Car audio info.

[knight]

Apologies if this is in the wrong section but I don't see anywhere else to post.

I am looking for a cheap radio/cd player (for the shed) with ipod connection. Have no idea what is good or bad these days so has anyone got any recommendations?

[frosted]

Surelly any would do , unless you got some serious spkrs don't think you will notice the difference . Try and buy one with iPod support and not just an aux lead

[Deluded]

Depends what you want to do with the Ipod?

Do you just want it to play through the speakers or do you want to have full control of the Ipod through the head unit?

Through the speakers will be the cheapest option as you can just get any head unit with an AUX IN (headphone type socket). Most aftermarkets have this, even the really basic ones. Probably looking from around £50 upwards. - Heres a cheap one - http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/beat-185.html with USB and SD ports too.

Ipod control varies depending on the unit. Some just access files and play like MP3s, others (more expensive) can do a lot more. Here is a cheap one, including the cable needed - http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-cde111ri.ht...

Alternatively, keep the standard radio and get an FM modulator. About £35 from Halfords for the Ipod and connects straight into the charger port. Transmits whatever the Ipod is playing on an FM frequency that you can tune into with the standard stereo.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TeckNet-MT-096-Transmitter...

Edited by Deluded on Tuesday 8th November 21:25

[80sboy]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-CDX-GT550UI-iPhone-Di...

84 quid, great reviews, iPod connection and control.

Might not be the best, but if you're just after something cheap and half decent this should do the job. Sony should last too.

[hairykrishna]

Deluded said:

Alternatively, keep the standard radio and get an FM modulator. About £35 from Halfords for the Ipod and connects straight into the charger port. Transmits whatever the Ipod is playing on an FM frequency that you can tune into with the standard stereo.

I just bought one for 4 quid from eBay that works perfectly. Even comes with a car charger lead for the ipod.

[Deluded]

hairykrishna said:

I just bought one for 4 quid from eBay that works perfectly. Even comes with a car charger lead for the ipod.

Yeah you can get them a lot cheaper, but if you walk into a shop, looking around £30.

[knight]

Was looking at a new head as the current one is poorly, through the speakers is ideal as I just want to play music as when I travel to work there is sometimes total crap on the radio!

[80sboy]

hairykrishna said:

Deluded said:

Alternatively, keep the standard radio and get an FM modulator. About £35 from Halfords for the Ipod and connects straight into the charger port. Transmits whatever the Ipod is playing on an FM frequency that you can tune into with the standard stereo.

I just bought one for 4 quid from eBay that works perfectly. Even comes with a car charger lead for the ipod.

I tried one of those once. I found that I was forever re-tuning to stop it crackling and even when it worked the sounds quality was awful!

[Deluded]

Just get any old unit with an Aux in then. Cheapest possible. Not really a lot to go wrong on the basic ones so even cheap branded stuff will do the job.

[heisthegaffer]

If you're happy plugging a lead in the front and aren't bothered about controlling the ipod via the head unit there is this:-

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...

or for a bit more plus extra for a lead you can control an ipod from the HU:-

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...

Pioneer are pretty good and at this price they're the only make I'd get i.e. around £100.

Just noticed for a bit more you could get this which includes the ipod lead and would be better:-

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...

Or if you wanted bluetooth, there is this which also controls an Ipod:-

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...

[hairykrishna]

80sboy said:

I tried one of those once. I found that I was forever re-tuning to stop it crackling and even when it worked the sounds quality was awful!

I was quite surprised how well this one works to be honest. I had one before, that I paid more money for, that was crap!

[80sboy]

hairykrishna said:

80sboy said:

I tried one of those once. I found that I was forever re-tuning to stop it crackling and even when it worked the sounds quality was awful!

I was quite surprised how well this one works to be honest. I had one before, that I paid more money for, that was crap!

I could be a number of reasons I guess. The reception on my Z4 was crap anyway!

If I was the OP, I'd go for one of those £80 units with iPod control. Keeps it charged too.

[knight]

heisthegaffer said:

or for a bit more plus extra for a lead you can control an ipod from the HU:-

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...

Pioneer are pretty good and at this price they're the only make I'd get i.e. around £100.

Just like to close this thread by saying I bought one of these, had to buy a new loom and aerial adaptor but so far so good so thanks for your advice