Sigh...

Anyone have any other suggestions??

Any chance it will just show up eventually?

I literally wired/re-wired and installed/re-installed over and over!!

 

reboot the ipod?

 

Probably wouldn't help, but I guess it's worth a try... Seems like it's more a problem with the ice link and the MIN HU being compatible...

 

Could they have shipped to wrong equipment to me? I really do not know what to do.

Rebooting the iPod? Does that mean just reseting it?

I can't see that doing anything but I'll try it out.

 

It's probably the right equipment... unfortunately a bunch of people are having similar problems to yourself... they're working hard for a fix to the issues at Dension.

 

Allright! Just got off the phone with Dension, he was very nice and they are sending me a new Ice Link iPod interface and thinks that should work. If it doesn't I get a full refund or all new equipment. I asked him about HU tags and he said they are working on it for the MINI. They are having trouble "identifying which fields are used by the stock HU" whatever that all means?? Anyway, he said they are working on it, didn't say if they would be available and didn't mention if we would be able to upgrade. Do you think the IceLink is worth the 260 dollars if it doesn't have tags? People that have it, do you think the controls are worth it? How is the overall function? Easy, difficult, good, bad? Easy to find songs, hard? No one has mentioned any of this.

Is this worth all the trouble?

 

If you're just gonna inc/dec. volume, advance songs or access the 1st 5 playlists, then you're OK.
In my icelink Plus, it's very difficult to access playlist browser. Everything is erratic [sometimes you can, sometimes you can't]
I'm hoping new firmware resolves this, because otherwise, it's NO different than BMW/Ipod addapter for much more $. When I bought my icelink, I was assured by Tom @ Dension that there would be ID Tags. Now they're just working on it -- so I guess this feature is up in the air and will prob. take some time as they are trying to resolve more critical issues.

 

Hmmm, yeah, I guess so... Oh well, I guess we will have to see what they come up with the new firmware. I got a new piece shipped and now it works! I'm getting used to it. Playlist browser might be annoying because I now have to make A LOT of playlists. I like the feature that you can Control iPod UI and go to any song you want and put it back in it will play from that set of songs. I just don't like how you have to physically unplug it from the dock.

Do your guy's remain on repeat all? For some reason mine is on repeat all forever.

Thanks guys.

 

Didn't you say you ordered that one that was "Factory CD-changer harness connection kit for vehicles with DSP and certain Premium sound system with coaxial connection found in 5, 7, X5, Z4 (+$69.00)"?

That is not the right one for the MINI.

 

No I got the radio one.


Hey, question...

Which side do you guys mount on?

Ugh, the cradle and proclip mounting is terrible!!! SO FLIMSY AND HARD TO GET THE CRADLE INTO THE PROCLIP.

Which side is better to mount on?

 

There are 2 different proclips, one straight, and one with a right angle. I believe there thoughts where that the straight would go on the left side and the angle would go on the right side. I went with the right angle so that it would be easier to read the display.

 

Where the heck was the option for the one with the right angle? Uggggh, this is so frustrating. The straight one on the left side cannot be read, but I think that might have to be where to put it.

These mounting options are terrible.

 

You click on ProClip Mounts & Holders...then Mounts...then MINI...and then it shows both.

Strange though...didn't you say you ordered on some Saturday...like a few days after I ordered? And mine is backordered...

Oh well, I wouldn't have installed it until the firmware got fixed anyway.

 

The location is right near I live if that has anything to do with it.

 

Hey guys, I've got a few questions and some comments. Some of which will be pertinent to the ICE-Link plus and some of which may not be.

I bought v1.1 of the ICE-Link this spring, I've been tooling around with it since then... this has been a generally pleasant experience.

I've got the CD-Changer install (I think its the only one available for 1.1) and have the cradle mounted under my handbrake. Considering the conditions under which the handbrake is used, parking and some hilly take offs, this isn't a very inconvenient location. It is readily accessible if I want to change playlists or select a specific song and helps to insure that I don't try to fiddle with it while driving. So far it works for me...

Onto to the more important stuff:

With version 1.1 it will occasionally take an exceptionally long time to move between songs. Seems like a cache problem with iPod, but I know the iPod works fine when not docked in the ICE-Link. Attempting to skip ahead or select another song will cause it to skip as soon as it has finished with whatever it is that is slowing it down (again, seems like a cache problem). Along the same vein, it will occasionally skip a song if I select it from iPod (i.e. choose song, let it load, let the ICE_Link skip it, hit back, enjoy song). I'm assuming this is type of thing is fixed in version 2. Just making you guys aware of a potential problem.

