I have an 02 C240 and want to add an Ipod through the HU. The way I want to do it is using the CD changer port, but this means fiber optic cables. I know of 3 options that will acomplish this. 1) Dension Icelink- which is off the market to be replaced in a month with a new model, 2) Soundgate Aux interface- not my top choice but doable, 3) Monster Icruze- not sure how much I love this one either.

So my question is, has anyone else done this and how did it turn out?

ALSO, I know MB has an ipod interface but it's for 04 and newer cars- has anyone heard if they'll make a wiring harness for my car?
Thanks !!!

Akamen, there's another thread in this section that mentions a company that makes wiring kits, etc. that includes and I Pod interface. Did you see it?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I've read all the posts and none compare the three options I have listed above. Many of the posts either talk about connecting using an Aux interface or the Dension unit (which is no longer available and should be replaced on about a month by a similar unit by Dice). Has no one bought an icruze unit? I've not been able to locate the Dension unit easily (only 1 place in Cali. had it and they wanted about twice MSRP for it). Any recommendations?

Akamen, is the type of connection you're talking about really warranted for an I Pod? I don't think the fidelity of I Pods is great enough to warrant a lot of excessive measures for connecting it to your system.

I have one. It's great, but it's not like hooking up turn tables and reel-to-reel, multi-track tape decks to tube amps, etc. on a home stereo.

What does the connection you're describing get you for the money and effort you're going to expend? I'm not criticizing you, just curious. You appear to know a lot more about car stereo than I do.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I have iceLinks in two cars and have been very happy with both. I like that I can control the thing both from the iPod and in a limited manner through the head unit, and that the head unit powers the iPod on and off at the appropriate times.

Glad to hear the icelink works for you...by the way what vehicles do you have them in? any problems with install? Where did you put the ipod?

Dee8go- I prefer a clean look and don't want wires hanging around everywhere. I've done custom audio installs before on several of my previous cars and am not afraid to do it in this car...I figure if I'm driving a nice car, I might as well have a nice stereo to go along with it.

I have the iceLinks in a '99.5 Audi A4 and a '93 300E. The Audi has a stock stereo and the 300E has a newer Becker. In the Audi I have it set up so the iPod sits in front of the shifter; there's a good place in the console for it underneath the ashtray. In the 300E I have it so the iPod goes in the storage area between the seats with the wood lid; I pull it out to operate it and leave it in the console when it's playing.

The only problem I had with either of them was with the M-B I had to get updated firmware for the iceLink to solve some issues; ever since it's worked perfectly.

Just found out that Dice is in beta testing of the new ipod integration kit for my vehicle. They say it will be 4-6 weeks before they hope to go "live". I'll update this thread if I find out anything more.

Have you guys experienced a significant loss in volume when using FM modulators for I Pods and sattelite radios?

I'm planning to hard wire my S-50 soon because of engine noise, etc. I also noticed there was a signinficant drop in volume from the S-50 to the stereo itself.

Does hard-wiring the add-on make a difference in the volume in your experience?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

In my experience it varies greatly. What doesn't vary, though, is the loss in sound quality.

I have been listening to H Stern in the car most of the time since I got it, so haven't thought much about sound quality other than just inteligibility.

I'm assuming you spent most of your time listening to music?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Yeah, I listen mostly to music on the iPod. I also had some issues with interference using the FM adapter thing (technical term), and that got old very quickly.

I would suppose that the Icelink will also work with other devices such as satellite radios, too. Have you tried swapping back and forth? Presummably the signal going into the HU is the same. It's all digital I think, isn't it?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

The iceLink has an iPod-specific cable, so I don't know if there's any way to swap with other devices. If I remember right, though, Dension's newest product (Dice?) does have provisions for using other sources in addition to the iPod.

Thanks for the suggestion.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles