The iPod Solution For Those Who Have Time

[colinrobinson]

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***12/05/04 --- PICTURES ---Scroll Down***
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This write-up is not a beginners guide or by any means a DIY for people who don't have several hours and a bit of cash to set aside. It is, however, by far the best setup I have come upon for incorporating an iPod into a subaru, or any vehicle for that matter. Don't be discouraged as beginners (me) can easily do this mod, I just didn't use too specific of details.

If anyone has any specific questions about any of these steps feel free to PM me, but I don't have time at the moment to write extremely comprehensive step by step instructions.

To do this mod you need to have a head unit with a place for aux in.

Materials:
Belkin Auto Kit (Apple store or other Apple retailer)
Male to RCA Cable (Radioshack, Apple store, etc.)
12v Power Extension (Autozone, Kragen, etc.)
PanOVise (On Ebay, the user gsm-store sells PanOVises for about 20 bucks specific to your car model)
Various splicing/soldering materials (soldering iron, heatshrink tube, etc.)

1. Take Dash Apart by removing front bezel, and removing head unit and unscrewing A/C controls.

2. Remove existing 12volt lighter socket and bring in the house

3. Cut off the 12v extension you bought about 6 inches before the "extension end" (female) and splice into current 12v supply by soldering together and then I used heatshrink tubing to further secure connection. (Maybe some electronics wizzes can help others with this part, my dad helped me because my electronics knowledge is limited.

4. Plug male to RCA cable into belkin auto kit and plug belkin auto kit into your new female 12v extension. I then stuffed all of this below and behind the A/C control unit to save space for other stereo cables.

5. Run RCA end of cable to the back of stereo.

6. Pull iPod end of the belkin auto kit through the small hole to the right of the ash tray. (I have an 04 Outback Sport, but should work in most models. If not, find some other small hole or make one to pull through dash.)

7. Install PanOVise as instructions state, by attaching to the screwhole on the topright of your A/C control unit.

8. I have not yet attached my iPod to the PanOVise yet while I decide what I think the most aesthetically pleasing way of doing this is. My brother uses the Showcase iPod case with included dash mount.

9. That's it, now your iPod is beautiful, sounds beautiful, and stays beautiful as its constantly charged. All with only one clean cable ruining your car space.

I'll add pictures to this as soon as I figure out the best method for attaching iPod to PanOVise, but trust me, this looks beautiful.

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[FortyTwo]

This is the same setup I have. I have the panavise setup to accept an iPod, cell, or my Garmin handheld GPS. I didn't think there was too much work involved, at least not to have a clean setup.

[iceNine]

For another type of mount see www.proclipusa.com . You order the top of the mount that is specific for your unit (iPod, iQue, cell phone, etc.) and then order the bottom attachment that is specific for your car model and year. You screw them together and have a rotating mount specific for your needs. I have one for my iQue and it works great.

Dale

[colinrobinson]

well the key is that in order for your ipod to sound best you want to go through aux input. also, in order for it not to die, you need it hooked up to a car charger. to avoid having a ton of clutter and mess of cables, this provides a solution to have only small clean cable run to the bottom of the ipod and everything else is behind the scenes.

the problem with the proclips and similar things is they are still (in my picky opinion) obtrusive and do the iPod no justice. MY goal is to create a mount, possibly a velcro-like material that emphasizes the 'floating' ipod.

btw, i'm also working on incorporating the iPod remote into one of the 'blank' buttons right behind my shift knob by the mirror controls. i'll post pics if i go through with it. (trying to decide if its worth it right now)

[jsmonet]

good write-up.

i'm still happy i have an alpine deck

[iceNine]

I have the Alpine HU and iPod interface too. The box is under my seat and the iPod plug comes out in the armrest compartment so the iPod is safely stored out of sight.

[neuspeed]

Does the 05 have an input in the back?

[jamesfacts]

I was expecting a waterproof case.

[colinrobinson]

if you want a waterproof case do a search for lilipod in google...its pretty cool.

still, i dont understand the point of a waterproof case because the only scenarios i can imagine needing one in are not suitable for music anyways (i.e. kayaking, whitewater rafting) let nature be there for a reason.

[chewbakarox]

pics please!!

[TreeSki]

Originally Posted by colinrobinson

well the key is that in order for your ipod to sound best you want to go through aux input. also, in order for it not to die, you need it hooked up to a car charger. to avoid having a ton of clutter and mess of cables, this provides a solution to have only small clean cable run to the bottom of the ipod and everything else is behind the scenes.

the problem with the proclips and similar things is they are still (in my picky opinion) obtrusive and do the iPod no justice. MY goal is to create a mount, possibly a velcro-like material that emphasizes the 'floating' ipod.

btw, i'm also working on incorporating the iPod remote into one of the 'blank' buttons right behind my shift knob by the mirror controls. i'll post pics if i go through with it. (trying to decide if its worth it right now)

I had similar feelings when i installed my ipod so i went a different route. I have a detailed write up about it here (post #9), but to make a long story short: ipod stored on back side of middle flip of storage unit using xtrememac hard case and dash mount clip, power wire running to 12-volt acc, ipod remote running to blank switch just in front of mirror controls on center console (fits nice and snug, had TONS of compliments on it), headphone to rca wire running directly into the kicker amp i have powering my front and rear door components (i modded the rear doors to take the jl component tweeters flush mounted). absolutely great sound, no obtrusive wires, no bulky ipod taking up space on dash and easy controls for entire system through the remote. the rca wires can be run directly into the aux of a hu if they have them, mine doesn't.

some people don't like this route 'cause they want to SEE the ipod and choose songs. i think it is distracting to even consider trying to change lists or such while driving, so i made a few good lists, pick the one i want when i start driving and just flip songs with the remote when needed...

feel free to pm with any questions or just post'em here...

[thisisbrock]

Originally Posted by chewbakarox

pics please!!

i second that.

[jojor512]

Originally Posted by neuspeed

Does the 05 have an input in the back?

no...

[colinrobinson]

ok, finally mounted with sweet velcro 'disc's, i'll post pics tomorrow (er....later today, damn its late)

[colinrobinson]

Ok, finally got pictures, I'll get some more night ones when my better camera starts working


Driver's View


Passenger View


Close-Up


Detached


Night

[thisisbrock]

Looks great! love the red on the iPod, if you took taht apart to do it, gutsy. but lookin bad a$$

[colinrobinson]

nah, the 3rd generation iPod has red buttons with the backlight on.

[zone]

Any chance you could update the photos?

Links are broken

[Mulder]

This is ten years old, OP is long gone.