Adding an AUX Jack To The Stereo?

You know it gets bumpy and sometimes the CD skips upon hitting a bump. Is it worth it to have an AUX jack installed to the stereo to play an IPOD? The FM transmitter gadgets are not soo good. What is your opinion?

I did this the day I got the car after pre-ordering the part from becker. literally took 10 minutes!

Depends on the year. 2003 and after, not so simple.

Non-MOST system is a must and something like $20 and 10min of your time.

I'd love to do this, but I have a 2003 Targa with the Bose stereo. Can anyone comment on the difficulty and cost? Can a reasonable car stereo shop do this? I'm proud of myself for doing the amber sidelight swap the other day but that's about where my do it yourself skills end! L

call becker - im sure they will know

I have an 02 non Bose. What part do I need and do I need the radio removal tools? Thanks

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I concluded that it was completely uneconomic. You can add a device made by a company called Dension (look on bumperplugs.com under products) that adds the functionality to the stock MOST system. Expensive for what you get. The alternative is to buy a kit (see http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&userid=cvt929 ) for $170, relocate the climate control and install a double din display unit, which can have nav if you want it. More expensive still, but you get a decent system, can have more up to date features like bluetooth phone connectivity and more modern look.

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There are single DIN replacement stereo options that allow iPod connection and bluetooth, and won't require you to relocate the climate controls.

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You're right. I had forgotten because I dislike the styling all all of them, although I have not looked lately.

I'm right there with you. I don't like non-stock head units in a Porsche. Most of them look cheap or tacky. The double DIN nav units look good - and that would probably be my preferred option too if I ever choose to upgrade.

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What specific upgrade part/procedure are you referring to?

There's an aux cable that you can buy from Becker. It won't power the iPod or allow you to see the songs on the display, but it will give you a clean signal and sound much better than an FM modulated unit.

Buy the Aux cable adapter from Becker as mentioned. Then you can buy a Scosche ipod adapter through Apple which WILL power the unit and play music through the Becker cable. I did this on my '99 this year. Make sure your ipod is compatible however (check the websites at Becker, and you can Google "scosche ipod") Again '02 and up might be a different story.

Becker's website seems to say my '03 CDR-23 does not support an ipod cable. So its either a big upgrade to double DIN or maybe a decent head unit that will fit in the existing space where my CDR-23 sits... provided I can find a unit compatible with my BOSE system - I *think* there's a factory BOSE amp in their somewhere, not sure if I have the MOST fiber optic bus or not but ideally I can find someone local who can replace the head unit with an upgraded model that's ipod compatible as that's all I really want. Suggestions? Arlington/Metro DC area? Thanks, and is anyone else annoyed by the snow storm? I swapped out my sidelights a few nights ago and haven't been able to drive the car for a week - now we're looking at 2 feet of snow this weekend. Drive safely folks, I'll be in the 4x4.

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Can you provide a little more detail on which scosche cable you bought? I can't find it on the apple site, and the scosche site has so many cables it's hard to find... EDIT: I just looked on the Becker site. There is a cable that will charge an iPod and play it through the aux input, but apparently it won't charge a 2nd generation iPhone. Thanks.

Hey Buckly, keep me informed on your progress.....I have an '03 with nav and ended up with a FM modulator. It works, but I H A T E all the wires and the sometimes fuzzy sound. But, I couldn't find a reasonable (key word) alternative. You got the ball, buddy....Let's get out there and win this one

@4Scargo: I'm on it. As soon as the blizzard stops I have a few shops I want to talk to. Until then, guess I have some time on my hands for online research... Like the dog in the backseat photo! L

Dennis C, The Scosche PassPORT is the device you want. It's an adaptor (~$20) that attaches to the ipod/iphone at one end, and the Becker Aux-out cable at the other end. This will enable your ipod/iphone to CHARGE and play music through the one Becker cable. I have an iPhone 3G, running through the Scosche PassPORT adapter, into the Becker Aux cable, into the CDR 220 of my '99 996. Works perfectly, plays AND charges at same time with this setup. Make sure the Becker people say the Becker Aux cable will work with your '02 radio, just to be safe.

Which Becker cable do you have? There is one that has an iPod/iPhone plug, and one that has more of a generic plug that might also take a satellite radio, for example. I assume you have the second one... EDIT: I see it on the apple site. Looks like it uses the standard cable.

I have the iphone/ipod plug on my becker cable (IIRC price was ~$60-70ish?)

