iPod

[M3NACE]

I paid extra when buying my 300 for an "ipod connection". They installed an RJ11 jack in my console and gave me a very short cable that runs from it to my ipod.

Generally speaking, the system works fine (single cable for playing and charging, two-way communications), except the cable itself the dealer gave me is--no kidding-- about a foot long. The cable barely stretches from the jack to the front of my console where my ipod rests (really the only place to put an ipod). The problem with this is the cable is so taut that its starting to strip the jacket from the actual wires inside. Not to mention it doesn't leave a lot of room to put your ipod anywhere else in the car.

Did anyone else get a similar system from their dealer or aftermarket? I've tried to find a similar but longer cable, but the jack/cable looks pretty proprietary, and I haven't been able to find anything longer at any of the usual places (Best Buy, etc.)

Anyone have any ideas or experiences?

[mouserider]

That cable is designed to be installed in the glove compartment and it designed for your iPod to be placed inside the glove compartment when connected and in use.

The rational here is that it keeps the iPod out of sight so it won't be a theft attractor. And since the system provides full 2-way control, you don't need to access the iPod itself.

[INeedMorePower]

You could try looking on Apple's web site for an extender. Also, there was a company making inserts for the 300 ashtray to hold an iPod, though the name escapes me at the moment. I'll see if I can find it.

[M3NACE]

Originally Posted by mouserider

That cable is designed to be installed in the glove compartment and it designed for your iPod to be placed inside the glove compartment when connected and in use.

The rational here is that it keeps the iPod out of sight so it won't be a theft attractor. And since the system provides full 2-way control, you don't need to access the iPod itself.

Its 2-way, but not really. You can't control the ipod from the dash (skip songs, browse songs, or even see what song is playing) at all. The only thing I can tell the "2-way" really does is stop the ipod when you shut your care engine off. That said, the ipod needs to be outside the console and... see the my original post.

[Maistro69]

ummm an RJ-11 is a phone jack. Like the phone in your house that you plug into the wall jack, thats an RJ-11. If thats the type connection they gave you then its no wonder you have no control. I mean an rj-11 only has 4 connectors so Left pos & neg Right pos & neg thats it. Heck IF thats what they gave you it can be extended by a Home Depot phone line coupling. It's worth checking.

[OoTLink]

Yeah that's the crappy FM modulator kit :|

[M3NACE]

Originally Posted by Maistro69

ummm an RJ-11 is a phone jack. Like the phone in your house that you plug into the wall jack, thats an RJ-11. If thats the type connection they gave you then its no wonder you have no control. I mean an rj-11 only has 4 connectors so Left pos & neg Right pos & neg thats it. Heck IF thats what they gave you it can be extended by a Home Depot phone line coupling. It's worth checking.

Yes, I know what an RJ11 is. RJ11's are commonly used for phones, but not just phones--that's just what the average person sees.

At any rate--I'd rather not cut and splice cables--the cable works and I'd like to keep it that way. Its just short.

Anyone else get a similar one from the dealer?

[OoTLink]

Why don't you just use another phone cord and a coupler? You could get both at the dollar store, lol.

[mouserider]

Ah, the cheaper version of the connector. There is a version that provides full iPod connectivity to the head unit and allows the track advance and back buttons to work, as well as display the song currently being played.

For just extending it, the others right, if it is an RJ-11, then it's an RJ-11, there's nothing special about it unless you're using the word "RJ-11" because it looks like one and really isn't one.

The thing you need to check is that RJ-11s can have up to 6 contacts and most phone extensions you can get in the stores are either just one-pair or two-pairs. You can get 3-pair ones but they are rare and are commonly called 3-line extenders because with 3-pairs, you can have 3 phone lines (POTS).

If you get a standard 3-line version, they will be wired as straight through so it should work unless you go too long and or get lousy quality wires that degrade the signal.

[M3NACE]

Originally Posted by mouserider

Ah, the cheaper version of the connector. There is a version that provides full iPod connectivity to the head unit and allows the track advance and back buttons to work, as well as display the song currently being played.

For just extending it, the others right, if it is an RJ-11, then it's an RJ-11, there's nothing special about it unless you're using the word "RJ-11" because it looks like one and really isn't one.

The thing you need to check is that RJ-11s can have up to 6 contacts and most phone extensions you can get in the stores are either just one-pair or two-pairs. You can get 3-pair ones but they are rare and are commonly called 3-line extenders because with 3-pairs, you can have 3 phone lines (POTS).

If you get a standard 3-line version, they will be wired as straight through so it should work unless you go too long and or get lousy quality wires that degrade the signal.

Do you know where I can get an ipod kit where I can actually control the ipod from the dash control? My 300 is a 2006 300C SRT8.

Thx in avance.