iPod and Elements?

[kwikfile]

I am about to get an E and was wondering about the stereo system.Does the 270 watt stock stereo sound good using an iPod? Any advice?

An aside: There seems to be an overwheelming amount of Apple users that own E's is that a true assesment?

2004 E (soon) Currently own an iMac, E-Mac and older Performa and yes and I drink the Cool-aid at Mac World before the keynote speech that Jobs gives....

[ttempel]

I am about to get an E and was wondering about the stereo system.Does the 270 watt stock stereo sound good using an iPod? Any advice?


sounds just fine to me; i use a simple cable between my ipod and the MP3/AUX jack, and crank the volume up on my (2nd generation) iPod

An aside: There seems to be an overwheelming amount of Apple users that own E's is that a true assesment?


could be, could be. Maybe it's just a style thing 8)


2004 E (soon) Currently own an iMac, E-Mac and older Performa and yes and I drink the Cool-aid at Mac World before the keynote speech that Jobs gives....

let's see: dual 1GHz G4, 20" cinema display, iSight, iPod, iBook/600, old Newton MP110 in the basement somewhere, kids' eMac, wife's PowerBook/G3, AirPort, and once had an offer to be an Apple-badged employee working at FileMaker, and 4 years later trying to get to the mothership itself...

Yeah, Kool-Aid :D

[psschmied]

I'm a network engineer and don't use Macs any more, although I think they are great. I'm also an electronics engineer.

Any good MP3 player should sound great.

Basically, anything that can drive a headset will sound better using the Element's sound system. I carry a Sony Walkman that has TV and Weatherbands, and plug it in to listen. When I switched it over to its FM band by mistake, it sounds almost as good as the Element's radio.

[Electric2k]

I have no idea if there is a coorelation between Element and Mac ownership, but I also own both :)

To answer your main question, I use my 3G iPod with my Element all the time, and I think the sound is pretty good. If you're happy with the sound of AAC or MP3 you should be fine with the way it sounds.

[kwikfile]

Thank you for the replies with great comments.
I am so exicted about getting my E. It may be next weekend!!!

My 5G iPod is crammed with music and audio books. I have been very lucky with the Pepsi/iTunes Promo - getting around 3-5 songs a day!
People i work with do not mind passing their winning tops to me.

Thanks again!

[rastarbuck]

I have a Creative Nomad Zen 60GB mp3 player (slightly larger than iPod but at $6/GB vs. $11/GB for iPod) and it sounds great. The overhead "sunglasses" area above the rearview also doubles as a perfect storage spot.

[surfcity]

the mini ipod works great also!

SurfCity Element

[kwikfile]

I got my E last night
2004 ,Orange EX, Still freakin Amped! . Installed Table Kit and Hula Girl.
Next is Arm rest! and Tent Cabana!
Fun to drive and the Stereo is AWESOME!!!!

I will post some more when I get back to earth!

[ttempel]

I got my E last night
2004 ,Orange EX, Still freakin Amped! . Installed Table Kit and Hula Girl.
Next is Arm rest! and Tent Cabana!
Fun to drive and the Stereo is AWESOME!!!!

I will post some more when I get back to earth!

so, you're excited?

8)

welcome, and enjoy the Element!

[ombligo]

I have the LX so it does not have the input jack (Honda got a bit chincy there IMHO along with the rear power outlet - prewired, just needs the plug)

Anyway... does the stock stereo in the LX have a CD changer or aux input that I could wire a 3.5mm jack into? I don't feel like ripping my dash apart to find out.

[ombligo]

oops forgot....

Dual 1.25 ghz G4 with 1 gb ram
800mhz G4 ibook with 640mb ram

plus 3 more Macs in storage (g3/233, PM 7500 & powerbook 1400c)

[IN MY]

oh no, not again... lol

[woody hickcox]

iPoders! I've enjoyed my original 5G iPod in my E since I bought it in April '03. I simply place it in one of those dashboard cubbyholes and keep it charged up with the firewire. Recharging the newer ones with their little platforms would seem to be difficult in those cubbies. Where do you stash the thing and its platform while it's playing/recharging?
Does anyone else's woofer rattle when that bass player gets really cranked up?

