Connect your iPod to your 850, S70, V70, XC70

prienzo · Post by **prienzo** » 10 Jul 2005, 09:34

Matthew, what is better quality? This Roadtrip thing or the direct connection? Is there big enough of a difference to spend the extra money on the direct connection to the CD changer port?

Post by **matthew1** » 10 Jul 2005, 11:38

prienzo wrote:Matthew, what is better quality? This Roadtrip thing or the direct connection? Is there big enough of a difference to spend the extra money on the direct connection to the CD changer port?

The quality of the signal is better, but it's still FM. Translation: if your music matters to you, go for the hardwired connection. I listen to spoken word (audiobooks) and the quality of the stero unit, speakers and overall sound quality barely matters. They're recorded and stored in 16 or 32 kbps -- music is usually 128 kbps and up -- to give you an idea of just how much it doesn't matter to have a great stereo signal for audiobooks.

For US$27 it's an easy choice for me. When I get a 2002 or so V70 one of these days I might invest in a hardwired solution, just because I'll have the car longer than I'll have my 97 850 and it will make more financial sense.

prienzo · Post by **prienzo** » 13 Jul 2005, 19:54

Here is my experience with iPods and Volvos. I started off with an FM transmitter, the iTrip. The reception was okay, but when the volume was turned up, a definite humming was noticed. Also, it was sometimes tough to connect to, and the reception wasn't always good, especially in the mountains. Then, I got a cassette adapter. It was a great improvement. The sound quality didn't vary like it does on the FM transmitter. However, when the volume was turned up, a hissing noise could definitely be heard. So, I have decided to hardwire my iPod to my S70. I have looked at several types of connecters. Most, if not all, connectors can be found on the apple iPod website. For the price, I have decided upon the Blitzsafe M Link. At first, I was going to order the part online and get a local place to install. However, I decided to do it all together. I went to the Blitzsafe website and looked up a dealer (There are a ton, just pick your state.) I called up several stores around the area and got prices for the part and installation. The lowest price I found was $150. I am getting the part installed in a week. In the meantime, I have tried out different things in mounting my iPod to my dash. After experimenting with different places, I found that the spot left of the radio and under the TRACS, DEFROST, etc. buttons, was the best place for it. I then put down a piece of velcro, and stuck on my old iPod case. At first, the iPod fell through the case, but then I stuck a piece of fabric in it to hold the iPod in place. After experimenting with rough driving, I have found that it does stay in place and holds the iPod securely. Once the insallation is complete, I will post some pictures. Hopefully, this will help some people who are confused about how to connect their iPod to their 850 or S70. I started off knowing nothing and this is the road I took. Hope it helps. Expect some pictures and a follow-through in about a week or two.

Post by **kelvin6** » 13 Jul 2005, 21:53

I'm planning out a hardwire install as well (just need the extra $$ first). My goal in the coming months is to obtain the Volvo Blitzsafe AUX adapter. I've decided not to go with the iPod adapter that Blitzsafe offers, because what would happen if Apple changes the iPod connector for the future iPods or if there will be something better than the iPod in the future. Compatibility is key to me.

Here are my plans, get adapter and insert behind the radio. Drill a small 1/4 hole into the well (in front of the OBDII port) in front of the shifter and place a 3.5mm stereo jack there, wire that jack to the adapter (solder to the jack and solder two RCA jacks at the end of that cable). Then I have a permanent install for an auxiliary port. Great for my iPod, MD, CD, whatever that has a standard 3.5mm stereo plug.

So far the only good place to put my iPod with out blocking a vent (clip holders) or putting sticky stuff on my dash, is to stuff the iPod in my aluminum case and slip into my cup holder. I can't see the screen while driving, but should I keep my eyes on the road anyhow?

I could literally put that 3.5mm jack anywhere in the car...

petershen1984 · Post by **petershen1984** » 19 Jul 2005, 11:09

I'm not an ipod owner, but I'll share my experience using a cigarette-lighter based FM adapter. I have a device that broadcsasts any 3.5mm stereo source at a frequency of FM 88.1~88.7. For now, that will work for me because the iPod is prohibitedly expensive for me, not to mention a new head unit!

I must note here that my antenna mast went through the car wash years ago, but the reception is great, albeit auto-seek fails to register some weaker stations.

