Good news Honda drivers, we’ve just had confirmation from Dension that the Honda Dension ice>Link Plus will be back in the UK and in stock at iPod Car Kit Direct, early October 2006.

Grab yours quick before the Christmas rush!

View the Honda ice>Link Plus iPod Car Kit range!

A question we get asked many times through the Support Centre is “i’m not technical how hard is it installing an iPod Car Kit, and can you recommend anyone to install it for me?”

OK i’d recommend you first take a look at the iPod Car Kit Installation Guide in the Support Centre as this details the different iPod Car Kit designs and options and how to install them.

But here’s a quick overview:

Cars with CD Changer port:
If you have a car radio that has a CD Changer socket/port on the rear of your radio then you’ll need the ice>Link Plus for Factory Fitted Radios or Aftermarket Radios.

To install you simply connect the ice>Link Plus car kit into this CD Changer socket and the car radio acts as though a changer were fitted, but controlling the iPod Car Kit. You can then mount the cradle option on a Dashmount or Brodit bracket for easy access of your iPod, or if you go for the Dock Cable option, run this to your glovebox or other discrete location.

To remove your radio to access the changer port you’ll need Car Radio Keys

Cars without CD Changer port or if you have a changer fitted and wish to keep the changer:
If you have a car radio that does NOT have a CD Changer socket/port on the rear of your radio then you’ll need the ice>Link FM option.

As above the car radio is removed but with the FM verison you connect this inline with your aerial connection. Then you need to power the iPod Car Kit with an ignition and an earth wire, dead Simple! Now mount the cradle as above using the Brodit or Dashmount brackets. The dock cable is not currently an option with the FM version.

UK iPod Car Kit Installers: 

3 Options:

1) Install the car kit yourself.
2) See InCar-Installer.com for a Nationwide Professional Installation service.
3) Find someone in the Yellow Pages or on Yell.com in the Car Audio and Car Electrics sections.

For more info see: iPod Car Kit Direct, Contact Us, view the Support Centre or Call us 0845 430 3355 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

If you are a motor trade customer with a store, website, independent garage, dealership, etc, Contact Us for trade prices.

By the end of September 2006 our trade ordering service will be live on the iPod Car Kit Direct website, where you can place your trade order online 24/7. Discounts off retail will be available based on quantity and frequency of orders.

More info on the iPod Car Kit blog shortly when the trade option is active on the website.

Call us now for trade prices: 0845 430 3355   

We’ve just added a delivery service option to Europe for all retail and trade customers looking to Buy the iPod Car Kit in any quantity from 1 upwards.

This option is available in the checkout area of the website and this is an insured service and takes about 1-2 working days (Monday to Friday). If you have any questions Contact Us or if you are looking for Delivery Prices or Product Articles, etc, see the Support Centre for tons of articles.

Take a look at the iPod Car Kits from leading brands Dension and Connects2 and if you know exactly what you’re after see the iPod Car Kits for Factory Fitted Car Radios or the  iPod Car Kits for Aftermarket Car Radios.

For a Tour of the concept of the iPod Car Kits and available product options take a tour of the iPod Car Kit Demo

A subject and question that pops up at least 100 times a week online, in the support centre or on the internet forums is “do i go for Aftermarket or Factory Fit when selecting an iPod Car Kit?” Factory Fit is also known as Factory Fitted, Factory Upgrades or OE which stands for Original Equipment.

Well its a good question and a very important one that must be established before you choose to source your in-car iPod car kit or add-on gadget, on or offline. We hear many stories of car dealers, car dealerships and car audio retailers on and offline that simply give out shocking advice on this subject just to get a quick sale.

Beware of bad advice…

The result = They will sell you a cheap AUX iPod Car Kit hoping that you’ll never find out that there is a far better product out there for Aftermarket and Factory Fitted car radios. Read on and i’ll explain more…

Aftermarket: 
In simple terms Aftermarket means products manufacturered as a retail product for sale in shops, online, etc. These are branded producs that are universal in design and can be fitted in any car. For example a Sony CD Player can be fitted in any car using the correct additional installation accessories made by Autoleads or Connects2.

Factory Fit:
Factory fit on the other hand are vehicle specific and will only work with the make and model of car they were designed to work with. So for example the Audi Concert radio has specific software and technology that make this unique to Audi and very different to a Ford 5000 radio for example. The term Factory Fit covers all car manufacturers from Alfa Romeo to VW and all in between.

And as an iPod Car Kit basically acts like a CD Changer in that when the iPod Car Kit is connected to the radio, the radio plays the iPod just as if it had a CD Changer fitted, controllable from the radio or steering wheel controls (if fitted).

