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

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Dec 2004, 17:55

Edited April 2009
Here is the official Connect an iPod to Volvo page.

The rest of this topic is now very dated, and the information may or may not be correct and accurate. I strongly suggest using this topic only for historical purposes.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 28 Dec 2004, 11:08

Why don't you just spend $50 on an FM Modulator, then run a line from your antenna to your glove compartment or armrest, and have the same quality for less money - 4 times less. (That's what I did, and I LOVE it.)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 28 Dec 2004, 11:10

The only thing i forgot to mention was that it won't charge from the modulator.

Post by **matthew1** » 28 Dec 2004, 15:21

At first glance, FM solutions do look promising.

My wife and I have an iTrip (FM broadcaster for iPods), and while perfectly acceptable 95% of the time, it does take a few minutes to set up before driving, and static and other stations encroach and wash over the signal from time to time.

And the downside you mentioned -- no charging. Throw into the whole mix that the wired connections I mentioned in this thread's first post appear to allow control of the iPod through the radio's head unit, and the wired solutions look much more preferable to me than FM.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 Jan 2005, 14:00

Article from usatoday:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005- ... -car_x.htm

I just thought it might be interesting since some people swap out their systems. Also at the bottom it mentioned that Alpine is developing an adapter for about $100. I believe most of the 850 systems are alpine so this could possibly be used?

Any thoughts?

Post by **matthew1** » 04 Jan 2005, 14:41

It's good news for Volvo owners, yes. Control of the ipod through the radio unit is fantastic. I'm crossing my fingers it'll allow integration to older Volvo (Alpine) radios that are CD-changer compatible like my 815.

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Jan 2005, 12:06

More news:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... _zd/142441

Select models employ Alpine's new GlideTouch controls. The GlideTouch bar replaces the tradiational preset buttons below the display on a headunit with a strip of material the works like a laptop's touchpad. The ideas is to make it much easier to use the controls, and, of course, to browse content from your 'Pod. Top of the line headunits eliminate most buttons and employ PulseTouch, which emulates using real buttons on a touch screens by adding vibration, sound and 'feel' when a user presses on the display.

All of the new headunits use Alpine's existing KCA-420i Interface adapter for iPod ($100), which connects to Dock Connector equipped iPods and not only displays track, artist, album and playlist information on the head unit, but allows you to search through that information.

Monster's iCruze ($249.95) connects your late model iPod to factory (or Alpine) radios via either the CD changer or satellite radio port. It uses the buttons on your head unit to control the 'Pod, can select playlists and tracks, and displays minimal information on your headunit's screen, such as track number and playlist number. An optional 20 character multi-line blue iCruze LCD Display ($99) will display song title and artist information.

Most car stereos will require an either an additional adapter cable ($29.95) or interface module ($99) to connect to the iCruze. That makes the iCruze a bit pricey compared to other CD changer port systems we've seen, but beyond the external screen option (which we really like), some headunits will offer a 'quick skip' forward feature. If the song you want to listen to is 400 or 700 down the list on your iPod, you can skip ahead by large leaps, instead of by a single songs. (Monster promises that the next generation of the iCruze will give full file browsing on factory radio interfaces.)

burchs1 · Post by **burchs1** » 13 Feb 2005, 14:14

Some reasonable options for hooking your ipod into your 850: (Cost is between ($100-$140)

If you still have your factory radio and it has a CD din connector on the back or you have the din connection inside your trunk then you can use a Blitzsafe adapter to create a direct AUX input. (Blitzsafe adapter costs about $100). I highly recommend you use the Monster Low Profile charger that has a true line out on the dock connecter to charge and hook the ipod to the AUX input (RCA connectors). (Monster adapater can be found at CompUSA for $40). You will also need a mini to RCA cable to hook to the input (try Radio Shack, etc.). (Beware of the Belkin and In Case ipod chargers...they don't have true line outs, and the audio connection is near the cigarette lighter connectore (creates interference). Other options for true line out (use your dock...or use the Sendstation tunedock line out with a charger such as the Griffin or Sik imp line out, which includes line out and charger)

I have a 1995 854T which I had already replaced the head unit years ago with a much nicer Clarion unit, unfortunately there are no AUX input options for my setup unless I attach a CD changer currently. My solution was to use a hard wired FM Modulator (Audiovox FM Modulator (FMM100A)) ($50, can be found at Circuit City,etc.). Hard wired modulators work very well (there is no comparison with wireless transmitters, most of which are terrible). Installing the modulator is simple and doesn't require any sodering or cable cutting..you can tap the 12v lead and ground wires from the radio using Tap-In Squeeze Connectors from Radio Shack (part no. 64-3053).

So, if you don't care about controlling your ipod from your head unit then these are great options. If you want to control your ipod from your head unit then you are looking at spending in the neighborhood of $300-$400+ if you need to replace your head unit.

-Scott

jollyeskimo · Post by **jollyeskimo** » 28 Feb 2005, 00:31

Any clue how the Blitzsafe adapter looks like? If it's just a simple plug I really can't justify the really high cost....and Blitzsafe's website doesn't really say much about it aside from product number and such.

Post by **tina** » 15 Mar 2005, 14:40

Are the instructions the same for an S70?

Ours has the SC-816 stereo with the single CD player... which does not read CD-Rs. So I am considerng a new head unit if I can find one that fits nicely, upgrading to a newer Volvo stereo, or just keeping the one we have (but sometimes one of us is using the iPod outside the car and then no tunes...)

Any recommendations? In a reasonable price range... and preferable for most streamlined iPod hookup.