Any Iphone and Car Audio Gurus Here??

[hhscr]

OK,

I finally broke down and upgraded my cell phone to a Iphone 3Gs.

Now I need all new chargers and cradles and such for the truck.

Here is what I am wanting to accomplish:

1. Provide a way to charge the phone in car.
2. Hands free operation.
3. Play music from Iphone to truck radio.
4. Be able to play music and use phone at same time.

If I can combine any and all of these into one source that would be great.

I have done some checking and I know I can get separate charger cable and bluetooth ear receiver for the phone, and a cable for the music to an aux input on radio. I do not have a aux input on my radio and if I can get rid of some of the cords that would be a bonus.

I have seen replacement car receivers that have bluetooth built in and will also charge the Iphone and play the music over a USB connection. But from what I have been told when it is hooked up over the USB connection the phone becomes unusable to make calls because the connected to external device is displayed on the iphone screen. I will supposedly be able to receive calls while using the USB, and it will mute the radio and activate the bluetooth built into the radio to receive a call. IF I want to make a call I will have to disconnect the phone from the radio.

It would be really nice if you could connect the phone to USB to Charge it and play the music and at the same time retain the phone capabilities of both making calls and receiving calls over the radio bluetooth, and all without having to disconnect anything.

any advice or insight into my options is greatly appreciated.

Darrell

[Sonny]

Hey Darrell,

What is the year, make & model of you vehicle? I have a 2003 Honda Accord EX and I interested in doing the same thing. Currently I run a 1/8" audio cable from the auxiliary port on the stock head unit to my iPhone. This ONLY allows me to play music. All controls are done from the iPhone.

Ooooh...eager to see the replies.

[hhscr]

I have a 96 ford truck with a replacement jvc radio. It has no aux input so I am having to start from scratch.

IF I want to play the phone through the truck speakers I am going to have to get a new radio anyway, I just need to be economical.

I have looked at walmart and they have a sony that has the usb, bluetooth, and aux inputs. it is right at 200.00 plus a wiring harness kit. I just don't know if I can get it to do all i want it too.

[ronocnikral]

i just have an fm transmitter that works for the iphone. charges and transmits. it was like $60 almost 2 years ago. some only transmit

i used to have an olds cutlass ('93) and i would get some interference when a call came in or data was transferred. the '04 grand am has very little interference when transmitting data.

[kenw]

Here's a tip: however you get the music to play thru the car's speakers, that becomes the "earpiece" for the iPhone "phone".

example: tonight I'm driving home, the iPhone is playing via the audio input into the car's stereo. Phone rings, I press answer and the music mutes and I hear my lovely wife speaking thru the car speakers....no bluetooth needed. When I speak back, the mic on the iPhone is sensitive enought to catch all my words.

This works if you use a cassette adapter, an FM xmtr or a direct wire to an audio input jack like Sonny has (mine is a newer Civic, the MP3 jack is built in).

When I hang up, the music comes back on automatically. And since it ramps up, there's no blasting!

The regular car charger keeps the power up while you drive. It charges faster than the MP3 player or even heavy 3G use can deplete it, so listening to tunes or browsing won't drain the power if you have the power plugged in. I got a <$20 car charger at Fry's that has a USB jack where the cord connects, so the cord is actually a 2nd USB xfer/charge cable like the one that comes with the 3GS.

No fancy holder/cradle/etc, I have a silicone sleeve that keeps it from sliding around. It rides safely on the car seat beside me.

BTW, your #4 is impossible using an iPhone. The phone pauses and mutes the iPod music automatically, and resumes the music when you hang up.

[Twelvevoltguy]

I have some knowledge in this area that I can share. You definitely should consider upgrading your stereo to a pioneer deh-p6100( approx 259.99). This stereo will allow you to connect your Iphone for both Bluetooth phone calls as well as 3 options for music. 1 - usb input on the front which will charge the phone and allow full control through the stereo. when a call comes in it will pause the music and bring up caller ID on the front with the option to answer or ignore. this is by far the best option. 2 you can connect wirelessly through Bluetooth to play your music, the main problem with this is not only does it not charge the phone but actually draws the battery down pretty quick. 3 the standard 1/8" aux input.

This unit will allow you to make and receive calls while using the USB for music. you can make calls from the stereo or the phone.

Hope this helps

[CaptainG]

Here you go. These guys have lots of non-fm solutions;


Pac-audio.com Products | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

[MT Stringer]

I just sold my 98 Chevy truck but it had a Pioneer radio in it that had a input jack for the ipod/zune/whatever and a USB port. I had all the music I needed to hear on a flash drive and just plugged it in and took off to San Antonio! :-)
About $125 at Fry's. I don't know how it would work with the iphoney plugged in.
Mike