IPOD Integration

[glennkill]

After receiving an IPOD for Christmas, I began researching how to integrate it into my R/Ts Nav/6 disc changer audio system. I purchased a Monster IPOD FM Modulator (plugs into cig lighter and tunes into an FM channel)....sucked big time -- lots of constant static. So, I returned the stereo shop of my childhood (I spent most every penny I made when I was 16-18 on stereo stuff from this place) and talked to the owner about integration. He researched a bit and determined that the PAC AAI CHY kit would work with the REC stereo. So.....an hour later and a couple of hundred bucks lighter....I have full digital IPOD sound. Here's the lowdown:
- PAC AAI CHY kit
- installs into VES or Satellite inputs on back of head unit. I do not have the VES or Satellite options, so he used the VES input for the IPOD. Now, when I used the MODE button, I have both CD and VES on the screen. If you have both options, you would have to disable one in order to wire IPOD this way.
- Cable plugs into headphone jack of IPOD, and provides full digital play instead of FM modulated play.
- I had the installer run the cable from the head unit under the console and up into the storage bin beside the gear shift. I can pull several inches of cable up if needed, or push it back into the hole up to the plug. Pics here would not do you anygood, as the only evidence of install would be a hole in the bin.

I checked into the MOPAR IPOD kit, but it sounded as if the IPOD content is FM modulated?? AND no dealers in DFW had them as they are a vendor-direct part. From what I can tell, the PAC kit is superior to the Mopar (no offence anyone), a simple install, provides great sound....a good deal.:grin: :grin:

[BLACK BAER]

I have the PAC kit as well, but you overpaid... the kit shouldn't have cost you more than 75, and the install is so easy you could do it yourself in 15 minutes without prior technical knowledge.... some guys on here have the MOPAR integration unit, and as far as they say it is not FM MODULATED but HARDWIRED directly into your unit. You tune it to a station preset, but not for an FM signal, but because the unit is directed from the antenna into the HU... there is no static as far as they report because of the hardwire, and the use is a matter of taste I imagine... i'm perfectly happy with my PAC unit.

[CrAkD 06 RT]

this is good to know i knew something like this was possible. I have an aux in on the front of my base cd player now but im thinking of upgrading to navigation and was wondering about my ipod.

[glennkill]

I have the PAC kit as well, but you overpaid... the kit shouldn't have cost you more than 75, and the install is so easy you could do it yourself in 15 minutes without prior technical knowledge.... some guys on here have the MOPAR integration unit, and as far as they say it is not FM MODULATED but HARDWIRED directly into your unit. You tune it to a station preset, but not for an FM signal, but because the unit is directed from the antenna into the HU... there is no static as far as they report because of the hardwire, and the use is a matter of taste I imagine... i'm perfectly happy with my PAC unit.
I agree I probably overpaid, but I was in a hurry to get out of town so I did it. As well, I searched the internet and could not find the kit less than about $90 not including shipping. As for it taking 15 minutes...I am quite confident that it would take longer than that, as it took a very experienced installer about 45 minutes to do it (I watched him). While it looked like a simple install, it was worth it to me as I have little patience and time to deal with this type of thing. As for the Mopar kit, I'm no expert by any means, but it seems to me that anything that plays after tuning to an FM channel is FM modulated in one manner or another as opposed to playing directly through a head-unit input.

[sonic-r/t]

PAC-Audio has a unit called the IPAC-CHY which is in beta testing right now. This will allow the iPod to be plugged into either the SAT or VES of the REC, RAQ, RAK and NAV radios. It also allows the iPOD to be controlled through the steering wheel controls, charge, and from what I have heard display the song info on the head unit. If there are any owners in the SO Cal area, get in touch with them and become a beta tester. The sooner this finished the sooner we all can have the perfect iPod integration. Here is their contact info:

Pacific Accessory Corporation
1502 S. Santa Fe Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Tel: 714-835-3022

I had an AUX-BOX for my Avalanche and it was awesome. Perfect sound, charging, and could switch songs via the steering wheel controls. :cool:

[spongebobhemipants]

