IPOD adaptor

[MidnightDave]

Congrats on the new MINI!

Chris, SSSSSS of the M2C2 club just showed me that hook up, he has an IPOD docking station in his glovebox and it's plugged into the aux jack--the jack is located on the left/driver's side of the glove box real low, by the door.

He said he really likes it, (so I'm guessing it's easy to operate?).

He also plugged his FRS radio into the auxillary jack and heard his FRS radio, (think walkie talkie if you're not familiar), through his car stereo speakers.

[simplygriff]

My aux jack is inside my glovebox. It worked well for a while, though I had to run a cord from there to somewhere I could access the iPod (ex: Cupholder iPod base (Belkin Tunedock bought at Target)) cause I didn't want to put in the glovebox. I change songs too often for that. Then I changed radios for an Alpine 9855 and now have an iPod dock at one of my cupholders and control the iPod with my stereo.

Congrats on the Car!
-G

[MidnightDave]

Just so happens, I have a pic of Griff's set up! (I was actually getting a picture of his shifter tray boot thingamabobee, 'cause I want one too.)



pls see next post

[simplygriff]

Geez! My car was dirty... Try this one. It's a little cleaner. :D
http://www.simplygriff.com/Images/MINI_Images/Console.jpg
-G

[MidnightDave]

Sorry Griff! I had also posted it on M2C2 b/c somebody was asking about it at Dan's shop the other day. I'm replacing it with the cleaned up console pic now. ;-)

[Hets]

have the original MINI i-pod adaptor (located in glove box).... works great and you can switch songs from the steering wheel controls.... worked great so far with no problem... (PS: does not display any song detail's - just numbers on the stereo display)...

[simplygriff]

Sorry Griff! I had also posted it on M2C2 b/c somebody was asking about it at Dan's shop the other day. I'm replacing it with the cleaned up console pic now. ;-)
Not a problem buddy! I appreciate the exposure. :D
-G

[wmba]

Thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

As I understand it, with the official MINI adapter, you have to make specific playlists that will coincide with the the preset buttons on the radio. You can choose those playlists by hitting any of the preset buttons, and can then switch tracks on those playlists using the buttons on the radio or on your steering wheel. You can't choose other playlists or specific tracks without using the controls on the ipod.

I have the aux adaptor in my glove box. I spent about 5 minutes to snake a wire from there to my cupholder area (very easy.. no tools to do this)... where it plugs into the iPod. I got the Belkin power adaptor which plugs into the bottom if the iPod, and to the cigarette lighter. The cord from the aux adaptor also plugs into the Belkin unit.

So what this means is, when I get into my car, I plug one wire into the buttom of the iPod which gives it power and also connects it to my radio. I then sit the iPod in the left cupholder, and I can reach it easily when I need it. Very simple. No controls from the radio or steering wheel (other than volume).. but I have had it like this for 2.5 years, and it is fine for me.

Bill

[TWISTER]

My setup is exactly the same

[DSRH]

Here is another option....go over to http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14 and look at the Dice Adaptor. You will get scrolling text with all the system info on your OEM head unit and good control over you ipod...it is total factory integration. The toll free number will link you to Tom and he is VERY helpful. He knows his stuff... I have one of the Dice units on order and can't wait. I too am using the aux in (self installed) from MINI right now and one thing I learned was to get the $17 cable from eas (on the link) to route the non amplified signal from the ipod (big jack on the bottom vs. the ear bud jack) when using the aux in. This gives a much cleaner signal and sound. Also be sure to adjust your aux in volume on your head unit when using your ipod for the first time. You can turn it up or down to get the volume like you want it.

[Hets]

Have the i-pod adaptor in my mini.... was working great so far. If you have the multi functional steering wheel might be wise to go with the adaptor and not the aux-jack... you can switch songs etc. from the steering wheel.....

[DSRH]

A note....I just updated my web log with some new pictures of my Dice Ipod module installation. There are three pictures and some links.

[MINI Rog]

:D OMG, I have found a low budget iPod adapter. The iCar Charger by Monster is on sale at Sears for $11.00. It is a charger that plugs in the bottom of the iPod and has an input to plug in a 3.5mm phone plug. What is really strange is that it doesn't say anything about the 3.5mm input on the package, I just took a chance that it might work and it does. You can then plug straight into your AUX input using a short (3') jumper cord with 3.5mm male plugs on each end. Not quite as fancy as the unit the connects straight into the head unit but you can't beat the price. A lot better quality sound than you get using the earphone jack output plugged into your AUX input.

Roger

[Silver_Phoenix]

I bought a BMW Mini Cooper Ipod Adapter off of eBay. It actually came out of a wrecked (I cried) MC from Maryland, granted it was used, but it works great.

Considering this is my first MC, and I hadnt had it long before purchasing the adpater, I decided to take it to Grassroots to have it installed. (Im pretty good when it comes to hooking stuff up in cars, but I didnt want to fool with the MC yet).

My iPod sits in my refrigerated glove box and the cord goes out the rectangular shaped hole on the back side of the box which connects to a transciever thingy and then into the back of the stereo.

My iPod is like 98.7 Simon, it plays everything.... everything from Reba McIntyre to David Bowie to Milli Vanilli to Ray Charles to Insane Clown Posse.... you name it... I got it.

It would have been nice if the song details were to display on the stereo, but its not that big of a deal; I think of it as a 978 song "Name that tune" game; although I would like to know how to set up the playlists.....

I feel that having the iPod in my MC this way would work better for me rather than having the Aux Jack and/or FM transmitter attachment to the iPod; at least now I dont have to fumble whilst driving and risk an accident while trying to find Vanilla Ice on my iPod..... (whoops, did I say that out loud???? :p )

Seriously though, its a LOT less hassle.

Thanks again, Dan....... "Thats a good question, thank you for asking." (BMW response to a question I asked)