Hey Larry, I like it. Very clean. I may be crazy, but in looking at my ash tray, it seems to me that it could be popped out and easily modified to accept the docking plug in the back side and that might be another slick alternative as well. Not as good as yours since you have track access, but maybe a little safer for driving. What do you think?

 

JMc,

That might work depending on what iPod you have (neither of my 4G iPods would fit, too fat ); there was a forum member that was able to fit his iPod Nano in the ashtray compartment if memory serves me (once the ashtray itself was removed). I happen use this compartment for my garage door opener but there is a lot of room in there if you are willing to cut out some of the plastic

That docking station that pk1 is using sounds like it might be the ticket for you, I've never seen anything like it (reminds me of the rackmount swappable/removable HDs used for PCs).

 

I hope PK1 chimes in with details about that docking station. I know it would work for me. I've got the new I-Pod 30 gig which is quite slim. I'm thinking of fabricating the docking connection myself once I buy the I-Pod2Car or whatever I end up with. I don't think it would be all that tough. Still, I really like that docking station and would like to learn more about it. I've been googling, so far, with no success.

 

I built the docking station my self. All you need is a mill and about $5.00 worth of plastic. A freaind engraved CORVETTE in the aluminum bezel for me. I have some better pics that I can post this weekend.

 

The HU is a avic z1

 

Thanks. I recently dropped an Eclipse 5495 into the wife's DD, so I've decided to stick with the stock audio HU for the foreseeable future. I have a vert and don't feel comfortable installing a nav unit, plus I really like (and need) the auto volume feature. With the direct connection to my music library, I'll be set for awhile. My current plan is to remove the ash tray and replace it with a modified panel that incorporates both the port for the i-pod and maybe also a Home Link if I can make it all work. I don't have a mill, but a Dremel tool and some conservative cutting might be all I need.

Hey Larry, what ipod docking cup holder did you get -- the Universal 12 oz. from that vendor at 2point5.com? I still might go with that solution. I like that it keeps the music controls easy to reach.

 

JMc,

Yes, I went with the Universal 12 oz version of the spec.dock. It fits perfectly in the cupholder and allows the lid to open/close (there is very, very minimal binding when you open the lid all the way but it's no big deal (I don't see it hurting the lid or the hinge mechanism in any way); I used velcro to secure the spec.dock in the cupholder

Just an FYI, the unit that Matt sent me is a prototype (not sure if they are shipping retail versions just yet); mine came barebones (no connector of any type). I had to epoxy the iPod connector from the iPod cable into the spec.dock. No biggy though as Matt provides a very detailed set of instructions on how to do it. According to Matt, the retail version will contain either a male or female connector at the bottom so all you have to do is connect your iPod adapter cable directly to it.

How do you guys like that Eclipse 5495? I'm assuming it has iPod integration?!

I just put an Alpine CDA-9857 into my DD (94 Ford Probe) and the iPod integration is AWESOME!! I really wish I had this kind of integration in my Vette but that's ok; I'm with you in that I don't want to replace the factory stereo in the Vette...just yet

 

Larry, the 5495 is pretty sweet. But I don't have I-Pod integration because frankly, it seems a little redundant with the internal 30 gig drive that rips CD's, Getting the songs loaded into the unit is somewhat of a PIA, and there are aspects of operation that drive me nuts, but overall, I'm really happy with it. It's in our Jag and I had some custom wood trim made up so it looks like an OEM install. We were able to keep the steering wheel controls, so that was pretty cool, too. I found it necessary to add another auxillary amp to really get it to sound they way I wanted it to, but I left the stock "premium sound" speakers so I can put things back, if need be. The nav section is great. Like I said, a few minor annoyances, but overall, very sweet.



Hey Larry, I think that I may go with your same cupholder solution. I'm ready to buy the interface for my '02 stock head unit, but I don't have the CD changer in the trunk so please tell me what cables I need in addition to the NEO unit to make all this work. I really only want to have to take the dash apart ONCE, ha ha. Thank you. Where does the I-Pod adapter plug into the head unit? TIA

 

 

pk1,

Nice job and GREAT pics (I've bookmarked this thread for future reference ). I absolutely LOVE that bezel work that you did

JMc,

If you order your iPod adapter through mp3yourcar.com, order the COR-HAR CD-changer harness at the same time. That is the only extra cable you will need (everything else necessary is included with the adapter). I believe I paid 40 bux for it through them, by far the cheapest that I have seen this side of eBay

That Eclipse looks absolutely awesome in your Jag; it looks like an OEM installation, nicely done

 

Yes, great thread. The I-Pod docking station is really slick. I wish I had the tools and talent to fabricate something like that, but after pulling the ash tray for a better look today, I think I can probably get away with modifying the ash tray to get something similar going. Or like I said earlier, I may go with Larry's cupholder docking station. It puts the I-Pod controls within very easy reach and also looks terrific. Either solution is a winner as far as I can tell.

Thanks for the compliment on the Jag Eclipse installation. That's exactly what I was trying to achieve -- an OEM look. I was stupified when I called my installer to inquire about an I-Pod direct connect solution for the 'Vette and he swore up and down that none was available, and that the only solution was an FM modulator. I knew otherwise, "educated" him and felt a little disappointed that he doesn't know what's really out there. I mean, he's supposed to be the pro....

