RCD500 Changer... iPod compatible?

[hotrod30]

Hi guys,

This is my first post in this marvellous site. (cheers Greenouse).

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but can you easily hard wire in an iPod connection into my MP3 RCD500 changer? Does it have the port for an iPod, as I don’t want to use an iTrip, etc. I love my music and have ripped all my CD’s at Apple lossless so a good solution is vital. I’ll be using both a new Classic & iTouch 2nd gen. I’ve got the Highline computer if it helps.

Would the conversion fit in the glovebox or the armrest? Is the VW factory option any good, dealer fit worth a look or specialist car hi-fi shop... if so who do you recomend, which make and how much?

All help gratefully received.

Cheers Hotrod... 

[tony_danza]

The ipod function is utter toss, you can't scroll through your albums/artists etc.. you just have to create playlists and remember what's on them, as all you'll get is "Track 1" on the display and you just scroll through them.

[Hurdy]

I have/had the ipod connection to my RCD300, so it should work with the 500. BTW I agree that the IPOD function is rubbish on the VW headunits too.

[SteveP]

If you have the Highline Display Hotrod I would look at the Desion Gateway Ipod kits as these give you artist and track info on the cluster 

Otherwise most other kits will be very similar to the VW one as there isnt any support for the artist/title info on the RCD300 or 500 headunits. To get this you have to upgrade to one of the newer RCD510 or RNS510 type headunits which support the VW MDI interface which allows direct ipod control. 

[cmdrfire]

IIRC RCD-500 w/ MDI interface should display tracks etc.

[hotrod30]

Cheers Guys,

Appreciate your thoughts, I’ll check out the Dension Gateway car kit solutions.  Cheers

[keith]

Has anyone bought one of the Gateway 100/300 units, my VW ipod connection has packed in and looking for an alternative product this one looks good.

[TomB]

The VW accessory iPod kits for RCD300/500 were just rebadged Dension IceLinks, so you might end up with the same problems, Keith.

[keith]

Is it? The gateway says you can use the radio and the ipod to control playlists etc.

[TomB]

You could do the same with the VW one if you flashed it with the Dension "dock" firmware.  The iPod would work with a dodgy Dension interface while the radio was on, but it was rubbish.

To be honest, the best way to get the iPod to work is to buy a stereo thats been designed to work with iPods in the first place.  The only OE way for MK5s is to retrofit an RCD/RNS#10 and get an MDI interface.  I'd love to do it, but I can't justify all that money to see the name of the song...I can hear if I like it    I've also seen issues with fitting some of the new RCD units in MK5s, I'll wait until someone on Vortex solves it!