Best option for getting ipod /USB audio into car?

ShiWarrior

ShiWarrior

ShiWarrior

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Hi all

Without changing my stereo

What is my best option of getting my music into car without using the CD player?

my stereo is a standard one in my Focus 2009 (MK2.5)
all it has is a 3.5mm aux jack

i have an ipod classic (80Gb)

i know i can go straight from the ipod to the aux port with a 3.5mm to 3.5mm lead which means trialling wires , and i hate wires in the car over my dash

any ideas?

thanks
 
sounds tricky, is pulling the dashboard apart to route an aux cable from the stereo to your preferred location of choice not an option?

otherwise, despite what your saying, aftermarket is surely going to be the best way?
 
not going to pull it apart, just to have music in the car other than a CD player
i have Bluetooth on my satnav , so i dont need that, i find the fitted stereo does me well

the aux socket is located in the glove box, so i could do it via Bluetooth i think from what is about these days
 
Craig321 said:
Ok, this might be better: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transmitte...qid=1494188667&sr=8-12&keywords=aux+bluetooth

So you'd have that in a 12v port, iPod plugged in to that with 3.5mm jack, and that device will transmit an FM signal so you can listen on your radio.
Click to expand...


im trying to get my head around it

so how would i go about connecting it all up?

do i plug that into my cigarette lighter, plug the ipod into that via the 3.5mm and USB jacks, then buy a Bluetooth receiver of some sort with a 3.5mm plug on it to plug into my stereo and use the AUX port?
 
Yep you'd plug that thing in your cigarette lighter, iPod into the 3.5mm jack on that same device, then that transmits music on an FM frequency which you tune in to from your car radio.
 
Last edited:
Craig321 said:
Yep you'd plug that thing in your cigarette lighter, iPod into the 3.5mm jack on that same device, then that transmits music on an FM frequency which you tune it to from your car radio.
Click to expand...

ok, thanks for your help, ill have a think about it now how its going to be/look in the car
 
oh just re read your post, do i tune my stereo into that thing u link to, so i dont have to by a Bluetooth device to go into my aux socket?
 
Even better, wire up a cig lighter socket into your glovebox and hide it all in there, if you want it hidden away. Or if you have a socket in the boot, set it all up there.

But, to be honest, and aftermarket headunit will be a much better option. Proper integrated bluetooth, USB socket, Aux and DAB can all be had relatively cheaply. I just put this in one of my cars and I must admit, it is pretty slick for £85 : http://www.halfords.com/technology/...play-kenwood-kdc-bt700dab-digital--car-stereo

Does absolutely everything I need from it. Sure, a rear USB would have been handy, but for £85 I aint complaining. And it is MUCH better to have bluetooth through the stereo rather than through the satnav (my garmin also has BT, but it is a bit poor by comparison). Plus you will get much better sound quality, as the aftermarket headunit will undoubtedly have a better amplifier on board, and even your standard speakers will sound miles better.

And it won't take long to fit or anything. I had mine all fitted up in around 30 mins, including running the BT mic up above the rear view mirror, and the DAB aerial up on the windscreen.
 
Do remember with FM transmitters that the sound quality will only be as good as FM radio and despite you picking an unused frequency, its bound to pick up interference as you travel around. An FM transmitter should only be a temporary measure or very last resort!
 
Jamesyboyjim said:
Do remember with FM transmitters that the sound quality will only be as good as FM radio and despite you picking an unused frequency, its bound to pick up interference as you travel around. An FM transmitter should only be a temporary measure or very last resort!
Click to expand...

oh right, didn't know that

thanks for your advice :)
 
xs2man said:
Even better, wire up a cig lighter socket into your glovebox and hide it all in there, if you want it hidden away. Or if you have a socket in the boot, set it all up there.

But, to be honest, and aftermarket headunit will be a much better option. Proper integrated bluetooth, USB socket, Aux and DAB can all be had relatively cheaply. I just put this in one of my cars and I must admit, it is pretty slick for £85 : http://www.halfords.com/technology/...play-kenwood-kdc-bt700dab-digital--car-stereo

Does absolutely everything I need from it. Sure, a rear USB would have been handy, but for £85 I aint complaining. And it is MUCH better to have bluetooth through the stereo rather than through the satnav (my garmin also has BT, but it is a bit poor by comparison). Plus you will get much better sound quality, as the aftermarket headunit will undoubtedly have a better amplifier on board, and even your standard speakers will sound miles better.

And it won't take long to fit or anything. I had mine all fitted up in around 30 mins, including running the BT mic up above the rear view mirror, and the DAB aerial up on the windscreen.
Click to expand...

my car is 2 DIN, and its a bugger to get fitted, i was going to install my brothers 7" screen that has everything on, but the kit for my car is £50, so its too much hassle for that much money, hence why im not changing the stereo in my car and want an alternative
solution

thanks
 
Parrot hands free? You could have phone support and if like my older system it comes with a ipod / 3.5mm connection that sits in your glove box to plug into.
 
ShiWarrior said:
my car is 2 DIN, and its a bugger to get fitted, i was going to install my brothers 7" screen that has everything on, but the kit for my car is £50, so its too much hassle for that much money, hence why im not changing the stereo in my car and want an alternative
solution

thanks
Click to expand...

£50!? get her installed! i had to splash near £200 for the various button interfaces/parking sensor reroutes/trim replacements etc for mine

seriously, the fm/bluetooth dongles/wiring stuff through the dash is all well and good, but a quality head unit is going to be miles ahead in terms of audio quality etc and add ons.

remember if you keep your stock radio you can always throw it back in when your selling the car and take your head unit with you!

if you don't want to splash for a double din unit you can get addon trays etc that will fit a single din to take up the space.
 
I've been using an FM Transmitter tuned in to the same frequency for quite a while now and have little issue. I may sometimes need to adjust in 0.1 increments but that's it. I suppose it does depend heavily on the area you live in and the locations you travel to. However it's about £15 investment so it's worth a shot.
 
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