ipod connectivity

[johnsonr380]

Hi just joined, first post.

Just wanted to ask I have a 2005 saab vector and wanted to install a wired ipod connection.  I have my eye on a few on ebay and off this site and uksaab I think I'll be able to fit it.   I want to know is there a preferred type ?  Im hoping track info will be displayed, will it?  can I use the steering wheel controls and the biggie......

Where in the north west can I get the aux enabled on the radio menu??  Anyone know anyone in the north west with a tech 2 at a reasonable price!!

thanks in advance

[sgould]

Welcome!

I can't speak from personal experience on dealers in the NW.  But there are three aor four places I've heard of.  There is Saabtec in Glossop and others in Preston and Near Liverpool.  I'll let others make the recommendations.

This list is in preparation.  It's not complete yet by any means.  http://the-saab-specialist-register.com/your-nearest-saab-specialist/


Most people that I know that stream music from an iPod etc., do it via a Parrot kit. Probably a Parrot 9200.  This has it's own screen.  I don't know of anything that can use the Saab screen to show the titles.  Use of the steering wheel controls has been difficult, but I believe that there is a new linking kit available.

The Parrot 9200 uses the AUX input and the Saab telephone plug behind the centre console.

I would advise you to talk to a specialist in this area with experience.  I know that, if it can be done, then the guys at http://www.justcarkits.co.uk will be able to make sure you get the right bits including all the wiring etc.

Things like this...

http://www.justcarkits.co.uk/acatalog/Saab_Leads.html

http://www.justcarkits.co.uk/acatalog/Saab_Steering_Wheel_Interfaces.html

But check with them before you order anything!!

I only have a Parrot phone kit, so I can't advise on the details.  But I did fit it myself.   I also fitted the AUX kit.

[Saabman]

Welcome 

I have the aux in socket but for music I use a griffin i-trip, neither will show the track being played (from memory I will check later) but this doesnt really bother me as I know the tracks in my collection   
Where in the NW are you? so I can advise where there is a Tech11

[johnsonr380]

Cheers for all the info, I've considered a parrot but my preference is a wired connection.  I've done a bit of research but it's becoming a bit of a pain in the backside tbh.  Kits seem to be sold everywhere it's just enabling the aux function.

I've tried an array of fm senders, all seem to as bad as each other.

I'm in Liverpool, I've tried saabkar but they don't use tech 2 anymore, he said the updates were getting too expensive.  Lookers Liverpool want £70 to do it this may be my last resort.

Thanks again

[Saabman]

If you don't have the sat nav stereo, or a handsfree phone installed I'd think about linking into the phone wires under the centre consol, ths way you wouldn't have to install an aux and it would cut the radio when the ipod is played? And sorry don't know where there is a specialist with Tech11 in Liverpool, you could ask MerseySwede if they can do it 

[sgould]

If you use the phone connection only, you get mono iPod.

The only other way would be an FM modulator in the aerial lead.  A wired version of the iTrip.

[johnsonr380]

I've already tried merseyswede they can't do it and I've researched tapping into the phone function but there's lots of people saying the sound qualities not the best and the volume doesn't go that loud.

I thought there maybe an easy solution.

The help is much appreciated!!

[Max Headroom]

Hi Johnson and welcome to STT   

I use the aux connection found at the front face inside the drivers left arm rest connected to my iphone with a quality jack-plug firmly pushed home in the aux socket. On the car radio choose CD, then cx media, then choose Aux, and it's away 

With the iphone in a suitable cradle you can skip tracks if you want to or have a pre-prepared playlist waiting on the ipod / iphone. Unfortunately it doesnt let you select or skip tracks via the cars controls. I haven't yet found a way to do that but Im fairly satisfied with the set up I have 

[johnsonr380]

I haven't got an aux function on my radio that's the issue, any suggestions!

[Max Headroom]

Oh! Sorry I didn't understand the problem.

OK before I had located the Aux socket in the armrest, I was looking at using one of those devices that 'broadcast' to your radio. A lot of them get mixed reviews. BUT before I had even got to that I would have by then likely pulled the radio out to confirm if there was an aux socket on the reverse of the unit.

You car is just one year older than my Vector so its quite unfortunate if you cant find a hardwired method of doing this 

[Audax]

I haven't got an aux function on my radio that's the issue, any suggestions!

Buy the cable and fit it (about £20) and then find someone with a Tech-II and get them to enable it, if the people in Liverpool can't do it then find someone who can. Quite frankly, if anyone claims to be a specialist yet doesn't have Tech-II then they aren't a Saab specialist! I don't really understand the problem here?

[sgould]

Fitting the cable is easy.  It's a 30 minute job. I did it in that time, and took some pictures.  But the kit comes with  instructions.

[johnsonr380]

Sorry maybe I haven't explained very well, the kits r on eBay not the issue tbh.

Enabling the aux on the radio menu that's the issue.  Saabkar in Liverpool or merseyswede r my nearest supposedly Saab specialists neither use the tech 2? For enabling aux, lookers Liverpool want £69.99 + vat??? Doesn't sound reasonable at all.  Just want to know of a nearby indie that can do this at a reasonable price!!!

[Audax]

http://www.saab-higheroak.co.uk/ < in Wrexham if that's any good to you?

[johnsonr380]

It's about 45 mins away but worth a shot

Cheers

I'll phone them tomorrow, let  you know how I get on!