 system which I thought might be the issue. You cant even get the aux lead in while the monster plug is in so you have to choose, line noise or power??

OC Guy · 03-28-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FieldingMellish

Is this true? Anyone? I'd be much more concerned about line noise.

I wouldn't post it if it wasn't true. It happens with 2 different adapters in 2 different cars, 2 different ipods (other car is a Lexus).

FieldingMellish · 03-31-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC 335i

I wouldn't post it if it wasn't true. It happens with 2 different adapters in 2 different cars, 2 different ipods (other car is a Lexus).

No offence intended. When I asked 'is this true', I didn't mean 'Is OC 335i telling the truth! I just meant 'is this generally observable behaviour' as nobody had responded to your post.

3_toed_tree_sloth · 04-01-2008, 08:11 AM

no line noise observed on mine with the Monster charger

jonsteele · 04-01-2008, 08:38 AM

I've not noticed any line noise, but haven't really been listening for it either. The sound quality is fine for me (through standard ICE).

Steve505 - can't comment on the difference in quality between this and the normal headphone jack. I was told it would be better, but considering its in a car (with engine and road noise) its difficult to tell.

The only issues I've got with the set up are:

1. The iJet dock connectors (male and female) are crap! They don't click into place and quite often the transmitter comes out of the iPod or the Monster charger comes out of it. I'm going to 'black nasty' the charger plug to the iJet transmitter and hope for the best with the iJet to iPod connection.
2. The remote goes into sleep mode after a while to conserve battery power. Unfortunately you then have to push the buttons 3 times to get it to do anything.

However, its still better than not having control of the iPod and much better than paying to have the stealer fit option.

