iPod to car stereo - prefer not to get another head unit

[Funyuns101]

Hi, didn't know if I should post in Garage, Off Topic, Audio/Video, Apple, or whatever category... I took a stab and went here. (Mod, if I'm wrong, feel free to move)

I'm trying to get an iPod to play on my car (03 Accord). I called dealerships and they are saying that there is not 1st party object to install directly to the manufacturer's stereo unit. I don't want to bother getting a whole new unit either as it works perfectly fine.

So, I'm looking into FM transmitters and was wondering if anyone here as experience with these. I'm looking at this one: amazon link
I live around Baltimore and Washington DC - so if you (or someone you know) uses one of these things around this area and comment on it... that'd be awesome.
The Harmon Kardon Drive+Play looks promising but it's more than I want to spend.

Unfortunately I couldn't find it at bestbuy - so I could buy it, test it out for <30 days, and return it (to buy it cheaper online).

thanks in advance~

 

[BlackTigers]

I've got an older Buick that I want to throw a head unit into, because the one in there now has no CD player or Aux connections. =/

Excuse my ignorance, but does your car have a cassette deck? I'm going up later to grab one of these to use my iPod while driving.

 

[Funyuns101]

no cassette deck
that'd be too simple

 

[jjanders]

FM transmitters are ok, in my experience there is often interference which causes you to adjust the frequency often.

My stepmom just got a new '08 Altima couple and it has an AUX input, which was nice because I went to BB and got a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord ($4) and she could plug it in directly. She said it's a bit quiet though, has to turn it up more than she would the radio/CD. Not sure if your Accord has this input or not.

 

[ognabor]

In my experience, FM transmitters aren't worth the bother. way too easy to lose signal quality, for way too many reasons. you spend way too much time fiddling with it to get it "just right" and then it whacks out when you drive a few miles. this is especially true in more populated/urban areas... if you live in the middle of the boonies somewhere, it's a bit better. plus, even when the signal is relatively clear there is (for me) way too much "noise".

if it were my money, i'd pick up a decent ipod-compatible head unit somewhere. you say your current setup "works fine", but if it can't do what you want it to do (directly connect to an ipod), then to my way of thinking, it no longer "works fine". sucks to drop a technically-still-functioning piece of equipment, but if it's outlived its usefulness, it's time to upgrade.

but... it's not my money. if you don't want to spend the cash on a new head unit, and you're willing to put up with an "actual-mileage-may-vary" experience, then go for it.

something else to note is that, on the FM transmitters ive used that have power adapters built in, you can't use the transmitter unless it's plugged into the power outlet. this isn't a killer if it's in your car, but if you want it to work with, say, a portable stereo, or any stereo that you cant wire into and isn't in your car, you're SOL. not necessarily a dealbreaker, but an item of concern. i don't know if that particular unit is limited in that way, but it'd be something to find out if you care at all.

 

[Funyuns101]

Originally posted by: ognabor
In my experience, FM transmitters aren't worth the bother. way too easy to lose signal quality, for way too many reasons. you spend way too much time fiddling with it to get it "just right" and then it whacks out when you drive a few miles. this is especially true in more populated/urban areas... if you live in the middle of the boonies somewhere, it's a bit better. plus, even when the signal is relatively clear there is (for me) way too much "noise".

if it were my money, i'd pick up a decent ipod-compatible head unit somewhere. you say your current setup "works fine", but if it can't do what you want it to do (directly connect to an ipod), then to my way of thinking, it no longer "works fine". sucks to drop a technically-still-functioning piece of equipment, but if it's outlived its usefulness, it's time to upgrade.

but... it's not my money. if you don't want to spend the cash on a new head unit, and you're willing to put up with an "actual-mileage-may-vary" experience, then go for it.

something else to note is that, on the FM transmitters ive used that have power adapters built in, you can't use the transmitter unless it's plugged into the power outlet. this isn't a killer if it's in your car, but if you want it to work with, say, a portable stereo, or any stereo that you cant wire into and isn't in your car, you're SOL. not necessarily a dealbreaker, but an item of concern. i don't know if that particular unit is limited in that way, but it'd be something to find out if you care at all.

I'm looking for something just for the car, so the last issue isn't a worry. This isn't a huge concern for me, so I'm just trying to find out if it is worthwhile or not. Instead of playing CD's all the time. I can live with it, just would like to see what else out there.

No AUX input, there is an AUX button which is supposedly for satellite radio. I would prefer this option over an integrated iPod only input. But whatever.

Here is a picture of the OEM head unit: link. Since I'm not as handy w/car stuff as I am with computers... it looks like a pain to replace compared to the normal 2" dim's in older models.

 

[Demo24]

notice how on the "cd" button there is "aux", well that would allow you to go to an aux input. I have read lightly somewhere on a Honda forum about being able to tap into that somewhat easily. I believe you go in through the glovebox. I'm not entirely sure of what all the mod entails, but I don't think it was difficult. Unfortunately I don't remember where I read it or what all was involved to do so. Thus my only advice would be to find some honda message boards and do some searching

 

[nwfsnake]

Several choices here:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxacurahon.html

 

[ognabor]

Originally posted by: nwfsnake
Several choices here:

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/auxacurahon.html

GG.

check out your local car audio shops for install options if you dont wanna do it yourself and/or dont have a buddy to do it for you.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: jjanders
FM transmitters are ok, in my experience there is often interference which causes you to adjust the frequency often.

My stepmom just got a new '08 Altima couple and it has an AUX input, which was nice because I went to BB and got a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord ($4) and she could plug it in directly. She said it's a bit quiet though, has to turn it up more than she would the radio/CD. Not sure if your Accord has this input or not.

Try upping the Volume on the iPod.

 

[HiTek21]

I installed a USA Spec PA-12 Toy on my Tacoma and it works great. It just plugs into the CD Changer port on the back of your radio. I believe the CD/AUX button is to switch between the optional CD Changer and in dash CD player.

The nice thing aout the USA Spec is it has one aux RCA port for an additional device other than the Ipod. They sell other brands like Ipod2Car and Ipac but you don't get the extra aux port. I have an RCA Y Cable with a headphone jack hooked up in case someone brings another kind of MP3 player or DVD player.

They do have models for Honda but you'd have to see if it is compatable with your factory radio.
http://www.usaspec.com/ I think you'd need the PA11-HON for your model.

I ordered mine off E-Bay it was the cheapest price I could find, you could also check out Crutchfield since they have a good return policy if it doesn't work or you don't like it return it in 30 days.