Direct iPod Connection - Harman Kardon

To the frustrated iPod-totin' masses:

 

I just noted that Harman Kardon now has a Drive+Play interface that connects an iPod (or any aux device) through Radio In, for $199 + Wired FM Adaptor ($29). The cool thing about the system is that it comes with a nicely designed screen that can be located on the dash and an i-Drive-like knob/joystick (one can supposedly locate it anywhere) to navigate the iPod's menus. I'm hoping that the resulting wires won't look too messy.

 

Here's H-K's site for drive+play:

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/tour.aspx

 

and its wiring diagram:

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/diagram.aspx

 

One can install it oneself, or have an "installation center" do it, for a fee, of course.

 

The price is steep, but aside from that, how do people feel about the system's design and potential effectiveness? H-K products have traditionally sounded decent enough to me, but I'm no audiophile; I just want to listen to my frickin' iPod in my 6-disc GT!

 

Too late to ask for it for Xmas... or maybe not...

\I just want to listen to my frickin' iPod in my 6-disc GT!

 

There are over 100 of us that aren't frustrated anymore.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18504

 

Well worth it. But if all you're interested in doing is listening to your iPod and will settle for decent-fair quality (though some will say lousy), there are tons of FM transmitters on the market that should suit your needs. I was using a Kensington FM transmitter (highly recommended at ilounge.com). The Roadtrip Plus by Newer Technology is also very good for what it is. To be honest I was quite happy with mine but knowing there was a solution out there that would result in CD quality tunes is what pushed me forward.

 

If you're interested in the Kensington, shoot me a PM and I'll sell you mine.

 

ilounge review:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/kensington-digital-fm-transmitter-auto-charger-for-ipod-ipod/

 

As for the Harmon Kardon, someone hardwired it using Jazzy's board. Do a search and you should be able to find something.

I have an iTrip, which convinced me that FM transmitters don't work.

 

I've read through most of Jazzy's thread on his board - seems like a good idea, but I didn't read it all the way through, and don't know if running a blank CD was fine with most people or annoyed them to no end. What's your experience?

 

I thought the H-K had a great visual interface; I'll have to find out what you mean by hardwiring it using jazzy's board.

What's your experience?

 

It's not a blank CD, so much as it is a silent CD. There's no hissing or anything.

 

The board is better than anything else available - I think most would agree, especially for the price.

 

BTW - the iTrip is by far the weakest FM transmitter out there from my own personal experience. The two I mentioned earlier stomp it easily.

I've seen these for sale really cheap. Less than $50.

^ Should be able to find the old H&K Drive+Play units for around $25, before shipping.

Why you'd use one on an '07 is beyond me. You can get the iPod integration kit. Unless of course you're also using Satellite radio.

get rid of your CDs, put it all on the ipod and dont look back. get the jazzy board, keep ONE cd in your changer(the silent CD) and purchase the belkin cig lighter adapter/ipod plug/preamp and you're home free. all you have to worry about is one .25 second moment of silence per every 80 min of crystal-clear music.