Andy77,
So tell me more about your Neuros. What's the best thing about it? What's the worst? How long have you had it? Is battery life true to the specs (10 hours)? Any problems with it? How well good is the sound when using the FM transmitter? How easy is it to operate and navigate? What other MP3 can you compare it to?
It sounds like a slick little unit. It might fit the bill. I like that it comes with a car power adapter and encodes directly to the unit. The FM transmitter is cool to, if it works.
Thanks
SPMC

 

Anyone have a good source for the Belkin iPod adapter? What should it cost?

I didn't realize the iPod had a better option to output sound than the headphone jack.

 

i got mine on ebay for approx 15 bux. Mine came with a volume adjuster, line input, and charger all in one.

To iksardarg: which belkin charger do you have? the one with just a line input or you have the one with a volume adjuster? If you have just line input belkin charger does it stop the Ipod when u turn off your car?

 

how hard would it be to connect the PAC unit and the belkin unit so all the wiring comes up through the "NAV" cubby space? will the IPOD even fit there with the belkin unit on the bottom? I'm lookin to do something very similar to you guys.. seems like the cheapest most flexable option to ripping out the BOSE system for something better.

 

This may be a little late... but since it was asked earlier, I have a Creative Labs Zen Touch, 20GB model. I'm pretty happy with it but honestly it is too much storage for me, I have only used 8-9GB and have pretty much run out of CDs to rip. If I had to buy another one now I would probably get the new iRiver H10.

 

What is that PAC thingy are you guys talking about?

 

PAC is a device that allows you to add two RCA inputs to your stock radio. They are controled through the SAT button on you stock radio. If you have satellite radio service in your car (Sirius, etc.) you cannot hook this up. You must have the BOSE radio that has SAT capabilities but no sat service.
The actual model is AAI-NIS. Eveybody calls it PAC for short because it is made by PAC audio I believe.
If you have a DVD player in your car and an MP3 player. You can hook them up to the PAC unit, and run the audio signal directly to the radio via the SAT button. The sound is much cleaner than using an FM modulator to relay the signal.
By the way, since I started this thread, I will follow up with which MP3 player I decided to go with.
IPOD. Mostly because of all of the aftermarket goodies available for it. I picked up the Belkin car charger for it and cup holder tunedock to mount it in the car. I also got a home dock for it so I can hook it up to my home stereo and have ALL of my music available anytime. Very handy.
The other player I liked a lot was the Creative Mini. But it only held 5 GB of music and that was not enough memory for me.

 

The only reason not to go with the iPod is cost. In the long run, I think iPod is the best solution. I'd like to see someone giving them better competition, however.

I've been using a cassette adapter but plan on buying the PAC unit in the next couple of weeks. I've been really happy with the cassette method, but want a better option.

 

i don't really want/need power charging for my ipod mini. I saw the Belkin charger with the volume control/line out today.

Is the line out on the Belkin and the Ipod Mini Dock the same 3.5mm (ie. same quality except Belkin has the amp?) And also, isn't 3.5mm the same as the headphone jack then on the Ipod? Sorry for all the questions!

I also found this on the web and it looks good to me also:
http://www.sendstation.com/us/products/pd_lineout.html

I can't decide which solution to use with the PAC interface I plan to order.

 

I would seriously consider a Sik Imp line out/charger combo unit if you're considering the Belkin. Just like the Belkin, except the line out is (from what I hear) much more true and flat than the belkin. I used that in my Cooper S with very good results. Do a search on google for more info ("sik imp" should get you to it).

I guess until my sat radio service runs out, I'm gonna just make some cds loaded with mp3s. Then maybe I'll sell the sat unit and set up the PAC.

Too bad our cars don't come with the DVD audio like the TL. That system is on a whole different level.

 

I'm not up on the Mini Ipod, but I assume it has the same jacks on it as the IPOD. The Belkin unit has the same jack size (3.5mm or whatever the size is) as the headphone output jack on the IPOD.
The Belkin is a neat device. With the amp, you don't have to turn the volume way up on the IPOD to hear it. The charger is just a nice bonus.
The Belkin sounds pretty good to me. I don't know anything about that "sik amp", but I like the name.

 

SPMC asked me more about the Neuros unit I use. I'm sorry it took so long to get it together.

Neuros MP-3 player (www.neurosaudio.com) good points:

1. FM transmitter built-in-it works very well in my G and my Subaru. It takes a minute or two to find an empty station and then you can change to a different one if you wish.
2. FM receiver built-in
3. Five dedicated buttons-can be used for radio stations or other assigned functions
4. Built-in microphone. (I’ve never used that)
5. Can record directly (I’ve never used that).
6. Cheaper than iPod
7. Third party software for song management, if you don’t like their software
8. Unsure of battery life-I rarely run it on battery
9. Can convert to RAM player with another “back” instead of the hard disk “back”
10. Can use for file storage (so can iPod, I believe)
11. Battery change is inexpensive
12. Active user community with user forums hosted by Neuros
13. Comes with home and car chargers, headphones (ear buds)
14. Software is open source and Neuros updates it by internet periodically (free)
15. Firmware is open source and Neuros updates it by internet periodically (free)
16. Has a music identification function for finding the names of songs, but unfortunately it is inoperative now because the company supplying the IDs is out of business (not Neuros)
17. To me, the sound is fine in the car or at home with decent Cambridge Soundworks speakers
18. There may be other advantages, but I’ve never used an iPod, so I may not be aware of the iPod’s limitations (not too sacrilegious I hope!)

Disadvantages
1. Larger than iPod (but easily fits in the dash storage box above the A/C or in the sedan arm rest storage)
2. Battery must be changed by manufacturer (like iPod, I believe)

See their site for more information.

 

Sorry Buddha,
I was overseas for a trip and just now got back. The Belkin I have, has the line-output (amped) and the volume adjustment for the same as well. It should be noted, that the volume control is like a set it and forget it kind of deal. Once you figure out the volume setting you want - you just leave it there.... The volume **** is even inset a bit for this reason ( so you dont keep fiddling with it).

And yes - the iPod 'pauses' when you shut the car off, so that when you get back in it - the music is in the same place as where you left it... Smart.

Excellent product - I am totally satisfied with it.

 

"SPMC" I had the PAC unit installed in my vehicle with a Nomad 40 gig mp3 player connected to it. I worked through the CD changer control..it fooled the Bose into thinking there was a CD changer installed. It worked ok for me but there was a slight noise/feedback that no noise filter could fix. I recently changed out my entire system and now have true aux inputs to connect my mp3 player through. I don't have any cd's in my ride...whenever I purchase a new cd I upload it to my Nomad with the highest mp3 compression possible