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

[Kurt]

I highly recommend the Blitzsafe adapter. It costs less than $80 and only takes 20 minutes to install. Directions on the vendor site and enclosed with the product were good. The unit has only a single white cord/plug that neatly snaps into the bottom of an iPod so it's pretty neat and you don't have wires and plugs everywhere.. I would like to get some kind of flexible gooseneck mount to hold the iPod but for right now, I simply put the nano on top of the dash on one of those little no-slip mats and the cord drapes down and disappears behind the dash/radio. The ability to charge while you drive (+20 minutes afterward) and clean line-input sold me. My Nano goes all day on the charge from a 30 minute drive to work.

I bought the unit from discountcarstereo.com. Good price, and prompt delivery. http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=791

--Kurt '95 850 wag with a SC-811 radio (blitzsafe plugs into the cd changer port)

I got the biltzsafe adapter for my 1998 S70. Plugged it in to the back of the head unit, found a hot wire (on my car, the pink one--but I just went to my local mechanic and asked him to find an ignition hot 12V) for the yellow 12V wire off the blitzsafe (used a 11 cent clip to put them together). Ran a mini to aux adapter behind the radio and under the drivers seat, and it all looks totally clean, and works. Great sound.

Total price, with shipping =$100 (discountcarstereo.com)
Total time = <1hr

When ten technology comes out with a flex dock for a 4G in June, I'll plug the aux wire into its base and the ipod will sit perfectly for choosing songs and it will charge, and it will all look clean.

The Blitzsafe adapter is just that, an adapter. Nothing fancy, don't know why it costs $80, but it works. You might try and hack the CD changer port in the back, but it might take a long time. For me, $80 was worth it.

[matthew1]

Here's the latest from Apple on manufacturers making products that make adding iPod capability to your Volvo possible: (is that a real sentence?)
http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipodyourcar/accessories.html

[matthew1]

The latest on Volvo's "facory" integration of Apple iPod into its cars:

2001+ S60, V70, XC70, and S80 models. Does not work with iPod Shuffle.

Use the audio system to:
- Control volume
- Change to next or previous track
- Fast-forward through tracks
- Quickly change tracks
- Handle 9 different play lists
- Play songs randomly
- Play songs alphabetically
- Steering wheel controls can be used to change tracks and adjust volume

Fully Charged
No need to worry about running down your iPod

[JonEdwards]

This might be a bit off topic, but how happy is everyone with the sound quality from the Bitzsafe AUX adapter?

I find the sound level to be below that of the cassette adapter and/or normal local FM radio stations (I have an SC-811 head unit). I also can't tell if the quality of the sound is any better than what the cassette adapter gives. Could be I have a bad unit, but are others finding these superior in both output quality and sound level (compared to a cassette adapter)?

Jon

[B_Low 3000]

Would it be possible to get a copy of the 850 stereo wiring diagram and run a hardwire to the back of the stereo into the CD input on the stereo and connect this wire to a headphone connector then hook up to your ipod?? I am trying to find a super cheap method for connecting my MP3 player to the SC-810 stereo and still maintain digital quality.

Anyone want to comment on this concept (any backyard electricians out there?)

Let me know.

B_Low 3000

[burgessb]

hey guys. i just bought a 850 turbo and hooked my ipod up. alpine has a new line of head units that will control and charge ur ipod. the cost was 179.00 for head unit and 30.00 for plug to go into bottom of ipod. i love mine. total for head unit cable and install was 300.00 and that included install for 2 sets of speakers so not a bad deal. best buy does free head unit install so keep this in mind!!!!

[matthew1]

Check the Alpine model # of your unit next time you're in the car if you would.

Thanks!

[jollyeskimo]

I've found a guy selling custom aux in adapters for the tricky 850 stereos on VolvoSpeed's forums

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showuser=2776

I've already bought two of them from him and they work great. He sells them both assembled and in kit form (pcb + components + wiring diagram + wires + proprietary CD-changer connector).

He can customize it for RCA or stereo input, one or two inputs, and even add a serial interface to actually interface with the headunit (didn't get one of those myself). Contact him to get a price if you're interested... unassembled costs a lot less, but requires electronics skills to put together the PCB. It's significantly less than the Blitzsafe connector, I got mine for around $50 assembled, I believe unassembled is around $20-30? Shipping is not included of course.

Installation is a snap, just plug in the proprietary DIN connector to the CD-Changer connector, power it with a 12vDC line (battery....or just tap a line from the radio's harness), and then just plug the audio in.

[burgessb]

sorry i should have given model number!!!! it is cde-9852. they make a cda model but the adapter cord is 100 bucks!!! here is a link!!!
http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/p ... l=CDE-9852

[mark06511]

I just had installed an Alpine 9856 (similar to 9852 but satellite radio ready, $180) with the iPod cord ($30) and XM radio. Total at BestBuy about $440 ($150 + for XM units & XM install). They installed a little bin under the head unit where the ipod cord comes thrugh - deep enough to hide the ipod & cord.

Could not be happier.

Can now unload my stock Volvo cd/tape (816?) for at least 200 bucks on ebay.