IPOD Compatible Head-Unit?

[lsm 10+ year member]

I'm looking for a Head Unit for my daughter's car that will control her IPOD. I would like her to be able to control and display it's functions with the head so she keeps her eyes on the road, not the IPOD. Do you have any suggestions in the UNDER $150.00 catagory? Thanks!

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[LinxuS 10+ year member]

For under $150, there's not a whole lot of options as far as a totally new head unit..

Maybe something like this, instead?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-HF3uy6X7wKX/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?wm=fp&I=108DP1US

I've heard they actually work pretty well, but i'm not too experienced in them myself.

Some head units say they're Ipod compatible, but the actual function of it is slow, horrible, and nearly impossible to control. I think the Pioneers are pretty good, however. This one, I believe, let's you control all the IPOD functions from the head- unit pretty effortlessly, with the addition of a $50 Ipod adapter.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-HF3uy6X7wKX/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&g=300&tab=review&i=130DEHP480&pg=2&sortBy=3

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7SXQ0VXCBA1/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=CD%2DIB100ii&i=130IB100II

Can probably buy both on ebay for about $170 total.

 

[wcarson8911 10+ year member]

the new alpine 9856 is supposed to be full speed ipod control, alot of people don't like it because of the lack of functions in the eq area but it's a good basic HU with the best ipod control. It can be found for $200 new on the internet or less used.

 

[lsm 10+ year member]

For under $150, there's not a whole lot of options as far as a totally new head unit..
Maybe something like this, instead?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-HF3uy6X7wKX/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?wm=fp&I=108DP1US

I've heard they actually work pretty well, but i'm not too experienced in them myself.

Some head units say they're Ipod compatible, but the actual function of it is slow, horrible, and nearly impossible to control. I think the Pioneers are pretty good, however. This one, I believe, let's you control all the IPOD functions from the head- unit pretty effortlessly, with the addition of a $50 Ipod adapter.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-HF3uy6X7wKX/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&g=300&tab=review&i=130DEHP480&pg=2&sortBy=3

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7SXQ0VXCBA1/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=CD%2DIB100ii&i=130IB100II

Can probably buy both on ebay for about $170 total.

I like the HK piece. I'm assuming it just hooks into the existing head unit? I'll definately be checking into that more. The Pioneer looks good too, especially for the price... Any more suggestions?

 

[lsm 10+ year member]

Anybody else?

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

yeah look in to alpine hu's they can have a fullspeed cable that plugs in to the ipod, and is controled by the radio. it works the best, and is what i recomend.

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

monstercable makes adapters for a lot of factory radios

and kenwood and alpine both have adapters, but the 1st generation alpines, and the kenwoods are really slow from what i hear

 

[lsm 10+ year member]

monstercable makes adapters for a lot of factory radios
and kenwood and alpine both have adapters, but the 1st generation alpines, and the kenwoods are really slow from what i hear

She has a 1993 Lebaron so it's probably better to just replace the entire unit. I looked into the HK piece, but since her car doesn't have a center console (for the remote to mount) it's a no go. I'm going to look around online some more. Thanks for the info!

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

a lot of decks are ipod ready, but for kenwood, jvc, pioneer, just to name a few, you're going to need a separate module in order to control it from the hu. they are about $50 extra.

 

[lsm 10+ year member]

Anybody try one of these yet?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7689129&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03066&id=1141762608953

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

if thats what you are looking for, then go for it. i wouldn't want to buy anything insignia though when you can get a nice alpine or pioneer for a little bit more.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

just get a alpine so you wont have to mess with another mod. you need to make it work.

the alpine has one cable, from the ipod to radio.. done.

 

[danz24 10+ year member]

You wanted to keep your daughter's eyes on the road but she would eventually have to look at the stereo to change tracks or folders. You can get an FM transmitter for the ipod to play the ipod's music through the radio. This way, she can hold the ipod unit up instead of looking down at the stereo.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

no. ^^^

most people are already used to glancing at the radio.

if she has to hold and play with an ipod while driving. thats even worse.

 

[wilzyx 5,000+ posts]

or use a remote