MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Audio / Security / Electrical => Topic started by: Anonymous on March 15, 2008, 09:57

Title: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: Anonymous on March 15, 2008, 09:57
Still new, so please don't shout...!

Does anyone know (and I'm sure the answer is yes) if the stock Sony HU in my 2000/X '2 will be able to control my ipod nano (2nd gen) AND support artist/title info if I buy one of these:

 m http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/iPod_ ... IPOD001%29 (http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/iPod_Car_Kit/For_Aftermarket_Radios/Sony_Connects2_iPod_Interface_Adapter_%28ASOIPOD001%29) m

I have had a Dension Ice Link in another car, which was good, but my stock BMW CD player didn't support, which was a blow, after forking out a ton for the Dension kit...   s:cry: :cry: s:cry:  

This unit looks, on the surface, much better value, but is it fully functional with the stock HU? Also, is tha sound quality any good?!

Cheers muchly
Alex
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Post by: enid_b on March 15, 2008, 10:03
i had the connects 2 system for a while. they are now available on ebay for about half what i paid for it.

to be honest i knobbed it off and got an alpine HU after a while, for the following reasons.

The sound quality is fantastic. its hard wired in so much better than the FM transmitters and the like.  its a small box with 2 wires, so you can install it in approx 35 seconds, it just plugs into the changer plug on the stock HU.

the downside was that despite its claims of operating the ipod from the HU, i didnt find that it worked.  it was easier to set up a playlist and then just press go.  navigating was a nightmare, but im not sure if that was just my individual head unit.

so if u just want good sound from pre selected songs/albums then this is the system for you.

if you want full control of your ipod, i would look elsewhere

HTH


E   s:D :D s:D
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Post by: Slacey on March 15, 2008, 10:10
I've just bought one of those Connects2 units off eBay brand new for £20 to go in the Griff (to a Sony unit). I'll be fitting it later today, so I'll report back on the findings. TBH, I'm not too concerned about controlling the iPod from the H/U but I'll have a go at it.
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Post by: Anonymous on March 15, 2008, 12:22
Hmm, will this work with the iPhone?
And also charge it up?
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Post by: enid_b on March 15, 2008, 16:30
not sure if it will work with the iphone, the connects2 has been around for a while, and is quite primitive.

if the iphone takes the standard ipod lead and connector then you may have a chance.

yes it does charge as it goes along

E
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Post by: Slacey on March 15, 2008, 17:24
Right, just fitted (which would have been a doddle in any other car  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:  ) and it works just fine. I did think though that you could control the iPod directly, which you can't - it all has to be done through the H/U which works well enough. Anyway, for £20 I'm happy.
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Post by: Anonymous on March 15, 2008, 19:01
Quote from: "enid_b"i had the connects 2 system for a while. they are now available on ebay for about half what i paid for it.

to be honest i knobbed it off and got an alpine HU after a while, for the following reasons.

The sound quality is fantastic. its hard wired in so much better than the FM transmitters and the like.  its a small box with 2 wires, so you can install it in approx 35 seconds, it just plugs into the changer plug on the stock HU.

the downside was that despite its claims of operating the ipod from the HU, i didnt find that it worked.  it was easier to set up a playlist and then just press go.  navigating was a nightmare, but I'm not sure if that was just my individual head unit.

so if u just want good sound from pre selected songs/albums then this is the system for you.

if you want full control of your ipod, i would look elsewhere

HTH


E   s:D :D s:D

Thanks for the advice - the BMW / Dension set-up uses playlists as if they were the six CDs in a changer, so it's slightly controllable from the head-unit. I think the key here is to get one off the 'bay for a few quid and give it a go... if it's cack, then I'll consider the Alpine route.
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Post by: enid_b on March 17, 2008, 13:01
thats how i did it mate.

good luck

E
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Post by: Anonymous on March 18, 2008, 12:30
So is this iPod link just the Radio tune-in version, or does it actually patch in directly to the tuner/radio/cd player?
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Post by: enid_b on March 18, 2008, 12:52
zero, this discussion is about a connects2 system. its hard wired between ipod and hu via the cd changer socket so has much better sound quality.

E
Title: Re: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: Anonymous on July 14, 2008, 11:56
The connects2 can be fitted without even removing the head unit as the three connectors you need can be access by sticking your head in the footwells.  The standard HU doesn't have the ability to display track names so I'll probably put my other Sony head in eventually but you are able to change tracks using the forward and back buttons as if there's a CD in the drive, not the best solution on the market but cheap and can be installed with no tools   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Title: Re: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: stv2100 on July 16, 2008, 22:02
I used the following parts from ebay and dash mounted my ipod. Works a lot better than the connects 2 and the dension i-link on the old sony head unit.
IPOD to 2x Phono/ RCA Charging Adapter
Sony unilink car stereo auxiliary input adapter
All available from the same seller (exclusivepart) from Hong Kong.
Title: Re: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: Anonymous on July 17, 2008, 11:07
Have you got a link mate as a decent mounting kit would be great?

Cheers

Tim
Title: Re: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: stv2100 on July 18, 2008, 13:03
Quote from: "shippyt"Have you got a link mate as a decent mounting kit would be great?

Cheers

Tim

I fabricated a mount myself based on the Brodit proclip bracket and modified an adjustable mobile phone holder for the cradle. If you don't want to make your own you can buy the bracket and passive cradle (quite expensive) from ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk

Cheers.
Title: Re: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: Thudd on October 31, 2008, 09:26
Would the Sony unilink car stereo auxiliary input adapter work on the post-facelift HU?

I don't want to waste cash on an incompatible part, even if it is only £15 with shipping  s:) :) s:)

Thinking of getting one of these, wiring up a socket, and using the iPhone in a vent mount by the wheel.
Title: Re: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: markiii on October 31, 2008, 10:24
post facelift is made by Matsuhita who own Panasonic so no it won;t
Title: Re: Ipod link for pre-facelift stock Sony HU
Post by: Thudd on October 31, 2008, 13:37
Bah!

Thanks.