Compatibility:
So imagine trying to fit a Ford iPod car kit to an Audi car radio, it simply would not work. With Factory Fit we have to use Audi products and software with Audi electronics. Also they be car model specific as well so you can’t just connect a 1998 3 series BMW iPod car kit into a 2003 Z3 BMW, as again the connections and software used in the radios are different.

But this is where iPod Car Kit Direct can help. A simple email or phone call 0845 430 3355 and we’ll advise and answer any questions to ensure you are recommended the correct and best product for your car make, model and radio fitted.  

The high quality and performance iPod Car Kits like the Dension ice>Link Plus connect into the CD Changer port/socket at the rear of the car radio and this is where these outshine the AUX iPod Car Kits by far! Why?

New Technology:
Simple, because they use the latest technology software specific to your car make and model and car radio fitted, undergo rigourous tests to ensure compatability, quality, performance and basically to ensure they are futureproof meaning they can be updated as technology grows.

If you ever get offered an AUX iPod car kit as i’m sure you will, think carefully as your motoring may be seriously affected, with such a dull and limited product in functionality, quality and performance.

Why? well because AUX iPod car kits are good for when you have no other options and have to use your AUX sockets on your radio. When using the AUX kit you control the iPod from the iPod and not your car radio or steering wheel controls and on top of this you have to sit your iPod somewhere, generally in your glovebox. I think you can see the problem here, how do you then select your song, tunes or audios if its hidden in your glovebox? Good Question, not very easily.

Dension Quality:
The Dension range of products offer many things that the cheap and nasty AUX iPod car kits flying around could ever offer. At this point i have to point out that Dension make an AUX iPod car kit and this is a solid, robust, quality product IF your only option is the AUX option.

Also please note that the new ice>Link Lite product are AUX but these are for brand new cars that use the CAN-BUS wiring system, this is completely different from the conventional wiring system used on the cars we are discussing above. The CAN-BUS system is still relatively new and used only on 2005/2006 vehicles generally and only on specific models. I’ll detail more on this in a future post…

But in 99.9% of cases you can go for the Dension ice>Link Plus, Dension FM Modulator (ideal if your car radio does not have a CD Changer socket) or the ice>Link lite (if your car uses the latest CAN-BUS wiring systems), and don’t forget the imminent release of the multiple device adapter, the Dension Gateway 300, 400 & 500.

The Dension iPod car kits come in 2 designs covering all options, the Cradle mounting option that is like a mobile phone car kit, robust discreet, easily accessible and the dock cable for a more discreet mounting location in any hidden location.        

If your brain is ready for popping at this point go to iPod Car Kit Direct as the data is the best anywhere in the UK on or offline, as we work with the Dension and Connects2 brands of iPod Car Kits all day everyday and can help to answer any questions. A simple email or phone call 0845 430 3355 and you will be offered the best advice on the planet! Check it out now: iPod Car Kit Direct

Connects2 are a UK based manufactuerer of in-car integration solutions enabling you to bolt on aftermarket products such as CD & MP3 changers, iPods, portable MP3 players onto your existing Factory Fitted ar radio seamlessly. They have recently released their unique version of the iPod Car Kit (The iPlug) that is an industry first with scrolling text. 

Connects2 company description taken from Connects2.com:

Specialists in producing solutions for integrating aftermarket product into today’s vehicles. It is now possible to fit state of the art premium brand audio into your vehicle without losing your original head unit, remote display or stalk control.The only difference is the price which is a fraction of that charged by your main dealer. In addition all Connects 2 product complies with QS9000,is ‘e’ Marked and fully approved by Sony.Connects2 products are also currently approved by the following vehicle manufactures, BMW (Mini) , GM Daewoo, Fiat, Renault, Rover, Seat and Toyota.  

See the Connects2.com website for more info:

So you’re looking for a UK and International distributor of the Connects2 range of products who offers a No-Risk 30 Day Money Back Guarantee with Express Shipping? 

Don’t delay go here now for:
 
ADD A CD Changer for CD & MP3 Changer adpaters and Packages for Factory Fitted radios.

Car Audio Plus for Installation Accessories such as Harness Adapters, Fascia Adapters, Aerial Adapters, Steering Wheel Control Adapters & Sony NW-HD1, 3, 5 Car Kits.

iPod Car Kit Direct for Connects2 iPod Car Kits including the unique iPlug with scrolling text. 

Dension pronounced (den-shun) are the leading manufacturer of the Dension ice>Link range of products enabling seamless integration and playback of your iPod MP3 audio files and tunes, with and in your cars’ existing sound system.

On the Dension.com website they explain their company as:

Dension Audio System Ltd. is the manufacturer of Dension products. We sell full product range and provide on-line technical support for distributors worldwide.