There is an AUX solution for the PCM1 as well. Let me know if you need it and I'll locate the source for you.

... To add the Becker cable, you give up your CD changer connection, no?

Yes, i believe you do lose the CD changer function/connection. Mine doesn't have that option to begin with however.

CD's are only earning a point or two of interest so they don't even keep up with inflation but they are insured by the FDIC if valued under $100,000. Why would you want one in a Porsche? The bank can hold them for you or you could leave them in a safety deposit box. On your iPod question of course you have to have one in your Porsche. You can't control what tunes come up on Sat Radio so how us can you listen to what you want to listen too? You do need FM to pick up NPR but it is totally unsuitable for music.

The guys at Becker now sell the Scosche PassPORT adapter too, so you can order the cable, the adapter and the radio removal keys from them. I just did! Now I need to figure out where to put the iPhone. I'm debating between the glove box or the center armrest tray.

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You may tire of having to connect and disconnect your iPhone all the time. My daughter bought a separate iPod and leaves it in her car. If you take that approach, you want to have it well hidden. I am trying that approach with my wife's new car. I had an old Nano which I am leaving in it. It is presently at the dealer for service and I forgot to remove it. It will be interesting to see whether it is still there when I pick it up. I wish I had this problem, but I am just not willing to spend the minor fortune required with the MOST bus. I'd probably buy PSS10's first anyway. Damned college tuition!

I've actually got an old iPod Nano too. I may do that. Good suggestion.

Good idea on using a backup iPod.... I'm also looking into a clip mount for iPhone that attaches to the passenger side of lower front console... Slightly off topic.... anyone have any experience using the BlendMount device for mounting Valentine one on the Rear view mirror? Looks cool.

Update on my efforts to find a MOST bus (2003+) solution for the Ipod that doesn't cost a small fortune: - talked to local hi end audio store, they think a Gateway 100 from Denison will work but according to Denison's website it will not. - I found the German company Solisto with several Ipod solutions, but after discussing it with them - yep, the CDR-23 is incompatible with all of there products. Now, if you have almost any other OEM radio, they can probably help you for $100-$200. They're at http://www.solisto.de/en/caraudio - I found the New Jersey company Enfig and I'm waiting for their reply to my email. Investigation continues. LB

I can't believe I didn't get acknowlegment for my CD remarks from anyone. Do I have to mention how ugly our headlights are to get a rise out of you guys? I thought for sure Ed would chime in that he has tried to install 2% finacial instraments in his cars and they didn't fit!

Is anyone familiar w/ this company? http://www.navtv.com/product/114/ipo...nterfaces.html States on their website that they have a product which would allow iPod connectivity for 2002 and later 996's. Any comments would be appreciated!

I have the non-most system in my car and bought the Becker cable and removal keys. It does charge my Ipod and my first generation iphone. Just bought a new 3gs iphone. Haven't tried to charge it yet but I'm thinking it will as the adapter for my Silverado charges Ipod, old Iphone and new Iphone.

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Well, it costs about the same as a Dension unit. And they do make a comment that I find hilarious, something like "get audiophile sound...." From an iPod connected to a car sound system?

Many of they guys on the Cayenne forum use a product from Mobridge to achieve this. I've heard good reports over there.

Just lost my entire post due to timeout - oops... here is the short version: MObridge looks like it works, but I want a sub $100 ipod only solution, if its solid I'll go $150, the Mobridge is ~$549. The mark up over the non-MOST bus cable systems seems crazy, I wonder if its because the vendors are trying to sell something with more features than I need (phone, ipod, bluetooth, SatNav, etc..) and figure they can command a $500 price point from 996 owners... Hope to visit a few local audio shops this weekend but not optimistic. Don't want to give up and go FM modulator yet.

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Sadly, it appears nothing has changed since I looked at this a couple of years ago. Thanks for your efforts.

