Best way to mount the ipod (gen 3) in the car?

Originally posted by jaybert
What are my options? I am specifically talking about the actual mounting of the ipod to the car, not how to power it/get the sound. I already have that part working.

The best solution I had seen so far was from Panavise using one of their cell phone holders (Panavise 702). This worked great for the old model but since the new one the plug is at the bottom it wont work anymore.

Any ideas what the other options are to mount the ipod in the car?

I too have been considering the same question. My thoughts have been that I would like too mount the pod with docking station if possible.

The reason being that the dock's line out, and ability to charge the pod all in one easy step.

Im not sure how secure the docks grip on the pod is. But I considered afixing the dock to a small (like 3 or 4") arm and then some how mounting that to my car.

-Nick

btw, for line out, I picked up the Belkin Auto kit for $39.99 at the Apple store. It plugs into the port at the bottom as goes to a cigarette lighter for power. The cool thing about it though is that there is an amp built into the charger so you keep the line-out capabilities. No need to lug the clunky charger around in your car.

Also, on the included leather case, is there a slit at the bottom for the plug? Mine doesnt come in until tomorrow so I am unsure.

yup, I was looking at that (actually the one made by panavise) attached to the panavise 702.

http://www.rit.edu/~jsl9020/702.gif

I figured that the hole at the bottom is kind of small so I will file it down some (I think I will need ~1" free space, right now it is .75").

I want though to find one where I can keep the case on (i.e. there is a hole at the bottom of the case to plug in the cable).

BTW, anyone know of any that will do that? Thanks

It appears like that would work, and I have heard of people using cell phone holders successfully for their iPods, but I have no first hand experience.

Originally posted by jaybert
I'm gonna ahead and do the panavise setup

http://www.nebulight.com/iPod/full.jpg

Its a mounting bracket that goes to the right of the radio/cup holder on my VW which is attached to a cell phone holder panavise model 702. I will need to file down the bottom of it so that the power cable will be able to fit. Also, I will most likely purchase some sort of felt/soft fabric to cover it with to give it some added protection. This is probably the cleanest way I have seen the ipod mounted.

For now, I am just using the belktin auto charger + sony CPA-9C tape adapter. Once I can afford it, I am planning on running everything hidden, by running the power source through the trunk instead the dash, and then feeding an AUX input through the back of the stereo through the glove compartment, to the ipod.

Parts should arrive on Friday, let you all know how it goes.

That is a sweet install, and I actually bought nebulight's setup from him (he is going buy a new turbo for his car). Here is his stuff setup in my 2003 GTI:

http://www.boomspeed.com/angryivan/Dsc00088.jpg

If I end up getting one of the newer iPods at same point, I will sand down the bottom portion of the Panavise mount so that the power connector will fit. The sound quality is excellent, but you have to turn the iPods volume up all the way to get the necessary signal for the head unit. But, like I said, it sounds great. :)

Originally posted by bugaboo
you can check out

http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/mount.htm

they make vehicle specific mounts.

Do you use one of these? How do you put your iPod on the mount?

Originally posted by noelty
This should answer your question:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df36b3127cce93856410f9730000001610

Available at Radio Shack

Actually that doesnt answer it, I was wondering how bugaboo
mounted the iPod onto the special car mount?

I think a modification to the released dock would be the perfect option. Personally I had thought of elastic straps which hold the iPod down? Or maybe a large "sucker" (with a handle to remove it). The dock itself is heavy enough and has a flt enough base to allow velcro'ing down.

However, MacWispers said new docks with remotes were to be released - intergrate that into a car and you have a remote either on the steering wheel or free roaming!

Stefan

FWIW......

I don't know how well this will work with the new iPods that have the port on the bottom but I just got a Radio Shack 17-551 suction cup cell holder and since there is a space at the bottom, your plug may fit through there.

The 17-551 isn't that great looking (I'm not fond of the clear iMac looking plastic) but I can live with that.

You can see the space at the bottom here:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/44394486/74194495QPUxof

and the way I mounted it here:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/44394486/74194476xvhaCv

I probably should have mounted the stand flat in the tray instead of on the angled part but I wanted to still have some use of the tray.

I'll have to wait and see how well it holds up but so far, it seems to be securely attached.

