I received the "secret compartment" iPod adaptor as a gift for my 2009 MINI with comfort/bluetooth access too. As everyone else on this thread noted, I just wanted my iPod to not be out in the open but still wanted it to function as normal.

This dealer installed solution is AWFUL! When they install this adaptor it shows up on my navigation screen like a 6 disc CD changer....which means I have to know that CD2 is actually the "artists" option on my iPod. Instead of showing up as an iPod or even an aux input in shows up as a 6 disc changer?! Even worse than that, the way the software works, you can not have more than 255 items on a list because it doesn't show more than 255 items! That means if you have 500 artists on your iPod, you can only access the first 255 of them. This is just such a poor design and it seems to me like this is something that could be fixed with a software update (but I could be wrong).

Either way, I hadn't noticed anyone mention the 255 item limitation on this thread so I just wanted to pass that info along. Even though I received this item as a gift and did not have to pay anything for it, I still feel like I was ripped off. Definitely a poor design by MINI.

 

nice present but

I though that this had been fixed but it may have somting to do with the fack that you also have the comfort access/bluetooth which has the USB input.

These limitations have been noted in many many posts but, again i thought that this had been fixed and was not a problem any more. And Again it may have somting to do with the fact that you have the USB option.

With the USB option the only other input that can be used is the CD changer input and those are the limitations of the CD Changer input. If the USB was not there then it may be possible to connnect the Secrect Compartment option for the iPod up to the AUX input function and have it work more like an iPod and not have the limitations.

As for the iPod being out in the open no one even people that get in may car know where the iPod is as it fits so well down in the cubby that it is not visible. It is a 30 iPod Video so it is not the small ones.

here you can barely see it. and from outside the car it is not visible at all.

 

I also have the 30Gig iPod video (black faced one) and put it in the same place with a pair of sunglasses on top of it. You can not see it from outside the car, and barely from inside the car. Was using my iPhone but was too much of a pain plugging it in and unplugging everytime I used the car so I resurrected my old 30 Gig Video iPod that the battery only last 30 minutes on, loaded up all my music and just leave it in the car. Good to go.

 

Hmm- I hadn't heard of this being fixed, unless you count using the USB connector in place of the secret compartment connector. Maybe you're thinking of the mObridge version that also uses the CD Changer interface? It's supposed to do paging internally to work around the 255 item limitation.

 

Why not just put it in the glove box?

 

those be some hairy legs....

 

Is there a better image available, please, of the Post-It showing the solder points?

Thank you.