October 21, 2003
iPod Success
I like to think that the first iPod I obtained was just an anomaly. I exchanged it at Best Buy over the weekend and finally took the wraps off the new one last night. At first I was hesitant to flash in the newest firmware and I removed iTunes from my system. When Red Chairs's Anapod software refused to even recognize my iPod I went back to plan A by flashing the 2.1 firmware and re-installing iTunes. Heaven, thy name is iPod.
So far, everything works extremely well. I put a couple gigs of my existing high quality VBR MP3s onto the iPod. Sounds fabulous. I popped in an as yet unripped CD and the ripping and VBR encoding was handled with aplomb by iTunes. I quickly signed up for the iTunes music store and bought Sting's new album "Sacred Love". Seamless. Next I put in a blank CDR and burned "Sacred Love" to an audio CD. I got a couple of coasters until I slowed the burner down a bit, but I was able to present my lovely wife with her copy before we went to bed.
My next task is to get the AUX input installed into the rear of the Alpine head unit in my Subaru WRX. The only thing to figure out is how to mount the iPod to keep it safe and accessible.
I'm sure there will be more later...
Posted by Mitch | PermalinkKeep the info coming! I'm considering an iPod purchase and car use is a big part of the reason why.
Posted by lux at October 21, 2003 01:29 PMWorks beautifully with my Pioneer headunit and an add-on Aux input. Don't even bother trying an FM Transmitter -- the fidelity is nowhere close, plus you deal with a lot of distortion at higher volumes. In any case, the whole works goes better if you keep the iPod volume ~80%. Enjoy.
Posted by Nick at October 22, 2003 10:00 AMGot the AUX input installed last night and it does indeed work very well. The clamp style PDA holder I had on hand was a bit too big for the iPod so I need to find something that will hold it securely and bolt to my Panavise bracket. The sound quality is not stellar, but it's pretty good.
Posted by Mitch at October 22, 2003 01:34 PMI'd love an ipod with wifi.. then it can stay in the car, and i'll just transfer files back and forth wirelessly
Posted by Brenda at October 28, 2003 02:32 AMThe iPod is such a beautiful device. I don't think I could s6and to leave it in the car. :-)
Update: I found a cheap cellphone mounting bracket at Office Depot that fits the iPod perfectly so I now have no fear of launching it across the car in tight corners. My only remaining task is to tidy up the wiring. I've also been taking it with me to work along with its cradle and charger. My XM PCR has been a bit jealous of the iPod as it gets much more playtime.
Posted by Mitch at October 28, 2003 07:17 AMI have a 2000 Saturn SL2 with no AUX port and no cassette tape player - am I doomed to poor iPod sound quality in my car?
Posted by lux at October 30, 2003 01:56 PMTo leave a comment or read updated entries, please visit GearBits' current site. Thanks.