Has anyone seen an aftermarket iPod USB+AUX y-cable that can replace the one supplied by MINI? I have found the MINI supplied iPod USB+AUX Y-cable to be unacceptable...inflexible and too short causing intermittent connection at the AUX mini phone connector.

 

Amen

 

Me too ! Does anyone know where to find this after market cable.

 

I gave up on the iPod, but you can just get a USB extension cable and an extension cable for the 1/8 aux. jack at Radio Shack or Newegg.com.

 

Well the closest thing I have found is this.

http://www.sendstation.com/us/produc...neout-usb.html

Would have to come up with a male to male 3.5 mm and then a seperate usb cable.

Would love to find a intergarated cable one because not sure if the sendstation dock will be too thick to fit with a Proclip holder that holds the dock connector.

 

That's a cool little gizmo. Then you could find the 2 separate lines in a size/length/color that you wanted. The dock to Aux wire I use is so thin you can hardly see it and the length adjusts so it's pretty minimal.

 

It maybe the way I will go using the sendstation doc. But I am asking over on ilounge if their is a all inclusive cable with dock. they have them with RCA phono. But have yet to find one other than the official factory mini usb/aux Y cable . Which to me is just too chunky.

So using the Sendstation dock and add this usb charger.

http://www.amazon.com/Eforcity-Unive.../dp/B000FAQ6S0

Then just need the 3.5 mm male to male and a usb male to male. I think this could be a pretty good integration and not expensive.

 

So using that mini dock, you'd be able to scroll songs etc using the steering wheel as per usual??
That would be great! I really thought that black box part of the mini ipod adapter had some brains to it to make it compatible with the car/ipod.
I have been reading up on ipods in minis for literally weeks and am still confused by all this.
Just as soon as I accept that I need the Mini iPod connector, something suggests otherwise.
I use a Mac, but I read on here somewhere that if I was using PC to load my iPod, all I'd need is the white USB cable that came with my iPod and audio and track info would all work perfectly. Is there ANY truth to that?

 

OK just as an update - I've been told there is no way the white cable can be used on it's own with the USB port for audio and track info.

 

I found this, I cannot see why it would not work. Pinouts on the dock connector have to be the same. The aux out and charging pins are dictated by ipod pin outs.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...113IP200&tp=42

 

Hey Hubs... nice find!!
I think it'll work too and just ordered one. I've always wondered what the black box is on the BMW cable though... and hope whatever components might be in there aren't missing from this magic $19 Kenwood cable.
We'll find out soon enough. I'll post my findings as soon as it arrives.
(it'll arrive next week)

 

I ordered one too ! I have my fingers crossed .

If it does not work then their most lilkely is a resistor on one or two ot the output lines on the BMW cable.( black box ) .

 

Has anyone had success with Detroit Tuned's kit?

Also, what kind of connection is it that plugs into the back of the mini's stereo?

06 MCS

 

For $20 plus shipping, please let us know if it works! If it does, it will save me some trouble making my own cables!

 

That product is the factory aux input accessory for 1st gen MINI, also available from any MINI dealer (like here). It works well and a lot of people have it. A possible problem is that if you connect your player to the car's power at the same time (such as cigarette lighter), you may need to add a ground loop isolator.

BTW, this is a 2nd gen thread.

 

TudorII , just got the email from Crutchfield it is shipping out today.

 

Any word on whether the cable worked? I'm hanging to see if it does - as $100 + tax at a Canadian dealer is way too much to pay for something as simple as this.

Let us all know how you go once you get the cable

 

We need to wait for TudorII , to tell us . I have the cable just do not have my mini . It is do in from England in 2 weeks.

 

They sent my cable to the wrong address, and wont resend or fix the mistake. My very first eBay burn!!!! ($30 so it could have been a lot worse of a burn I guess!!)

Sorry everyone - I wont be much help for a while on if this cable works... anyone else actually receive it to test with yet!?!

 

Anxiously awaiting someone's successful test with this device!

And with this, I wonder if cable extensions could be used to give the ability to put the iPod in the "secret compartment"? One big drawback for me is that I leave my iPod in my current (non-Mini) car all the time, and I don't want the hassle of having to disconnect the iPod and put it in the glove box.

 

I still have time to add the glove box iPod connector. Would I save a lot of time and trouble by just going ahead and doing this?

Also; can the aux cables that come with the Convenience package be put to other uses than an iPod hook-up?

 

A simple solution is also just to get a standard iPod dock, an audio extension cable, and a normal iPod / USB cable. You can get the cables for cheap; the dock is actually pricier. All apple iPod docks (except shuffle) have line out jacks. If you have an iPhone it came with a dock, other iPods you probably have to buy the dock seperately.

 

chronarion

are you saying the dock works as an exact replacement for the y cable in terms of functionality? You can scroll tunes on the radio screen and hear audio through line out?? Please confirm this - it sounds too good to be true!

 

My MA gave me a "secret compartment" box to experiment with. My thoughts are to cut an opening for the cables and swap out the box from my car. I found the cables mentioned above for $14.53 with free shipping here. I'll let you know how it goes once I get them.

 

FWIW, I just got one of those Kenwood cables on ebay for $14.47 shipped.

I'll try it out as soon as it comes!