We are new vendors on NAM. Just wanted to let the community know we offer an interface that allows you to control, charge, and play your iPod through you Mini's audio head unit.
www.advancednavigation.com/mini
I noticed a few postings about IceLink. Our cable does the exact same thing however, IceLink's cable goes for 200 at Best Buy and 220 on some other online sites. Our cable is 129.95 (that includes shipping). Feel free to call or email us if you have any questions.
Brad

 

Does your unit allow the iPod's track info (ID3 tags) to be displayed on the head unit's display? If I'm going with a hidden iPod install, then that's a must have feature for me (and why I've been hesitant with all of the other adapter products out there so far).

 

Hi,

I just visited your site and noticed that the availablilty for Mini is only up to MY 2004 and is listed as "none".

I have a 2005 MCSc. Are your units compatible with this year, and are they available for shipping right now, or is this a "pre-order" type thing?

I returned an ICE link plus (unused) last November because there were too many issues occuring in some owners' cars with their electrical system not working properly after installation of the ICE link plus. I had a brand new car and did not want to risk any problems.

How is your unit any different? Is is most comparable with the original "ICElink", or the "ICElink plus"? Are there different software versions for yours, and is there the ability to get free software upgrades down the road with your unit? What software version of ICElink is yours comparable to?

What sort of warrranty comes with this unit, and are there plenty of installation intructions for DIY'ers?

Sorry for the barrage of questions but if you have been following the ICElink threads you will see that there are many frustrated users out there, and Dension's "customer service" has been a real issue for many folks.

Having said all that, why should I buy your unit over theirs, other than the cost?

 

Yes, they are available for shipping right now. We sold one to a NAM member yesterday for a '05 Mini. We did some editing on our site yesterday so thanks for bringing to my attention the typo. We have I-Wonder cables avail now for immediate shipment for '02-'05. It comes with a one year warranty and it is designed to interface(simple plug in) with the existing input in you Mini's stock audio head unit. It also has aux inputs to connect your XM radio, etc.and "charges up" your Ipod. It does not interface with your electrical system, and will not void your warranty in any way. It does not show ID3 tags. We have a 10 day return policy, which we are flexible on. I can send you a PDF with wire diagram and install instuctions.My email: lkates@advancednavigation.com Or you can return to our site www.advancednavigation.com/mini and scroll down after you hit the BMW avail list and review "Is it hard to install" then click on to "click here" for install instuctions. If you can pull your audio head unit out yourself, then it's plug and play, just that simple. Why buy from us??, prompt, excellent customer service, and quality engineered products. Our business is to Earn your business and confidense.
No such thing as too many questions, that is what we are here for!
Les

 

the most important question ive heard so far was "does it play ID3 tags on the Head Unit?" I'm not wiling to invest any money on an iPod adaptor if its only a fancy aux input!

 

Bingo. Same boat for me. I'll just stick with an AUX input i suppose. I am now toying with the idea of just dropping my entire Mac Mini into my MCS though... Why bother with just putting an iPod in?

 

does it charge the iPod at least?

 

Let me know how it goes :smile:. I have a Mac Mini and a Mini in a MINI would be great!

 

There are a few people who have already done it. My current problem is deciding where to locate things. The gentleman who owns "Nemo" (a hot orange convertible) has his Mac Mini tucked into the base of the centre stack, behind the cupholders. I'm trying to find some place a little more discrete, but would still like it to be somewhat accessible. At least the Mac Mini's metal finish matches up well with the allow patina look of the MINI's interior. :smile: Dilemma, dilemma...

 

Les,

Thanks for the prompt answers. I am still a bit confused as to whether your unit is comparable to the ICElink plus or simply the iPod adaptor. As I am sure you know, the iPod adaptor allows one to charge the iPod and control it from the MFSW. But as far as I know, one is NOT able to use the iPod interface itself when it is installed, and only playlists 1-6 and song numbers #1 -99 show up on the headunit display.

On the other hand, my understanding is that the ICE link plus allows one to charge the iPod and control it from the MFSW, but in addition, the song titles appear on the HU (if the unit is so compatible - mine isn't, since it's an early 2005 build), AND one can still also interface with the iPod itself. the latter is a distinction that would be important to me, since I would still like to be able to read the titles on the iPod if I can't see them on the headunit - and I'm sure that others with post-Jan 2005 MINIs want to know if the titles appear as ID3 tags on their headunits.

