Basic head unit

[shearer]

just after something simple that also has an ipod plug. can you recommend a place close to central aucks that i can drive in / drive out with it fitted for cheap. thanks

[WingIt]

Any Auto electricians, might pay to post in the correct forum in the future

[tysonzane]

Might want to chuck this in the ICE section.

Pioneer do good ipod compatible headunits, they're easy to use, good quality and have enough features to keep most happy. Good value too.

You've got two options for ipod inputs. You can either use like the inputs and just get a straight audio input so the stereo just plays exactly what you set to play on the actual ipod, you can get a calbe like this for less then $10.

Or you can get a special ipod compatible cable which plugs into the bottom of the ipod port and usually charges the ipod too. This allows you to select all the various ipod options and folders through your head unit. So basically you can put your ipod in your glovebox and run the ipod exactly the same but on the headunit. This is especially cool if you've got a fold out screen or something .

[dan_onlytwice]

Originally Posted by tysonzane

Or you can get a special ipod compatible cable which plugs into the bottom of the ipod port and usually charges the ipod too. This allows you to select all the various ipod options and folders through your head unit. So basically you can put your ipod in your glovebox and run the ipod exactly the same but on the headunit. This is especially cool if you've got a fold out screen or something .

Hey, i have a question kinda related to this (apologies for hi-jack), but with all these head units that are IPOD compatible, are other MP3 players compatible too? I have a Creative Zen:Vision thing (after boycotting iPods due to constant issues), and am wondering if it will sync the same as a pod?

[VTAKYO]

I believe so. My one just has a USB input up front, and reads it like a normal CD - with folders and tracks, instead of just tracks. Pretty sure thats how the Ipods work.

[grandell]

was gonna say something clever, but i'm too hungover to string it together

best bet is to go into the stores and test them all out, find out which one is easiest to use/suits you best

ipod compatable usually doesn't mean mp3 compatable unless it uses the same kind of cable, but if you get the right heady you'll get the same result anyway, and it'll do what VTAKYO said

[tsoob]

Originally Posted by shearer

just after something simple that also has an ipod plug. can you recommend a place close to central aucks that i can drive in / drive out with it fitted for cheap. thanks

i have panasonic ones with ipod lead for $300 in stock just 10 mins from central auckland.
Nick

[ThundaChild]

Some of the top end HU use direct control of the iPod conectors and others use USB control...the difference is up the the HU manufacturer software and the input type.
Bottom end HU only effectively have the sound input where as more expensive, ( Pioneer and Alpine ) dedicated HU have all the ipod controls from the HU instead so it depends on how you want to controll it and I have heard from some the low end iPod from HU control screws with the quality of the sound.
The Alpine range of dedicated iPod HU are awesome as is the Pioneer and although I haven`t seen one used the JVC HU is rated rather highly.
If you only want to play the sound into the HU as an Auxillary input then it doesn`t matter as the HU is only accepting an analog signal and avoids control and processing issue alltogether.

[swishR]

Supercheap Auto Mt wellington.
Sony or Panasonic mp3/aux in headdecks from $140-$160
Or do you want strictly ipod input?

I live 2mins away from there and can do installation