iPod connection in the Puma

[dmdigital]

Does anyone know if this kit is available to Australia and - more importantly - will it plug straight in to the Australian spec audio unit in the new Defender?

Or is it just an FM transmitter plugged in to the antenna cable?

LR Part No: LR007647 - Audio Connectivity Module

We already loose out on the Aux input jack so what else have they decided we don't need:confused:

Scouse, Sniegy please feel free to jump in and tell me it is/isn't a viable part. I'll have the radio out in a few weeks when I fit my spotties and wire up the switch

[cripesamighty]

Hi dm_td5,

We were thinking of doing the same thing but chose instead to upgrade the Puma's stereo unit. We bought a Fusion CA-IP500 stereo on which the facia is removed and the iPod is inserted into the unit. The iPod menu then appears on the stereo. It also comes with an auxiliary jack.

We went this route as we go caving quite a bit and often drive on fairly rough roads - especially on the Nullarbor. We now don't have to worry about CD's skipping and by inserting the iPod we don't have it flying around the cab - especially when my other half is driving! Ha Ha. Also it's auxiliary jack comes in handy for connecting other people's MP3 players when we go away while ours stays in the unit.

We are getting the unit fitted this week so I will let you know how it goes.

[dmdigital]

After much searching that seems the best kind of route. I have an Alpine in the other Defender with an iPod jack and at present we are still using the Monster cable FM transmitter unit in the Puma. I need to sort out in car computer etc for next year anyway so its all part of the same thing.

Since found out the kit I referred to in my initial post is an in line with antenna unit and so even if it was available in Australia isn't what I want anyway.

[dobbo]

Why not just get a cheap head unit with an SD port?

Lokka and myself got some for $99, no CD to jump, just AM/FM SD and USB input, and 50w per channel. They're dust and kinda splash proof therefore perfect for a Land Rover.


AM/FM USB/SD MP3 MULTIMEDIA HEAD UNIT - Autobarn - Mobile Entertainment - Head Units (http://www.autobarn.com.au/products/8/143/4213745)

[dullbird]

shouldn't think it's entirelly dust proof with to open ports on the front :D

[dmdigital]

Just had a look at the Fusion unit. That's pretty neat! Did you have any issues plugging it in to the car's stereo harness?

[solmanic]

Well here is my standard response to this particular question...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/48329-ultimate-07-defender-ice-solution.html#post657728

[cripesamighty]

Hi dm_td5,

We researched it a while ago and were hoping to have it in about 3-4 weeks ago but it had not come into the country yet as it is new to the market. The original fusion units were a) the boating version and b) the auxiliary jack version ie. did not swallow the iPod. Both have the iPod menu showing on the stereo unit's facia and they have been sold for quite a while and have a pretty good reputation.

We got a phone call last week to say our unit was finally in so my other half is getting it done this week (Tues?) as she is a school teacher and it is the Oct school holidays in WA.

In the meantime give Brad a call at Decibel Car Stereo in Welshpool, Perth (08) 9470 1421 on Tuesday. Monday is a Public holiday in WA. I don't think the wiring is difficult as he said it was a fairly standard fit. Brad is very knowledgeable and I am sure he would be able to answer any of your questions. He is the only one I have seen with these units so far but I am sure more people will be getting them in.

It may help to mention us, so PM me if you want our details as we have been on the blower with him quite a bit over the last few weeks and he gave us a fairly good deal too.

cheers

[dobbo]

shouldn't think it's entirelly dust proof with to open ports on the front :D

Dust resistant

It is when the SD card is in and a piece of Gaffa tape is stuck over the top of the ports

You do carry Gaffa tape in your car don't you?

[cripesamighty]

Hi dm_td5,

We had the Fusion unit installed today. Apparently it was a pretty easy fit. We did not upgrade the speakers or put in an amp so the sound is pretty good but not brilliant, if you know what I mean. It is definitely much better sound quality than the Kenwood setup with tweeters that we have in the TD5 though. I had the iPod plugged in just now and the stereo cranked up until my ears were nearly bleeding and although it was not as crisp at those decibels it was still OK.

The iPod setup works a treat although the right hand knob has a joystick movement to it which may take a day or so to get used to. My other half was initially a little disappointed in the sound quality, but she only listened to the radio at the car stereo place as she did not have any music loaded on the iPod. I forgot to put some on last night - Doh!

