UPDATED - **DICE BOUGHT ***CD magazine doesn't load CDs

Also what is the Alpine KCA-420? Do you need this as well as the Intravee? Or can you just buy the Intravee and run the iPod from that?
 
You need an Alpine KCA-420i as well. These are often on eBay for about £50 ish. There's a lot of debate over which it the "best" solution. I've had a Dension GW300 in my mini which was OK. I see mixed reviews over Dice, but i think it varies by the model you buy. Markeg swapped from Dice to Intravee IIRC. I'm sure he'll pop along with a comment.

To be clear, the Intravee is a gateway device that sits in the cars iBus system and converts to Alpine format for controlling Alpine devices. It accesses the car by replacing and then emulating, the CD changer. On it's own it has some interesting extras that I like (coolant temperature, PDC displays on the nav or audio screen, journal of journey, 3 blinks on the indicators etc etc) but you then need to add the relevant Alpine device to get the audio functionality you want. Their support is nothing short of excellent.

You can add a further Intravee box, their switch, to add multiple Alpine devices. If you want a copy of the user manual, so you can see what it's capable of, let me know and I'll email it to you.

I have to say, that as a one box solution, the Dice "might" be better, but as I said, I've heard mixed reviews. I wouldn't go back from an Intravee now.
 
Stuart Truman said:
You need an Alpine KCA-420i as well. These are often on eBay for about £50 ish. There's a lot of debate over which it the "best" solution. I've had a Dension GW300 in my mini which was OK. I see mixed reviews over Dice, but i think it varies by the model you buy. Markeg swapped from Dice to Intravee IIRC. I'm sure he'll pop along with a comment.

To be clear, the Intravee is a gateway device that sits in the cars iBus system and converts to Alpine format for controlling Alpine devices. It accesses the car by replacing and then emulating, the CD changer. On it's own it has some interesting extras that I like (coolant temperature, PDC displays on the nav or audio screen, journal of journey, 3 blinks on the indicators etc etc) but you then need to add the relevant Alpine device to get the audio functionality you want. Their support is nothing short of excellent.

You can add a further Intravee box, their switch, to add multiple Alpine devices. If you want a copy of the user manual, so you can see what it's capable of, let me know and I'll email it to you.

I have to say, that as a one box solution, the Dice "might" be better, but as I said, I've heard mixed reviews. I wouldn't go back from an Intravee now.
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Excellent, thanks - so the Intravee feeds the correct signal into the Alpine device which is what the iPod is hooked up to...makes sense and I do think the Intravee has better reviews. So the Intravee does not come with any cables as it takes the Cd inputs and the Alpine output......
 
It comes with a cable to connect to an Alpine module I think. I bought mine second hand on here with an Alpine module and it had everything except the serial cable.

You'll occasionally find the whole kit and caboodle on fleabay too, just don't get sucked into paying stupid money. Toysinyourcar is a good website to get the Intravee new.
 
Stuart Truman said:
The simplest thing is to mount it in the boot on the bulkhead between the bluetooth module and the gap where the cubbyhole is. You simply unplug the autochanger leads and plug them into the Intravee. it's essential to get a USB to serial cable and leave that in the Intravee for easy software updates.

There are a couple of threads on here relating to installing them.

The lead from the Intravee to the Alpine unit is reasonably long as is the alpine to iPod lead. That gives plenty of flexibility. I'm a lazy arse though and leave the iPod in the boot
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I think my TV module might be in the way of the cables on the bulkhead too. Starting too think a second hand CD changer for £60 might be my best option!
 
They're not much bigger than a matchbox. Replacing the cd changer requires major surgery to the interior trim to get it out. Seriously not worth the effort unless the warranty is paying for it. Let me see if I can find a pic that mark put up of his install

Edit - here's the thread with pics that mark posted of his install when he was helping me out. I did mine slightly differently but the Intravee is in the same place. That's a limitation of the cable length from the cd changer....

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38134
 
Stuart Truman said:
It comes with a cable to connect to an Alpine module I think. I bought mine second hand on here with an Alpine module and it had everything except the serial cable.

You'll occasionally find the whole kit and caboodle on fleabay too, just don't get sucked into paying stupid money. Toysinyourcar is a good website to get the Intravee new.
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Cheers. Will let you know how I get on. Sounds reasonably easy to fit now I've had good advice
 
Intravee - £150
Alpine KCA 420 - £100
DSP adapter - £70
Ainet cable - £15

£335 for the parts alone.

No thanks. :thumbsdown:

If they offered the whole package for under £200 they'd probably shift a lot more and make more profit.
 
You'll have no problem with support from Intravention. I just emailed them that I'd bought a unit secondhand, with its serial number and they added me to their forum and emailed me the latest firmware and a link to a recommended serial cable. :thumbsup:
 
GreyZed said:
Mr_Blue_Sky said:
Stuart Truman said:
Or... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intravee-...2?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item2a220540d4
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Tempting
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If you have factory nav screen then go for it. If you haven't you'll not get most of the features you're paying for.

I'm sure I've read that there are Dice/Dension ipod/mp3 solutions that are more fit for purpose for non-nav cars.
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Ok update - I took apart the boot lining and the 2 CD wires are nicely on show and there is no DSP which is handy, so looks like I am all set to get an Intravee and Alpine, which still seems the best option based on a) ease of fit and b) recommendation.

The question is, how do I get the iPod cable from the boot through the back of the cubby hole so that the iPod is there in front of the CD changer. Is there enough room to squeeze it through, or should I just leave the iPod in the boot? If so, will the car battery charge it when I'm out of the car, or not....?
 
My DICE Silverline arrived today (decided against the Intravee and Alpine as I don't have NAV). Fitted easily and works a treat.

Bye bye CDs Hello iPod :lol:
 
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