 

Just a quick follow up. I'm a little disappointed with mp3yourcar.com so far... I placed my order on April 28th, checked on it the following Monday and was told that my credit card information had been received, but not my order. Apparently I used an "old web page" that they are phasing out. So the order confirmation number I received when placing the order was no good. The guy in customer service checked and said that the harness I needed was in stock and that they would be shipping out my order the next day.

Now, it's May 8th and I still don't have it. When I called last week, I was told that there had been a mixup. That they had a Corvette harness in stock, but the wrong one. They promised the correct one would be in and my order would be shipped last Thursday. Nope. So I called Friday, and was told that it would ship that day, and that I would receive a tracking number. Nope. I called today and was told I would have to call back tomorrow because everybody in customer service was sick.

This is beginning to **** me off. Oh, and yes, the charged my card about a week ago.

 

JMc,

Sorry to hear about this it all started with the old link that I sent you too (again sorry about that).

I guess you can't simply pick it up as a 'Will Call' order since you live so close to their facility?

I'd be pissed off too if they had already charged my credit card and said that it would be shipping that day

I hope they have your order hashed out either today or tomorrow at the latest.

 

Well, I don't live THAT close and with the cost of gas these days, definitely cheaper to ship it. After sending a pretty terse e-mail this morning demanding that they either ship it TODAY or refund my money TODAY and respond TODAY otherwise I'd have my bank reverse the charges, they finally sent me a tracking number. After some effort, I also finally got the guy whose been promising me he'd send it for the past week on the phone. He could offer no explanation of why it wasn't shipped but promised that it would go out today. So we'll see. If they actually ship my order this time, I should have the goods by tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

 

what are you going with. I will have a ipod2car kit for sale in a few days if you are interested. The kit is for cars without a factory cd changer. And I just store my ipod behind the ashtray door. I dont have any mounted fab work done. It fits nicely behind the door.

Also ive never had all the problems with itunes that you speak of. I was able to install it and get rolling right away. Yes im a mac guy. But thats what i work with at work and have pcs at home. I was able to easliy import my music with no issues.

 

I wound up ordering the NEO module, which I think is pretty much identical to your I-Pod2Car, and the aux harness I need to tap into my connections under the passenger floor kick panel since my car was in the purported 20% not optioned with the CD changer in the trunk.

I wound up ditching I-Tunes for now, for one primary reason: My music library was in terrible disarray in terms of labeling/tagging, etc. Lots of inconsistencies. Music Match let me organize all my sound files with super tagging, which nearly automated the whole process and made organization a real pleasure. Now all my songs are formatted correctly and indexed nicely.

I-Tunes would only provide that service for songs downloaded through I-Tunes, and I'm not interested in paying a buck a song, plus, I already have a pretty extensive library. I also resented how I-Tunes disabled Music Match from working with my I-Pod. I like to make my own choices, so for now, I completely removed I-Tunes, though now that I have the music organized, I may re-install it on a different user profile on my machine and see if that works, while retaining the function of Music Match. I checked with UPS. My stuff should arrive tomorrow. I'm happy about that.

 

For the love of humanity man, DON'T, I repeat DON'T, go this route!

JUst say NO to FM Modulators!

Step away from this product, run away man. Run for your life away from these things!

MAtt

 

Ha ha. I actually tried out two different FM modulators and both yielded exceedingly bad results. I've heard AM radio stations (at night, bouncing off the ionisphere from some distant location) that sounded better. No way. I think it may have something to do with the Corvette's distance to the antenna and other electronics that interfere with the weak signal of these transmitters. I bought one for my daughter's I-Pod mini last year, that actually sounded pretty dang good in her vehicle, but I agree, they compromise a significant amount of sound quality. At least in my C5..

 

no clu why the fm modulators and adapters suck in the vette. i hear it in other peoples cars and its not bad. In the vette is sucked. Oh well. It seems that the nicer the car the worse the fm thing works. Just natures way of telling you not to put crap into a nice car Let us know how the NEO thing works. Ive never heard of it.

I'll look into music match or whatever it is and see how that works out. I do agree itunes is bad with the tagging. Not sure why. Show us some pics as well.

I cant wait to get my new HU to get rid of the adapter all together

 

If you look into Music Match, it's a free download, but if you want unlimited "super tagging" as they call it, it's a one time charge of twenty bucks. The tagging includes album cover art for each song and the ability to rename your files in whatever format sequence you want. I personally dig it, but I think I-Tunes loads the songs faster if that's an important issue for you and there is no video support with Music Match that I can see. So if loading videos onto your I-Pod is important to you, then you might want to stick with I-tunes. I have no interest whatsoever in watching videos on a 1.5" screen or whatever, but I wanted the storage, which is why I popped for the 30 gig video I-Pod. And one more thing, you have to completely uninstall I-Tunes in order for Music Match to be able to recognize your device. I think I also had to download a plugin from Apple in order for Music Match to work as well. But it was worth the effort for me in order to organize thousands of songs. I remember I had to do a little fact finding via Google and I had everything working in short order.

As for FM modulators and Corvettes, I'm glad it wasn't just me. I couldn't frickin' BELIEVE how bad they sounded! Well, my magic box and cable ought to be here in the next hour or two. Can't wait, man. Can't wait... I just have to find that second connector under my passenger kick panel that seems to be eluding me. Is the cigarette lighter fuse under there as well? (I know, RTFM) I noticed that the lighter outlet doesn't work. Gotta be a fuse.