We are specialized in connected car infotainment systems’ development: Either as a direct stand-alone equipment, or accessory, or complete system inventors. We are all music fans, and therefore committed, almost obsessed with creating new equipment by combining the MP3 and the latest technical advances.

Our actual „Flagship” product is the ice>Link which connects together the US No.1. entertainment equipment (iPod) to your car with the easiest and highest quality sound and data transmission features.

Being the developers of the hardware and software technology, this allows us to quickly develop similar equipment on this platform serving as OEM for others as well.

And this is how Dension describe their market leading ice>Link Plus Device!

ice>Link Plus brings complete integration of the Apple iPod into the vehicle entertainment system. The operation is simple: ice>Link Plus translates CD changer messages to iPod controls and switches the iPod automatically on and off as you select/deselect the CD changer source.

The iPod is controlled from the head unit‘s CD changer keys and steering wheel controls where available. Of course, the iPod is charged while connected. Finally forget outdated cassette adaptors and trailing cigarette lighter cables.

Available for a huge range of OEM and aftermarket head units, ice>Link Plus also features ID3 song title display on selected applications including JVC and Toyota. Selected BMW applicatons enable complete browsing of the iPod through the vehicle‘s radio, On Board Computer or Navigation screen in conjunction with steering wheel controls.

Combine this with the Dension dock cable or active cradle for a perfect integration. All applications support both Dension user interface mode with iPod playlist access and other advanced features and original iPod user interface mode. ice>Link Plus features video output for great integration with rear seat entertainment systems.  

Well there you have Dension are No.1 for a reason. They currently outsell other branded Car Kits by 10-1. You have to ask yourself why?

Checkout the Dension website for more info: 

So you’re looking for a UK and International distributor of this innovative Dension product who offers a No-Risk 30 Day Money Back Guarantee with Express Shipping?

Don’t delay go here now:  iPod Car Kit Direct

Looking for a Dension ice>Link Plus, ice>Link Lite, ice>Link FM or Gateway multiple device adapter and not sure which is right for your car, car radio or existing set up? or maybe at this point your brain is fried, as you’ve only ever heard of the AUX ipod car adapters?

Welll the guys at iPod Car Kit Direct have just uploaded the iPod Car Kit Demo. Basically its a virtual tour or brochure that takes you step by step through all of the considerations and options when selecting an iPod Car Kit.

It details this plus much more:

• Why use an iPod Car Kit
• Available iPod Car Kit Options
• Cost Versus Quality
• How to Control your iPod from your car radio
• Installation & Integration
• Factory Fitted Radio iPod Car Kit
• Aftermarket Radio iPod Car Kit
• Universal iPod Car Kit
• Gateway Entertainment
• Selecting the Correct Option

So if you’re now at the point where you’re looking at seamlessly integrating your iPod with your car radio and sound system be it the factory fitted radio (Alfa Romeo to VW) or an aftermarket branded radio (Alpine to VDO Dayton) there are options available for you.

iPod Car Kit Direct Demo here >>>>>>>>

Dashmount Brackets are an Easy-Fit mounting solution enabling damage free installation of Dension iPod Car Kit Cradles (active cradles, passive cradles), Mobile Phone Car Kit Cradles and other portable devices offering a complete, safe and professional installation.

Different from the Brodit ProClip Brackets in that they are made from a robust metal, whereas Brodit ProClip brackets are made from a robust black plastic.

Dashmount Brackets are Damage-Free Vehicle Specific Mounting Brackets made for your particular car make and model ensuring a perfect fit. They install in minutes without any drilling or gluing and protect your dash providing a quick, easy and secure installation giving an integrated look with your car dash and interior. Detailed installation instructions are included with each bracket.

Choose your vehicle make and model from the massive range of available manufacturers listed on the Dashmount Bracket Product Page

The eagerly awaited Dension Gateway 300, 400 & 500 will be despatched from Dension HQ October 2006 or so we have been told. We’ve had a sneak preview on the Gateway 400 model and this is one tasty in-car multiple device, gadget.

The Dension Gateway 300, 400 & 500 will be loaded with different sockets and connectors enabling you to connect multiple devices to your Factory system and control these from your factory fitted car radio or from the device itself. 

Take a quick look at the Dension Gateway models here and if you are interested in being one of the first to get hold of the first UK delivery then drop us an email to sales@incar-network.com and we’ll add you to the priority list: 

http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/iPod_Car_Kit/Multiple_Device_Adapters 

The Gateway 300’s features include:

The Gateway 400’s features include: 

 The Gateway 500’s features include:

http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/iPod_Car_Kit/Multiple_Device_Adapters