03-05-2008, 08:23 AM	#1
jonsteele Old enough to know better! 20 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In a pub, in the middle of nowhere! iTrader: (0) Garage List 1989 Landrover 90 [0.00] 2008 BMW 320d M Sport [0.00]	Alternative iPod Solution If, like me, you made the mistake of not having the factory iPod connection and aren't prepared to pay for the dealer fit option (robbing bar stewards), here's a cheaper alternative. Obviously it doesn't give the sound quality and control that the factory option does, but it works and is better than nothing. I purchased a Monster Charger cable and an iJet RF remote. With the charger plugged into the 12v socket under the arm rest and plugged into the iJet receiver (which is plugged into the bottom of my iTouch), I now have remote control of the main features of the iPod (I usually stick it on shuffle and only want to skip tracks whilst driving). The Monster cable allows the AUX input to come from the dock cable so is a direct feed from the iPod (rather than the headphone socket) and the iJet remote allows the track name to be viewed (obviously not whilst driving ). Cost less than £100 (UK prices - I got the iJet from the States and paid less) and is transferable between cars! Only gripe so far is that the Monster plug doesn't 'click' securely into place in the iJet receiver. As its stuck under the arm rest and doesn't move whilst driving, this hasn't caused any issues yet. There are a lot of wires under the arm rest now, and I'm not sure if they will get in the way of the drinks holder/cooler (will find out this summer, if we have one ), but its a small price to pay. __________________ Jon Steele 320d M Sport (E90) Le Mans Blue/18" Alloys/Bi Xenons/Climate Screen/Black, Heated Dakota Leather/6 CD Changer with Dension 500/Power Mirrors/M3 Lip Spoiler/Gloss Black Grills/Through Load, Storage pack, Lumbar Support, Smokers Deletion Last edited by jonsteele; 03-05-2008 at 09:23 AM..
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03-05-2008, 08:54 AM	#2
Bumps Captain 18 Rep 859 Posts Drives: E92 320i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 320i M Sport [0.00]	Nice one jon May well give it a try.
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03-05-2008, 09:13 AM	#3
hmi1750 Major 25 Rep 1,130 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	I have the belkin charger that fits under the armrest and into the Ipod and the AUX output going from that into the car's input. The controller you have might be a good way once I get my own IPOD. For now its only used when my wife is with me, and she does the selecting.
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03-05-2008, 11:37 AM	#4
NFS Major General 273 Rep 9,218 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I use the monster charger and have stuck my ipod in a 'belkin sports jacket'. This is just a wrap around rubber cover for the ipod which protects it from scratches. However, it ALSO makes it totally non-slip, so when driving I just lie my ipod on the centre console, where I can easily use the clickwheel. http://www.kikatek.com/product_info....source=froogle
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03-05-2008, 11:47 AM	#5
OC Guy General 539 Rep 18,123 Posts Drives: AW 335D E90 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine/Aliso Viejo, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	I noticed the Monster charger is a PITA to unplug/plug and also has a tendency to exhibit line noise. __________________ Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics
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03-05-2008, 11:51 AM	#6
ChrisMWard Captain 14 Rep 686 Posts Drives: E93 320d M Sport, E81 116d SE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Epsom UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 120d SE [0.00] 2007 335d A M Sport [0.00] 1998 M3 Evo [0.00] 2002 330d Sport [0.00] 2004 330d Sport [0.00]	Sainsburys do a good line in 12V car chargers for IPODs, £4.99 I think. Regards Chris __________________ Previously: 2007 335D MSport E90 Le Mans Blue, 2004 330D A Sport Silver Grey, 2002 330D A Sport Saphire Black, 2001 320D SE Touring Titanium Silver, 1998 M3 Evo Techno Violet, 1996 328i Sport Montreal Blue, 1994 325i Coupe Red, 1989 325i Sport 2 door Dolphin Grey,1986 325i SE 4 door Lachs
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03-05-2008, 12:28 PM	#7
scotw Lieutenant 17 Rep 468 Posts Drives: E90 320D SG Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: uk iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 320D [0.00]	Thats a pretty nice solution
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03-05-2008, 12:55 PM	#8
AlanQS Colonel 240 Rep 2,810 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	What about the Harman Kardon iPod controller? £75 with a 4 line display and a separate iPod type controller. Looks pretty good to me.
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03-05-2008, 01:07 PM	#9
3_toed_tree_sloth Private First Class 1 Rep 199 Posts Drives: ZiL-41047 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	I use the ultra low profile monster charger too, one of the positives is the fact that is it v.small and neat, suiting and in keeping with BMW. Jon, your solution is already described in detail in the USA section of the forum.
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03-05-2008, 05:30 PM	#11
hmi1750 Major 25 Rep 1,130 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	LOL! She can do the tunes.. she was born in the late 80s so no classics.. instead get some random newer stuff and I tend not to listen to music much.. does my head in.
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03-25-2008, 05:01 PM	#12
Steve505 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 325d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Jon...what was the sound quality like with the set up you suggest....better than using the headphone aux socket? Steve
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03-26-2008, 04:35 AM	#13
FieldingMellish Captain 171 Rep 981 Posts Drives: F30 330D M Sport auto Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	Anybody tried this one?: http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObje...wer&nplm=TM003 Available cheaper on Amazon of course. Apple are probably a rival to BMW when it comes to overcharging. EDIT: Arrrggghhh - forget it, that cable does not actually use the Dock Connector. Last edited by FieldingMellish; 03-26-2008 at 05:05 AM.. Reason: Idiocy
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03-26-2008, 05:07 AM	#14
FieldingMellish Captain 171 Rep 981 Posts Drives: F30 330D M Sport auto Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	This looks like a good Dock Connector to AUX cable - 'Cables To Go - 35508 - 4ft iPod Dock Connector to 3.5mm Cable' - but as far as I can tell it's only availabe in the US, not the UK: http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-3550.../dp/B000J022G6
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03-26-2008, 02:00 PM	#15
Steve505 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 325d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Similar on ebay (UK) £4.99 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=300203759470
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04-01-2008, 08:11 AM	#21
3_toed_tree_sloth Private First Class 1 Rep 199 Posts Drives: ZiL-41047 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	no line noise observed on mine with the Monster charger
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04-01-2008, 08:38 AM	#22
jonsteele Old enough to know better! 20 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In a pub, in the middle of nowhere! iTrader: (0) Garage List 1989 Landrover 90 [0.00] 2008 BMW 320d M Sport [0.00]	I've not noticed any line noise, but haven't really been listening for it either. The sound quality is fine for me (through standard ICE). Steve505 - can't comment on the difference in quality between this and the normal headphone jack. I was told it would be better, but considering its in a car (with engine and road noise) its difficult to tell. The only issues I've got with the set up are: 1. The iJet dock connectors (male and female) are crap! They don't click into place and quite often the transmitter comes out of the iPod or the Monster charger comes out of it. I'm going to 'black nasty' the charger plug to the iJet transmitter and hope for the best with the iJet to iPod connection. 2. The remote goes into sleep mode after a while to conserve battery power. Unfortunately you then have to push the buttons 3 times to get it to do anything. However, its still better than not having control of the iPod and much better than paying to have the stealer fit option. __________________ Jon Steele 320d M Sport (E90) Le Mans Blue/18" Alloys/Bi Xenons/Climate Screen/Black, Heated Dakota Leather/6 CD Changer with Dension 500/Power Mirrors/M3 Lip Spoiler/Gloss Black Grills/Through Load, Storage pack, Lumbar Support, Smokers Deletion
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