New headunit? (ICE help please!)

Unlight · 2 Jul 2006 at 15:30

Ok so I wanna fit a new headunit to my new car (Fiesta ST) when I get it tomorrow.

Thinking about getting one that is iPod compatible, so I can easily plug it in..

Whats good out there? And what exactly do I need?

needmorespeed · 2 Jul 2006 at 16:50

alpine and pioneer make some of the best headunits that are Ipod compatible but you do need to buy a Ipod adapter for it to connect to. What is your budget?

triggerthat · 2 Jul 2006 at 17:25

I really like pioneer. The quality is great. I currently have a 2800MP which can be had for a good price. However, am looking to get rid of it and get a higher end pioneer.

paradigm · 2 Jul 2006 at 17:28

I love my DEH-55BT, not only is it interfacing with my iPod, but also giving me a fully intergrated bluetooth handsfree kit that plays through the speakers, pauses my music when I get a call, shows me who is calling, and lets me dial using the headunit

Best money I have ever spent on ICE!

Unlight · 2 Jul 2006 at 17:38

That sounds interesting!

Not sure on budget... suggest away!

gobbo · 2 Jul 2006 at 18:32

paradigm said:
I love my DEH-55BT, not only is it interfacing with my iPod, but also giving me a fully intergrated bluetooth handsfree kit that plays through the speakers, pauses my music when I get a call, shows me who is calling, and lets me dial using the headunit

Best money I have ever spent on ICE!

Whats the inferface between headunit and iPod like? From the few Alpine and Pioneer ones i've seen it's pretty terrible, some of them didn't even let you control the iPod even with the £50 adapter.

paradigm · 2 Jul 2006 at 18:40

gobbo said:
Whats the inferface between headunit and iPod like? From the few Alpine and Pioneer ones i've seen it's pretty terrible, some of them didn't even let you control the iPod even with the £50 adapter.

Fantastic, much quicker than most of the other pioneer units I have used. Gives you control of the ipod in the sense that you can browse by Album, Artist, Genre or Playlist, and have control of the shuffle and repeat options on the iPod too.

This is with the CD-IB100 iPod to IP-BUS control box.

MossyUK · 2 Jul 2006 at 18:53

I have an alpine CDA-9855R in mine, and I love it. Its hooked up using the alpine ipod adapter and tune selection is a breeze from the head unit. I normally use ipod playlists however rather than mess around on the move.

I had a pioneer DEH-P9600MP for maybe two or three weeks with the special adapter too. I hated that thing. The UI was so cumbersome, the head unit itself sounded good but for use with ipods it sucked. That head unit was all show though, i have to admit it did look good - too good for my car really

Ill be sticking with alpine from now on.

OllyM · 2 Jul 2006 at 18:55

The Alpine 9850Ri doesn't need a control box, and is supposed to be quicker at accessing the iPod than the other Alpine units that need the KCA-420i.

MagicBoy · 2 Jul 2006 at 19:45

MossyUK said:
I have an alpine CDA-9855R in mine, and I love it. Its hooked up using the alpine ipod adapter and tune selection is a breeze from the head unit. I normally use ipod playlists however rather than mess around on the move.

I've been using one of these for the last couple of weeks and I'm so hacked off with the silly fiddly buttons, the glidetouch and the treacle like response on the iPod interface that it got pulled out this morning and replaced with the OEM stereo. It might not sound as good but at least I can get to the music I want in a couple of seconds rather than minutes.

I've had it on loan from a friend who replaced it with the IVA-W200Ri. The screen and full speed interface are a huge improvement. The new 9850Ri without the glidetouch and full speed ipod interface may well be an improvement.

I'm off to look at a Becker Grand Prix...

gobbo · 2 Jul 2006 at 19:53

paradigm said:
Fantastic, much quicker than most of the other pioneer units I have used. Gives you control of the ipod in the sense that you can browse by Album, Artist, Genre or Playlist, and have control of the shuffle and repeat options on the iPod too.

This is with the CD-IB100 iPod to IP-BUS control box.

Hmm, might be a future upgrade for me. At present I just have a 3.5mm stereo to RCA connector and use the aux input on my headunit. Works well enough too.

ICE Master · 2 Jul 2006 at 20:09

Seeing as it is a very nice car i would get an alpine dvd screen can be picked up for 700 i think.