iPod User Guide for MK4

[jaybert]

cool

can you point me though to exactly which parts I would need? I am still kinda confused about it all. thanks

[jaybert]

oh yeah, my ipod is the new one. How would that affect how the plugs and everything work (since its at the bottom now).

Also, anyone here use the OEM mount? I see it on the enfig website but cant ifgure out how exactly it goes.

[nebulight]

The OEM mount looks nice, but isn't practical. You still need to drill into the mount to fit the PanaVise holder. I would just stick with the PanaVise mount and holder

[jaybert]

cool

I think I am just gonna go pick up a new headunit, if I'm gonna spend $100 in cables, might as well spend a little more and get a better unit..

Any ideas on how to mount the new style ipod though with the connector at the bottom now? I was looking and none of the panavise mounts seems to do the trick. The one listed in the middle @ panavise looks like it would be the best but it is not wide enough.

[jaybert]

Anyone how wide this section is?

[nebulight]

BUMP

[jaybert]

I went ahead and ordered the panavise upper mount + 702. I talked to the guy @ enfig and he measured it to be around 1.7" - 2" or so. The cable itself is right around 1" so there will be more than enough room to file/cut off and still hold it up. I will probably find some rubbery/soft material to line the back/bottom of the panavise though to protect the unit from scratches.

As of right now I will just be using the Belkin auto adapter + sony tape deck adapter and worry about wiring it up later. No one even makes the adapter cables for the non-monsoon double din so I am planning on buying a new headunit once I get some funds near the end of summer.

BTW, nebulight, did you paint your uppper mount black?

[Christian@enfig]

Quote, originally posted by jaybert »

I went ahead and ordered the panavise upper mount + 702. I talked to the guy @ enfig and he measured it to be around 1.7" - 2" or so. The cable itself is right around 1" so there will be more than enough room to file/cut off and still hold it up. I will probably find some rubbery/soft material to line the back/bottom of the panavise though to protect the unit from scratches. As of right now I will just be using the Belkin auto adapter + sony tape deck adapter and worry about wiring it up later. No one even makes the adapter cables for the non-monsoon double din so I am planning on buying a new headunit once I get some funds near the end of summer. BTW, nebulight, did you paint your uppper mount black?

I have the double din adapter it's just on backorder.
Does not matter if it is monsoon or not.

[nebulight]

Quote, originally posted by jaybert »

BTW, nebulight, did you paint your uppper mount black?

I don't know what you mean by upper mount? You mean the 702? If so, it comes black already.

[jaybert]

no, the actual metal piece that you use to mount. It seems metallic colored (gray) in the pictures.

[nebulight]

No, that is just a pre-production piece. They come black, at least mine did.

[rbanzai]

I've been following this thread since it started (I'm a Mac/PC user with an '03 Jetta Wagon) and I'm finally taking the plunge. I saw that the 15GB iPod is usualy $399 at the Apple store but I found it at Amazon from $379 with free shipping. Woohoo!
All I need is the changer to RCA adapter. I have no idea how to route stuff through body panels so I'll probably run it under the trunk carpet, between the seats and into the center console.

Thanks for all the hard work and invaluable input of nebulight.

[josejrp]

Step by step instructions here... supposedly you can get the gel color sheet at any photo supply store. Figured you guys would like this mod... (I think the webmaster used a 25 red gel filter, but I'll see if they have a blue one). I'll let you know how it goes...

http://homepage.mac.com/george....html

[nebulight]

THAT IS THE COOLEST MOD EVER!!! I wish I still had my iPod!

[Alric]

I made a car dock using the belkin car adapter. Its cool because it extracts audio and feeds power to the ipod with one connection. I did not want the car adaptor to be exposed so I did the folllowing modifications:

1. To power the adapter I used the cigarrete lighter plug in the trunk. To pass power from the trunk to the front of the car I used the cabling for the CD changer. To do this I got from Rat Shack a lighter plug and the corresponding socket. I used a lighter plug with exposed cables that fit very nicely on the CD changer "dongle".

