A couple weeks a go I had my Ipod hardwire installed. It took about 3 Hrs.
Parts used; a FM modulator, Car charger (www.CoolEra.com), car Female accessory plug, griffin connection cable and Nissan antenna adaptor.
See pictures for result.
I did not use a ground loop isolator, after using it for a while and having the Carcharger properly plugged in. I will get one and add it.
First problem was that the sound was awful. Talking to the installer, which is not so not easy in Japan. They said they had used the best possible channel, and they had put the FM modulator line input level at medium.
I changed the equalizer from bass boost to normal and connected the head phone jack to the FM modulator. By changing the volume from the Ipod I could find a satisfactory setting. We decided to lower the line input level to low and listened carefully, much better sound. The maximum sound level is not extremely high and varies from song to song but I am not going to any decibel competitions. If necessary I can change the line input level myself back to medium since the modulator is hidden but easy accessible.

I took the removable cup holder out of the console. This is where a hole in the side wall allows the wires to disappear in the center console. The hole is rather large for the connectors but since it is in the side wall it is nearly unnoticeable.

I mounted the docking station with Velcro to the bottom of the center console.
If the Ipod is removed I can put the cup holder back in place and still use it.
The connection between the Docking station and cable is not so good. The connector end on the cable fits well in the Ipod but not so good in the Docking station. If the Docking station moves the Connector will disconnect. Last weekend I had a good look and took the docking station and Car charger connector apart. By removing a rib from the connector and pushing it really hard in the docking station I got it to stay in.

Overall I am very happy, driving home my wife asked me to not go home yet and listen some more to the music, so we drove around for an other hour listening to random songs.

With the crappy radio stations in Yokohama the Ipod is a real must. The in dash six disk CD changer is nice but 6 CD’s is not much.

This CAR does not have a SAT button like the Infinity models in the US have. It would be nice to use this and be able to control the song selection with the radio controls but using the Ipod controls works for me. Installed Radio is the Factory Bose Premium system with no AUX inputs. It is a nice system for a Factory install.

The CoolEra Car charger is very Cheap, $10 not counting shipping. But it is probably not designed for use with the Docking station.



280067-DSCF0003 sm.JPG

 

Only Dock



280068-DSCF0004 sm.JPG

 

Wide picture



280070-DSCF0007 sm.JPG

 

another wide



280072-DSCF0005 sm.JPG

 

Sound Quality is good but not as loud as CD, I put my modulator input level to low. I might change this to medium in the future. Be aware that line out goes to equalizer you probally prefer normal setting or bass reduction. This is whhere the belkin charger would come in handy, you can change the input level. I do not know why this is a problem on Car stereo because I do not have this at home receiver hookup.
I have a sound/noise issue right noise but that is because of the charger when I disconnect it sound is good. I will install a ground loop isolator or filter soon,
In regards to the operating of the buttons is is not great but I don't think you should be looking for song titles while your driving. Create a play list for driving. I can hit the forward button easaly from where I am sitting but I just start it up before i drive up when it is out of the Docking station.


<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by RudeDog on 06/18/04 05:37 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

The dealer installed it. It is navigation only. It has a genuine Nissan part # but since this install happend in Japan I do not know if this would be usefull for you.If you want the # I can get it to you in about 2 weeks.