Can you give a bit more information as to these specific points?

Thanks!

 

Sorry, I just now saw that you did say that the unit does not allow ID3 tags to be shown. But the same question remains, can I ALSO use the iPod interface itself while the unit is plugged into the I -Wonder?

 

According to the website, yes.

The iWonder interface enables an iPod to take the place of a CD changer and provide the following benefits:
• Direct iPod’s audio output to vehicle audio system for crystal clear (CD quality) fidelity and playback.
• Operate your iPod just like a CD changer.
• Control of iPod via vehicle radio and steering wheel controls
• Charging of iPod’s internal battery and charging automatically stops at one hour after iPod is paused, to prevent battery drain.
• Sound quality that is far superior to FM modulation

http://tinyurl.com/cg7n2

 

My understanding is that you will be able to see and utilize your Ipod screen menus and playlist, when using a I-Wonder cable, but I will confirm that for you and you will hear back from me by this evening on that. Also for other Mini owners, with compatible head units for ID3 tags, I-Wonder will be available in aprox 60 days to provide that feature. Currently, I-Wonder does charge your Ipod, and it's interface box has aux inputs for Xm radio, etc. You can download a PDF on install instuctions and wireing diagram from our site by going to I-Wonder product page, click on to BMW applications page, and scroll down to product info section "Is I-Wonder difficult to install?"
Les

 

So right now it's the same thing as the factory iPod adaptor with the exception that the stock headunit does not control playlists, but you can control the iPod through the iPod itself. Right?

 

Man, this sounds like a bad Dension flashback...

 

I am not familiar with all of the details regarding the ICElink and BMW as they tend to advertise one thing and deliver another. The text to radio is varied on certain products (car models) -- our product does not show text on the radio yet. It will when we release the PA-20 version in a couple of months. The cost of retail $129.95 reflects the limited functionality -- the other products offered at Best Buy cost around $200 and for some models of BMW such as the 5 series cost nearly $400

We do have two modes "Playlist mode" for sending 1- 5 playlists to the radios and controlling through the CD interface or audio head unit(this disables the Ipod Screen) - and "Direct Mode" which allows you to view the information on the iPOD display and control it directly to your audio system as you would, if it were not plugged in to the head unit.
Les

 

well, for 40 bucks, i'll stick with an AUX adapter for now and charge my iPod at home.

 

We do have two modes "Playlist mode" for sending 1- 5 playlists to the radios and controlling through the CD interface(audio head unit) - and "Direct Mode" which allows you to view the information on the iPOD display and control it directly to your audio system as you would, if it were not plugged in to the audio head unit.
Les

 

and you will see this is definately not a Dension flashback, but a quality component, bargin priced solution, to control your Ipod thru to your audio head unit directly from the Ipod using all the Ipod features;.. or thru the head unit or steering wheel controls using the play list mode, your Ipod is going to be in the glove box, where you can't see the screen anyway...and you can always pull it out of the glove box and operate it by direct mode and view all the features on the Ipod screen. For $130 bucks, that's a good value if you want to save some money.
Les

 

OK so it's:

the same thing as the factory adaptor, with the option of switching from headunit 1-5 playlist control to direct iPod control. Correct? And it plugs in to the back of the headunit just like the factory adaptor?

 

that's it except for the price difference...let me know if you need any other questions answered, I am happy to do that for you.
Les

 

So, this sounds like a cross between the adaptor and the auxiliary cable, with the best features of both.
Key question for me is, how easy is it to switch modes? Is there a switch such that that this can be accomplished easily, without having to access the back of the headunit? Where exactly is the switch located?

 

You can also get a cigarette lighter charger for cheap on eBay, which is great for road trips.

 

good plan!

 

The primary unit is a small white box, 2 x 3 inches (referred to as the protocol converter) and usually is located in the glove box so the cable from the protocol converter to the iPod (about 2 - 3 feet) allows you to position the iPod within easy reach and so you can have access to the protocol converter(glove box). The protocol converter has a several small dip switches on the side - one of them controls the operating mode (Playlist versus Direct Control). If you change a setting the vehicle power must be off.