XC 90 iPhone/iPod Adapter

ddeck26 · Post by **ddeck26** » 07 Dec 2010, 09:42

Hey All - I want to buy an iPhone/iPod adaptor for my 2006 XC90, I've talked to Best Buy and the Volvo dealership and there is no way to "hard wire" it into the radio. Best Buy has an option of a dedicated FM transmitter, (they promise me it's better than the crappy normal FM transmitters) they would install something that completely shuts off the signal to a particular radio station so there is no outside interference and then transmits the signals. Have anyone ever done this? Are there any other options?

Post by **mikealder** » 07 Dec 2010, 12:41

They are talking about fitting an FM Injection box rather than a simple FM transmitter, the FM Injection boxes work quite well in that when activated the cars aerial is disconnected and FM modulated signal from the iPOD is played straight in to the aerial socket of the radio.
One downside (in the UK) is the radio cannot switch channels to receive road traffic information with the injection box activated as there is no signal from the outside world getting to the radio!

I have tried FM Transmitters and they work OK until you get close to a major city, FM Injection boxes are OK with the exception of receiving traffic data, my current install employs Bluetooth and provides both handsfree audio for the phone and music, its an accessory called iO-Play although I don't think this unit is too easy to obtain in the USA as yet and you would need addaptor cables making up for it to connect to the head unit - Mike

mcdermd · Post by **mcdermd** » 09 Dec 2010, 12:29

But FM injection is still FM fidelity. No where close to what it would be if it was a direct line in, right?

Post by **mikealder** » 10 Dec 2010, 09:51

Indeed it will still only have the bandwidth available from an FM signal, that said I don't like cabled solutions as they tend to be messy unless the iPOD/ iPhone has its own cradle in the car, the other thing against cabled installs is the issue of ground loop feedback which is often introduced when plugging two different devices together.
I use Bluetooth because it involves no wires and has fantastic sound quality, bear in mind its never going to match a decent hiFi set up at home as its in a car! - Mike

mcdermd · Post by **mcdermd** » 15 Dec 2010, 11:58

I use a Dice Electronics Silverline unit in my e46 BMW with no issues and used a iMIV LE in my V70 before it was smashed. The very proprietary audio system used by Volvo on the XC90 is probably my biggest complaint.

(Anyone want to buy an iMIV LE kit for the V70 with no nav? I pulled it from the car before the insurance company hauled it off).