Quote:
| Originally Posted by Rob Evans Just checked out the site. Cor, you flash bastard! How much did the ice-link rush you? I guess you had to have a dealer install it, are you able to remove the kit and re-install when you change your car? How do you find it?
Guess who spends min 4hrs per day in his car and is pissed off with constantly re-tuning his iTrip as he moves around different parts of the country.... |
The ice-link's pretty standard kit - you get the cradle to put the 'pod' in, and a module (the ice-link itself) which converts the iPod dock connector into Sony Unilink CD-Changer (also known as 'Sound On Top').
I then use a 'Connects-2' unilink interface which connects into the CD-Changer connector on the back of the factory-fitted stereo in my Peugeot. So if I change car I can remove the ice-link and just buy a new unilink to new-car-stereo adaptor which costs about £40 to £50.
I Quote;
"Connection is simple - via the CD changer port of your head unit. This enables: iPod charging, line-in audio that takes exactly the same signal path as a CD changer (forget about low bandwidth FM modulators!) and most importantly, iPod control.
ice>Link Plus provides dual mode operation of the iPod when in-car. In iPod user interface direct access mode, the iPod will play/pause when you enter/exit CD changer mode on your head unit. In addition, the iPod responds to FF/RW from your head unit keys and steering wheel controls if fitted.
ice>Link Plus playlist mode maps the first five playlists stored on the iPod to CDs 1-5 on your head unit keys. Although the iPod keypad is disabled in this mode, the iPod display (and CD Text/dashboard displays in some applications) will show ID3 data of the currently playing song. Advanced content features including Random, Repeat, Scan and AlbumPlay are also available. CD6 accesses the ice>Link Plus menu that lets you browse all of the playlists on your iPod using your head unit FF/RW keys. The menu also provides configuration options for advanced features of the interface. Please note that the original 1G/2G iPods that don't have the bottom-mounted dock connector do not support ice>Link Plus playlist mode or the menu.
ice>Link Plus features upgradeable firmware. As future features are released by Dension, you can simply download the necessary upgrade files to your iPod and upgrade your ice>Link Plus."
It took me 10 minutes to fit once I got the head-unit removal keys from Halfords (and found out initially what the hell my head unit *really* was!)
The downside? It's £150, which isn't cheap. However it's about the same price for a hands free kit for your phone in the car. The convenience factor is amazing, though. Being able to control it via the car's controls is such a bonus. And it charges whilst you're driving. Oh - and because the stereo controls it's on/off, it pauses the iPod when you get traffic announcements etc..
However, it's £99 for the ice>Link on it's own if you already have a unilink-compatible head unit or one they make specifically - e.g. Mercedes use Fibre Optic for their multiplay units so they do a Fibre version for example, and BMW now have these as a factory fit option in the glovebox.
See
http://www.ihavetohave.it - they're who I got mine from, although loads of top-end car audio dealers seem to have them now.
I also got a brodit pro-clip which is a non-drill mount which works really well. It uses the joints in the vinyl to weedle it's way in and a pressure mount system. Works a treat, and doesn't damage the dashboard.
I got mine because I did a tour all round Europe in May, and it was a god-send. My iTrip doesn't work because I have an athermic windscreen and the radio never tuned it in
