iPod Integration Kit question???

[martd]

My old man bought his B6 under the impression that the iPod kit was fitted.

I've looked and cant find it at all!!

Is it possible to get the kit fitted?
Is it easy to do?
Is there a better option?

Thanks

Martin

[iaint]

Have a look at this thread, it'll tell you all you need to know.

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum//showthread.php?t=10505

Cheers
Iain

[martd]

Thanks Iain,

There is loads if interesting stuff there but mainly for the Golf.

Is the connector just a USB port?

How much would it cost to get the OEM kit fitted?

Thanks

[iaint]

The Golf and the Passat have the same stereo fitted so all the general details should be the same with only the removal of the unit being different.

Try this one for a Passat specific thread however.
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=7788

I believe the OEM kit fitted by VW is in the region of £150 but a quick call to a dealer would confirm this as it may have gone up since I first researched this topic.

Cheers
Iain

[MisterD]

£155 the dealer fitted one for the B6 - having one put in my new car - only 18 days to wait now (for new car I mean, not just iPod prep ;) ) - taps finger impatiently

[martd]

Thanks Guys

Iain - I assume you cant control your iPod from the Stereo then?

[iaint]

I don't have an ipod, I have a Creative Zen MP3 player. This is why I only use the stereo jack connects2 adaptor and no, I can't control it from the stereo.

A friend who drives a Golf has the genuine VW factory fitted ipod connector and I believe the amount of control you have with that over your ipod is somewhat limited.

Maybe someone who has the genuine ipod connector can chip in with their experiences as I have very little knowledge about exactly how it works.

Iain

[martd]

Thanks

Also what do you think of this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150136139915&rd=1&rd=1

[iaint]

It looks similar to the connects2 adaptor.

I would wait for someone with the connects2 fitted to offer their comments on this one as I have no experience with it i'm afraid.

Cheers
Iain

[MisterD]

BenR had the following to say about the usability of the iPod glovebox kit, was good enough to convince me to order :

I got iPod preparation and I can report that it works pretty well while it's in the car. As above, it comes with a selection of plastic inserts to accommodate different models including the Nano. The iPod then slides smoothly into its slot, engaging the long connector and held very firmly so there's no movement. The RCD500 then recognises the iPod as a second CD drive and sets it out a bit like your 6 CDs, each of your first six playlists becoming a CD and the < and > buttons moving you from track to track. No other info is displayed though, which could be better as I'm sure the radio screen could be made to ghost the iPod display with a bit of molehusbandry.

This means that you'll need to arrange your preferred in-car playlists alphabetically, so I just changed the names in iTunes to A Son's playlist, B Wife's playlist etc. The sound quality isn't bad and it's a great supplement to your CDs.

The problems begin when you remove the iPod and replace it in your Bose docking station or whatever you have at home. The interaction with a Volkswagen car seems to upset it and it behaves erratically, sometimes to the extent that iTunes tells you to reinstall everything when next you want to update. Mostly though a simple reboot of the iPod seems to bring everything back to normal.

[martd]

Thanks MisterD - How much did it cost and how easy was it to install?
Can you still use the CD Changer? I've heard you can't.

Thanks again!!

Martin

[Flash2]

The iPod adapter that MisterD describes is the factory fitted unit. The VW retrofit iPod adapter doesn't have a docking cradle, just a little white plug on the end of a fly lead inside the glove box. When the iPod adapter is connected to the radio you can no longer connect a CD changer as both use the same port on the back of the radio. But why would you want a cd changer and an iPod?

Regards - Jim.

[Ben]

Thanks MisterD - How much did it cost and how easy was it to install?
Can you still use the CD Changer? I've heard you can't.

Thanks again!!

Martin

Hiya matey. All the info can be found in the audio assistance thread, but as there is an awful lot there and it'll take some reading as i've not put it in any particular order, here are some pics.

Ipod dock
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/02072007216.jpg

6 disc
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb105/golfmk5gttdi/26112006047.jpg

as you can see one or the other. also both use the same socket no the rear of the radio.

