[AlpinE90]

This is what I used to connect my iPod... Pretty good overall solution...


1) Monster Ultra-Low Profile Charger for iPod® with Dock Connection

Pros - High quality, good brand, reasonable price (~$40 USD), low profile, single cable, line-out (does make a difference), gold connectors, no amplifiers...

Has two charging modes: Fast for whe your iPod is near death; trickle charge when the iPod is hully charged. Turns off the charged but you are playing.

Huge plus is that is automatically pauses the iPod when power is turned off and wakes when turned back on. My previous charger did not do this.

Cons - long, coiled cord... 1 foot coiled but can stretch to ~ 6 ft or so... Packaging says 10 ft

http://www.monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=2132

2) SOUND PROFESSIONALS - GOLD PLATED RIGHT ANGLE STEREO PATCH CABLE 8 INCHES LONG
Pros - Right angle connectors fit much better in the tight space under the arm rest, gold connectors, cheap (~$8 USD), fits INSIDE the Monster's coiled wire.

Cons - you will pay almost as much for shipping as the cable!

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cg.../item/SP-HEC-5

3) AirClick - Remote Control for iPod and iPod mini

Pros - Uses radio frequency so you can (mostly) control your iPod without opening the armrest (pause, on, off, next, previous - volume too but this is ignored with the line-out). It has a velcro strap (black) that can mount on visor. Reasonable price (~$40 USD).

Cons - OK, the black velcro... Also is a continual drain on the iPod battery...

http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...lick/index.php


Other solutions to consider:

1) Sendstation PocketDock with Line Out and USB (or Firewire)
Pros - small, has a line-out and would work if you have a USB or firewire charger already, reasonable price (~$30 USD)

http://www.sendstation.com/us/products/pd_lineout.html

2) SIK Ram Din
Pros - small, right angle plug built in. Good if you have a firewire charger already. Reasonable price (~$22 USD)

http://store.sik.com/merchant.mv?Scr...ry_Code=CABLES

[cosby]

Thanks for the info. Do you have any problems using the Airclick - I heard that it sometimes does not work well.

[AlpinE90]

Pictures - I figured out how to do this!

Monster Ultra-Low Profile Charger for iPod® with Dock Connection


AirClick - Remote Control for iPod and iPod mini


SOUND PROFESSIONALS - GOLD PLATED RIGHT ANGLE STEREO PATCH CABLE 8 INCHES LONG


Sendstation PocketDock with Line Out and USB (or Firewire)


SIK Ram Din

[AlpinE90]

Have had it for about 3 weeks and have had no issues with AirClick works without issues...

[CC 330i]

I use the Monster Charger also and have had good results. I don't use a remote, but looks like a good idea. May have to pick one up.

[LEDZEP]

I just ordered the Monster charger. Thanks for the great info. Might order the 1/4" cable later on, as I like the right angle on it.

[Joker]

AlpinE90 I just ordered an iPod Mini and the Airclick mini remote. Do you connect the audio cable to the aux-in from the 3.5mm jack on the Monster charger or just straight from the iPod? I read somewhere that there is an improvement in sound quality and volume if the audio cable is connected from the Monster charger to the aux-in. Is this correct? If so I'll order the Monster charger myself!

[E90 Enthusiast]

I've noticed alot of the stereo patch cables don't seem to specify size. Just so I get the right one, is the 3.5mm jack the same as the mini-jack size?

thx,

Drew


Edit:
Nevermind, found it. Thanks!

[theclay]

Originally Posted by Joker

AlpinE90 I just ordered an iPod Mini and the Airclick mini remote. Do you connect the audio cable to the aux-in from the 3.5mm jack on the Monster charger or just straight from the iPod? I read somewhere that there is an improvement in sound quality and volume if the audio cable is connected from the Monster charger to the aux-in. Is this correct? If so I'll order the Monster charger myself!

Connect it directly to the Monster charger, the sound is much better and you won't get the "whine" at high RPMs.

[joneffingvo]

for the SOUND PROFESSIONALS - GOLD PLATED RIGHT ANGLE STEREO PATCH CABLE 8 INCHES LONG, would it work if i plug one end into the bmw auxiliary port and plug the other end into my ipod headphone input?

[theclay]

Originally Posted by itzjonjon69

for the SOUND PROFESSIONALS - GOLD PLATED RIGHT ANGLE STEREO PATCH CABLE 8 INCHES LONG, would it work if i plug one end into the bmw auxiliary port and plug the other end into my ipod headphone input?

Yes it will work but the sound will be better if you plug it into the Monster charger or use a Sik charger. Than you won't have to mess with the iPod volume and you won't get any RPM whine.

BTW, I'm not a sound pro but you don't need to be to know what sounds good or bad.

[joneffingvo]

i had this in my E46 and the reception wasnt that good, do you think the angle cable will be clearer?

[theclay]

Originally Posted by itzjonjon69

i had this in my E46 and the reception wasnt that good, do you think the angle cable will be clearer?

You don't need the BS FM thing with the E90. Get the monster without it.

[puck724]

i use the bought the sik adaptor, an aux cable and the airclick...its been working jsut great for me...

[cdheaven]

My local best buy has the belkin thing. its the same as the monster one pictured, but i dont have to special order anything. anyone have expirence with this? is it just as good as the monster one?

[theclay]

Originally Posted by cdheaven

My local best buy has the belkin thing. its the same as the monster one pictured, but i dont have to special order anything. anyone have expirence with this? is it just as good as the monster one?

I'm not a big fan of Belkin products although I haven't tried that one. I haven't had any problems or complaints with the Monster. Let us know how it works out if you get it.

[850CSi]

So it's not a good idea to just use an AUX cable for the iPod's headphone jack to the car's AUX jack?

[theclay]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

So it's not a good idea to just use an AUX cable for the iPod's headphone jack to the car's AUX jack?

It works but the sound will not be as good. If you use the headphone jack you have to mess with the iPod volume to eliminate distortion and you still may get a little RPM whine.

[rag21]

I followed AlpinE90's advice and got the Monster Ultra-Low Profile Charger for iPod®.

the only con to this setup is the length of the patch cable. here are some links to find a shorter cable.

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cg.../item/SP-HEC-5

http://www.mycableshop.com/sku/CSTEREO-01.htm?x=38&y=9

http://www.ziplinq.com/retractable-cable-audio.html

I have not used any of these, so I dont know how the quality will be. but im assuming that it will not make that much of a difference.

[850CSi]

Are any of these cables thin enough to pass through the armrest gap so you can have the iPod outside?

[theclay]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Are any of these cables thin enough to pass through the armrest gap so you can have the iPod outside?

Not with the consul closed all the way. Just look for a cable with gold plated connections when you end up shopping for one.

[rag21]

Originally Posted by 850CSi

Are any of these cables thin enough to pass through the armrest gap so you can have the iPod outside?

I don't think so.

But in my current setup, I have my iPod sitting outside with the armrest open a little. I don't have any problem with that.
When I get some free time I'm thinking about looking for a hole or possibly making a hole for the cables.