[tirtaps]

with ipod and specifc adaptor, I believed that all controls would be OK with i drive (as others sources) whitout any other remote. Is it true ? Does this adaptor exist ?

[MUrhino]

Originally Posted by theclay

I'm not a big fan of Belkin products although I haven't tried that one. I haven't had any problems or complaints with the Monster. Let us know how it works out if you get it.

I noticed the Belkin has a volume control directly on the charger as you lose direct iPod volume control once you plug into the adapter port on the bottom. Does the Monster have volume control? It's there in case there is a significant difference in volume levels between the factory radio/CD volume in comparison w/ the input jack volume. Can you even notice a volume level difference? Thanks for the help!

[MUrhino]

Originally Posted by AlpinE90

Huge plus is that is automatically pauses the iPod when power is turned off and wakes when turned back on. My previous charger did not do this.

What exactly do you mean by pauses the iPod. When the iPod loses charging power (thus when the car is turned off), won't it simply return to the menu when you return? Guess I'm just confused. I'd appreciate any idiot-proof answer you can muster for me since I'm obviously not getting it haha...Thanks!

[theclay]

Originally Posted by MUrhino

I noticed the Belkin has a volume control directly on the charger as you lose direct iPod volume control once you plug into the adapter port on the bottom. Does the Monster have volume control? It's there in case there is a significant difference in volume levels between the factory radio/CD volume in comparison w/ the input jack volume. Can you even notice a volume level difference? Thanks for the help!

The Monster does not have volume control but you don't need it on the charger. Your E90 has an AUX volume control to even it out with your cd player and radio.

Originally Posted by MUrhino

What exactly do you mean by pauses the iPod. When the iPod loses charging power (thus when the car is turned off), won't it simply return to the menu when you return? Guess I'm just confused. I'd appreciate any idiot-proof answer you can muster for me since I'm obviously not getting it haha...Thanks!

It pauses it the same way your iPod will pause when you hit "pause" or pull out your headphone jack while it's playing.

[MUrhino]

Originally Posted by theclay

Your E90 has an AUX volume control to even it out with your cd player and radio.

Yeah, I remember that in my test drive now that I think about it. Nice. Thanks! :rocks:

[MUrhino]

AlpinE90,

Any pics of your setup? I think I'm sold on the Monster for the sole fact that it hasn't fried iPods, unlike the Belkin charger. Looking at the reviews on Apple's website, it's about a 50/50 chance that you'll ruin your iPod if you use it. Just some helpful info out there for people. Thanks for the pics (if you have time).

[theclay]

Originally Posted by MUrhino

AlpinE90,

Any pics of your setup? I think I'm sold on the Monster for the sole fact that it hasn't fried iPods, unlike the Belkin charger. Looking at the reviews on Apple's website, it's about a 50/50 chance that you'll ruin your iPod if you use it. Just some helpful info out there for people. Thanks for the pics (if you have time).

Thats one reason I dislike Belkin products.

I'm not AlpinE90 but we have a similar setup.......

[hkj]

I was at local best buy this past weekend looking for the monster ultra low profile charger. Where I was there I saw this "kit" from Harmon Kardon,

check it out:

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default.aspx

It's a full featured ipod integration kit has its own LCD screen for display and its own idrive-knob-like controller that emulates ipod's clickwheel.

At my local best buy they have a demo unit that's u can play with and works flawlessly as far as I could tell. (funny the card board the demo LCD/controller is mounted on is an exact interior shot of an E90 ).

It's not cheap by any means. It's $200 bucks + installation (if u don't do it urself). But it's about as close to the full ipod integration kit as it comes. Anyone got any experience with this toy?

BTW here's a review I found online:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/driveplay.ars

[tirtaps]

With your config, is ipod full controled by the i drive commands (tracks, volume...) without any other accesorie else ?

thank you in advance

[e90_M32]

Thanks for the visuals. I've been searching for the perfect cable. Do you think we can get this from Best Buy, Fry's or Circuit City?

[theclay]

Originally Posted by 330i_keeper

Thanks for the visuals. I've been searching for the perfect cable. Do you think we can get this from Best Buy, Fry's or Circuit City?

Yes, radio shack will have them as well.

[e90_M32]

So I can get the monster cable from Radio Shack? I tried asking their salesperson one time and they referred me to the dealership.

[theclay]

Originally Posted by 330i_keeper

So I can get the monster cable from Radio Shack? I tried asking their salesperson one time and they referred me to the dealership.

You can get the gold plated AUX cable from Radio Shack. You may have to order the Monster online, they are hard to come by now that Monster is pushing the FM cable.

Monster Cable

[natalia]

Originally Posted by theclay

You can get the gold plated AUX cable from Radio Shack. You may have to order the Monster online, they are hard to come by now that Monster is pushing the FM cable.

Monster Cable

I also got the Monster cable one. I don't have a gold plated aux cable though. But this setup sounds way better than just hooking up the aux cable to the headphone jack. I bought my monster cable charger on eBay brand new for about $30 after shipping.

[850CSi]

Anyone have any experience with the SIK models? Ram Din?


BTW why is it so important to have the gold connectors? (stupid question, i know)

[hkj]

I just got my monster charger the the gold plated cable. The thing is, if I plug the cable into the line out plug on the charger, I get this hissing sound coming out of my speaker, and I don't get this noise if I connect the cable into the headphone jack. Is it because the cable is cheap and unshielded? Any of you get similiar problems?

thanks

[natalia]

Originally Posted by hkj

I just got my monster charger the the gold plated cable. The thing is, if I plug the cable into the line out plug on the charger, I get this hissing sound coming out of my speaker, and I don't get this noise if I connect the cable into the headphone jack. Is it because the cable is cheap and unshielded? Any of you get similiar problems?

thanks

Nope, mine sounds better when plugged thru the charger cable to the AUX in. Maybe you have a bad charger.

[arcticpiper]

Here's my solution to the ipod in the E90. Took AlpinE90's (thanks mate) advice and got the Monster Ultra Low Profile charger - then added a sticky pad so that the ipod can bet located at a better angle for viewing and operating. (The stick pad can be bought at any car accessory store - http://www.handstands.com/retail/aut...tickypad.shtml)
Awesome sound through the Logic 7.........

[mava330]

Originally Posted by arcticpiper

Here's my solution to the ipod in the E90. Took AlpinE90's (thanks mate) advice and got the Monster Ultra Low Profile charger - then added a sticky pad so that the ipod can bet located at a better angle for viewing and operating. (The stick pad can be bought at any car accessory store - http://www.handstands.com/retail/aut...tickypad.shtml)
Awesome sound through the Logic 7.........

Thanks for the great solution. I ended up doing the same thing except the sticky pad. I have an iskin case (www.iskin.com) on my iPod that is a ruberized-type of case; it's situated on the center console where the opening is next to the brake release and provides easy access to the iPod for changing tracks, etc.

[HRC]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Anyone have any experience with the SIK models? Ram Din?


BTW why is it so important to have the gold connectors? (stupid question, i know)

I have been using the SIK Ram Din with the Air Click for a while now, I love it! I keep my ipod mini inside the center armrest and use the remote.

Gold is the best metal for conducting electricity, I think.

Danny

[djdave]

Hello
dension did a press release they will have a solution, called Gateway 500.

Hoping this will be a good solution, but i'm afraid the cost will be high...

DJD

[snaveman]

I just got the monster cable setup. Man does that sound so much better than a cable from the ipod headphone jack to the BMW aux input. Thanks for all the suggestions. I really want it integrated to the idrive. But guess we'll need to wait for awhile on that.