Can I hard wire an Ipod in my Box?

[super66]

Originally Posted by webster132

I just got an iPod installation done in my 2006. It's done with hardwired FM-modulation. As soon as you hear "FM-modulation", you're likely to run in fear, and I was the same. But this is NOTHING like the wireless FM modulators. They all utterly SUCK.

This hardwired approach is fantastic, though. The sound quality is phenomenal. I seriously can't hear any difference between playing a CD and this. There's never any static (since it's hardwired).

I got it done at Abt in Chicago. I believe the unit they use costs something like $180.

I'm really, really happy with it. Strongly recommended.

I am in chicago too and would like the info to call them! do you have any pics of what this looks like installed? where do you charge the ipod? how does it plug in etc...

[NickCats]

Fellow Boxster Owners,

When I had my Jaguar I was also looking at Ipod solutions.

I stopped by Tweeter and they also suggested hardwired FM-modulation as an option :

http://www.tweeter.com/home/index.jsp

Since the Jag was a 2004, I'm pretty sure this would work in newer model Boxsters as well.

Hope this helps...

Nick

[webster132]

Originally Posted by super66

I am in chicago too and would like the info to call them! do you have any pics of what this looks like installed? where do you charge the ipod? how does it plug in etc...

I don't recall the name. You guys can give Abt in Chicago a call. Ask for John.

The install looks GREAT. You hide the cord in the center console room at the bottom. It uses the iPod connector, so it'll charge the iPod while you play it. It also needs a tiny on/off switch that I placed to the right of the steering wheel (just about invisible).

This unit can be extended with Sirius radio too. A friend of mine got that done using the same unit in his Aston Martin Vantage.

I'm totally going to do the same install in both my S4 and Gallardo. Can't stop singing its praises . And I can't believe that I didn't get this done for my cross-country road trip this Summer

[Acid_J]

I bought one for my gf's acura. Ended up buying her a new stereo due to unrelated issues (no fricking radio code!!...not even at Acura or manufacturer...no I am not over it). So, I have one that could go to a good home. I don't have the details here but I did buy it online.

Basically you place it somewhere behind the dash and it plugs in between the antenna and the radio. When you switch it on, it disables the fm antenna and sends the signal direct. It comes with RCA cables so to get the ability to charge the ipod and use a simple dock connector (instead of headphone jack to RCA) you would need a cable from http://www.davidnavone.com/ipodadapters.htm. I have used his cables a couple of times and they work great.

You could pick power up off just about anything behind the dash (not sure if your year model has the phone connector behind there).

You would end up with a dock connector and a small switch (to turn the unit on and off).

e-mail me on jasondexterwebb at gmail.com if you are interested.

[dcallas]

I recently got a little creative with my iPod integration in my 2002 986. It's somewhat of a pricey option, but I think it's well worth it.

I wanted to have my iPod AND my XM tuner run through the stereo ("direct connect") without losing my CD changer. After a lot of Google searches (and thanks to a lot of the folks here at 986forum), I came up with a pretty cool solution.

First, for the iPod I bougt a spec.dock from www.2point5.com. A spec.dock is an iPod dock that replaces the ashtray in your Boxster. You send them your ashtray, they remove the "flip door", attach it to a spec.dock (complete with whatever wiring you need) and send it back. Here's a shot:



This cost me $199.

Second, I already had a Delphi SkyFi 2 XM receiver mounted, but I was using the FM modulator function. So I had to purchase a $20 cable to direct connect the XM.

Third, I bought a Soundgate Aux3 switch, which basically allows you to connect multiple devices to one head unit (in my case, the Becker CDR 220) and toggle back and forth between them using a small black switch, which I mounted in the "dead" space opposite the cigarette ligher (i.e., if there was a lighter on the left side of the stereo panel, this is where it would be).



The Aux3 cost me $60 I think.

I had Al & Ed's do the install for me for $200 (I'm not handy enough to be removing panels and rewiring stuff in my car). The net result is an iPod, XM Receiver and CD Changer ALL direct connected to my head unit with a nice, sleek 3-way switch mounted next to the receiver for me to choose which I want to listen to, and the iPod dock cleverly hidden away in the ashtray beneath the flip door (very James Bond-esque if I do say so myself). ONE DRAWBACK: I still have to control the iPod from the iPod itself, not from the stereo controls. But I preferred this option - others may prefer to purchase the additional hardware that lets you control it from the stereo controls.

So, spec.dock from 2point5.com, Soundgate Aux3 from some discount stereo website, XM from Al & Ed's, miscelleneous cables from Al & Ed's and about $200 of installation. It's a very sleek option and it looks and sounds great!!!

I'll also add that, although FM modulators are far, far inferior to a direct connection, the one modulator I had pretty good luck with was the dLo TransDock. If you're on a budget, this one isn't bad.

Happy driving.

[oranje]

See the attached pdf of an email I received from German dealer regarding the Dension Gateway 500 finally being out for Porsche MOST. Should hit the US of A soon!

[ukchris]

I understood the Dension would not be available in the US, I don't know if it's licensing or some other form of restriction but I beleive the DICE unit is to be the only one sold here, I'm not sure but I may even have heard Dension will resell the DICE unit.

I can't see any reason the Euro version wouldn't work here though, can you? Price seems comparable and you get more features, I think the Dension has USB so you can play MP3 files from a memory stick or similar.

I'm also curious about installation, to alter any standard devices on the MOST bus you need a PST2, for example you cannot exchange the head unit for another etc. I wonder if a dealer trip would be required to install these things.

Chris.