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iPod Your Car (Even if it's not a BMW)

iPod Your Car (Even if it's not a BMW)

by , 10:30 AM EST, November 4th, 2004

If you ever wanted to integrate an iPod into your car stereo but don't own a BMW, Monster Cable will soon have be able to take care of your needs with iCruze. Announced Tuesday, iCruze enables an iPod to be connected to a car's factory or aftermarket system through either the head unit's CD changer or satellite radio port.

The device is also available with an optional multi-line 20 character display, in the event that your car's head unit can't display track information from the iPod. The iPod is controlled through the stereo and, like the iCruze itself, can remain hidden during operation.

iCruze will ship later this Fall for $199.95. Pricing for the optional display has not been announced. A countdown on the iCruze home page (either for more information or a ship date) is currently showing 26 days.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:Guest
Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:22 pm Subject: $199????!!!!

Crap, I have a low end Pioneer with a CD changer input. I bought the RCA to CD changer input patch cord for $40. Then you just get a headhone jack to RCA patch cord, and for under $50 CND you're done. Now, I don't have track info on the head unit, but that's what the iPod is for. Most other manufactures offer a CD changer to RCA converter for cheap as well.

For God sake, save $150 and don't bother with this rip-off!

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Close Name:Guest
Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:56 pm Subject: For $70 you can get a similar device

from http://www.logjamelectronics.com/ I got it for my 2004 Honda Civic. Alpine's CD changer to RCA red/white audio jack split cable adapter.

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Close Name:deasys Posts: 296 Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:58 pm Subject: re: $199????!!!!

Cool! Does your $50 rig allow you to switch iPod tracks, etc. from the steering wheel controls?

Right. I didn't think so.

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Close Name:Guest
Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:35 pm Subject: re:$199????!!!!

yeah what the hell? does it give the same quality as an internally wired system? does your little headphone jack sound transfers make it sound crisp and clean with hard hitting bass at the same time? No i didn't think so. $199 is a great deal on something that can give your car the ultimate sound coming from your own iPod library. And its own LCD? You have to be nuts to complain about something like that

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Close Name:Guest
Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:43 am Subject:

Quote
deasys wrote:
Cool! Does your $50 rig allow you to switch iPod tracks, etc. from the steering wheel controls?

Right. I didn't think so.

Neither does the $200 model.. Most cars don't have steering wheel controls

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Close Name:Intruder - TMO Mac Specialist Posts: 3149 Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:18 pm Subject:

Funny how people who don't have the capability to use something ("my car doesn't have steering wheel controls for the radio") assume that others don't want the capability.

I have been in numerous rental cars that have the capability, and one of my two cars has the capability. It is becoming much more common as you buy above the baseline configuration of the vehicle.

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Close Name:Guest
Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:58 pm Subject: Cheaper solution

I prefer using an fm modulator. While you don't get the text displayed on the head unit (which doesnt bother me, I'd rather just look at the iPod), you get great sound quality and it's cheap - mine was only $50.

They describe the different options in detail over at http://www.ipodincar.net . That site's great; has tons of info and pictures.

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