[Ben]

The iPod adapter that MisterD describes is the factory fitted unit. The VW retrofit iPod adapter doesn't have a docking cradle, just a little white plug on the end of a fly lead inside the glove box. When the iPod adapter is connected to the radio you can no longer connect a CD changer as both use the same port on the back of the radio. But why would you want a cd changer and an iPod?

Regards - Jim.

if you want a cd changer and ipod you have to have the RCD500 with the ipod as the RCD500 can take 6 discs.

[Ben]

Have a look at this thread, it'll tell you all you need to know.

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum//showthread.php?t=10505

Cheers
Iain


As iaint said at the start. All the info is in there somewhere., Still, its good to talk.;)

[martd]

Thanks guys,

My old man's car has a phone cradle where the ipod dock goes on your pictures. His multichanger is in the boot i think. Its a 07.

Maybe i'm wrong on the multichanger. I'll have to check.

Next question: - Whats the BEST kit to buy and is it easy to install?

(probably asked that before actually!!!)

[iaint]

Next question: - Whats the BEST kit to buy and is it easy to install?

(probably asked that before actually!!!)


I'm happy with my connects2 kit and it was easy to install. I think the hardest part was removing the stereo to plug it in and you'll have that with whatever one you go with. Unless of course you pay VW to fit it for you.

As for what's the best, you'll probably not get a definitive answer to that question as you won't find anyone who's tried them all out and compared them. You'll have to decide what features are important to you and go for the one which best matches your requirements.

Cheers
Iain

[martd]

I'm happy with my connects2 kit and it was easy to install. I think the hardest part was removing the stereo to plug it in and you'll have that with whatever one you go with. Unless of course you pay VW to fit it for you.

As for what's the best, you'll probably not get a definitive answer to that question as you won't find anyone who's tried them all out and compared them. You'll have to decide what features are important to you and go for the one which best matches your requirements.

Cheers
Iain



Really want something that I can control via the stereo

[Flash2]

Thanks guys,

My old man's car has a phone cradle where the ipod dock goes on your pictures. His multichanger is in the boot i think. Its a 07.

Maybe i'm wrong on the multichanger. I'll have to check.

The photos above are an Eos and a Golf. the CD changer in the passat is fitted in the glove box where the service book normally goes.

Jim.

[martd]

Ok, just been quoted &#163;86.81 +VAT by Main ******* in Southampton.

Reckon its worth it????

[MisterD]

Ok, just been quoted £86.81 +VAT by Main ******* in Southampton.

Reckon its worth it????

What are you getting for that - lot less than the book price for the retro-fit kit

[BenR]

Have you tried your local car hifi and alarm specialist? Cartronics in Bury has just quoted me £89.00 plus VAT for a Passat with RCD500, their system will give you 6 playlists and 99 tracks, which can be controlled through the radio.

[martd]

I haven't actually.

Is that without installation or including?

sounds good though. I may try that angle.

Cheers

[BenR]

That's fitted.

A little more expensive but might be worth it to keep out of the main dealer "trial and error" workshop, IMO.

[martd]

Called 'Holbury Car Radio' in Hythe near me. &#163;151.53 installed!!!!

Think i'll give the a wide berth!!!!

Your guy sounds better though m8

I'll keep looking.

Dads told me the reception is crap on his iPod cos he cant get a signal to make a call anywhere!!
Don't think hes ready for the incar kit just yet anyway!!!!

[thatch]

Also interested in the VW after fit Ipod kit for the Passat as I've just purchased a 5th Gen Ipod. Where do they leave the cable after the fit in the glove box or is just left to dangle in the footwell? Or for the money do they fit a cradle? I've seen the Ipod fit in the new Golf Match where there is a cradle fitted in the armrest if this is of any help in expaining. Also do you get the same funcationality, i.e. increase decrease track etc and also (the last question I promise) do you get traffic prompt when using the Ipod, this feature you lose using the FM tuners?

[Flash2]

The VW retrofit ipod adapter doesn't have a cradle. There is a flylead in the glove box that you plug the ipod into. You get the same functions with the retrofit adapter as you do with the factory fitted on (like you saw in the golf). You should also still get traffic prompts.

Jim.