PAC-Audio has a unit called the IPAC-CHY which is in beta testing right now. This will allow the iPod to be plugged into either the SAT or VES of the REC, RAQ, RAK and NAV radios. It also allows the iPOD to be controlled through the steering wheel controls, charge, and from what I have heard display the song info on the head unit. If there are any owners in the SO Cal area, get in touch with them and become a beta tester. The sooner this finished the sooner we all can have the perfect iPod integration. Here is their contact info:

Pacific Accessory Corporation
1502 S. Santa Fe Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Tel: 714-835-3022

I had an AUX-BOX for my Avalanche and it was awesome. Perfect sound, charging, and could switch songs via the steering wheel controls. :cool:

can't wait to get one .. hope testing works well. I don't care if it displays song info, but would like to control it from either the stereo or steering wheel controls..

[fatchance]

I've got it and have had it for about a month now. It is awesome, full steering wheel control. You can not read the song selection on the screen, to me no biggy. The unit should be available at the end of Jan and will sale for approx. $150.00


PAC-Audio has a unit called the IPAC-CHY which is in beta testing right now. This will allow the iPod to be plugged into either the SAT or VES of the REC, RAQ, RAK and NAV radios. It also allows the iPOD to be controlled through the steering wheel controls, charge, and from what I have heard display the song info on the head unit. If there are any owners in the SO Cal area, get in touch with them and become a beta tester. The sooner this finished the sooner we all can have the perfect iPod integration. Here is their contact info:

Pacific Accessory Corporation
1502 S. Santa Fe Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Tel: 714-835-3022

I had an AUX-BOX for my Avalanche and it was awesome. Perfect sound, charging, and could switch songs via the steering wheel controls. :cool:

[BLACK BAER]

I agree I probably overpaid, but I was in a hurry to get out of town so I did it. As well, I searched the internet and could not find the kit less than about $90 not including shipping. As for it taking 15 minutes...I am quite confident that it would take longer than that, as it took a very experienced installer about 45 minutes to do it (I watched him). While it looked like a simple install, it was worth it to me as I have little patience and time to deal with this type of thing. As for the Mopar kit, I'm no expert by any means, but it seems to me that anything that plays after tuning to an FM channel is FM modulated in one manner or another as opposed to playing directly through a head-unit input.

well, you know yourself better than anyone... but I seriously took it out of the box and had the HU removed, PAC installed, and wire run through my console in about 15-20 minutes... i then ran it through my ashtray just because I liked that better and I don't smoke... you can get it from several ebay stores/sellers ranging from 65 to 90... i got mine for 65 w/8.99 shipping.

[spongebobhemipants]

cool.. keep us updated.. I plan on getting one ASAP

[The Cheat]

I'm sure that the sound from your PAC AAI CHY adapter is pretty awesome compared to what can be gotten from an FM Modulator (even a hard-wired one), but it's not digital. Anything that uses the iPod's headphone jack for its source is receiving an analog signal. It's the same analog signal that the iPod sends to headphones if it's plugged into headphones. The only way to get an all-digital connection between your iPod and your headunit is to get an adapter that plugs into the bottom of the iPod, the data port. This port is capable of outputting digital sound. The adapters that will allow the iPod to be controlled by the headunit/steering wheel--now they will plug into the bottom of the iPod and transmit digital audio to the headunit. Whether you'll experience a noticeable difference, I can't say.

[fatchance]

That is how my unit works, it's pluged into teh bottom of the iPod

The only way to get an all-digital connection between your iPod and your headunit is to get an adapter that plugs into the bottom of the iPod, the data port. This port is capable of outputting digital sound. The adapters that will allow the iPod to be controlled by the headunit/steering wheel--now they will plug into the bottom of the iPod and transmit digital audio to the headunit.

[The Cheat]

That is how my unit works, it's pluged into teh bottom of the iPod

Yeah, I can't wait for it to become available to the public.

[sonic69]

I had a panasonic head unit installed in my wifes SE yesterday. It has a hard wire into the glovebox that plugs into the ipod. You control the ipod from the head unit and it gives you a display of all the songs and artist. It also charges the ipod. The head unit has a ipod mode built in. Sounds killer.