iPod Audio Adaptor wanted

[The_Laird]

Does anyone (perhaps someone who's converted to the RNS-E head unit) have something like a Dension gadget that allows me to use an iPod and control it from the RND-D head unit?

I had one in the 2.8 but sold it with the car - and now I really miss it and keep forgetting to change the 6 CDs (that I'm really fed up with!)

[briang9]

sure I have seen the Connects2 unit on ebay for around 60 or 70 of your english pounds Jim

[PsYcHe]

There's that one, or audipages has a mod you could do with a switch and the headphone socket.

[notorious]

Hi Jim,

With RNS-E you have two SD card slots where you just copy your MP3 files from your computer. You can then browse your music collection as you browse directory structure on your computer, select songs by name, etc. Such functionality removes need for Dension gadget, in my opinion.

I think with both RNS-D and RNS-E you can use Dension kit. It will 'pretend' as CD changer. I think Dension folks have also supplied "CD changer retention kit" that will allow you to use both iPod and CD changer. The problem with this approach is that you only have next/previous disk and next/previous track buttons. If your music collection is large enough you will really need to 'browse' tracks as pressing "next disk" 35 times and then "next track" 5 times is a bit exhausting, coupled with inability to see names of tracks/disks anywhere.

Alternatively, you can connect iPod via AUX input to RNS-E or, in case of RNS-D, to one of AV inputs your tv tuner. In this case you can choose your songs from right from iPod and control volume from RNS-D. BUT in this case iPod have to be fixed in a "hands free" way, otherwise it is dangerous to operate it when driving. For this reason fixing iPod somewhere in armrest is not good. And iPod should be wired to your car. I couldn't find good permanent location for iPod to take advantage of its browsing features when driving, so I've installed AUX and charger socket for temporary use only -- to charge iPhone and to listen to music I didn't bother copying to SD card.

If your music collection is small, I would go for Dension. If you really need all your music in your car, then it's RNS-E imho.

[The_Laird]

Bought a second hand Phatbox! Will try fitting if we ever get a dry weekend again

[PsYcHe]

Not sure if the mount is the same for the FL, but I ended up bodging(ish) it into the original bracket for the CD changer.

[sloss]

Originally Posted by IceBlue8

I had one in the 2.8 but sold it with the car - and now I really miss it and keep forgetting to change the 6 CDs (that I'm really fed up with!)

Jim,

I converted a lot of my music to MP3 and 6 CDs of that is a lot of music to wade through so don't need to change discs much if at all.

Stew,

PS but the car needs to accept MP3......

[The_Laird]

I'm struggling a bit. The Phatbox won't copy my iTunes library, although it will copy some other music files that are on my PC (problem is, the iTunes library is much more extensive). Do I have to reload all the CDs?

[PsYcHe]

You'd need to get them transcoded (converted to MP3), but they're DRM protected in iTunes (another reason I hate it).

Not sure if the PhatHack firmware on the PhatBox does the apple format though.