i am a newbie to ipod and icellink plus...but just began looking around at circuit city last night. i know they have ipods. as for the icelink - where do i order them?

other question is...will the icelink allow hookup to aftermarket h/u's? or only stock? is it basically a key feature that i will need to have on the specific h/u to allow possiblity of hooking up ipod via icelink?

basically i'm planning on getting a decent aftermarket system with mp3 hookup.

 

There is no difference in the Boost HU and the one used in the HK system'
so the Ice-Link will work in both systems

 

Just installed Ice Link plus [from the boot]and there is an option to switch to operating just the ipod [press disc 6, then set up and scroll]

 

Uh oh, no tags on the HU isn't good!!

 

You order the plus for the stereo you have. If you change the stereo in the future you can just by a new connector for the stereo & download fresh firmware

 

Take a deep breath, Dension has released the firmware yet...

"We have a planned firmware update that will be released shortly thereafter for the ID3v2 Text support on the BMW and Mini displays, this will support both the Multi-Functional Displays and Navigation units.

When the firmware is released, it will be available as a free upgrade from our website. Load the software into your iPod and flash the ice>Link and ID3v2 support will be added!"

Tom Guagliardo
Dension USA

 

great!
thank you for your reply.

melvyn

 

I ordered mine just now for Christmas...radio-end plug, proclip angled mount, with iPod mini cradle...probably won't be here by then but that's okay.

I wish they had faster shipping options, it was either home shipping which is just like ground, or express saver. 2 day usually isn't that much more but oh well.

Can't wait for that firmware though!

 

For the MINI don't you have to select the last option, which is "Factory CD-Changer Harness?"

 

Doubt it...I picked this, the first option:

Radio-end connectivity kit for ......Mini Cooper 2002-2004. This is a radio-end harness that requires removing the radio to make the connection [R40].

Or I could have picked the third option which is a factory CD thing but I don't have to have to run a wire up to the front of the car.

From motoringfile.com...right into the back of the HU:

 

Yep, first option

 

Can you give us a rundown to your install? I am interested in the route you took from the boot to the front of the cockpit.
Thx.

 

Ice Links ordered now ship the first week in January. Not sure if that is because they are out of them, or fixing bugs, or releasing it with the new software already flashed on the unit...just told January.

 

Darn, I ordered on Saturday.... And they're right in Long Beach, but I guess I'll be waiting.

 

First, I have only done a temporary installation while waiting for the upcoming firmware. When it arrives, I plan on leaving the ipod in the CD interface space.[I am hoping that I will be able to see all of the ipod info on the HU Display]By the way, the ipod is controlled nicely from the MFSW.

At this point, I am using the cup holder to hold the ipod. I ran the smaller cable from the ipod to the Ice Link [It's thin so it tucks nicely under the center console]as far as it would go and then velcro'd the ice link to the carpet.[using velcro eliminates any trim/carpet cutting and holds everything very securely]I also used velcro to hold the main cable along the rest of the center console and down to the footwell and then to the interface.

The main cable is much longer than is required, so I stowed the remainder in the space where the CD changer interface is.

Again, this is a temporary situation, but all of the cabling is very inconspicuous. In the event the firmware does not provide text to the HU display, I probably will not make any significant changes. I will the use the Pro Clip though.

PS --- Use industrial Velcro [available @ Home Depot] I think it is 2" wide so you can cut it to suit your needs.

Hope this helps

 

I just installed the trunk-mounted kit. It's actually quite easy (45 min?) to run the wire to the front of the car under the trim panels on the passenger side of the car. The wire is quite thick, and as long as you don't use a sharp object to push it under the trim, it works nicely (I used a hex-key held tightly by a vise-grip, see third post pic. You can use this both to push the cable underr trim, and to pull the trim up a little bit to push it under with your fingers). There is only about 1.5 inches of the cable visible, and you can only see it if you have the hatch open and are looking in the trunk. (If I worked at it/cared, I bet I could push that piece under the trim also)

No drilling, no radio removal, no seat removal required. And, you still get an essentially "stealth" install. It's probably not any faster than removing the radio (in fact it probably takes more time) but if you're not real comfortable removing the radio, this works great.

I created a "holder" for the iPod in the glovebox, using some black velcro, a plastic, a zip-tie, some krazy glue, and electrical tape (to prevent scratches to iPod). I drilled a hole for the ICE-link wire to enter the glovebox through the blank panel that is replaced if the AUX input is installed. The drill-bit size necessary to make a hole large enough to fit the ICE-link wire through is exactly 15/32.

This way, the iPod is close by in case I need to look at it. Here are some pics of the install:

 

Here are some pics of how much wire is visible, and the route I took with the cable:

 

Here is a pic of the "tool" I used to help me with the cable:

 

EliteCooperS,

Mine is shipping today and I ordered on last Thurs or Fri I think.

 

I just got off the phone w/ Chase @ Dension. He says there is no firmware available to allow text display on the Mini & "we have'nt figured it out yet". Asked if there would be one available in Dec. & he says " unlikely,there's no time frame".

That feature is why I bought the unit!!!

 

Me too...it's still worth it for MFSW control - but HU display did push me over the edge to purchase it. Hopefully it will support t but I am having my doubts just because it seems like they haven't even started working on it and originally had a "late December" date.

 

Well, I'm waiting on IDv3 tag display before I even buy an iPod.

 

Add my name to the list of people with IceLink Plus problems:

I got an RMA today, I've decided to give them a shot at providing me with a functional product.

My problems included:
No control (steering wheel or otherwise) of Ipod
No turn signals
No headlights
Alarm system that would automatically unlock a second after pressing "lock"
Flashing internal (not external) hazard indicators even with the ignition off

Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere, or if you're patient wait until the IceLink people get their act together before you make a purchase.

 

What year is your car? Do you have the stock head unit, etc? Give us some details... :D

 

July '03 S
H/K Stock Head Unit
No Nav
MFSW
Trunk-Mounted Kit
Factory Alarm

Everything would work fine after first pluggin in or resetting Ice-Link. On next startup (an hour or so later) problems listed in post above would start. This was with the most recent firmware update, too (2.03)