Apple iPod

LazyEngineer

500+ Posts
So I'm thinking about shelling out $320 for a new 30 gb iPod photo. Seems like a cool gadget for commuting and such. Anybody out there with an iPod? I currently have an iRiver 256 mb running mp3 player that is great for working out. I am looking for something portable to download my entire music collection on. I also want something that I can use in my car. Thoughts?
 
iPod is the greatest, especially if you travel. I fly about 2-3 times per week and I use it constantly. there are several car accessories for the iPod as well although none of them are very good. I bought a FM transmitter for about $79 and it broke the second day.

You can buy a $12-15 cable that will plug into the back of any home stereo. I highly recommend this accessory.

Also, you can probably expect about 2000 responses to your post because iPod has officially taken over the world and everybody has one.
 
Best thing ever. The only thing I am pissed about is that if your car does not have a tape player there is no way to play it over the speakers except the FM modulator thing, but I've heard that thing sucks.
 
I have the iPod Mini and love it. Sure it's only 4MB but I don't really need every single song I've ever purchased at my fingertips. I'm happy simply to have something easily portable (bough an armband holster) for working out or doing yard work.
 
What I want to know is when the hell are the gonna get a big enough hard drive (100+GB) on them things.

Get it up above 100 gb and THEN I will think about buying one.
 
Why, pray tell, do you need 100GB?

I need to figure out the hardwiring, myself. I play mine through the tape deck and the sound quality is okay at best. I've heard the FM modulator is even worse.
 
I have the 40 gig photo version. I have yet to load any photos on it and probably never will. I love the thing and I am addicted to it. If you are going to use it to run or work out on a treadmill or something do not clip it on your waist. Either lay it down on the machine or get the arm band. The hard drive in it will freak out with all the pounding it takes if you put it on your waist. I did this and went a week while it was repaired. Longest week ever. Bottom line is I love the ipod and cannot imagine not having one.
 
I think the greatest thing about them is that it gives you a chance to listen to and rediscover a bunch of old CDs in your collection that have been out of rotation. I put about 300 old CDs into my new iPod. I hit shuffle, and am always surprised at what songs get played. Great jukebox when plugged into your home stereo.
 
Can someone provide info on the how to's of hardwiring the ipod to your car stereo and what you need to buy? I have been meaning to do this. Thanks
 
OK, FM modulators and tape deck adapters suck. They will never unleash the digital goodness of your Ipod. If you have an aux jack on our car deck, you're set. If you don't, there is a solution but it is not an easy task. Stay tuned, I'll post later how you can accomplish this. Its quitting time here at work. Or PM me.
 
I know I'm going against the tide of popular opinion, but I use my iPod Mini with the iTrip FM modulator in my car, and once I spent some time finding the clearest frequency and the best physical location for the iPod when it's playing, it worked like a charm. It's not 100% noise free, but unless I'm listening to the quietest of classical music, you can't really tell.
 
Here are some crappy pics i took of my hardwire job on my camera phone just a few minutes ago. I've been pleased with it so far, though i needed to change out my 6-disc in-dash for a sony headunit with an AUX input. At first i was hesitant to give up my 6-disc in dash, but i havent so much as played a complete song on a CD since i've got this hardwire.

This is the Belkin Tunebase (non-FM), with a flex-neck so i can position the base within arms reach and at a good visual level.

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The 1/8" cable (blue wire) goes from the AUX input in the HU to the line in at the base of the TuneBase. The TB plugs into the car lighter for consistent charging of the 'pod.
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The TuneBase (non-FM) is the one on the left
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With iPod plugged in. Right now, i'm using a mini, but will probably upgrade when the next gen of photos come out -- hopefully by christmas.
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Sorry for the low quality pics, but my camera phone was all i had handy. In total, the space this setup takes is about 6" x 3". Its not the cleanest setup in the world, but i'll worry about that when i upgrade to the big 'pod. for now, it looks good and sounds great.
 
Thanks to all for the links, pics, etc.

Question - I have a factory radio/CD player in my car ('99 4Runner). It's a single disk player and from most of those links and discussion boards it sounds like I need a CD changer for this to work. Anyone hard-wired it to a single disk factory player?

Also, for those of you who have hard-wired it are you able to still control it through the actual Ipod? (sounds like there are some that are controlled throught the ipod and some that you can only control through the adapter and thus can only play already set playlists).
 
You're not crazy. Most cars older than 2005 dont have the factory aux input. most new cars are putting on this feature for this very reason -- most people are wanting to hook up their mp3 players to their cars. My fiancee's 2005 mustang is the first car i've seen with a factory AUX / 6-disc in dash CD player. I wish they would just go ahead and already wire it with a base and a charger. that would be sweet.
 
can't you run powerpoint from the photo? I've been importing tons of album art for my potential move to the next generation mini with a color screen.
 
I got my iPod in the mail today. I just have to post that this thing seems to be absolutely awesome. Already have 350 songs on there and am about to take a drive to Marble Falls on 1431. Good times...
 
It has changed my relationship to the subway, too. No matter the time, no matter the reason for the delay, I can just scroll through the ipod, find something I haven't listened to in a while, and have a listen, even if I'm too tired to read. Every time I stick it out on the subway late at night and don't take a cab out of frustration, it's like 15 bucks in my pocket. I imagine I've probably paid for the thing just by saving on cab fares.
 

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