The other thing I pointed out was that she has gotten used to our Bose speakers on the entertainment unit we recently bought and can't expect the same sound out of Land Rover speakers unless we up the ante! We may just upgrade the speakers and put in an amp after all - depending on whether we can justify the money for the limited increase in sound clarity. I will wait and see what she says when she comes back from her Nullarbor trip next week.

Also, the auxiliary jack has a pretty long lead and I tucked it neatly into the gap between the steering column and the left hand storage pocket under the steering wheel. This gives us three options for playing music if you include our FM transmitters which can be connected to either our cheap-ass portable CD player or other MP3 players.


Cheers,

Cripesamighty

[cripesamighty]

An addendum to the last post. Talked to my better half last night and turns out she was listening to the stereo on Classical music setting. Once I showed her the different sound settings she switched to 'rock' and she is now much happier with it. When she pulled out of the driveway this morning heading to across the Nullarbor she had the iPod in the stereo cranking....

[dmdigital]

Can you post up a pic of the unit in the Defender when your other half returns from the Nullarbor?

[tolinja]

i just bought my self a FM transmitter which is designed to plug into your Ipod and playback to your car radio. I have a phone which has ipod built into it and tryed it out yesterday. fantastic , works a treat and no wiring to be done. simply tune your radio to match the out put and plug in and have your songs on the radio.
very happy

cheers
chaser

[cripesamighty]

No problem on the photo. She will be back next weekend and I will post a couple of photos then. The Fusion unit is the same dimensions as the standard Land Rover one we replaced, but the facia just sticks out a little bit further.

We also have two different model Belkin FM transmitters. They sound great in my car which has a crappier set of speakers but not as good on the stereos in the Puma or TD5 as they both have tweeters. They are handy little units though.

[dmdigital]

Belkin Transmitters... eeek! I've gone through 4 of them (2 and each replaced under warranty) and wouldn't get another. We currently have a Monster Cable iPod FM transmitter.

[dullbird]

i have a transmitter and its great cant remember what make looks like it could be OME.......

but its small it works great and i can charge my ipod through it should i want to and the best bit i can take it from car to car :)

[TimNZ]

How the heck did you guys get the Factory head unit out???? :confused:

Tim

[dmdigital]

In theory 4 pieces of wire one in each hole on the sides of the unit should release the clamps.

Haven't had to do this yet. In practice, there may also be several "words of power and persuasion " required.

[TimNZ]

Thanks dmtd5, I had this bit sorted:


In theory 4 pieces of wire one in each hole on the sides of the unit should release the clamps.

But not enough of this:


several "words of power and persuasion " required.

Just needed a bit more "brute force".

Cheers,

Tim

[cripesamighty]

I made do without an FM transmitter for quite a while and then found the Belkins for $15 in the bargain bin. I bought one for each car as a stop gap so was not too worried about the performance as they were better than nothing!

So far so good but if and when these die I will definitely get a better unit for my car. The Defender has the Fusion iPod unit so doesn't need one.

[cripesamighty]

Hi dm_td5,

My other half got back last night and I spent most of the day cleaning out half of the Nullarbor that seems to have hitch-hiked back in the Defender! She also managed to stake a sidewall so I guess that tyre is stuffed and I pulled out 3 other largish bits of wood out of two other sidewalls. Here's hoping they are not too bad as I really don't want to be forking out for three new tyres instead of just one, considering we have barely owned the car.

Below are two photos of the Fusion stereo unit. The first one shows how the unit looks fitted with the fascia closed up. The second has the fascia open with the iPod visible on the right side of the unit, nestled in its cradle.

I hope that helps.

[dmdigital]

Thanks for that, very spartan looking unit, nothing fiddly looking about it. Is the iPod and radio easy to control?

[cripesamighty]

Yep, dead easy once you get used to the toggle control - which doesn't take long. Also, we had a remote for the unit thrown in so it is great.

If you are used to an older stereo (like me) it does look a little bit spartan, but then so does an iPod when you think about it! The functionality of the unit is great though, it's just not on show if you follow what I mean.

My other half used it extensively on her trip and loves it to bits. Having the iPod tucked neatly away means one less thing kicking around the cab. We already have the GPS, phone/s, hand held radios and eventually a laptop vying for space in the front as well.

We are still thinking of swapping out the original speakers and maybe putting in an amp as well. Will let you know how we go.