Help choosing an iPhone integration option

[ST Nathan]

Alright folks, I need some advice.. preferably from people who have been there, but really any opinions might help.

I have an iPhone 3GS. I also have a 2003 Z4 3.0i roadster (with the business premium sound system - no nav). Right now the two aren't on speaking terms, but I'd like to change that!

From the research I've done, I've come up with a few options, but am really going back and forth trying to decide on one! So, here are my top picks right now:

1) DICE MediaBridge (w/ bluetooth option) + spec.dock ashtray mount.

I like the DICE because of the bluetooth option (so I can easily connect to the wife's or friend's phones, or even to mine if I don't feel like taking it out of my pocket to charge), and particularly since it has the option to keep the iPhone unlocked, so you can control things from there. I've read that the Intravee II has a better stereo-control interface, but no option to keep the iPhone unlocked. Since I just have the business stereo, I imagine controlling things like playlist or album selection through the stereo will be a pain with any system, so it seems like it will be easier to do that sort of stuff through the phone's interface.

2) DICE MediaBridge (w/ bluetooth option) + ProClip mount (http://www.proclipusa.com)

The ProClip option has a couple of seeming advantages over the spec.dock:
-The phone is in a more accessible location. If I plan to do some control through the phone itself, this will make things a lot easier. That's the main one.
-The spec.dock appears to have JUST enough space to fit an iPhone 3GS under the dash. What if the 'iPhone 5' is 2mm taller?
-The proclip comes in two parts - a vehicle attachment and a device attachment. If I get a different phone in the future, I can simply replace that half.
-it's about half the price

However, the two main disadvantages are
-it's not as slick. Might also get in the way of large passengers' knee room?
-it's less secure, since a visible mount could invite thieves. (Although I don't live in a high-crime area, so this isn't a HUGE concern.)

The thing is, I don't know how valid those potential advantages or disadvantages are. That's where I'm hoping some current users can weigh in.

3) BMW aux iPod connector + Scosche adapter (http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS696LL/A) + ProClip mount

If I'm going with the proclip mount, I wonder if it's worth it to go with the MediaBridge, given the potential issues it brings with it. Since the phone would be easily accessible for iPod control, I could just wire it straight to the stereo. I keep the important playback and charging functions and probably have higher reliability at a much reduced price.

If all I'm using the DICE for track skipping with the radio controls and bluetooth (which I wouldn't use the vast majority of the time since I would have the phone plugged in, and I'm guessing my bluetooth earpiece would be better for calls), is it really worth it?


SO, that's where I'm at. Please weigh in. Thanks in advance!

[Hotride]

I have been looking into this for a fair while, Im currently leaning towards the Parrot mki9200 - you can connect via bluetooth to make calls OR stream music to your stereo via bluetooth. so its a complete wireless solution you could control your music from your phone or the parrot remote. It also has iphone, usb and aux cables so you can plug in iphone and/or my preference usb stick and play any music source through your stereo.

And the parrot comes with a colour screen, since you don't have NAV you can still easily navigate contacts and music

The only reason i haven't ordered it is because im overseas for 2 weeks, when i return tho it will be the first little DIY task on my list and ill be someone who has been there lol. till then there are plenty of threads on it.

[jaxZ4]

Keen to know how you get on with this - I've also been looking at the parrot kit but as I (and you ?) have the carver DSP apparently it's a non starter so I'm told from local parrot dealer - a long term car hi specialist. The older Parrot kit 3100 works but it has no ipod interface - I only want ipod and bluetooth to a Nokia not iphone integration.

[wiseguy]

Can anyone answer this question- If I attach a USB hub to the USB connector on the Mediabridge and then connect to the hub both a USB flash drive AND an IPhone 3GS at the same time, will the mediabridge recognize both devices? I'd like to use a flash drive while keeping my IPhone charged and be able to switch between a flash drive and the IPhone for music without disconnecting wires. Can I control both devices through my steering wheel/dash controls?

Thanks,

Wiseguy

[spareone3]

I can't comment on the MediaBridge version, but I just installed the DICE Duo in the Z4M, (Business Stereo).