2. If you get a socket with an adaptaplug you can plug it on the corresponding CD-changer dongle in the front! Fits very nicely. No cable cutting or soldering.

3. Plug the Belkin car adapter to the socket and the Input adapter to the Belkin adapter.

4. Stash everything behind the console.

5. Voila! All you see is the dock connector from the Belkin adapter coming out to the ipod which rests on the Panavise holder. One connection for audio and power.

Cheers!

[jaybert]

anyone feel there is an issue with the cigarette lighter power being constant? (i.e. it is always on, even when the car isnt). I have to disconnect my plug each time (it still lights up even when the ipod isnt plugged in).

How much draw does the belkin auto connector have when the car is off and nothing is plugged into it?

Oh yeah, I went and go the panavise setup. Whe nI mounted the upper mount in, I drilled the hole and put the screw in for the top, but could not for the life of me get the bottom mount screw back in. Is there going to be any issues if I leave it out? In terms of the mount, nothing moves around or such because of it. I am however not sure what that screw is used for originally though.

Finally, I decided against filing down the sides of the bottom to fit the plug. I tried it out and the ipod actually fits between when the clamps around the panavise grip are near the middle. Because of that, It is suspended high enough where i am able to just plug in the cable without any modifications. When the ipod was sitting at the bottom and clamped at the top, it actually felt like it could possibly fall out on hard turns.

[jaybert]

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.

picture from the side so you can see how it is mounted into the dash

another picture from the side

closeup of the unit

closeup of the belkin power adapter, which conventiantly has line-out

picture of the entire center console/dash

[nebulight]

Wow, nice to see someone did this with a 3G iPod. My only concern would be all the cables being exposed like that. I like the new design of the iPod, however, it doesn't work well with the PanaVise mount if you use the Belkin Auto Adapter for power. Even though I sold mine, I am looking to get another one real soon Look for a fully dash intergrated system from me in the near future.

[jaybert]

yup, the cables will be hidden similar to your old setup once I get a new HU

[lifted_one]

OK, I see we are all giddy about this
I am about to click the "buy now" button on the Apple website...

A few fundamental questions:

1. Using nebulight's technique, will I be able to skip between songs using my (Kenwwod) headunit, as I am able to now with my CD changer. Or is the control of songs now strictly done by the iPod?

2. The Mac iPod is still the better way to go? Just get the software that makes it PC compatible? XPlay is it called?

3. Any sound quality difference if I hard wire power to the iPod versus just running it off its own battery power.

Thanks

[jaybert]

1. Using nebulight's technique, will I be able to skip between songs using my (Kenwwod) headunit, as I am able to now with my CD changer. Or is the control of songs now strictly done by the iPod?

No, you can only use the ipod

2. The Mac iPod is still the better way to go? Just get the software that makes it PC compatible? XPlay is it called?

if you are talking about the new version, there is no such thing as mac/pc ipod. There is only 1 ipod now for both. Personally, I use windows and do not use the included music match. I use Ephpod, which is pretty nice. Does everything I want it to do.

3. Any sound quality difference if I hard wire power to the iPod versus just running it off its own battery power.

No, there should not be, but you will want to get the belkin auto connector so that you can use the line-out, instead of the headphone out.

[lifted_one]

Quote, originally posted by jaybert »

but you will want to get the belkin auto connector so that you can use the line-out, instead of the headphone out.

Thank you so much for the reply. You have put me that much closer to a purchase. Last question... Why do I want to use the Belkin line out versus the headphone out?

[jaybert]

cause it sounds better?

I believe because the headphone jack does not put much power so if you do not amplify it, the sound quality will be degraded.

There is actually an amp built into the line-out which provides power and obviously amplifies the signal

Then again, I could be completely wrong, who knows And if I am, at least you will only have to run 1 cable to the ipod, instead of 2. Personally that makes it worth it in itself, since you will need to buy a cigarette adapter anyways

[Alric]

I posted what I did a few posts back but I guess pics are better. This is how I am using my Belkin adapter:

Belkin adapter is behind the console and supplies power and extracts audio from the iPod...