Custom mount

@SoloSailor - I like the mount, mine sits in the batcave now. @DCP - there's still an unserved market here, thanks for the comment. ALCON - Final Update on my efforts at Ipod + CDR-23/MOST integration. Enfig Car Stereo in NJ replied to my email that the Denison is the only solution at $350 plus install, as others have found. This weekend I visited two shops, one specializing in high end car audio. Both shops confirmed what I'd found to date - nothing at less than $350 plus install & a few parts. At the high end car audio shop, I asked the owner to listen to my BOSE system and tell me if I was just being too picky or if it didn't sound the way a decent car audio system should (I'm somewhat spoiled by a good home system I put together 10 years ago - thanks corporate relo package!) He got in my car and immediately said its the speakers - very weak midrange and lack a clarity on the highs - Yup. He recommended upgrading the only front dash speakers and leaving everything else the same for now. To add the Ipod connection, he could sell me a new head unit, bypass the BOSE amp (since its not compatible with anything), and give me an Ipod cable connection to the new head unit. Decent head unit would be $250-$300 but I'd be looking at 3+ hours of labor to wire around the amp OR I could go to a double DIN LCD touch screen setup for much more functionality. Either way - I'd be looking at $500 - $900, depending on single DIN or double DIN and features, and I'd still have poor sound due to the factory speakers. His speaker comment was right on target - my home system has most of the cost tied up in speakers, followed by the amp, then the CD player and the sound is incredible. His suggestion for maximum sound per dollar was the Focal Polyglass coaxial line, the 4" model was a drop in for the factory dash mount and his install preserved the factory speaker grills so there's no visible aftermarket look. The Focals were $350 installed. The sound is an amazing improvement, well worth it and has me more motivated to use my CD player rather than the ipod. I was ready to leave a satisfied customer, but I mentioned that I might just pick up a Belkin FM modulator for the Ipod. With this, Gary went into the back and found me an FM modulator that works quite nicely for a price too low to mention here. Now I'm good on audio for a while. For anyone in Northern VA or the Metro DC - Maryland area, I'm very pleased with Hurley's Auto Audio (link: http://www.hurleysaudio.com/ ). If you go, I recommend talking to the owner, Gary Hurley - you can't miss him, the big guy with white hair. If you want, you can tell him I recommended him. Disclaimer: I have no affiliation or relationship with Hurley's, I found him on the internet and walked in last Saturday. He did the speaker install today, President's Day. -Lawrence

Lawrence, are you saying they are selling at $350 the Denison unit for our cars that retails for over $500?

@LVDell: That's what my reply from Enfig said, but they didn't specify the model. Here is the quote from their email to me: "Dension makes a simple unit for $350 that does not have an aux or keep the radio." You're right that the $350 price sounds suspect, I just re-checked the Enfig website and they're listing the Denison Gateway 500 at $479.99 marked down from $549.99 on their Porsche page. Here's the link: http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...sche_ipod.html Probably better to call them, I only emailed.

Hey Buckley, thanks for the legwork......I may take the same route for my speakers in my '03. I bought an MP4 player off Ebay that plugs into the cig lighter and has a remote. Music in downloaded into 2-4-6- or 8MB chip. About $35 w/shipping. No wires in the cabin, small (about 1/2 the size of a playing card) indiscreet,(may paint the shiney plastic chrome flat black) and the remote. Good enought for me. Thx again.

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Check this link: http://987forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19893 nice setup and you can change things around to make it fall within your price. Just the inline FM modulator would do the trick and costs about 70.

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That one confuses me. If you are going to do that much work, why not ditch the OEM unit and eliminate the MOST bus for the sound system? Why end up with an FM modulator compromising the sound? Am I missing something here?

I would think twice about the FM modulator route... I have yet to EVER hear one in any car that was acceptable audio quality. It's cool technology, but I did not find it to be listenable. Hopefully someone will find one that proves my theory wrong

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Are you talking about a regular modulator? If so, I would agree. But the inline modulator is actually plugged into the head unit and should give proper quality if installed correctly. While not considered digital, there should be no static whatsoever.

Yeah, I think you are right... we are talking about two different things here. That inline modulator seems MUCH more doable.

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Can you send us the link to this Becker website? Googling Becker reveals other website, but they don't look like an "official" Becker website. Beckerelectronics.com and Beckerautosound.com seem like some 3rd party companies and not the "official" Becker company...

http://www.mybecker.com/

mybecker.com is only giving me options for navigation systems, and while I admit I'm 56% idiot, I can't find any car audio info on this site.

So... I just plugged in the iPod AUX cable from Becker into my CDR-220. The operation was pretty simple. The problem now is that the head unit doesn't recognize that there is an iPod there. It gives me the choice to select AM/FM, or the in-dash CD. Is there a programming step that I missed? I read the manual, but I can't find anything. Any suggestions?

Found it... we have iPod music! I think I'm going to go with my old iPod Nano in the glove box for now and leave the iPhone seperate.