CD changer or Not!

Well, we have beat the pros and cons of xenon lamps to death, so how about some discussion about the CD changer. After all, the more time we spend on this site, the faster the wait for the car. When I first placed my order, I included the $650.00 CD changer. Now on my other cars, the changer can be accessed from inside the car. Not so with the Cayman S . In my case, I also use an Ipod that has about a gazilion songs and playlists on it, so it makes a 6 cd canger that has to be accessed by stopping, opening a trunk, and carrying extra cd's in the car, not that user freindly and as effective. I decided to call my dealer and cancell the changer. He pointed out that maybe I should keep it for resale value, since a lot of 'older buyers' are not into Ipods and computers. Of course I took immidiate offense to this since I am 61 years old ;>) . In any case, the changer was removed, and it had nothing to do with money. Besides, the car is prewired for the changer and if that future technofobe wants my car, they can add the changer.

CD changeris apersonal preference, but having one at resale will definitely not increase the value of your car by $650. Most options generally do not increase the value of the car when it's time to sale so I would order the car the way you like it and not for the next owner. BTW, I too was thinking about installing an ipod but I don't think MOST Bus is compatible with anything out there. Right now the only thing available is the dreaded FM modulator unless someone knows otherwise. Edited by - VicL on 10/19/2005 10:06:00 AM

Good point about FM modulators, VicL, they are not the best interface with a car stereo and an Ipod . I currently use a cassette adapter on my other cars and it works great. Unfortunately many cars today do not include a cassette player, so we have to settle for FM modulators. Be aware, however, that there are many bad ones out there and some not so bad. The better ones are more expensive, and they are getting better every day, per the reviews I've been reading.

I have tried most of the modulators, and had very little success. I hardwired an Ipod dock into the headunit of my 350z, but I'm not sure I would dare that on the Cayman !!! Until somebody cracks an MOST connection for the Ipod , I will burn Mp3 CDs from Itunes and use them in the CD deck. You can fit about 10 albums on an mp3 CDR, so ten CDR's in the glovebox gives a huge array of music - and all can be accessed from within the car whilst at the lights.

kmns, do you have any FM modulator recomendations?

More good points tonser, just the kind of feedback that we all can share with one another that adds value to this site. By the way, for those that are not aware of this, there are two spring loaded trays inside the glove box that each hold a cd. This gives quick access to two other cd's in addition to the one in your player so that you don't have to fight with a jewel case on the go.

There is a company local to me working on cracking into the MOST system but the problem they currently have on the Cayman is that the wiring diagrams for even the 2005 Boxster are not available from Porsche or anyone else for that matter.

IMHO I think the CD changer is a pain in the butt. I had it on a couple of cars and never could remember what CD's I had in the changer and what position they were in. OK, I am 57, but it is not that bad yet. I found having CD's in the center compartment and changing each time I wanted a different CD was not onerous and took less time than trying to find something in the changer. I like the dash unit.

I concur. I sure wish they would just go to an in-dash changer like my wife's Audi. That is the way to go pure and simple.

I agree with all of the points above but never got around to deleting this option. I won't use the changer but the wife, who will occasionally get her hands on the Cayman will, so I got it for her. My investigations regarding iPod connectivity, which BMW now offers on the 3 series, led to aftermarket heads, which offer this kind of functionality. But, having popped for the Bose system as well, I doubt that I will be ripping the Bose head out soon. I was hoping that there might be a way to get a USB port installed via the CD Changer. Once I had that, though, I am not sure how the Bose would be able to control the iPod . This might be something to look for at the upcoming SEMA show in Vegas or the ConsumerElectronics show in Vegas . [Hey, need a reason to go to Vegas?] Imagine what a good niche business this might be for a few years until all cars offer a USB port as standard equipment! Edited by - mpollard on 10/20/2005 7:04:32 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr noshade="" id="quote" height="1" />... I will burn Mp3 CDs from Itunes and use them in the CD deck. <hr noshade="" id="quote" height="1" /></blockquote> Will the head unit in the Cayman/Boxster play a CDR w/MP3 tracks? If so, any title display ability? Edited by - lizardS on 10/20/2005 10:31:20 PM

What I have been told is that to play MP3's requires that you buy the PCM option, and that the standard or Bose stereo head units will not play MP3's. That's a mighty hefty price tag for just MP3 playing...

