iPod nano and TransPod - Outstanding

My CD changer bit the dust a few days ago. So, I bought an iPod nano ($149.99) and TransPod ($99.99) at Circuit City to listen to my tunes when on the road. I could not be more pleased with the outstanding results. I plugged the user-friendly TransPod into the Vehicross then placed the iPod into the TransPod and turned on the OEM Isuzu radio. Pressed the seek/scan button on the radio tuner and instantly heard the iPod clear as a bell over the OEM Vehicross speakers. I am technically challenged when it comes to installing automobile components, and the TransPod is truly designed for people like me. The TransPod just plugs into the lighter receptacle and is ready for use. Here in Clovis, CA, I left the TransPod at its default 88.5 FM setting and did not experience any interference from any other radio broadcasts. The TransPod can be set to any FM frequency on your radio dial, with 4 memory presets. The TransPod transmits your iPod audio via an available FM frequency on your radio. No wires to install.

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/pro...0093030.RT.JPG
TransPod with an iPod (not an iPod nano, though)

I too just bot a Mini Transpod for this application. The Mini has a socket for the Shuffle or takes a cable for larger iPods and has a stereo jack input. I want to have my Mac 12" PB on my boat to do chartplotting with iTunes in the background wirelessly connecting to the normal AM/FM radio and speakers. Sort of a Maxi iPod. I will get it all working this week. Glad to hear you like the quality.
Roy

Yes no more fumbling around with CD's. I've had my Dell DJ for a few years now and in my Vcross about one year. One of the more enjoyable daily mod's I've done. 20 Gig with about 4,000 tunes so far...The apple setup looks very nice...Let us know how it works out...


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/100_1630.JPG

I went a slightly different route with my iPod Nano. I got the Griffin SmartDeck adapter...

http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...smartdeckdock/

The BIG advantages for me using this approach are:
- Better sound quality going through tape deck vs. FM transmitter
- Pauses iPod automatically when you shut off the stereo (or just switch to CD) - Whoo-hoooo!!! That's a BIG plus!!! No more running down your iPod battery because you forgot to shut it off when you got to work!
- Allows you to use the tape deck's FF & RW buttons to either forward- or reverse-scan through songs, OR you can use them to skip forward or backward
- Only $30 at Best Buy

Minor disadvanatges:
- Yet another wire on the dash (in addition to the radar detector, cell charger, etc.)
- Does not charge iPod while using it
- Bright white cord stands out too much against black dash

Just my two cents...

Just curious here, dont they have composite outs for the ipod? I am thinking it would be much easier just to run them back to the external input on the head unit. Might be a nicer (lil more expensive) upgrade if currently you dont have a external/aux on your head unit. I am currently working on mounting my Archos AV420 in mine.

From what I remember hearing, the stock VX stereo does not have external inputs. If it did, or if you have an aftermarket head unit that has ext inputs, then yes, that would be the absolute best way to go.

As it is, my stock stereo has an annoying little background buzz when I use any tape deck adapter.

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

I went a slightly different route with my iPod Nano. I got the Griffin SmartDeck adapter...

http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...smartdeckdock/

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Glad the Griffin works for you. I initially tried the Belkin Cassette Adapter which continually kept clicking and whirring in my cassette player. I never even bothered plugging in the iPod. The following day I returned the Belkin and got the TransPod.

Yea, I just had my Sirius and 30GB IPOD (the only way to go by the way-videos are great) hardwired into my Pioneer. I eliminated all antennaes and the obtrusive trans IPOD docking/charger sticking out of the cig lighter has now been put in the little misses's truck. The sound has improved ten fold and the jumble of wires are long gone.
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Expert insurance

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Originally Posted by geshaw30

Yea, I just had my Sirius and 30GB IPOD (the only way to go by the way-videos are great) hardwired into my Pioneer.

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That's pretty clever, being able to drive and watch videos. I'd definitely put my VX into someone's trunk if I tried that. :p

Not so clever really. (1) Go pick up the kiddo from school, (2) Park the ride, (3) and watch the TV show you missed at home while you wait.

Clever was the install job that put it all in place :_wrench:
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DIGITAL VAPORIZER

I was pretty sure you didn't actually drive along doin' 90 mph while watching a video. No doubt being able to watch a video helps pass the time when you have to wait for some reason.

those of you with avic n1-3, pioneer makes an ipod adapter.

