[mikeythemini]

Got my ipod at last
Fitted my icelink cradle to the rev counter

[Rich_IX]

Nice Mike, put anymore things next to the rev counter and it will look like the control room of the star trek enterprise
Good work

[jongar]

Mike,

are there any cables present at all ? if not how much would it cost to do that. I was thinking the exact same setup. I have a mini ipod and a 6310.

Jon

[scooperman_uk]

that looks cool mike!

[mikeythemini]

The cable goes through the rubber above the steering column so is hardly seen.
The phone doesn't have a cable as its on bluetooth

[jongar]

you dont power the phone ??

very cool setup, next time I am on my way north to the lakes I am gonna have to stop by.

Jon

[mikeythemini]

No power to the phone needed got a bluetooth kit linked through the stereo - just charge the phone up every 2 days

[olerud400]

I know you posted some of this before but do you have a pic of the back of the tach panel and how you did this? my phone isn't bluetooth but this is a great setup.

Adam

[mikeythemini]

pic froma bove

[landparkmini]

Greetings,

My 2005 MCS is on the way. I had a question about how to best connect the IPod to my MINI. I ordered the AUX input for my MINI, but it seems there are superior options available. From what I can tell, there are adaptors available from Denison, Alpine, and BMW. Can someone provide a Pro/Con for me? I've sifted through the message boards here and there appears to be a lot of disagreement. Here is what I've gathered so far from motoringfile.com (I read the reviews for the BMW connector and the Icelink):

If you have a multi-function steering wheel, BMW connector allows you to use it to control sound/navigation the same way you could with your AM/FM stereo. This allows one to stow the IPod away in the glove box. The BMW connector allows you to play up to five playlists and does not display song names.

The Icelink allows you to use the iPod pretty much as you would normally use it, taking the place of the CD player on the stereo. This is an improvement over the AUX input in that the AUX does not charge the iPod and there are some problems with controlling the sound. Like the BMW connector, the Icelink can be integrated for use with the steering wheel. Unlike the BMW connector, you must manually select songs using Icelink (vs. using up to 5 BMW playlists)

From what I can tell, most of the complaints with the Icelink have to do with the installation. If I'm the type of person who would rather pay for someone to install Icelink, how much would it cost? How would this compare to the cost of having MINI/BMW install their connector?

I will not have NAV, or a CD changer on my MCS, so these issues don't play into the decision. From what I've seend, the Icelink will cost $200-$250 in parts and the BMW connector $150. I'm not considering the Alpine adaptor because I don't like the idea of the head unit.

Please help. If I've made any incorrect assumptions, please point them out. I'm really new to this and I'm having a tough time reaching a decision.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[NIRLN]

I'd love to do something similar and mount my 40G iPod beside the rev counter, so it's in easy reach. Just a few questions:

1) Can you mount regular iPods in this way?
2) And are you the only guy doing this?
3) Is it something that only a specialist could do, or is the install fairly straightforward (can you post a How To, with pics?)
4) And does the Icelink work with HK system?

cheers in advance. This could be the perfect solution to my iPod in-car quandry.

[mikeythemini]

landparkmini
BMW kit - advantage - you can set up 5 playlists & select between them from the stereo
BMW kit dissadvatage - no mount, it floats around the glove box, the screen on the ipod is turned off so you can't see what tracks are playing, the controls are frozen so you can't pick out that album you just decided you fancy

Icelink - advantage - can be purchased with built in cradle, all buttons & screen work so you can mess (at the lights of course) will work with other cars/stereos in future (may require adaptor)
Icelink - dissadvantage - no flicking between playlists from stereo buttons
Icelink takes 30 mins to install & requires no chopping or splicing

[mikeythemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by NIRLN

I'd love to do something similar and mount my 40G iPod beside the rev counter, so it's in easy reach. Just a few questions:

1) Can you mount regular iPods in this way?
2) And are you the only guy doing this?
3) Is it something that only a specialist could do, or is the install fairly straightforward (can you post a How To, with pics?)
4) And does the Icelink work with HK system?

cheers in advance. This could be the perfect solution to my iPod in-car quandry.

1 Yes
2 Only one I have seen but you could do it yourself. 2 small holes to drill (dont need to take the rev counter apart) I can supply you with the heavy duty strip & cover it for you. Plus I have the icelinks
3. See 2, I will do a DIY
4 YES no probs

[landparkmini]

Thanks for the quick pro/con!

[nat]

Would you be able to fit a SE 610 BT adaptor with a rev counter based holder & Ipod holder & how long would that take for you to do? I am rubbish at DIY so would drive over!!

The BT is intergrated into the sterio-so that would mute calls? Would the phone come over the speakers & have a mic? Where is this fitted on a convertible?

Many thanks

[NIRLN]

Cheers mikey. Definitely the solution I'm looking for.
I considered the Alpine iPod interface, but that limits me to Alpine HU's, and the first reviews of the interface suggest that the HU iPod controls are a little protracted. I'd much rather use the click wheel scrolling direct from a rev counter mounted iPod.
A 'How To' would be useful.
But I'll still go on to AA routemaster and calculate the time/distance from Edinburgh to Liverpool! Could be a good way to break in my new Cooper when it arrives. Kill two birds.

[mikeythemini]

Finally got it wired in last night
What a great tool. Can flick through my entire music collection from the wheel & cos its mounted so high can see track names etc.
Selected shuffle for the drive in this morning - its great having no idea whats next from 600 of my favourite tunes
Sound is great too. Really am pleased with this - the CD Changer is dead long live the ipod

[jmjones]

Much less invasive would be a Griffin iTrip. It transmits to your fm radio. No handsfree control or wires, but I like the flexibility and cost.

On another topic: Hey landparkmini, I live two hours north in Red Bluff. How does the sunroof do in the HOT summers in the North Sac Valley?

That remains my final choice in speccing out my Cooper. Reply off list if you get a chance.

Thanks

[Babes]

I currently use the Griffin itrip and while it is defiantely handy I find I get alot of interference. Have changed the station several times and what station works great in one area works crap in another area. Admittedly it only takes like 10 seconds to tune into another station but Im serioulst thinking of getting the icelink thing going, especially if i can use MFSW to control things.

The itrip is still a must have accessory in my opinion for when you get in the wifes car or go visiting.