AUX input for 99 LT
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I'm glad you posted this. I'm interested in this topic too. I have not picked up my '99 LT from CT yet so don't have input yet. In cars, I've used a cassette aux input but was never satisfied with the quality so I'm skeptical how well it will work on the LT.
I'd love to be able to control my iPod through the handle bar controls. From the research I've done, the cord that replaces the CD changer has poor volume on the '99. Wondering if we do not have an amplifier between the CD changer and the stereo. If so, a line amp spliced into the audio cords might fix that. Will start doing more research once I have the bike out here in CA.
If your question is solely based on an AUX input, not necessarily iPod, I apologize for straying from your question.
I'd love to be able to control my iPod through the handle bar controls. From the research I've done, the cord that replaces the CD changer has poor volume on the '99. Wondering if we do not have an amplifier between the CD changer and the stereo. If so, a line amp spliced into the audio cords might fix that. Will start doing more research once I have the bike out here in CA.
If your question is solely based on an AUX input, not necessarily iPod, I apologize for straying from your question.
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3,093 Posts
The two low tech approaches are 1) cassette adaptor, 2) FM transmitter.
I've been using the cassette adaptor on my 2000 for years. I've fed satellite radio and MP3 players that way and it worked great. I didn't think it hurt the audio noticably. I use good quality in-the-ear speakers (ear buds) so I am not listening to wind noise that is present with the bike's speakers or even helmet speakers.
I've not used the FM tranmitter method, I've read that there is some sound quality reduction with this approach and it is subject to interference from radio stations, and other radio frequency sources.
I've read here many posts bout Dice and other products that allow swapping out the cassette player for an iPod. I have no experience with this approach, search this site for many posts over the years on the subject. I was deterred from this approach by the cost, potential complexity (I read many posts from folks trying to troubleshoot the setup), and the fact that I didn't mind having the old tech cassette player in the bike.
There were posts about removing the radio, finding, and wiring an input on the back of the radio. If memory serves me, someone had success with the approach, I don't remember what year bike (what bike stock audio system) was used. In any case this approach would be the furtherest from plug 'n play.
My vote remains with the cassette adaptor.
I've been using the cassette adaptor on my 2000 for years. I've fed satellite radio and MP3 players that way and it worked great. I didn't think it hurt the audio noticably. I use good quality in-the-ear speakers (ear buds) so I am not listening to wind noise that is present with the bike's speakers or even helmet speakers.
I've not used the FM tranmitter method, I've read that there is some sound quality reduction with this approach and it is subject to interference from radio stations, and other radio frequency sources.
I've read here many posts bout Dice and other products that allow swapping out the cassette player for an iPod. I have no experience with this approach, search this site for many posts over the years on the subject. I was deterred from this approach by the cost, potential complexity (I read many posts from folks trying to troubleshoot the setup), and the fact that I didn't mind having the old tech cassette player in the bike.
There were posts about removing the radio, finding, and wiring an input on the back of the radio. If memory serves me, someone had success with the approach, I don't remember what year bike (what bike stock audio system) was used. In any case this approach would be the furtherest from plug 'n play.
My vote remains with the cassette adaptor.
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334 Posts
I tried to answer that same question for my '00 model and actually tried a couple of the options already mentioned - first the cassette adapter then the FM transmitter. Neither was great but they were economical. With the Sony cassette adapter, the volume would not go high enough to satisfy my taste in all situations. I didn't know of any way to solve the volume problem so I moved on to the next option.
The Belkin FM transmitter was powered by the iPod battery, so I could just turn it on, put it in the oddment box and go. It actually worked pretty well but when there was interference from a radio station, finding another one on the fly would have been about as safe as texting on my cellphone - better to just switch to the CD player for a while. With the transmitter in use, the iPod battery would hold up for most of an all day ride.
That was before I started hanging out on this forum so I didn't know what all these guys on here were doing before I just settled in to the OEM sounds setup and was OK living with an imperfect bike, as long as the ride was great - and it was all of that.
The Belkin FM transmitter was powered by the iPod battery, so I could just turn it on, put it in the oddment box and go. It actually worked pretty well but when there was interference from a radio station, finding another one on the fly would have been about as safe as texting on my cellphone - better to just switch to the CD player for a while. With the transmitter in use, the iPod battery would hold up for most of an all day ride.
That was before I started hanging out on this forum so I didn't know what all these guys on here were doing before I just settled in to the OEM sounds setup and was OK living with an imperfect bike, as long as the ride was great - and it was all of that.
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3,093 Posts
I never had the volume problem with my cassette adaptor setup on the K1200LT.tips727 said:
However, on my Airheads which have no onboard audio whatsoever, I solved a volume issue with a battery powered mini-audio booster.
Like this one from RadioShack:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2732095
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