Getting an iPod connecting wire into the glove compartment

[jsklair]

I'm about to install an Alpine head unit in my GTi.

In my old Civic, it was quite easy to thread the iPod connecting wire from the back of the head unit into the glove compartment.

On first inspection, the Golf glove compartment seems to be a lot more "sealed".

Has anyone done this, or does anyone know of an easy way to do this?

[SeanyK]

I had a quick look round there the other day when I bought my GTI, pretty sure to the top right at the very back, there is a gap, that when you take the radio out, you would be able to feed an iPod cable through...

[RedRobin]

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I've done it.. Well, not me but the guy I use for all such things. I so rarely use it though - I only listen to music in the car if I'm parked and killing time waiting.

So, it's definitely possible and not a great problem. If no-one else here can tell you exactly how, you'll have to wait for me to next see my car audio guy. He's a friend so I do pop by his workshop just socially.

HTH 

[MAT ED30]

its easy just the old head unit out and u will see u can put the ipod connection straight in the glove box very easy 

[jsklair]

Thanks for the responses one and all.

I plan on doing this next weekend, so I'll let you know how I get on.

I've just this moment decided to get a bluetooth kit as well.  This one:

http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/products/details/bluetooth-usb/kce-400bt.html

I feel a few more questions for this forum brewing.

[RedRobin]

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One problem I had was getting the steering wheel controls to action the iPod via an Alpine head. We did succeed though.

[jsklair]

Not too much of a problem for me; I have DSG paddles, but no audio controls on my wheel.

FYI: This is the head unit I'm getting:

Alpine iDA-X305

http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/products/product-singleview/digital-media-receiver/ida-x305s.html

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Nice! I prefer Alpine to the others - Much better interfaces.

Mine's a combined Audio/SatNav double-din flip-up touch screen etc.

[jsklair]

I have to agree on the Alpine interface being the best.

This will be my 3rd Alpine in a row, and they've always exceeded my expectations.

[SeanyK]

Why get that head unit, and a seperate bluetooth unit? Costs a fortune!

I've got an Alpine CDE-103BT (think the new model is a CDE-113BT)

It has a built in parrot bluetooth kit, iPod control, and it cost me about £170!


Granted i've not fitted it to my Golf yet, but once I decide what to do with the speakers, it'll be going in im sure :)

Save yourself some money man...

[jsklair]

I'm getting a deal on both of them, used for a few months, for £185.

And, I know this may be a bit pedantic, but I really want the iPod interface to be as intuitive and as close to using an iPod as possible.  And I feel in this regard, the iDA-X305s is a smidge better IMHO.

Also, I wasn't too fussed about the whole bluetooth thing, but as part of the deal I'm going to use it.

I appreciate the feedback though.

[SeanyK]

It's a fair point mate, and thats a cracking deal!

Yeah it's far better for iPod interface emulation, I used to just kinda leave mine in the glovebox, and have it on random all the time, finding a specific track was sometimes a mission - but when just using it to playback it was fine.

It's a shame they haven't brought out the iDA with built in bluetooth! That would be an instant seller!

Good luck with this though, as said above easy to thread wire through once existing stereo is out.

[jsklair]

Yeah, I now think that the iPod cable will be the easy bit.

I'm right this mnute doing a bit of research into how to install the bluetooth kit?  Where to place the mic, does the bluetooth box go in the glove box too, etc...

I may start a thread based on that problem.

[SeanyK]

Assuming I fit my Alpine into this car, which im not sure if I will but it's quite likely, I can offer some advice on mic placement.

On my SEAT I wired the mic behind the dash, and all the way up to the pillar to the top right almost next to the driver side window.

It was good, but easy on the SEAT, the Golf looks a little trickier to attempt that, so may just put it on a bit of velcro, and attach it to the dash (almost to the area where you would rest your knee)
They are pretty good mic's to be fair, so anywhere nearby will be a good bet.

As for box, put that in the glovebox too, saves space and the wire they provide for the mic is usually plenty long enough for other placements.

A few folk put the mic up above by the rear view mirror but that's a bit involved if you ask me! :p

[jsklair]

Cheers for the advice.

Yeah, i think due to my inability to do anything manual, I may try to put the mic down by the knees too.

As long as it works, that's fine.