I think I give up on the wired-in Ipod

[docwagner]

When I bought my LT I thought it was great having a 6 disk CD changer, which uses the same cartridges as my car. Then I checked out the Ipod, bought a 30GB Photo model and I love it. So naturally I followed all the threads about adding it to my LT farklefest. I first bought the soundgate device to reside between my cd changer and my Ipod, I could also run my XM radio through it rather than the FM modulator. Before I could install it I started hearing about the Dension Ice Link. Naturally I gravitated to that. Looked simple enough and I could control my Ipod from my CD Changer controls. So I installed the thing. Right around that time I was reading threads about problems. The device needed to be moved from the saddle bag to the tank bag or handlebars because of heat problems, there was firmware to upgrade and then I found I needed a different cable. My Ipod did the usual lock up after 30 minutes of play time and on my trip to Iron Horse I was without tunes.

I contacted Dension when I found out about the cable I needed and they are taking forever to ship it to me. Then the other day my radio stops working and I get a "no radio" message on the screen. I still hear the radio, stuck on the in between channel I use for my XM radio FM modulator and the XM radio works, but I can't adjust the volume.

So today I tried a couple of things. I reinstalled my CD changer and now my radio works again, so I tried that Soundgate gadget, hooked it up between the radio and the CD changer, hooked my Ipod to the aux input and applied power. Well I get CD changer music on the middle setting on the selector switch and Ipod on aux 1, but the volume on the Ipod is very low. Bummer.

So I have left my CD changer in, I am pulling out all my CD's and refilling my CD cartridges (I have 5 or 6 cartridges) and I am looking for a small FM modulator to attach to my Ipod which I have mounted in a very nifty waterproof box from RAM Mounts to the left side of my BMR shelf. I may or may not apply 12 volt power to the box, it depends on how much space is left over after the FM modulator. Incidently, I did try running the Ipod through the cassette deck, but there must be something wrong with it. There was a lot of static. When I go to Best Buy for the FM modulator I will pick up a cassette head cleaner and see if that works. It should be better sound wise that way, but we will see. Fortunately the bike is running great and the weather here has been perfect for riding. Only wish I was listening to some good riding tunes at the same time.

One other plus, my Rick Mayer saddle is on its way and should arrive any day now.

Just thought I'd share my frustration. Thanks.

[tyroneteeth]

Wow, I had to really concentrate to get through your post! And sometimes concentrating hurts. You are on a misson.....

I am prepared to chuck the 6CD changer in favor of XM, Sirus, or Ipod and can't make up my mind which way to go. Based on what you have written, perhaps I should wait to see where you are in 3 months.

My riding buddy uses an Ipod in his jacket connected to his helmet speakers. He has an R1250RT. My other friend has an Ipod in his tank bag connected to helmet speaker and he rides an R1200RS. I sure don't want to mess with the warranty on my LT or mess up the body or innerds.

I like the idea of an XM type thing, but not sure that I like the idea of paying monthly. The ipod seems to be a reasonable way to go, but if its that difficult to install, maybe I should just leave things stocklike.

[tsBMWminer]

Peter
I have the Ice>Link : plus( I20-BMW-T) From Best Buy and It has work well.
I hook it up right to the existing harness from the cd changer and have had NO Problems with it.
I don't understand about the needed Additional harness from Denison?
Maybe I am missing something.
My Bike is a 2000 So there should be the same harness there,
I truly enjoy the IPOD control thru the bikes system.
If you want I can post pictures of the hook up

[docwagner]

The problem with the cable is the type of Ipod I have. After having problems initially I went to Dension's web site and searched their FAQ's and found that the Ipod 30GB Photo requires the Docking CABLE instead of the docking CRADLE. Nothing is mentioned of this in the product literature. Of course there was no place to order the cable on the web site so I called support, they were closed, but I got someone in sales who initially wanted to sell me a whole system. I finally explained that I only needed a cable. He said he would send it right out. That was a week and a half ago.

