I just ordered an "iPod adapter - generation 2" from my dealer. 150 for the part, 150 for the install.

I'll let you all know if the functions are different than those that have been reported here.

One Q: What hooks from the ipod to the adapter in the glove box?

mb

 

Any ideas of how long until you have it installed? My MCS should be arriving SOON and I am in a quandry over which way to go for my Ipod.

 

Droppin' it off next thurs., pickin' it up next fri.

Anyone know how to attach the ipod to the adapter in the glovebox?

mb

 

Not sure what you're referring to.
The OEM ipod adapter is usually installed with a connector running into the glove box. It's a standard ipod connector that plugs into the bottom.

The Aux Input is also usually installed in the glovebox. It accepts a 3.5mm male RCA connector. An ipod can be connected to the Aux Input with a male/male patch cable through the top of the ipod, but it will not be powered, nor controlled through the OEM head unit.

 

I somewhat unwillingly had one installed today. It has 5 playlists and the track 6 button is the entire ipod. Not sure what the difference is from gen.1 to gen.2.

 

Gen 2 allows it to be used if you have Nav.

 

So its not a new version? We bought an iPod adapter a year ago and installed it in our 05 w/nav in March when the car came in and its been fine.

 

Holy crap I'm so confused. Are you saying my ipod won't be controlled through the HU?

I got the adapter which will have the connector, yes? And that is NOT the aux input, no? AH! This is why I just plug my friggin' radar detector into the lighter thing.

mb

 

Have you done any research at all? Product descriptions are everywhere.

If you got the OEM ipod adapter, you CAN control it through the HU, but you must create playlists, named MINI1, MINI2, etc. through 5. 'Playlist' 6 is the entire library. You can only access the playlists, not individual artists or albums. You cannot control anything via the ipod when it's plugged into the adapter.

 

Yea, I have, but I haven't found clear cut differences between "adapter" and "aux port". Thanks for your patience and help.

mb

 

Well, the AUX port is clearly just that...a port. It is a 3.5mm stereo jack that you connect a cable from the headphone jack on your iPod.

The Adapter is a cable that connects to, controls, and charges your iPod. As previously stated the OEM adapter will only play the first five playlists. And that is also what it shows on the radio..."Playlist 1", "Playlist 2", etc. But, you can control what playlist is playing and you can advance to the next song. Not to mentiont that your iPod is being charged at the same time.

There is also another adapter made by ICELink. It will do the same thing as the OEM adapter, except you'll be able to see the names of playlists and songs.

Hope that helps...

 

Thank you - so when you buy the OEM unit, you buy both.

mb

 

The iPod adapter is a digital interface between your iPod and the headunit. It uses a standard iPod dock connector, allows you to control the iPod through the headunit and use the controls on your MFSW if you have them. It will also supply power to/charge your iPod. Sound quality for this type of connection is generally considered to be the best. Other than the charging aspect, this interface combined with an iPod is similar to a add-on CD changer.

The Aux port is nothing more than a 3.5 mm headphone jack (equivalent) except that it is an input to the headunit instead of an output to headphones etc. It is nothing more than an analog audio input to your MINI's headunit. It doesn't charge your device or allow your device to be controlled by the headunit or the MFSW controls. This is normally used for non-ipod devices to pump audio into your headunit and nothing more. You'd need a cig. lighter charger/adapter to charge your device.

If you get the MINI/OEM iPod adapter you get only the first item described and not the second (aux input). Although, it is my understanding that both devices can be added to the MINI headunit and coexist.

 

I'm going to nitpick on some technical details. The best sound quality available from an iPod is through the line-out port at the dock connector. It is what the OEM and Icelink adapters use. You can also purchase a connector such as PocketDock to get a line out jack, which can be connected to the head unit's aux input. This would give aux input as good sound quality as one of the iPod adapters. I think that for convenience, most people simply connect the aux input to the iPod's headphone jack. This compromises the sound because it is limited to the quality of the iPod's headphone amplifier. The line-out signal bypasses the headphone amplifier. By the way, the iPod does not have digital audio output. Its controls and data sync through the dock connector are digital, but it has only analog for the audio output.

Now I have a question. Is the "Gen 2 OEM Adapter" mentioned simply the product that has been available for a while, and not a new release?

 

My SA said that it came out in the last couple of weeks and offers more options with regard to scrolling through playlists than the older one. Now, based on the knowledge of this board vs. some SAs, hmmmmmm, we shall see.

mb

 

Hey MB, I'd hold off before spending that $300.

After reading all of this thread, I'm more convinced than ever that I'm ready to part company with my oem head unit for one of the 3 new 2006 Alpine head units that are iPod ready--no iPod adaptor--just a cable from the hu to your iPod

Much as I love the co ordinated look of the oem's black face and orange display, it appears that the Mini iPod adaptor is still a half measure, especially displaying complete track info.

Check them out at Alpine.com or Crutchfield.

 

Consider doing the install yourself (search NAM or Motoringfile for the how to); buying the adaptor at a discount from Classic and doing the install yourself makes the whole thing a bargain compared to other options

 

I got an email from some one who recieved the second gen - I was informed that the 2nd gen is for cars with or without NAV. 1st gen was non-Nav.

 

Dunno if you saw my other post above, but unless Gen 2 has been avail since Dec 04 Gen 1 works with Nav (the adapter we have in our nav car was purchased in Dec 04, before we had the car - works great).

 

Got it installed, plugged my ipod in without setting up any playlists and it played just fine.

According to the manual (and all of the people here) I will be able to play:

5 playlists entitled MINI1-5 and apparently there is no limit to the number of songs in each list, not sure about that though.

The whole ipod through the shuffle option

mb

 

drats! And I was hoping it would be an improvement. My MCS is supposed to be here in the next couple of weeks...I guess I will be going with the Ice-Link

 

I asked the Service Manager at my dealership about the Gen2 when I was there on Friday. He said it was the one that came out in the fall of '04. The MINI rep was there as well and they said there is no information on an updated iPod adapter for the current generation cars.

 

So is there a 3rd Gen on the way? I picked up my MINI on Nov 16th and was advised that a new OEM Ipod adapter was imminent and to wait for it. The main reason being that it would have text display on the H/K HU. So is this the one the OP picked up, or is there still supposed to be a newer one out pretty soon? I was told it was expected "very early" '06.
I have also been looking very seriously at dumping the entire thing and going with one of the new Alpines, I'm hoping the local audio sound specialty place will have a display unit to play with, I'm concerned about lag from the steering wheel controls, I'm not a very patient person when it comes to scrolling through my Ipod lists
Annette

 

OK - I consider myself officially