[Bezza]

I'm thinking of buying a 5th Gen iPod Video and want to link it into my Mini.

I've got a 2005 Mini with HK and SatNav and was wondering how well it will work?

I've been looking at the Icelink Plus, looks like the best solution available, unless someone can suggest otherwise?

Will I be able to browse and choose tracks by artist, album etc.. via the stereo?

[PPE]

Hi Bezza, I called Mikey from newministuff.com and he told me that it would be best off to just get the factory standard Ipod connection rather than the icelink for now. He said that it doesn't work that well with SatNav and the HK system. I also called the Tech support team at Dension and they pretty much said the same thing. I would've preffered to have the ID3 Tags displayed from my 5th gen Ipod, but will settle for now until Dension release an IceLink Plus that is compatible with SatNav and the HK Boost system.

Hope this helps

[Bezza]

Does the BMW interface support the 5th gen iPod Video? Looked on the mini website but it doesn't give many details?!

[PPE]

I was told that it supports any ipod which has a USB interface. I took that to mean later Gen Ipods as earlier generations came with Firewire. The only thing that it doesn't support is the display of any information such as ID3Tags, video or Pictures from the 5th Gen to the Sat Nav or the HUD. There is currently no work around for that problem even from an aftermarket point of view.


So short answer, although my mini with factory connection hasn't arrived yet, yes it will support 5th Gen.

[windyrich]

I have SatNav and HarmonKardon in my 2003 Cooper with CD boost and use the Ice-Link Plus for my 5th gen ipod. In the main it does work fine, although it is not possible to display the ID3 tags as it overides the SatNav but I am not sure if the Mini one can do this either as I think it displays as track no. on the head unit as does the Ice-link. I will say that I do have the occasional problem of the Ice-link not communicating with the head unit, the music keeps on playing but I can no longer change the track - very annoying and I have yet to find an easy fix. I have checked the connections etc. and have tried various things to kick start it back to life, turning it all off and reconnecting seems to work some times but you cannot do this on the move. On the plus side, it is easy to fit in about 30mins and the ipod is hidden in the glove box and it is alot cheaper than the Mini version.

[Bezza]

So if you have the ID3 tags turned off on the IceLink, can you still browse and select tracks by artist and album name?

[windyrich]

You can put your music into 5 playlists as Icelink will play the first 5 selectable using the cd buttons on the head unit, you can then select the track to play by number only but this can be operated by mfsw or track select on the head unit.

[PPE]

I have searched everywhere and haven't found one page where someone has complained about the OEM Mini Ipod connector causing any problems. With the OEM version, you can store up to 5 playlists. Basically IMHO, yes the OEM version is more expensive than the Icelink Plus, but at least you know it won't destroy your car, and if it does, it will be covered by warranty.
If you want to know a little more about how it works, go to www.mini.com.au and click on Accessories & Collection then click on IPod your MINI. This gives you a quick overview of how it works.

The Icelink may be cheaper, but I tend to think listening to Mikeythemini is the best option. If you want to go aftermarket wait until Dension has ironed out all of the problems with the SatNav and HUD. You can find this out by visiting the other long running forums on Icelink Plus.
Hope this helps

[innova]

I have a 05 HK with Nav and the 5th generation Ipod. I haven't had any problems with either. Although 2b2 did not fix the issue with txt over writing the Nav screen.

[Bezza]

Can someone confirm whether I'm understanding this right?,

If you haves satnav and txt turned on, it overwrites the satnav screen, but you can search and browse by artist or album name...

However if txt is turned off, you've got the option of 5 playlists or just playing every song. You can't search or browse by album or artist names...

Hence the OEM and Icelink Plus work exactly the same in this scenario.

[PPE]

Neither one you can search by Album or Artist name in the Mini. As I said earlier it's best to go with the OEM first and wait for improvements to be made by Dension. Otherwise, you will be throwing your money down the drain for a system that is incompatible with the SatNav, cannot display text satisfactorily, and when it does, overwrites the Nav Maps. At least with the OEM (slightly more expensive from what I've heard), you have BMW/Mini backing, I don't think that Dension support a claim for loss if their product did any damage to the car.
But I'm just cautious like that.

