| A lot of vehicles are now being produced with | | | | as a physical AUX input is required into the stereo |
| iPod car kits pre-installed, or the option to buy one | | | | its self. (Usually available on after-market stereos |
| from the dealership as part of a package deal. | | | | but not usually on factory standard) The benefit |
| The problem is there are many different | | | | of the AUX in is that its cheap, costing around |
| variations of an iPod car kit. So what is the better | | | | £5 for the lead. This solution will basically allow |
| option. Factory standard or After-market? | | | | you to listen to your music as you would through |
| | | | | the headphones, You cant control your iPod just |
| I one heard a customer say they were sold an | | | | listen. |
| iPod kit when they purchased a new car from a | | | | |
| dealership. It was suggested to him that it was | | | | Secondly you get FM Transmitters, these connect |
| the best option available for his car & nothing | | | | to your stereo wirelessly through a preselected |
| else was comparable. To be fair he was fairly | | | | FM frequency. The benefits are that every stereo |
| happy with it. It did what he wanted it to do. | | | | is compatible so it doesn't matter what car you |
| However the customer was looking around | | | | drive. However if you live in built up area's you |
| & decided to check to see if anything else | | | | may struggle to receive a good signal as other |
| was available, just out of interest. He came along | | | | frequencies may be picked up at the same time. |
| to iPod Car Kit Direct and displayed his kit, He | | | | |
| was shocked when we told him his iPod kit was a | | | | Thirdly you can get FM Modulators, They work on |
| simple AUX input. Not that there's anything wrong | | | | a similar principle to the transmitters with one |
| with a AUX input, Its like listening through the | | | | exception. They are physically hard wired into the |
| headphones. However we told him we sold them | | | | stereo. So you receive a much better signal |
| for £5 he was annoyed. | | | | & you can charge you iPod. However all |
| The system he purchased from factory cost him | | | | music selections must be made from the iPod. |
| over £150 for the "kit" and installation, and when | | | | Again these kits are universal but you may need |
| we showed him how & where the kit installs | | | | an aerial adapter dependant on the type of aerial |
| into the car he felt rather ripped off. | | | | in your vehicle. Some Volvo's use antennas inside |
| | | | | the windows so these aren't compatible. |
| This is problem when purchasing iPod kits from | | | | |
| manufacturers, you may not know what you are | | | | Fourthly are the integrated kits, These are vehicle |
| getting and how much its costing you in | | | | specific. The connect into your stereo and allow |
| comparison to a competitive product. We know | | | | you to control the iPod / iPhone through the |
| of a lot of dealerships who charge upwards of | | | | stereo or steering wheel controls. They also offer |
| £3000 for an integrated system. Not a problem | | | | iPod charge and most offer text display on the |
| if their customers are willing to pay that. However | | | | cluster screen or stereo, however this depends |
| competitive and better products are available for | | | | on the electronic system used in the vehicle. Most |
| much less. | | | | new vehicles use CAN bus or MOST if this is the |
| | | | | case you should receive text in the car. Needles |
| So how do we define what is the better system? | | | | to say the Integrated kits offer the best iPod |
| | | | | functionality by far. |
| Well its very difficult, each vehicle and model for | | | | |
| that matter have different compatibility depending | | | | So which is best Factory or After-market |
| on what's installed in it. With compatibility so varied | | | | equipment, there are so many different kits out |
| its difficult to a) offer a comparative product, and | | | | that offer different features its too difficult to |
| b) suggest what features it should have. | | | | say. However it is worth saying where the |
| | | | | after-market leads the factory spec follows. So |
| However what I can do is tell you about what | | | | make sure you get all the facts from the |
| types of product do what and what you should | | | | dealership compare to other products available on |
| expect from them. | | | | the market and make your mind up from there. |
| | | | | |
| There are three or four types of product to | | | | If you need more advice on iPod car kits or want |
| connect your iPod / iPhone into your car. | | | | to see what the best option is for you contact |
| | | | | iPod car kit direct. They are Europe's largest |
| Firstly an AUX in, this is a 3.5mm plug into your | | | | retailer and have extensive knowledge in the area. |
| vehicle. This will not be compatible with all vehicles | | | | Ipod integration is what they do! |