Cheers,

[jaybert]

does yours turn off when the car is off? I am worried about battery drain

[lifted_one]

Uh.... OK. So where is the power plugged into? Is there a power outlet somewhere behind the dash that I don't know about

[Alric]

Quote »

Uh.... OK. So where is the power plugged into? Is there a power outlet somewhere behind the dash that I don't know about

I had to get the power from the trunk. I use the pre-existing CD changer cables to pass power from the trunk power outlet to the front.

The unit does not turn off. But I bet the drain of the iPod is minimal. I have left my lights on for 8 hrs strainght and the car has started just fine.

[phishingls]

I did a simlar set up wiring from my trunk...I use my solar panel thing that came with the new VW's as a back up for power drain...I got my iPod draining power and my solar power giving power back...Man I knew there was a reason VW made those solar panels

[atcole@sopris.net]

Alric/Nebulight et al. - 3 questions:

1. Does the Panavise mount/holder swivel at all or is it fixed in one position?

2. How easy is it to install? Is it just a matter of drilling two holes?

3. Alric - could you post pics of your CD changer cable power set up? I'm not quite sure how you did that.

I've got a 97 Audi A4 and a 2001 Avant. I'm thinking of trading in the 97 for a 2001/2/3 Passat Wagon and the work you're doing is totally motivating me. Will the set up work much the same way with the Passat as with the GTI/Jettas? Thanks for the pics!

[nebulight]

1. Does the Panavise mount/holder swivel at all or is it fixed in one position?

Nope, it is fixed.

2. How easy is it to install? Is it just a matter of drilling two holes?

You just drill one hole, the other one is already there and you use that screw.

3. Alric - could you post pics of your CD changer cable power set up? I'm not quite sure how you did that.

I'm curious about that myself

[vortix]

Quote, originally posted by phishingls »

I did a simlar set up wiring from my trunk...I use my solar panel thing that came with the new VW's as a back up for power drain...I got my iPod draining power and my solar power giving power back...Man I knew there was a reason VW made those solar panels

What solar panels???

[JR!]

There's a OEM VW solar panel that you plug into your cigarette lighter & affix to the inside of your windshield with suction cups that recharges your battery via a trickle charge. I'm told that VW use it when they ship cars up from Mexico, so the batteries aren't drained if they sit for a long time in the rail/ship yards. I've seen it in a drivergear magazine, BUT your local Pep Boys or Auto zone, or Canadian Tire-if you're Canadian, should have non VW ones as well that do the same thing.

[vortix]

Quote, originally posted by JR! »

There's a OEM VW solar panel that you plug into your cigarette lighter & affix to the inside of your windshield with suction cups that recharges your battery via a trickle charge. I'm told that VW use it when they ship cars up from Mexico, so the batteries aren't drained if they sit for a long time in the rail/ship yards. I've seen it in a drivergear magazine, BUT your local Pep Boys or Auto zone, or Canadian Tire-if you're Canadian, should have non VW ones as well that do the same thing.

Did any VW's come with the solar panel though? I just got a Jetta 1.8T two months ago and I'm pretty sure I didn't get one....sounds cool though

[phishingls]

Quote, originally posted by vortix »

Did any VW's come with the solar panel though? I just got a Jetta 1.8T two months ago and I'm pretty sure I didn't get one....sounds cool though

IF your car is an 03 it should of came with one...just go ask your dealer that you didnt receive one...i asked my dealer for one a while ago and he gave me two ...it is suppose to come with any vw you buy.

[Alric]

OK picture time:

This is the connector for the power plug in the trunk:

I pass the cable under the spare wheel cover to the CD changer connector on the car. I used the red and blue cables.

Behind the head unit you will find the other end of the CDchanger cable. A Radio Shack lighter socket with an adaptaplug fits conveniently over the red and blue cables.

I am stashing everything in the cubby holder for now. Notice the Rat Shack lighter socket connected to the Belkin car adapter.

You already saw the end result:

Cheers!

Modified by Alric at 2:28 AM 5-28-2003