My question is this (while I'm waiting for an answer from Dension). Does anybody know if the differences between v1.1 and v2 are software or hardware and can I update my ICE-Link to a plus or would I need to purchase a new one? Puchasing a new one is absolutely out of the question, but an upgrade would be nice.

 

It is a hardware change, but you wouldn't need a full kit as the cradle/dock connector can be reused

 

Curse them... well, I wonder what would happen if I tried an update to the 2.02 software on my 1.1 unit... Well, I've got about a week to consider it before I will have the opportunity to actually do it. Anybody think it'll break it?

 

Ok, getting an iPod, and was thinking about the ICE-link but it seems like the text display is a long way off and it sounds like many people are having problems with it. Was also thinking about the new product from Monster "iCruze". Anyone seen/heard it live? Link attached
http://www.monstercable.com/icruze/drive.asp

 

Okay, If you check my posts, you'll see that most of the problems I've had have been minor and have been problems with v1.1. I'm seriously considering updating to v2 (aka plus). Depending on the cost of such (I'm not really in the mood to pay another 200+).

However, seeing as you don't have an initial investment. The costs are approximately the same (the moster thing is about a little cheaper), but the monster thing is available now, where you'd be waiting for Dension to iron out the kinks in their text display. I'd give them a month or two on that (no real basis for that number, just a rough guess).

Here's the thing, once they get that working you'll have text on your radio... where the Monster iCruze requires an external LCD (which is also about 60 days away according to their site).

Basically it's two things:
How important is text display?
How long can you wait?

I for one love having my iPod mounted in my car, even with the minor problems I've had... its good stuff...

 

To the people who have installed the head-unit connection themselves: Is it necessary to remove the head unit? I know that the knee bolster under the steering column flips down so you can access the back of the head unit. You can't really see anything back there, but is it something you can do by feel? I'm expecting my unit any day, and looking at the instructions for removing the head unit, this doesn't look like something that would be too much fun doing.

 

Yes, you do have to remove the head unit. You might be able to feel where the wiring harness plug goes in without removing it, but the plugs use a latching lever mechanism that would probably be impossible to manipulate that way. In any case, removing the head unit is really not very hard to do, and once you have it removed, it is really easy to work with the plugs.

 

I bought the IceLink Plus. I don't recommend buying it. It did not work for me or for MANY other people with Minis. Dension still does not have this new version working properly. I sent mine back and have yet to receive my refund. It has been almost a month. The Plus has major problems. And if you're looking for IDtags, forget it. It does not work for that at all as of this time. I suggest getting the BMW aux input installed instead. I did and it works great! Save your money and don't buy the IceLink. Read other posts and messageboards to see for yourself. Don't know about the other brands, but I'd go the aux input.

 

the problem with the AUX input is lack of a screen of any type (except on iPod) and BMW's desire to mount it in the glovebox. With the proper mounting hardware, positioning, and coersive ability you can over come all of this, but you are still limited to iPod or the remote.

Your alternatives are the ice>Link, which has some bugs in its current incarnation (may require that you unhook the battery to make the install work) and has ID3 tag display, or it has them as soon as the folks at dension can work out the bugs. Of course, my only experience is with the 1.1 unit and that's detailed earlier in this thread. I think Dension will fix the problems with Plus in the next software update.

The Monster iCruze seems very similar in function and with the LCD display (properly mounted) could be a very good option, although a bit on the pricey side.

 

Given the current problems w/ the IceLink PLUS, the price of the Monster iCruze w/ LCD and the limited functions of the AUX input from Mini, I think I'm going with the "iPod your Mini" function that is the same as www.ipodyourbmw.com. Although there are rumors that it may eventually have id3 tags on HU via software update, I'm buying it assuming that won't happen (if it does happen, that's gravy).

I think it's a superior solution for me because of the following:
- not sure I could do the DIY install of the aux input. Even if I could, I would be uncomfortable trying. This makes the price difference b/t aux input & ipodyourmini at my dealer $100 (~$150 v. ~$250).
- ipodyourmini is worth $100 to me b/c I get constant power charging, 5 mini playlists that I can configure, FF/REW on MFSW, safety of not doodling w/ mini while driving (this is minor to me)
- my primary usage is listening to talk radio programs which I have recorded on my PC the previous day via www.replayradio.com.
- I think I'll lose my 6 CD changer in the trunk when I hook this up, right? If so, anyone want to buy it from me? Has worked fine for 2 yrs. & is simply velcroed to carpet in boot.

 

I understand where your concern is coming from here... but it's a couple of screws and a plug... There's a great write up here on NAM if you do a search that walks you through it. If anything this install is a great confidence builder...

At this point, my feeling is that if you can wait about two months. By then Dension will have finished charging people to beta test their connector and the bugs should be worked out...