Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit with Remote for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G

by Kensington

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 7.1 x 6 inches ; 14.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0011UK2HO
• Item model number: 33430EU
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe delivers pure sound through your vehicle's stereo system while your iPhone and iPod charges. Simply plug your iPhone or iPod into the car kit using a 3.5-mm audio cable, and then insert the kit into your in-dash auxiliary port. Within seconds, digital-quality sound will be pumping through your car's audio system.

Compact yet powerful, the car kit provides a secure location for your device to charge while giving you full access to your music files through a wireless remote control.

The LiquidAUX Deluxe provides wireless remote control of your music files, while keeping your iPhone or iPod securely in view.

The LiquidAUX Deluxe is tailor-made for the iPhone (1G and 3G); the iPod nano (1G, 2G, and 3G); all iPods (1G through 6G); and the iPod touch

Fingertip Control
The steering wheel-mounted remote control is designed to be mounted with the controls on the interior of your steering wheel. The remote conveniently lets you play, pause, and skip music files with just your thumb, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel.

Convenience
The dock adjusts to fit the iPhone and most iPod models without removing them from the case, and a smart audio sensor controls the kit's power automatically. Kensington's LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit is compatible with the iPhone (1G and 3G); iPod nano (1G, 2G, and 3G); all iPods (1G through 6G); and iPod touch. Note: An auxiliary port in your car is required for the LiquidAUX Deluxe.

Support
Backed by Kensington's two-year warranty, the LiquidAUX also comes with free technical support.

Important Note: Sound Effects
When using an auxiliary device in the car, you might hear a slight buzzing sound, engine noise, or high-pitched whine. That is because your car model has a grounding issue between the audio system and the power socket, which causes a whining or buzzing sound when you drive. This sound is not caused by your Kensington product; however, Kensington has an easy solution. Simply purchase an automotive ground loop isolator for your car that is compatible with a 3.5-mm jack. This simple tool will enable you to use your music in a safe, hands-free environment.

Kensington can provide you with a ground loop isolator free of charge by calling Kensington's Technical Support team at 1-800-535-4242. Please provide the serial number of your LiquidAUX product when you call Technical Support, and the company will arrange to ship you the ground loop isolator.

What's in the Box
Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit, remote control, and 4-foot audio extension cable.

Product Description

From everything we've seen over the past year or two, the near future of iPod and iPhone car integration can be summed up in three letters: AUX. Short for "auxiliary input," the presence of an "aux" port on a car enables an iPod or iPhone to make a direct wired audio connection to the car's audio system, delivering superior audio quality to FM transmitters and in most cases cassette tape adapters. Pricing is another advantage: you can get an auxiliary audio cable for between $5 and $15, versus $40 and up for good FM transmitters and $15-25 for tape adapters. Yet an aux port notably offers only an audio connection; as is the case with other inexpensive connection options, you'll need additional parts to charge, mount, or remote control the iPod.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Big Disappointment - Needs Redesign, May 24, 2009

By 

James Cooper "Conspicuous Consumer" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit with Remote for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G (Electronics)

I really wanted to like this product. I actually bought both the LiquidAUX kit and the Deluxe kit. One to use in my car and one on my motorcycle with my iPhone.

I think they worked once or twice with some adjustments. I know people don't like one star reviews and usually mark them as 'not helpful'. Often times they are right because people rate them with one star because the weren't shipped fast enough or some complaint not related to the product. Or they got the one unit that happened to be DOA.

Not the case here. Here's the problems:

When the iPhone firmware was updated recently, it caused problems with the remote operating and the message that the product was not iPhone compatible. Okay, I checked the manufacturer's website and found their workaround. The message did indeed go away, but the remotes still didn't work.

I decided to try my iPod to see if the problem could be caused by the iPhone, but the remotes didn't work with it either. Called Kensington tech support and they told me (in IndiaEnglish) to try replacing the batteries in remote. This after providing them with the serial number (written in illegible microscopic print inside the remote).

To their credit, they told me they would send me two new remotes (or complete units. I really don't understand IndiaEnglish very well). I should have them in 10 to 12 business days. I didn't have to return the old ones, just trash them. This makes me think they probably have had a lot of problems with these products.

My next gripes have to do with the different models:

The standard LiquidAUX kit:

They must be poorly assembled since the first time I used it it would cut out intermittently. If I just touched the wires going into the power plug they would crackle and pop and had to be delicately positioned to work. The extension cable (which you need unless your cigarette lighter is right next to your mini plug socket) has the same problem, but not as bad.

The Deluxe LiquidAUX kit:

This unit relies on a tight fit in your lighter socket, or you won't be able to keep the thing upright. The clamps holding your phone are not very sturdy and difficult to unlatch to get your iPxxxx out. After a short time most of the physical connections loosen up and you need to prop the business end of the adapter against something to keep it from falling.

I bought both units in Lightning Deals so the price wasn't as bad as it could be. But I'd rather pay more and have something that actually works properly. If I was within the 30 day window, I would have returned them buth.

I am not happy with this purchase.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit top heavy..., July 13, 2008

By 

IRDOC (Bucks County, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit with Remote for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G (Electronics)

I was eagerly awaiting this dock for my iPhone in order to use it in my 2005 Nissan Armada. Previously, I had just been using cables running from an iPhone dock to supply power (via the accessory jack in the Armada's console) and for sound output (1/8" mini stereo cable to aux input on the console). This worked fine, although the dock and phone would fall over on sharp turns.

I connected the LiquidAUX Deluxe to the accessory jack without difficulty, although in the Armada, the jack is recessed about 1.5" deeper than the rest of the console, so that the back of the cradle was actually close to touching some of the console control knobs (like climate control). I noted that the cradle was a bit top heavy, and driving around, particularly over some bumps, caused the power connection in the accessory jack to intermittently disconnect, so that music stopped playing, and the iPhone stopped charging, until I jiggled the connection to restore power. Occasionally, the whole dock would pivot 90 degrees due to the weight at the top.

I do like the ability to adjust the gooseneck and the overall compactness of the dock, which by the way, accommodates both the original iPhone and the new iPhone 3G, although it takes a bit of finagling to get the 3G to seat on the dock connector.

I think I will return the item, and get the LiquidAUX non-Deluxe version, which is the same thing without the gooseneck and dock. I will connect the iPhone and just rest it in the console - I don't necessarily need to see the screen while driving.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works with iPhone 2G and 3G! Great car accessory/charger!, July 22, 2008

By 

Sleepyguy (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit with Remote for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G (Electronics)

This cradle can charge both 2g and 3g iPhones. It sits securely and is not too difficult to dock the iPhone with Apple's proprietary USB connector. Kensington made the USB dock mount adjustable/slide-able. Essentially, when you mount the iPhone/iPod, the USB dock can slide (or stay in place) to an appropriate mount position; hope that didn't sound too confusing. The auxiliary input (as well as the provided extended wire) works well and the wire is lined with a nice "mountain climbing rope" fabric; feels like it was made with high quality materials. It's not made with that cheap rubbery plastic molding that most auxiliary wires come with. The remote works well and mounts well with the steering wheel. However, your hands will need to readjust the new additional peripheral added to your steering wheel.

I love using this mount for the GPS "google" maps mode. I personally think its a great buy for car charging and iphone usage! Now, my car crash percentages have jumped 400%; a bit of sarcasm!