It plugs to the ipod, and allows control through the avic touchscreen. It also recharges.

John C.

I had my Dell hardwired but couldn't control the volume with the Pioneer, I had to use the Dell to control the volume... any ideas ?? Pioneer model DEH-P6300....

Bill, the Griffin was the ONLY one that worked for me. I started with a $10 adapter which made a tiny bit of whirring noise from the tape drive, but was otherwise ok - then that went to the little lady's A3. Then I "splurged" on a $20 Sony adapter. I made it the far end of the Best Buy parking lot before turning around to return it! It made an unbelievably loud racket from the tape drive mechanism and it had a builf-in hissing sound, too. What CRAP!!

I went back this past Monday and got the Griffin, and am VERY happy with it. My wife's big complaint with the regular adapter (we're still waiting for Audi to come out with their iPod adapter) is that whenever she gets somewhere, she has to remember to turn off the iPod when she shuts off the car, otherwise the iPod will keep playing and playing until its battery dies. The Griffin eliminates this problem nicely.

Have a single disk CD unit that plays WMA's, MP3's, regular CD's, is XM radio compatable, and has a AUX port right in front to plug-n-play ANY portable MP3 player. Technology is really cool.

I was feeling so cheap :nor: until crager34 joined this conversation. Glad I'm no longer the only non-supporter, here.

I drive an agency vehicle for work. It'll be great to just plug in the TransPod with my iPod and listen to my tunes. I'll be making a 3-hour roundtrip beginning in the morning using the iPod for its first work-related drive. It'll almost feel like I'm in the VX.

I bought the Usa-Spec (Brand) Ipod adaptor for my Trooper. It replaces the CD changer as the input to the radio, and gives you an extra AUX input as well. The iPod is then controlled with the CD changer buttons on the radio, so you can just store it in the glove box.

Get the Toyota adaptor. It works fine with the Isuzu deck.

-Tad

"I was feeling so cheap until crager34 joined this conversation. Glad I'm no longer the only non-supporter, here."

Sorry to dissapoint, but I do/did support the site with a monitary contribution. Hence the "Super VX'er" caviat.

Ah, heck. Sorry Crager34. Now I feel so cheap, again.

NazRat, thanks for the suggestion. Just checked out their site, http://www.usaspec.com/ and looks like they offer a lot of great solutions. Here's that Toyota interface at Crutchfield for $119.99:

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...PA11TOY-f.jpeg

BTW, are the accompanying instructions relatively dummy proof? I am ashamed to admit that I am vehicle installation challenged.

You could toss the instructions and still figure it out. The white box plugs into the back of the radio, and the ipod plugs into the white box. None of the connectors will fit in the wrong socket. The only thing that you would want the instructions for is to figure out how to set the dip switches. There are 2. One is for the 2nd aux input (for your non-ipod mp3 player, or ...) and the other is used to tell it what mode to play songs in. It is either playlist mode or all songs mode. By far the hardest part is removing the dash bezel.

-Tad

I bought the Itrip attachement which does the same thing but is much smaller and attaches at the top. Isnt that technology awesome though.

Numba1goalie, the iTripnano definitely looks better than the TransPod, plus at half the price. Downside, the iTripnano runs off the iPodnano battery and it does not appear to have a means to hold it on the dash or somewhere else.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/ima...pnano_main.jpg

...or are you using the iTrip Auto? Same issue with leaving the iPod to float about somewhere attached to the electric power. Curious to hear how you secure your iPod when driving.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/ima...pauto_main.jpg

http://www.griffintechnology.com/

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Originally Posted by Nazrat

You could toss the instructions and still figure it out. The white box plugs into the back of the radio, and the ipod plugs into the white box. None of the connectors will fit in the wrong socket. The only thing that you would want the instructions for is to figure out how to set the dip switches. There are 2. One is for the 2nd aux input (for your non-ipod mp3 player, or ...) and the other is used to tell it what mode to play songs in. It is either playlist mode or all songs mode. By far the hardest part is removing the dash bezel.

