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iPhones and Cars: What do you Use?

palebluedot

palebluedot

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 29, 2008
738
161
Is there such a thing as an iPhone car adapter that both charges the iPhone and lets you play through either FM radio or a tape adapter? Like an all in one device? Preferably one that would HOLD the iPhone too.. like in a cup holder?
 
i think the ultimate setup is the proclip usa look. i use that with a aux cable to my car and it works flawlessly. i have tried others but i think its worth the money in the long run.
 
I only use a FM transmitter since it's easy to find a dead zone in the radio frequency here in my area :p
 
For a good one they generally run for $70 and upwards. Well worth it though. I'm waiting until i get my next car. I'm going to wire it so it's all hidden and nothing sticking out.
 
I couldn't find one so I bought this. Has full iPod/iPhone integration through the nav screen. :D

112_0810_16z+2009_acura_TL+front_three_quarters_view.jpg
 
I have a Pioneer touchscreen deck that is centered around my iPod. I plug the iPod/iPhone into the iPod connector and I can control it through the screen on the stereo. It charges the iPod but not the iPhone because of the changes made on the iPhone. It's about the closet thing your gonna get that works good.
 
palebluedot said:
Is there such a thing as an iPhone car adapter that both charges the iPhone and lets you play through either FM radio or a tape adapter? Like an all in one device? Preferably one that would HOLD the iPhone too.. like in a cup holder?
Click to expand...

I have a 2006 Scion tC that has a built in iPod adapter (which, granted, did cost extra) that not only charges iPods and iPhones, but allows the user to control the music selection through the head unit (the center control unit, or "radio" as many people simply refer to it as).

I can just plug in my 3G iPhone and control everything right on the go like I would CDs or changing radio stations... it's perfect!

Plus, Scions are sweet as hell in my opinion.
 
Don't waste money on the FM transmitters, they don't really work and the quaity doesn't do justice. Most car's ipod interface doesn't really work with iphone either, but I do know that audi system works even when the phone says it's not compatible. Although for me to do with Pandora, I need to delete all my songs first.
 
I have a 2004 nissan maxima that has a bose tape deck and a radio...

Any suggestions on what I should get?

Is there a device that plugs into the bottom of the iphone and then the tapedeck?
 
palebluedot said:
I have a 2004 nissan maxima that has a bose tape deck and a radio...

Any suggestions on what I should get?

Is there a device that plugs into the bottom of the iphone and then the tapedeck?
Click to expand...


This will do it for you.
 
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rdowns said:
This will do it for you.
Click to expand...

I figured thats what I should use - I just wondered if there was any cool all in one tape deck + charge + holder thingys. Thanks :)
 
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CocoaPuffs said:
Don't waste money on the FM transmitters, they don't really work and the quaity doesn't do justice. Most car's ipod interface doesn't really work with iphone either, but I do know that audi system works even when the phone says it's not compatible. Although for me to do with Pandora, I need to delete all my songs first.
Click to expand...
If the car has an audio input jack, iPod interface or tape deck, I totally agree.

If it has none, then there's really no choice. As for "they don't really work", that's bogus. I've been using my IPTRNSX since July 06 w/o issues w/my iPods. It works fine except when I get near San Francisco where the radio stations overpower the transmitter completely.

As for "quaity doesn't do justice", well, the stereo on that car is pretty crappy anyhow and the car is loud. I'm not willing to go w/an aftermarket stereo since I've had a car stereo stolen out of another car before and another car broken into for something else. It's too much of a theft magnet. If there were no such thing as car stereo theft, I'd have no qualms and would upgrade the crap stereo w/o hesitation.
palebluedot said:
I have a 2004 nissan maxima that has a bose tape deck and a radio...
Click to expand...
A tape adapter is by far the best choice. Don't bother w/a FM transmitter.
 
For a holder, I use ProClip. They are pricey, but the quality, fit, and finish cannot be beat. You really have to use one to see why!

Griffin charger for power. Aux port on my car for the audio. Bluetooth (in my car) for using the phone.

Works like a charm!

Bryan
 
cwerdna said:
A tape adapter is by far the best choice. Don't bother w/a FM transmitter.
Click to expand...

I agree. Those FM transmitters do work somewhat but they are not nearly perfect.

I bought one of those by BELKIN and though it did work ok, it wasn't perfect at all.

I bought it to take on the road when I went on vacation last September. I wanted to be able to have my iPod to listen to and at the time, I was still using the stock stereo that my car came with. It only had a CD player and no AUX jack.

The FM transmitter worked OK till you got to a major city with allot of radio stations broadcasting. The interference would make using the transmitter worthless. I also noticed that I had to turn up the volume more than double than I had to when playing a DVD or radio.

A few months after this, I went and bought new Pioneer deck that has an iPod plugin that plays the iPod through the screen of the deck as I mentioned in another post in this thread.
 
I use an $8 retractable audio cable that goes from the headphone jack to a port in my Camry. Why every new car and car stereo sold today doesn't include one of those is beyond me.
 
Michael CM1 said:
I use an $8 retractable audio cable that goes from the headphone jack to a port in my Camry. Why every new car and car stereo sold today doesn't include one of those is beyond me.
Click to expand...

My 09 Chevy came with a USB designed to use with my iPod. My 06 didn't so I had to buy an aftermarket stereo that did. I'm pretty sure most 09 cars have at least an AUX jack now. It's pretty standard for this model year.
 
Almost all aftermarket cd players for cars these days have 1/8" audio input jacks on them nowadays. For example:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XRF5100/Sony-XR-F5100.html?tp=5684

At only $70, this to me makes a lot more sense than a an FM transmitter for the same price. They are not hard to install either but if that's not your cup of tea, then buy it from a local car audio store and they will probably install it for free (in my experience, at least ;))......
 
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