Fed up with using mp3 cd's, what are my options?

Meatball · 31 Jan 2011 at 09:56

Robbie G said:
The problem is not the connectivity, it's that you have to own an iPod.

Personally I have a 4GB USB stick in my armrest compartment that connects to the audio-in jack which feeds the head unit. Then I have a decent MP3 player for all other circumstances.

iPod-in-car is lame not only because iPods are gash, but also because you can't just leave it in your car and forget about it, because you have to take it out for the gym, train, etc.

An iPod is ideal for the job. My iPod Classic lives in my car, only removed to sync with iTunes. I use my iPhone when I'm out and about.

paradigm · 31 Jan 2011 at 09:56

Robbie G said:
iPod-in-car is lame not only because iPods are gash, but also because you can't just leave it in your car and forget about it, because you have to take it out for the gym, train, etc.

Mine hasn't come out in the last two years, bar taking it out maybe 3 times to change the music on it.

I don't use and iPod for anything other than the car, both iPod's (one in each car) I own were bought used, and cosmetically crap (because you can't see it in the car). No need to get all huffy about Apple products, just don't buy new, and don't use it as a fashion accessory. I've got them for the technology, nothing more.

SB118 · 31 Jan 2011 at 11:34

Worth looking at a bluetooth HU? Just picked up a JVC and now it pulls the music off the memory stick in my phone without even taking it out of my pocket.

Lashout_UK · 31 Jan 2011 at 11:37

Dan, I bought a Sony USB headunit for £75 with a front USB connection and used a low-profile 4gb stick as pictured - worked really well and was a nice, clean, easy solution

Had a line-in too if needed.

Lopéz · 31 Jan 2011 at 18:11

I've been using USB stick head units for a few years now, 16GB of music and no skipping ever. Joy!

Wicksta · 31 Jan 2011 at 18:27

paradigm said:
Mine hasn't come out in the last two years, bar taking it out maybe 3 times to change the music on it.

I don't use and iPod for anything other than the car, both iPod's (one in each car) I own were bought used, and cosmetically crap (because you can't see it in the car). No need to get all huffy about Apple products, just don't buy new, and don't use it as a fashion accessory. I've got them for the technology, nothing more.

This is what I do, in fact I have an old iPhone 2G in the boot of our e46 connected to an Intravee. It's got enough songs on it, although mainly nursery rhymes for our 1 year old

. In the 530i I have a 60gb 5th gen iPod permanently connected to the iPhone/USB iDrive facility. For some reason the navigation seems much quicker than using a normal USB storage device in there which is why I didn't go down the cheaper route.

Frapple · 31 Jan 2011 at 19:10

Got the Blue&Me system in my Grande Punto, fantastic bit of kit.

16GB USB stick in my glove box, sorted!

Finglonga · 31 Jan 2011 at 19:42

Lashout_UK said:
Dan, I bought a Sony USB headunit for £75 with a front USB connection and used a low-profile 4gb stick as pictured - worked really well and was a nice, clean, easy solution Had a line-in too if needed.

Rear is better as you can put it in glove box and forget about in instead of removing it every time you leave the car before some ***** decides to steal it.

I also have a 16gb stick with over 2000 songs on and with random you never have pauses between tracks or hear the same song twice for a long long time.

Kenai · 31 Jan 2011 at 19:45

Finglonga said:
Rear is better as you can put it in glove box and forget about in instead of removing it every time you leave the car before some ***** decides to steal it.

You'd be removing the headunit anyway and a low profile stick really is that, they protude no more than a few mm, so you just never take it out of the unit.

Saves messing about routing a cable from your HU into your glovebox

saitrix · 31 Jan 2011 at 20:13

Dogbreath said:
How long does your 16 mile commute take ? Surely not long enough to listen to a normal CD, let alone one filled with MP3s?

About 25mins on average but I tend to want specific songs a lot. So I do chop and change, without listening to a whole album. Looking at that ebay link, thats the one used if you have an ipod, thanks anyway though.

Didn't realise I could get a usb stick that small! Will have to look further into front usb ones then.