New Cooper S: HK, head units and iPod questions

[beej]

Hi everyone,

I need some advice about my new Cooper S which is on order for July. At this point, I'm down for BOOST + CD Player as a basic setup, but thinking about it, this might be a waste of money.

My ideal aim is to mainly use my trusty iPod, but with a CD player for backup, which if it could play MP3s would be great.

- So, I need a good head unit with 3.5" jack on the front, right?

- From the other ICE thread, is it right that if I get HK I'm stuck with the HK head unit?

- If I just choose my own head unit, what do I need to spec on the extras list? BOOST but not HK? or neither?

Thanks in advance, I'm kind of unsure what to do here

[GBMINI]

If you buy HK, you cannot replace the HU without replacing the amp too - or at least keeping the old HU installed and connected somewhere in the car (wierd!)
If you replace the HK amp, you will need to add crossovers to the speakers.
Basically, buy HK if you want to keep HK.

The HK/Boost HU cannot play CDRs with MP3 data on them (of course, you can write normal audio CDs using MP3 data, but then you get only 70mins of music).

What you *CAN* do is buy an aftermarket CD changer (eg: Alpine) which can play MP3 loaded CDRs, and buy an interface (eg: Blitzsafe) to connect it to the stock CD changer connector.
I have not done this, but I know it has been done.

Also, you can make/buy an AUX input cable for the Boost HU so that you can connect the iPod into it.

[beej]

Thanks very much Ian for the advice, that makes it much clearer

I'll stick with what I've got, and then look at changing the CD Player HU after delivery, or fitting some sort of aux input. The multichanger is one solution but its not really what I want right now.

Shame really, because the HK speakers look quite tasty!

[mikeythemini]

The UK BOOST or WAVE head units don't have the aux in (think its a software thing just like our friends across the water don't get rear fog)
I have made a aux lead and tried it.
The are auxillary interfaces that can be added though.
One plugs in between the factory stereo & changer.
Personally I think you would be far better going for the wave then binning it and picking whatever you fancy.
Most decent aftermarket stereos have aux input (not on the front anymore but a neet socket could be mounted somewhere neat.)

[bkwalker]

ive got an ipod too and have tried so many ways to connect it up... good option is to just get a cable and plug it into your HU at the AUX port at the back of the unit..
i didn't have that option because i have a 2002 S that didn't have anAUX port... i have purchased a FM transmitter called iTrip... havn't got it yet but its the next best thing and u dont have any messy wires and it is very possibly the best FM transmitter out there...

[bkwalker]

forgot to say who makes it! haha if u actually are interested its a company called www.griffintechnology.com

i think thats right.. if not just type itrip in a search engine!

[jlm]

I have the alpine HU and plugged my Ipod into the cd changer input, via a simple cdchanger jack/twin rca out/mini stereo jack conversion. Works perfectly. alpine makes the cd/rca converter for about $20.

[christockos]

Do you have a part number for that Alpine adapter or know where I can order one?

thanx

[bkwalker]

dont get the itrip!

terrible

take my word for it

stick with the AUX SOLUTION

[mhoutman]

Didn't I read here somewhere taht th eMY 2004 Boost will play MP3 ?

Mike

[duncanbanana]

I just got the itrip and another similar device........not good at all.......loads of interference and volume is really low, if you turn up the ipod it sounds crap and if u turn up radio it sounds crap . There has to be another solution !!!!

[bkwalker]

im the same!

iTrip has great design but just lacks the quality!
its meant to be the best FM transmitter out there, so this is a sign to stay away from them

there is the AUX solution.. u need detailed instructions though.. i havn't done it
but heard its not too hard