I went for the Duo as I already have Bluetooth Phone Prep on the car. I also have just fitted the Spec Dock interface.

Firstly, the DUO works quite well, as you mention a large library is slow to navigate through the stereo inteface, but possible. With unlocked and a Spec Dock the 3GS is obviously far easier.

I had some issues with volume gains, these are adjustable, but the settings never seemed ideal. Having speoken to DICE they released another update towards the end of June that in some ways addresses this.

My main gripe with the DUO is the background "Interference". At high volumes and quiet tracks I still hear "hiss" and "noise". When the gains on the DUO are set so the iPod and Radio volumes are the same, (so switching sources does not require volumes adjustments) you can easily hear this background issue easily.
I don't beleive this is something associated with proximity or cable routing as the issue was evident when I mocked the set up in the boot prior to full installation.

Overall I'm happy enough with the DICE at reasonable £'s, it's nice to have all my music in one place. The TomTom Sat Nav on the 3GS and Spec Dock combination allows me to make the best of a no factory Nav car, as I can see the screen as well as hear the instructions as the iPod music is faded in and out correctly.

[th30d0r3]

The problem I find with that parrot is that it bypasses your stereo when it streams music so your sound quality will suffer horribly because of it. (has a 15w in built amp compared to the 50w on your stereo). not to mention the hideous screen that you have to mount on your dash.

Stick to the Dice DUO like the other chap has done (unless you don't have BT, the go for the Media Bridge); If I'm right there are two connection options, one uses the CD changer interface and the other uses the SOT loom. obviously the former renders your CD changer inoperable, but you haven't mentioned that you have one so I'm making an assumption.

Intravee is wasted without nav, BMW option is old and basically poorer than the duo in terms of features.

Also the usb hub will not work with the media bridge, I've tried it.

@ spareone3
The hissing you're getting is due to the volume setting on the DUO itself, if you hear hissing, that means the stereo is amplifying white noise and you need to lower the internal DUO volume since that's also amplifying noise.

[spareone3]

@ spareone3
The hissing you're getting is due to the volume setting on the DUO itself, if you hear hissing, that means the stereo is amplifying white noise and you need to lower the internal DUO volume since that's also amplifying noise.

Yes, this is the "gain" I was reffering to. My problem, (if you can call it that), is that to ensure the Radio and Dice sources are similar volumes when switching bewween the two I need the "gain" set that high on the DICE I get the background "noise". If I reduce the DICE gain to remove the hiss I have to constantly adjust volumes.

[th30d0r3]

Can you control the volume on the IPOD too?? if so would it not be as simple as turning up the ipod?

[Unclepip]

I have been considering similar integration options, also came up with this option http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.php?p ... =16&page=1 - not sure if anybody has any experience of this?

[wiseguy]

Stick to the Dice DUO like the other chap has done (unless you don't have BT, the go for the Media Bridge) .

The Dice Duo doesn't offer a USB port at all, so that doesn't offer the features I'm looking for. I don't have a CD changer but I already have factory Bluetooth. I guess I'll buy the mediabridge and just switch out wires when I want to play a flash drive.

[Hotride]

Dice sounds confusing. I suppose that's why I went with the Parrot - all the features the other devices have rolled into 1.
Screen obviously ain't OEM but it offers the best navigation of music and address book - and sound quality is much better then the OEM head unit IMO!!

[wiseguy]

Also the usb hub will not work with the media bridge, I've tried it.

Good to know- thanks! They really should add a 2nd USB port to the DICE lineup.

[spareone3]

Can you control the volume on the IPOD too?? if so would it not be as simple as turning up the ipod?

It is already on maximum on iPod, if I reduce the volume on the iPod and increase the DICE gain the "noise" will get worse.

[th30d0r3]

Can you control the volume on the IPOD too?? if so would it not be as simple as turning up the ipod?

It is already on maximum on iPod, if I reduce the volume on the iPod and increase the DICE gain the "noise" will get worse.

Can you explain the noise you're getting? is it like a TV no signal noise(white noise) or an electric interference noise (alternator whine).
How is the duo connected? CD interface? AUX in?
What speaker setup do you have in your car?

Have you checked the denison boards to see if anyone else is complaining about the interference?