-Tad

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Okaaayyyy... I just submitted my order for the Toyota interface. I am trusting your advice on this. TIA. :homer:

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Originally Posted by Bill Brown

Okaaayyyy... I just submitted my order for the Toyota interface. I am trusting your advice on this. TIA. :homer:

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I just ordered it from Crutchfield, and I based it on advice from one of the other forums (cough cough). It works for me and I have a pocket under the radio now where the CD changer used to be.

-Tad

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Originally Posted by Nazrat

I have a pocket under the radio now where the CD changer used to be.

-Tad

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What did you use to create your pocket? Right now, I just taped the old CD changer face from behind so it looks like the CD changer is still there as opposed to just a hole. I'd rather have a useable pocket.

Best Buy has a pile of pockets from various installs. Find one (Mine was from a 90s Toyota Camry) and mount it to the factory cd changer brackets. You may have to drill an extra hole or two in the brackets to line up the pocket with the dash.

-Tad

Good info. Thanks. Will try your suggestion.

Nazrat,
That Toyota adapter will fit the stock Vehicross stereo, taking the place of the cd changer?
(my cd changer is broken, so no big loss).

Just want to make sure before I buy it...

Here is the radio that I have:
http://tad.grosvenor.org/gallery/200...x421_A_562x421

It plugged in right in place of the factory changer.

-Tad

But thats a picture of a trooper, not a vehicross, isnt it?

The url even says "2001 trooper".

Im confused.

All just want to know if the adaptor that say its compatible with toyotas is also compatible with a 2001 Vehicross stock radio.

Im a little slow, so be patient with me.

You have the same radio, right?

http://i15.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/a3/0d/78_3.JPG

-Tad

Aha! You are correct sir.

So that looks like its going to work: the Toyota adaptor will work with the VX stock stereo, plugging into the jacks used for the cd changer. (just documenting it for posterity).

Thanks for clarifying!

Crutchfield's delivery took 4 business days from placing my order until receipt. I had to wait until today (Saturday) when I had time to fish around for the plug to the radio. It is official, the USA Spec iPod to Toyota interface works with the Vehicross stock radio. As Nazrat said, you just plug the interface cable into the cable that was connected to the Vehicross stock CD changer. Yup, you can control a few features on the iPod with the radio's CD controls. However, you can use all the iPod features if you have access to the iPod. I plan to mount the iPod holder this weekend. Will post a photo or 2 of the finished installation when I get done. Again, thanks Nazrat!!!! :yesg:

Here's the finished installation.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...Pod_holder.JPG
Drilled a small hole (1/32?) into dash trim panel. Affixed 2-sided foam tape to SMOKE E-Z Clip for iPodnano and screwed it to the panel as seen. The holder is secure enough to allow for easy use of the iPodnano controls with one finger. I placed a piece of electrical tape over the silver screw to protect the back of the iPodnano. The USA Spec Model PA11-TOY iPod to Toyota car stereo interface sits behind the Isuzu CD Changer faceplate (CD changer removed). The interface plugged directly into the Vehicross stock radio.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da..._in_holder.JPG
The Vehicross stock radio controls a few basic functions on the iPodnano using the CD changer controls. The iPodnano controls remain fully functional, too. Can't say enough thanks for Nazrat informing me of this USA Spec interface.

Good job. My cable exits in the glove box and normally I just leave the iPod in there. I can skip around with the radio buttons. I have a Pro-Fit mount with a generic cell phone cradle and when I want to see the iPod I slip it in there. I really like having the pocket where the CD changer used to be.

Be sure to set dipswitch 2 to off before installing otherwise your iPod will only display "TOYOTA" and you don't be able to see the song title or control the iPod with its buttons.

-Tad

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Originally Posted by Nazrat

Be sure to set dipswitch 2 to off before installing otherwise your iPod will only display "TOYOTA" and you don't be able to see the song title or control the iPod with its buttons.

-Tad

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First thing I did after opening the box was set that dipswitch according to your earlier post. Never tried the default setting.

Does this set-up bypass the CD changer, or can you still use it?

The interface connection replaces the CD Changer connection. The CD Changer cannot be used with the iPod interface connected.

What I did was to use the aux input on the iPod adaptor to connect an external CD changer. I have a SONY FM modulated CD changer. Instead of connecting the output to the FM modulator I run the RCA cables directly to the iPod adaptor. The FM modulator part is just used as the screen/buttons for the CD changer.

I sold my in-dash cd changer for $150 on E-Bay too.

-Tad