The PCM will play MP3s....off of a CD-ROM, but not an iPod .

Changers are a waste of time imo, I love my music but had the same 6 disks in the changer for months on end. The only time I managed to get around to changing the CD's was when I had a long trip to complete

There are a lot of 'FM Broadcaster' type of devices available to interface an ipod with your radio. Unfortunately most, if not all of them, are not going to satisfy 95% of us. A better option is an 'FM Modulator inline antenna adapter'. This requires some wiring, but not a big deal for most radios. If one does not have a CD changer installed, the preinstalled CD changer wiring may offer some options. The two sites below show one example of an installation on a 2005 911. It may not be cheap to configure by a radio shop, but I bet it's going to be a lot cheaper than the $650.00 CD changer option. http://tunertricks.com/blog/index.php?p=57 http://tunertricks.com/blog/gallery/?album=05porsche&img=1 Edited by - kmns on 10/21/2005 08:37:13 AM Edited by - kmns on 10/21/2005 08:39:49 AM Edited by - kmns on 10/21/2005 08:45:59 AM FIXED BY K-MAN S - REMEMBER THE SPACE!

C-Net offers this information for DIY types. Thisarticle shows a radical departure from conventional auto manufacturer approaches to car audio/Nav systems with some interesting rebuttals. Autobytel iPod Center Helps Music Lovers Plug in and Hit the Road Offers comprehensive information, including installation videos, for iPod integration with automotive sound systems. Edited by - mpollard on 10/27/2005 2:42:04 PM

you can only listen to 1 cd at a time. i used to go to virgin megastore and od on cds', buying upwards of 5 at a time. i now realise that i am only now listining to the cd's that i brought then. i will not be buying the changer, i have a single cd in my car at the moment and if iwant to listen to another cd, i change it. otherwise there is always the radio.

iPod interface using the CD-Changer interface? <span class="Article_Title"> New iPod Car Stereo Options from Alpine, Clarion, Monster, Pioneer and More [/quote] Hopefully the situation will improve this January. See PC Magazine's coverage of the 2005 CES on this topic. Here is a current discussion on whether youuseCDs these days: The iCruize product from Monster Cable interfaces to the factory car stereo using the CD-Changer interface. http://www.monstercable.com/icruze/ Edited by - mpollard on 10/21/2005 12:42:48 PM Edited by - mpollard on 10/21/2005 4:52:14 PM

mpollard, Congrats on reaching the Cayman Enthusiast level and 3 stars with your 100th post! /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/kiss2.gif

good on you

I've heard a rumour that the FM transmitters are illegal (probably just here in the UK?) in that they transmit on licenced bands. Does anyone know what the exact situation is?

no

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/dlo_transpod I have read a couple of reviews about this Ipod FM transmitter that sounded good. I may try it in my truck while waiting on my Cayman to arrive. Where is the lighter plug in the Cayman anyway?

yep - it is illegal to operate an FM transmitter (like the iPod ones) in the UK, hence you can't buy them in the shops -but really .... they have a range of about 2m at best - if anyone notices and complains then they have sadder lives than most... only thing is, they're a bit pants and not exactly 'CD quality'

I contacted Bose to see if Bose would be offering an automotive version of the Bose® audio with the SoundDock™ digital music system . Below is Bose's response. I am taking delivery of a Porsche Cayman S equipped with the Bose Surround Sound system. Will Bose be offering an iPod dock for this system? Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Bose Automotive Music System in the Porsche Cayman . In answer to your question, all of the factory installed equipment would be supplied by Porsche directly I would recommend contacting Porsche Customer Assistance for details on what will be offered in your vehicle. Please let me know if Porsche is unable to answer your questions.Thank you for contacting Bose Corporation. Patty Bolack Consumer Relations Division ----------------------------------------------------- Bose Corporation US Telephone: (800)231-2673 International Tel: (508)766-9522 Fax Number: (508)766-9103

Having such a device for my S2000 I would ike the same for a Cayman. www.connects2.com - they make devices that emulate the CD changer and seamlessly connect the iPod to the car. However - have just enquired if they will be maknig one for any Porsche models and teh reply was very short and blunt... almost as if they've been TOLD not to. Very strange - could Porsche do this? The 'why' would be to force people to buy the changer or PCM (for MP3 playback) but... ??