I guess I am just frustrated. I suppose if the cable comes in in the next few days it would be easy for me to try it again. It really shouldn't be that hard for it to work. Others like yourself have it working.

[docwagner]

Wow, I had to really concentrate to get through your post! And sometimes concentrating hurts. You are on a misson.....

I am prepared to chuck the 6CD changer in favor of XM, Sirus, or Ipod and can't make up my mind which way to go. Based on what you have written, perhaps I should wait to see where you are in 3 months.

My riding buddy uses an Ipod in his jacket connected to his helmet speakers. He has an R1250RT. My other friend has an Ipod in his tank bag connected to helmet speaker and he rides an R1200RS. I sure don't want to mess with the warranty on my LT or mess up the body or innerds.

I like the idea of an XM type thing, but not sure that I like the idea of paying monthly. The ipod seems to be a reasonable way to go, but if its that difficult to install, maybe I should just leave things stocklike.

Sorry for my rambling style. If all I wanted was to hear music in my helmet that would be easy, I can plug the Ipod into my auxiliary input on my comm system, set it for shuffle, throw the Ipod in the oddments box and I hear it through my helmet speakers. They don't produce the best fidelity however and that is disappointing. I really wanted to be able to hear the music through the fairing speakers and to have handlebar control. If you have a comm system then you may have an auxiliary input to go into and your problem is solved. If you don't have a comm system you may want to consider one with the Ipod in mind. The Ipod is a great thing. I use it in my car, when we have parties in our back yard I hook it to a PA system and put it on shuffle and it can play music all day, no CD's to change, I use it when I fly, it is great. Maybe I need it to learn German so it can communicate with my bike.

[jpalamaro]

Doesn't the cable unplug from the docking cradle so that you can plug directly into the iPod? Mine is one of the original 40Gb so don't know about the photo one?

[docwagner]

When I place the Ipod into the cradle there is some communication going on. The screen font changes and I have had the Ipod work through the bike for short periods of time. I'm not sure what the different cable is all about, only that my Ipod requires it to work properly. So I ordered one and will give it a go.

[tyroneteeth]

I don't have the CB, so I guess I don't have an Aux Input. If I had one I guess it would probably be in the oddments box where the single CD is now located.

The bike audio system definitely would be better than helmet speakers. Probably need to do some searching in the Hall of Wisdom to find out how to hook the iPOD up. But first I better buy one....

(Ramblin' style writin' is great!)

[bmwrider79]

Docwagner;

I purchased from MP3Yourcar a device that seems pretty slick. It uses the cable that goes to your CD changer.

My delimea is I do not have a CD changer or the required cables on my LT to make it work. I paid $140.00 plus shipping. I will have to buy about $200 worth of cables since my LT WAS NOT wired for the CD changer.

I am not enthralled with MP3yourcar since they would not take the device back.

It took me more than 30 days to get LT to the dealer to have them install it. So I blew the 30 day deturn policy.

This winter I will be working on installing the cables so I can use the device.

It is supposed to work like the ICE link and others with out the hassle. No software issues.

Good luck. I feel your pain!

[strsout]

Sorry about your frustrations...
may I give one more tought?

I'm using BlitzSafe
http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_catalog.html
their web site is bad, but the customer service is good.
I had it installed on my old 1999 with an old iPod generation 1 and then I transfer to my 2002 and just recently, before my trip to Alaska, I upgraded my ipod to the new generation 60Mb.

All bikes and all ipods haven been working flawless with BlitzSafe.
It's not fancy like some others, since you cannot skip musics, but you have volume controls and the MUTE works when other voice comes over (like it should be on BMW Comm3 System).
If you still willing to do one more try I would recommend.
It's a small pack who goes under that 'rim' the CD changer left inside the right saddle (you know... in the front of the saddle there is a small rim. It goes under it.)
I have power from the iPods from there and for the new iPod I only changed the cable (cradle stile+cigarret adapter) instead my old iPod cable (FireWire+cigarrete adapter).
If you want, I can provide some pictures

[BigJohn]

I use my MP3 player in the map pocket of the BMW tank bag. I run an aux cable to the Comm System. The tank bag acts almost like a cushion for the player and I never get a skip plus the controls are right there in front of me. Jack Leg but works

[riderup1]

wow.....I feel like I'm reading a news release from another planet....why is all this work required to listen to music?

