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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best ipod integration solution, February 9, 2006
Don't know what the person below is talking about --- this unit is meant to be wired directly into your factory or aftermarket head unit via RCA plugs --- NOT FM modulation! That being said, the unit can also be wired via the CD changer port located on the back of most head units, or via FM modulation (wired or wireless). However, the best sound quality comes from either the RCA or CD changer interfaces. FM modulation (wired) will give reasonable sound quality if you live in suburbia or rural areas --- if you're an urban dweller, however, you may be subject to a little or lots of static. So, if you're willing to shell out the money for this unit, then be willing to fork over a bit more to ensure you have the BEST connection interface.
Aside from all that, installation of this is a breeze. Even if you've never installed anything in your car before -- or have no xp with car stereos, you WILL be able to handle this yourself. Of course, be prepared to spend a day investigating the nether regions of your car's dash/console if you want all the cords/wires to be hidden.
Overall, this is the best ipod integration solution on the market if you want to have full functionality. Those other solutions -- like icelink, iCruze, etc. limit how you can browse your songs, albums, artists, etc. Most even force you to make playlists for browsing. The only real alternatives to the Harmon Kardon, in my opinion, are some of the new CD decks w/ ipod adapters that offer nearly full functionality (Alpine, Pioneer make some good ones....though this route will cost you over $200)
One last thing, if you do opt to have this professionally installed, make sure whoever is doing it has some xp with ipod/car integration. Some "pros" at both Circuit City and Best Buy had absolutely no clue that this could use the CD changer port on my Scion tC factory head unit and tried to tell me that my only option was either a new CD deck that was compatible or to use FM modulation --- which really would have decreased the sound quality.
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The sweetest way to "iPod" your car!, November 17, 2005
The short of it is that this unit is sweet! It works well, looks well and almost behaves as good as an iPod. Before this I had adapted an iPod docking station and a NaviPod remote such that I could see my iPod display and control it with the remote. But this is better and I've since done away with that setup. Some would contend that it's better to buy an interface cable and leave it at that. But that doesn't look professional. I like to keep the iPod hidden away where it can't be seen and instead have this elegant interface to control it with. The only reason it gets 4 stars is because the interface doesn't quite work exactly like the iPod. That's a bit of a bummer for us iPod junkies. But overall it still does a great job. Well worth the $200. I had tried the Alpine unit (I have an Alpine head unit) and returned it because of the pathetic interface. But this unit is nice. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect sound quality, great interface but install it yourself if you can, April 21, 2006
I purchased this from a local "big box" vendor and they were pushing heavy on the professional installation service for $150-$300. They said the cost depended on how hard it was to get it wired into my car (in other words, they charge everyone $300). I do a lot of customizing work to my own car to I took a pass and went home to do it myself.
I'm a stickler for a clean looking install so it took me about three hours to get this completely finished but if you're less anal-retentive than me you can probably get it done in around an hour. The wiring is very simple, clearly labeled, and you're given several options for mounting the display and controller. I was lucky because the dash in my car is made of a nearly identical color as the Drive+Play so it looks like it was factory installed. To all you Honda Element owners out there, this is one slick looking gadget once you get it in place.
I would like to clarify a point made by a previous reviewer. This unit can be connected using either an FM Modulator or a direct line-level input if your stereo has one. You don't HAVE to use an FM Modulator unless your car doesn't have any kind of aux input. On a related note, if your car as a cassette player you can purchase a seperate casette adapter and get much better sound quality than with an FM Modulator. If at all possible, don't use the FM option or you're likely to be dissapointed.
PROS:
- Slick looking parts, very nice interface
- Easy to use, works just like the click wheel on your iPod
- Lots of installation options, high quality materials
CONS:
- FM Modulator option has less than acceptable sound quality
- If you can't or won't install it yourself, be prepared to pay dearly depending on who does the work
In the end, I would buy this unit over and over. I've recommended it to several of my friends and the members of the Honda Element Owners Club I belong to are all rushing to buy their own after seeing mine ;-)
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