[IN MY]

I find if I have something like a fast food paper bag leaning against the sub that it sounds distorted. I thought I blew it until I realized it was the trash. You might want to check your stereo settings so that it isn't on the high side. I play the Sirius loud when I can and I have the sub set at three I think. The Sirius, like the Ipod I imagine is a lot cleaner than a CD or radio and can be played louder.

[jbelch3]

I too just purchase an Orange EX 4WD and what do you know I own two Macs and an iPod mini. (I just wish Apple made an Orange iPod mini to match my E) :wink:

[biocube]

woody, i assume you meant a 3g ipod with a dock?

if so, i use the Sik imp, which has a dock connector and so charges and has an aux out for the aux in of the ex stereo.

if you meant 2g, then i think belkin has something.

[jmcookesq]

I use a Dell Digital Jukebox and mine sits just fine on top of the steering wheel leaning in the speedo bezel (even with the way I drive). I don't really want to know how fast I am going anyway but it can be a bit tricky changing songs with your arms stuck through the steering wheel.

[ombligo]

The iTrip (and similar devices) just did not have the sound quality I wanted but there seemed to be few options for the single disc stock radio in my LX. What finally solved my problem was a FM Modulator. This simple device plugs into the antenna lead and directly feeds the signal to a user selectable fequency. You still maintain full radio use except on the selected frequency. Besides the modulator, all you need is a minijack to RCA stereoconnector for $6 at your local Radio Shack. There are numerous FM Modulators on the market, I settled on the Pyle PLMD8 ($31 shipped from Audioclubhouse.com).

[SnowElement]

I too am looking for the best MP3 for my E. Am looking at the Creative Nomad ZEN Extra 40GB. First does anyone have any reviews on Creative? Most reviews say just a bit bigger than the iPOD, but it is a great value. Next, I have seen a few setups with iPODs, using a magnetic mount next to the gear shift. I have this for my phone but am not sure if the "magnet" part will have a bad effect on the MP3. Lastly, to connect the MP3 to my E, do I go buy an over the counter cord with 2 "headphone" size male jacks and plug it into the "headphone" jack on the player, or is there a special cord for this type of thing?

[ombligo]

The cord will depend on the input jack. For an EX it is a standard minijack to minijack.

I would avoid a magnetic mount only because magnets do not combine well with harddrives. Here is one solution - http://www.proclipusa.com/digitalmusicplayers/digitalmusicplayers.aspx

I mounted mine down low so it isn't as obvious to pedestrians on the street. No need to tease thieves.

As for which MP3 player - the Zen looks good and has a great price but I've heard very poor longterm reports on reliability from multiple sources.

I'm frugel, even cheap but after doing agreat deal of research I went with a 20gb ipod. For slightly less consider the HP+ iPod. It is exactly the same as the iPod but is marketed by Hewlet Packard. The biggest drawback is the warrenty is through HP so you can't just take it into an Apple Store if you have a problem. Something as costly as the iPod is commending the overwhelming share of the market just because of hype.

[sebastian]

I REALLY like my Creative Zen Touch 20. It's a sibling of the Dell DJ, with a touch-scroll added.

Pics of the bracketron mount setup I have are here (http://www.red-tail.net/e/bracket/).

For iPod, Proclip makes a mount for it, that attaches to an AMPS bracket like either of the Bracketron or Panavise products.

[SnowElement]

Thanks for the tips on mounting. While I cant leave the player in my E when I am not there, too cold here in Alaska to leave it outside for long, I do want it in a handy location, I hate the idea of drilling into anything to mount it though.
Sebastian, how does your bracket get behind the stereo facing plate?
I put 13k miles on my beloved E since April 10th, so I am in need of some serious amounts of music! I like the looks of your MP3, how long have you had it? No problems?
Thanks for all the help!

[clockguyjim]

I like to think of my new element as the ultimate iPod accessory.
kind of like rolling speakers.
I'm awaiting my personalzed plates - E POD

[SnowElement]

I did end up getting the Creative Zen Touch, but am having a hard time finding a mount for it. Cant seem to locate the one that was mentioned above. Anyway, I do love the fact of having all that music at the touch of my fingers... ordered custom plates yesterday..."BOOMBX"