-sfb

Originally posted by loungelizard
Oh the potential. You know how some cars have the cup holders in the dash that unfold when you slide them out? Imagine if you could fab the base into that, then just slide it out, set the iPod on dock and have a wireless remote. That would be cool.:cool:

Looks like you got a Pathfinder huh? What year? I have an 03 SE Pathy. I have a 4x4 stick though right where you mounted your iPod...so I usually just set mine in the stick boot.

hi,

I have an av in port on my car so i figured i would try and connect my ipod to the car. the first time i tried this, i connceted it from the headphone port on the ipod to the av port and i got a constant wining sound when playing music. so then i took the dock out to the car and connected from the dock lineout to the av port. it sounded perfect...

is this meant to happen or is there something wrong with the ipod? also, if this is meant to happen, are there any other ways to get a decent sound from the ipod without carrying around the dock?

Cheers,
meme

I went ahead and purchased a 15gb ipod (new gen 3). One of the main reasons I got it was so that I could listen to mp3s in the car, especially on my trip from NY to Texas in the coming week. I needed a good way to mount the ipod and found the solution on the 'tex.

There are two parts, the mounting bracket and then the holder, both of which are made by panavise (http://www.panavise.com). I purchased both from enfig motorsports (http://www.enfigmotorsports.com), costing me $45 shipped. I would definately recomment purchasing from them if anyone decides to do the similar setup. I was planning on filing down the bottom so that the power cable could fit through there but decided against it. When the ipod was sitting on the bottom and being clamped up top, the unit was not stable and I felt it would fall out with the right conditions. While the setup I have now it is not being held on the bottom, I think this is much more secure when being held in the middle, and the plug fits just find underneath without any additional modificatoins

I went ahead and did not hardwire it in yet (because of my non-monsoon double DIN, no one has a convertor for the cd changer port). At the end of the summer after I save up some money I'm going to purchase a new HU and do a clean install, wiring it through the AUX inputs and then the power either through hardwiring or at least a hidden cable from the power adapter in the trunk. Right now the sound just runs through a Sony tape adapter. The sound isnt great, but good enough for now.

http://www.eggroll.org/ipodcarmount/images/2/ipodcarmount_001.JPG
picture from the side so you can see how it is mounted into the dash

http://www.eggroll.org/ipodcarmount/images/2/ipodcarmount_002.JPG
another picture from the side

http://www.eggroll.org/ipodcarmount/images/2/ipodcarmount_004.JPG
closeup of the unit

http://www.eggroll.org/ipodcarmount/images/2/ipodcarmount_005.JPG
closeup of the belkin power adapter, which conventiantly has line-out

http://www.eggroll.org/ipodcarmount/images/2/ipodcarmount_006.JPG
picture of the entire center console/dash

hmm I guess mine is "technicaly" hard wired if you mean rca jacks run behind the dash. I havemade it so there is just a small length of mini jack plug coming out near the auto charger. Otherwise its seemless and can all be undone in a matter of 5 minutes without having to tear apart splices. Anyone know where i can put up some pictures reall fast? im looking for a decent host site.

What I think is funny is that today's car manufacturers havent figured out that a line-in port on their radios would be an important addition. You either have to hard-wire your accessories (like jaybert is doing above) or use a FM-Transmitter, or use a cassette-adapter... None of which are nice solutions. Wouldnt a simple plug on the face of your radio be a simple addition? The lowly Honda Element has an AUX (MP3) jack with a 12V right next to it immediately to the right of the center 'stack' on the dash (with a convenient shelf right under it), others will undoubtedly follow. Made buying an iPod a no-brainer...

i want to wire my ipod to my car stereo. i don't like the fm transmitter's quality and i don't have a tape deck. so i need to know what kind of cord i need to connect the ipod to my input in the back of my car stereo?

also, is there a way that i can get into the back of my stereo without tearing up all the panels? i have a 2000 civic. thanks so much

I used this and it works great!

http://www.arkon.com/CM160.htm

Will

Originally posted by Macpilot
I have installed my iPod into my Dodge Ram. Went to Radio Shack and bought the $20 cell phone cradle. Fits the iPod perfectly! Even leaves room for the firewire cable on bottom for 3G iPods.

could you tell me the model info and all that stuff so that i can go check it out? thanks

I have installed my iPod into my Mazda Protege 2002, in a similar way to tonicboy.

Here is my site with pics and an explanation of how I set it up. It was a very easy install. I recommend anyone who has a car and an iPod consider doing what I did. It looks so good. :-)

http://bodhanwala.com/2004/07/i-shall-call-him-carpod.html

This is the install in my MINI Cooper S, I brought and fitted the denison ICE link.

The beauty of this install is that the Ipod is controlled from my steering wheel just like say changing CD tracks, fast forwarding etc... :D

did try to attach a photo but it won't let me :(