MP3/iPod hardwire for Bora with Gamma+CD changer

[RGPuk]

Has anyone any experience of fitting and operating this item?

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_p...partno=VW02AUX

iTrip FM has worked reasonably for me in the past but recently the multi-lingual pirate radio stations in the Leeds/Bradford area have all but swamped the useable frequencies so it's time to consider a hard wire solution.

Ro.

[Eshrules]

Has anyone any experience of fitting and operating this item?

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_p...partno=VW02AUX

iTrip FM has worked reasonably for me in the past but recently the multi-lingual pirate radio stations in the Leeds/Bradford area have all but swamped the useable frequencies so it's time to consider a hard wire solution.

Ro.

stuff that, have you tried xcarlink?

havea look at their website, i had contacted for a group buy, but not many people were interested

[RGPuk]

Just been to: http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.ph...3&cat=0&page=1 and had a look.

Seems to be a far superior solution as it provides iPod control through the Gamma head unit. The kit seems pretty complete too. I just hope the head removal proceedure for fitting isn't a chinese puzzle.

Thanks for that good pointer. Much appreciated.

[andysuth]

I've just been looking at one of those on Audi A4 B5 forum thread, not sure whether its worth it as you can get a Sony HU for about the same price with it all built in.

Also interfaces direct with the Sony Atrac3 walkman I've got.

The xCarlink coems to about £68 inc. Delivery, Sony GT410U is about £69 plus £6 delivery (not sure about frames/cradles needed, but blankers seem to be about £8)

Sont one will also replace the tape player in the concert with a (marginally less obsolete) CD player.

So it comes down to whether the Sony one gives as good sound (or better/worse) than the Concert1 I already have in my A4. Anyone good with Stereos feel like giving advice?

-AS

[RGPuk]

I can see your point for the Sony head unit, especially as you use the Atrac 3 Walkman already.

The xCarlink is probably the way to go for me as it'll give me a good, tucked away interface and charging for my iPod with minimum change to the standard vehicle equipment. I still use the boot mounted CD changer and tape deck quite a lot (over 700 tapes in my dusty old library).

I actually heard an xCarlink in a Golf today and it sounded very good. It does seem crazy that a box of bits and a few wires costs as much as an up-to-date head unit though.

Lottery ticket tomorrow I think. A new car with all the gubbins built in will be much nicer than all this mucking about. (Ha Ha! - and there's a whole squadron of pigs flying in perfect formation over Leeds right now)

Roger.

[andysuth]

Fair comment, I suppose if I had a CD changer and still used tapes (You should get one of those MP3 iPod things everyone is talking about!!!!) I'd have reason to keep the HU, but since it's an old Concert I, I think it's time to upgrade.

Secondary effect is it should (being a narrower unit than the Concert) give me enough space on the blanker plates to fit a couple of USB ports as phone as sat Nav chargers.

I'll let you know once I've sorted out the details there!!!

-AS