My wife just got me the 80G IPOD Classic as a gift, and I'd love to be able to connect it to my Alpine head unit. I have an older Alpine (CDA-7894), so I don't have the front auxiliary input but have seen cables that would allow me to to connect it via the AI-NET input on the rear of the unit. Have any of you had any experience doing this? I'd also welcome any tips, or any cable mounting/location suggestions. The 2 cables I've been able to find are...

http://ipodcarparts.com/alpine-ainet...ble-p-172.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aE9pote...px?I=127ICALPA

The one from Crutchfield seems pretty cool because it says that you can charge the IPOD while it is connected. As always, thanks for any help!

 

Depending on the head unit you have i would say don't get it. I don't like having to press down 4000 times just to listen to an artist in the "S" category. I would honestly run the cable from the ipod to the aux input and control the ipod with its own controls.

I have the older version of this and it works a lot better. If you are lucky you can get one for $50 from best buy.

 

I have an Alpine CDA-9847, with a KCA-420i (KCA-420i) iPod adapter. It's nice because my iPod is hidden away in my glovebox, but I can still control it (through the headunit) and it stays charged. The downside is that searching for artists is painfully slow. If I were to do it again, I would simply buy an AI-Net to RCA cable (AI-Net to RCA) then get a 1/8 Stereo to RCA plug (1/8 Stereo to RCA) and just control it myself. Downside would be that you'd also need an IPod car charger.

 

I have an integrated Ipod alpine as well. I LOVE it. searching isnt hard at all, the 1-6 buttons let you skip in proportionate increments to sections, so If I wanted to go to the nearest area round M, I would press something like 4 and it would shoot me to that arena. but its just fantastic. I use my ipod touch with it...

 

I would still control the IPOD with it's controls, my head unit is not "IPOD ready". These cables would just allow me to play the IPOD through the head unit at it's highest quality - no radio transmitter.

 

i have a pioneer DEH-P500UB. and with most newer ipods u can either control the ipod thru the headunit or with the ipod itself, and it charges via a usb port. i used to be a fan of alpine headunits, but im really impressed with this headunit. just givin you some options.

plus its less expensive

 

I'm not interested in a new head unit, I'm trying to find out if anyone has had any experience with either of those cables.

 

Well like i said, I bought the cable but the searching sucks with my head unit. For the record I have a Panasonic head unit. I have to push down a lot to get to the lower artists. If you can use jump buttons like SuperGildo@RRP said then go for it. Since the connection is direct the sound quality is really good.

 

Hmmm, I didn't know about that...I'll give it a try next time I jump in my truck....That would definitely be an awesome feature!

 

I used to have a Panasonic also, and yes their interface is a joke! I switch to Kenwood KDC-X991 and have been very pleased. All I gotta do is spin the Rt hand **** and it zips down pretty quick.

I would say go for the cable that lets you cotrol the ipod from the deck. From what I've read Alpine has pretty much been the leader with regards to user interface and ipod compatability with the deck, so unlesss you have a real dinosaur on your hands I think you'd be pleased.

 

I can't figure out which way to flip the AI-NET switch?

 

if u want a new hu i have a very newer sony xplod that had ipod direct (you can browse songs,atrists etc. thu the hu) its a very nice feature when trying to drive down a slippery road, please your gf, and drink a monster lmao

 

i think it will work the same as an ipod adapter that connects directly to the back of the deck and into the ipod. only pain with the ipod adapters is that it takes a bit to search through artists and songs since you are controlling it through the deck. aside from that, i love it. keeps my ipod charged, and safely tucked away in the glovebox.

 

I have the Ipod and a Alpine 9856 head unit I use the AI-net cable

I personally hate it is sounds like crap the sound quality is **** poor.

I was told you lose a lot of quality cause of the cable.

The music you listen to will sound like it's in a can. Even if you adjust your bass and treble it will still not sound as good as it would on a cd

 

Dang my girlfriend has a Alpine with the AI-net and it sounds just like CDs, perfect sound quality.

 

What kind of head unit does she have?

I have a friend who loves music with a passion. We took a road trip together.

I plugged in the Ipod and he told me to unplug it cause he couldnt stand listening to it like that.

 

I don't remember the model like a 9874 or something. Maybe you have a bad cable? I've heard a lot of different Alpine units with iPod cables that sound fantastic.

 

i have an alpine head unit with the ipod cable. i like it, i can search by artist, album, genre etc... pretty easy. keeps my ipod charged too. the only thing is that lately i find is that it "searches" if the truck has been off for a few days, then i have to actually turn the ipod on manually for some reason... oh well.

i do notice that it lost some bass (i dont have subs, or any other stereo upgrades), but it's only on some song that i really notice it.

 

u are my HERO, i have the same HU and same ipod and i was dreading the thought of buying a new HU...i forgot about the AInet cable.

 

SECRET LOOOOOOOVAAAAAAS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgbI3gscv_o

 

Jimmeh, do u always act this stupid? almost every post i read from u, always has some stupid remark...do u think u are funneh? are u trying to be a comedian? maybe a intraweb tough guy?

well u suck at cracking jokes, better go practice. kthanxbye

 

No, I don't actually. It's funny you say that though.

Sometimes. I like to joke with people.

Actually, no, I was just giving you a hard time. I guess you just don't have a sense of humor.

LOL! Me? A tough guy? HAHAHAHAHAHA! You are the comedian. I'm far from being a tough guy.

I will, thanks for pointing that out.

Sorry if I offended you.

 

right back atcha ;-) just harassin ya a little as well

:-D

 

Hahaha, you got me too. I thought I was gonna have to add you to the list along with Dromlace.

Of people to constantly poke fun at, that is :)

 

Jimmeh FTW



EDIT: I mean FOR THE WIN
may offend some people