My broadcast device is sometimes outpowered by underground (unregistered) stations, while the frequency range intersecs with some educational (school campus) radio stations. In all other respecs though, however, the FM transmitter delivers adequate connectivity for any audio device to your car.

I'm very particular about audio quality, and the static noise is somewhat distracting for me - so I'm definitely gonna want to find a reasonable headunit that supports the AUX connection. I might end up buying a new headunit that can read MP3 files / directories written on a CD-Recordable.

iPods in Taiwan are cost-prohibitedly expensive and therefore not as popular as locally made flash-disk players. I found a head unit somewhere that has a USB connection to read the flash disks from the interface, all the while charging!

rp850 · Post by **rp850** » 23 Jul 2005, 09:49

Hi,

that sounds like a great idea, especially if you don't use an ipod. I have a Treo 650 and I currently use the tape adapter which works well enough for me. My question is using the Blitzsafe, can you control the MP3 player through the OEM radio? I'd be happy to just be able to select next track or previous track without having to use the treo to do that.

Thanks!

kelvin6 wrote:I'm planning out a hardwire install as well (just need the extra $$ first). My goal in the coming months is to obtain the Volvo Blitzsafe AUX adapter. I've decided not to go with the iPod adapter that Blitzsafe offers, because what would happen if Apple changes the iPod connector for the future iPods or if there will be something better than the iPod in the future. Compatibility is key to me.

Here are my plans, get adapter and insert behind the radio. Drill a small 1/4 hole into the well (in front of the OBDII port) in front of the shifter and place a 3.5mm stereo jack there, wire that jack to the adapter (solder to the jack and solder two RCA jacks at the end of that cable). Then I have a permanent install for an auxiliary port. Great for my iPod, MD, CD, whatever that has a standard 3.5mm stereo plug.

So far the only good place to put my iPod with out blocking a vent (clip holders) or putting sticky stuff on my dash, is to stuff the iPod in my aluminum case and slip into my cup holder. I can't see the screen while driving, but should I keep my eyes on the road anyhow?

I could literally put that 3.5mm jack anywhere in the car...

Post by **kelvin6** » 23 Jul 2005, 20:04

In response to the post above, no that specific adapter cannot control the MP3 player or even the iPod (blitzsafe does make one that does control and ipod and unfortuantly only provides a input for the ipod).

I'm dissatisfied with my cheap cassette adapter (don't buy the cheap flimsy radioshack one), and strong bumps or vibrations will cause the deck to mis-read the cassette, and caused it to change tape sides constantly. A hardwire install seems the cleanest solution to me (for now and for the future).

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 07 Aug 2005, 11:20

Direct in-put and control of the iPod (while it is charging) by way of the head-unit! I did the same USA Spec install as Tina about a month ago and am very well pleased. It was very easy to do! Just make sure you get the right wires connected...had to call Crutchfield to get that info as it wasn't in the instructions.

Post by **kelvin6** » 08 Aug 2005, 22:15

Just received my Blitzsafe adapter, but before I put this in my 850, I thought I would just crack it open to see whats inside.

Whats inside is about $4.00 worth of parts. The most expensive piece is the PIC16F628A controller IC, thats about it. It's just two ICs, the PIC controller, some cheap audio op-amp, cheap electrolytic caps, a few general purpose transistors, and a some dirty cheap carbon resistors slapped into one. Then again, most consumer electronics are built this way. Does anyone want to see a pic of this?

I would love to spend more time to decompile or reverse engineer it, but I want to put it in soon and start enjoying my iPod. Secondly, I don't have a IC reader to see whats on the PIC controller. Without the programming on the chip, this thing is useless.

Just thought I like to share some info.

hawk · Post by **hawk** » 16 Oct 2005, 16:55

I have a '95 850, and I simply went the route of the Blitzsafe adapter, and it has been well worth the money. I got it online somewhere for around $80, and it has worked perfectly. I had some problems with hooking power up to it, as the instructions that came with it were wrong. Just use a voltmeter on the different ports of the radio plug in back to find the necessary power. After that, you can just plug it in, and go. I drilled a little hole in my ashtray for the RCA cables to go through, and it's a nice set-up. I play it on the road, park, and Ican take the mp3 player with me.