[PPE]

I forgot to add, yes with HK and SatNav, basically both work exactly the same (it's recommended to keep text turned off with the icelink). Before deciding to invest in an icelink though, visit the other threads about icelink problems, this convinced me to wait.
I will be going up to Newcastle to an audio store to see if they have a work around for the Factory HUD to display text, but that won't be until after Valentines Day, will let everyone know if it worked.

[mikeythemini]

I wouldnt say dont get the icelink
If you have sat nav then you can have the icelink but Don't enable text display as it takes over the nav screen.
Without the text I still think the icelink is better than the oem version as;
with the oem version you have to name your 5 playlists mini1, mini2 etc, with the icelink you dont
With the oem you can access the first 5 playlists from buttons 1-5, as you can with the icelink BUT if you mount the ipod so you can see it, by using button 6 with the icelink you can pull up a menu on the ipod & browse all playlists, plus if desired turn off the stereo controls & use the clickwheel
The oem requires chopping of wires, the icelink is plug & play
The firmware on the icelink is upgradable & with different leads can be moved to other vehicles.

I have suggested to dension my idea for a solution for the nav text problem but am yet to hear back

[rentagas]

I have an 04 converible with sat nav, HK and an OEM ipod interface.

Overall my impression of the MINI version is good-despite the fact that MINI made my car undriveable for a few days after fitting it!

I have never felt that Denison were able to provide the product that I wanted, which is of course track information appearing on the sat nav screen/searching with the navigation knob. 18 months, later they still cannot.

The MINI1, MINI2.....playlist thing is GOOD not bad. Setting up a smart playlist specifically for the car of favorite songs, new songs, songs from 2005, last 10 albums bought etc. takes 5 minutes and means that you have an evolving playlist of new songs.
In addition you can set the ipod to play randomly from these playlists or from all the songs in the playlist. You can take the ipod out of random play once you get to the album you want. It therefore is possible to search through the ipod using the MFSW. I know it's not perfect but it does what it has to do.
Leaving any kind of mounting on show is untidy and is an invitation (in the UK at least) for thieves to break in to find the sat nav/radar detector/GPS unit/ipod in you glovebox even if the unit itself is not in view.
Nobody would know I have £300 of ipod in my glove box and that's the way I like it!

Now if mikey could come up with a blue tooth phone adapter that works with the sat nav screen AND allows me to update the songs on my ipod from my computer -now that would be cool.

PS mikey is the only aftermarket ICE person I would let loose on my car!

[PPE]

sorry mikey, must have been Mini Aus that suggested not using it in the Mini, been talking to so many people about it that I must have got my wires crossed.

[Bezza]

After looking at all the available options I've decided to go for the IceLink Plus and have placed an order with Mikey. Options and reasons below:

1. FM/Radio based solution - £40

Basically an iTrip kinda solution, simple and cheap, but sound quality would be poor and would suffer from interference.

2. BMW Mini AUX Cable/Connection - £40 excl. fitting

Provides a simple headphone jack connection which plugs straight into the back of the headunit. Sound quality should be OK, but not as good as a dock connection on the iPod. Also the iPod needs to be charged or powered in the car to use, hence additional wires/devices which would look messy.

3. BMW Mini iPod Cable - £140 excl. fitting

For the warranty conscious, then this is the best option. However fitting yourself is messy with lots of wires being cut. It also only allows control of the iPod from the headunit.

4. Dension IceLink Plus - £100 excl. fitting

Plug and Play install, no wires being chopped. As I've got HK and SatNav text can't be enabled, but then that's no different from the BMW option. What the dension allows you to do though is control the iPod from the iPod while connected into the stereo, hence you can access all your menus etc.. which makes control much easier.

It's also cheaper than the BMW option, and when I sell my car I can take it with me, buy a new cable and install it in my next car, so being a much longer term investment.

And if Dension do ever fix the SatNav text problem then I can upgrade the firmware and hopefully be able to take full advantage of the product.

So in a nutshell the Dension offers more options and flexibility.

I'm gonna buy a Belkin Tunedok to house the iPod, that way if I'm leaving my car in a rough area I can remove all traces of my iPod within seconds. I also like the idea of having the iPod mounted lower, not hanging off the side of the downtubes, but that's just my preference.

Thanks for all your thoughts and advice, proven very helpful as always!