[Colin1952]

I have a Creative MP3 player. Picked up an FM transmitter from Dick Smith and attached it to the headphone jack on the player. It then plays through the radio. Can't skip tracks but works well through the speakers and, when we have the Autocom intercom going, comes through headset as well. Not as fancy as the integrated system you are after, but works well.

[OlsonBW]

If you have a cassette adapter and find that you can't get the ice-line to work. Check out the Griffin Technologies "SmartDeck." It is a cassette adapter on steroids in that it lets you use your cassette player's controls to control the iPods.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/smartdeck/ MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT VERSION. You can also buy these through Apple's web store.

When you turn your cassette player on it automatically turns on the iPod and has it start playing wherever you left off. Scan forward (then stop scanning) tells it to jump to the next song. Scan back (and stop scanning) and it jumps to the beginning of the song or the previous song. When you turn the cassette player off it pauses the iPod. Really cool.

Note: A friend of mine installed a cig (aux) power to my bike and I use the Giffin "PowerPod" to power and charge up my iPod.

[docwagner]

Thanks to all for some new suggestions. The latest I tried is a Griffin FM transmitter. It works, but the fidelity is not great. My Cassette deck is messed up with way too much static. Tried to clean it, but nothing worked. I am waiting for the Dension cable to come in. If that doesn't work I will try some of these other suggestions. Tunes are important for those long rides.

[BigJohn]

I have done the same thing as you ......BUT......... when I throw the IPOD ( 30GB Video) in the oddments box it locks up. I have to use it in the map pocket of my tank bag and it does well. I would love to look into ICE links and others you guys have mentioned but know that it will lock up if used eleswhere

[det130]

Hi, I am new to this board and have been thinking about getting rid of my 6 cd player. I had an intercom installed a couple of years ago,it is supposed to take an mp3 player (it is an audiovox) that was isntalled at a dealer (the old westchester BMW in New York.
What i want to do is figure out a power source of it. The intercom (which runs the stereo through the headphones in my helmut/ Does anyone have a similar system? and if so, how did they hook up the power for the ID or mp3? The intercom is located under the seat.
hanks for any help in this matter.
Ride safe, Mark

[simoncharles]

I don´t think this product has been mentioned here before
http://www.diceelectronics.com/ipod_connections.htm

[nocanpickem]

There are some advantages to the transmitter. No wires so that bikes pre plug in adopters to the radios can use it easily.

You can have the IPod anywhere including your shirt pocket.

It is cheap


It may not be perfect but certainly works better than the CD changer.


Karl

[airborneod]

Sorry about your frustrations...
may I give one more tought?

I'm using BlitzSafe
http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_catalog.html
their web site is bad, but the customer service is good.
I had it installed on my old 1999 with an old iPod generation 1 and then I transfer to my 2002 and just recently, before my trip to Alaska, I upgraded my ipod to the new generation 60Mb.

All bikes and all ipods haven been working flawless with BlitzSafe.
It's not fancy like some others, since you cannot skip musics, but you have volume controls and the MUTE works when other voice comes over (like it should be on BMW Comm3 System).
If you still willing to do one more try I would recommend.
It's a small pack who goes under that 'rim' the CD changer left inside the right saddle (you know... in the front of the saddle there is a small rim. It goes under it.)
I have power from the iPods from there and for the new iPod I only changed the cable (cradle stile+cigarret adapter) instead my old iPod cable (FireWire+cigarrete adapter).
If you want, I can provide some pictures

I have been interested in the Blitz but can't figure which model to purchase...Can you tell me a part number or model. Thanks