Which iPod integration to choose?

[Deadliner]

Hello all,

I want to connect my 5G video iPod to my Mini. I've read a lot in other threads, websites etc and think that Dension is the way to go, yet I have some questions about it's functionality. So I'll describe the use case I imagine and maybe someone can help me out by pointing the best solution.

1. I have an 80GB iPod with hundreds of albums and artists. I don't want to use playlists, but browse the iPod, decide which album to listen to using the iPod itself, not some slow quirky interface utilizing text in my half pixels burnt Boost unit's display.

2. However, after I choose what to listen to and it starts playing, I would like to be able to control the volume and advance tracks from Boost, since it's knob and buttons are more accessible than the iPod's clickwheel.

3. During this time, I would also still want to be able to use the iPod's interface when needed, e.g. stopped before a red traffic light wanting to rate a song.

4. The iPod should of course charge itself while playing, and there's got to be a way to place it somewhere where it can be used while driving (not in the glove box).

So, what's the best solution for such a case? Can I use the Dension Gateway 300 with an iPod mount or something? What would you suggest?

I hope you can help me out with this because I'm sick and tired of burning CDs all the time, Boost skips a lot, disks scratch and are rendered unusable plus I have a huge music library and I'll be making many long highway trips this year.

Thanks a lot in advance!

P.S.: The car specs are Mini Cooper, 1st gen (not facelift), Boost radio/CD

[Nath316]

I use a generic mp3 player with a 3.5mm jack lead at each end to aux in port

I control what is playing on the mp3 player and can alter volume with normal mini controls so in theory you should be able to do the same

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...onnection.html

[Deadliner]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nath316 (original)

I use a generic mp3 player with a 3.5mm jack lead at each end to aux in port

I control what is playing on the mp3 player and can alter volume with normal mini controls so in theory you should be able to do the same

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...onnection.html

This solution does not charge the iPod, does not allow me to control anything except volume from the Boost unit, plus I don't know if there's an aux port and how I can gain access to it...

[UKC4]

You would like the Denison IceLink then, it charges, holds, and allows you to choose tracks and volume on your head unit. No wires need to be spliced, just plug ins.

[DaFlake]

Do you have OEM NAV? If you do there is another solution that will be coming soon. If you don't, then the Gateway 300 is probably your best solution.

[Deadliner]

Quote: Originally Posted by UKC4 (original)

You would like the Denison IceLink then, it charges, holds, and allows you to choose tracks and volume on your head unit. No wires need to be spliced, just plug ins.

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Do you have OEM NAV? If you do there is another solution that will be coming soon. If you don't, then the Gateway 300 is probably your best solution.

No I don't have OEM NAV.

So, what's the difference between the IceLink and the Gateway 300? Which one's closest to what I want?

Thanks a lot.

[DaFlake]

Honestly, the gateway will let you take control of the Ipod, but I don't know how "fast" it will be. They had this feature in the Icelink Plus and it was miserable to use. So I can't really comment there. The charging portion of your requirements is easily met as most of the Ipod solutions do this.

The difference between the products is functionality. The gateway adds new add one functioanly to it over the Icelink plus. You can read more about it here...

Products

[rene_73]

I went for the FM transmitter, it's 50 euro's!

[humph]

I have a Gateway 300 which allows various types mp3 players to be attached as it has 3 different connections (ipod,USB, 3.5mm jack). If you only want the ipod then a Gateway 100 is a cheaper option, with pretty much the same functions I think. Not sure what the Icelink plus does as I've never had one.

What month/year is your car exactly as the changed the stereo in sometime in 2002 (i think). This will effect which ipod link you can use as early radios don't have an AUX port. Can we assume you don't have a boot CD changer?