Once you’ve decided to purchase an iPod car kit, inevitably you’ve chosen the Gateway Lite produced by Dension. You only have one further obstacle to hurdle, the installation. There are two options available to you for installing the kit. The first option, Pay a professional engineer to install the kit, either travelling to them or they can travel to you. The second option, is to install the iPod car kit yourself. Which is by far the more cost effective option and probably most convenient too. See below an installation guide to judge whether your capable of the installation, should you choose to go ahead.

The installation of the Gateway lite is fairly simple and pain free. Although this is a generic installation guide, it will suit 99% of vehicles.

Before you begin the installation, please remove the keys from the ignition and check that any radio codes are recorded for future reference.

Step one is to remove your car stereo, this will usually involve radio removal tools which will vary depending on what vehicle you have. Radio removal keys are readily available and the majority of online shops or traditional vehicle based retail outlets stock them. Radio removal tools are extremely convenient and can save you a lot of time and energy. This should take between 1-5 minutes

Step two is to remove the harnesses from the back of the stereo, Most vehicles have a Quadlock connection, this is a fairly large connection block that houses the wires to and from the stereo. If the Harness is a Quadlock connection the Dension harness will usually replicate the original harness exactly. The Dension Lite harness simply fits into the vehicle harness and then back to the stereo, basically a link between the vehicle and the stereo.

If the vehicle doesn’t have a Quadlock connection, the gateway lite harness fits into the CD changer port on the the back of the stereo. Usually located in the top right of the stereo as your looking at the back of it. Most of the time the harness simply connects straight into place, however occasionally the harness may have to be connected into the original harness then re-connected. This stage should take 2 minutes.

Step three is to connect the Gateway Lite PCB (the little black box) to the dension harness, its the most straight forward step of the installation. This will take 30 seconds.

Step Four is to connect the iPod dock and USB extension cable to the PCB, again very straight forward. Once this stage is done its usually a good idea to turn ignition on to check the system works. (Follow the user manual to perform the operations for iPod/USB track selection) Again this will take 1-2 minutes.

Step five, Route the cables through into position within the vehicle, this is usually the most time consuming part of the installation. Depending on the vehicle this can be a complex job and may require the removal of some of the fascia / Dashboard. This part of the installation may take up to 30 minutes depending on difficulty, especially if you want a professionally installed look.

Step Six, replace the stereo into its fittings. Read the operational instructions from Dension and enjoy the use of your iPod and all of your music while your driving.

Everyone knows that iPod car adapter kits allow users to listen to the music on their iPod while they drive. Some iPod car integration kits, however, even allow drivers to play iPod videos and DVDs on their dashboard-mounted user interface or in the head-rests for rear passengers. This may seem like an unnecessary accessory – why would the person who is driving need to be able to watch videos while doing so? Well, they wouldn’t, but there are many situations in which such a device might come in handy.

Imagine that you have a flat tire and you’re waiting for roadside assistance. Or you went to pick your son or daughter up from practice, and it’s running late. Maybe you’re stuck in traffic, or going to a restaurant, and there’s a wait before you can be seated. In pretty much any situation that involves you having to wait in, or near, your car, there is a potential for severe boredom, which is where the iPod video car kit comes in handy. It’s especially useful if you happen to be in a situation where waiting is involved, and you have bored children in your car.

Some say that the dashboard-mounted video unit isn’t safe, because drivers can be distracted by it, or attempt to watch it while driving. However, this isn’t a problem that is inherent with the unit itself – it’s a problem with some people who might use it incorrectly. Just like everything else on the market, most people use it properly, but there will always be those who don’t. The people who are likely to misuse the iPod car kit add-on would most likely partake in illegal activates while they drive such as using their mobile phone or applying make-up, which would be equally if not more unsafe.

The iPod is the ideal platform for storing additional music and videos, the Gigabytes of space can be difficult to fill. Take advantage of this and add films, TV programs or music videos to your iPod so they are there to watch when you or your kids have a spare 30 minutes to an hour to enjoy them.

See below our top 10 scenarios of when an iPod Video Kit for vehicles is useful in combating boredom.

1) Stuck in traffic on the motorway.
2) To keep your Kids entertained and stop them arguing and fighting in the back of your car.
3) Keep passengers entertained on long journeys.
4) if your waiting for a booking or appointment.
5) If your Vehicle has Broken Down and you’re waiting for assistance.
6) Keep up to date with news and local current affairs via pod casts when you’re out of your county or state.
7) Watch your favorite TV Series if you pull over for a fast lunch break.
If you’re waiting to pick somebody up whose train or plane is delayed by an hour or two.
9) If you’ve been kicked out of your house (Oops you shouldn’t be so naughty).
10) If you’re on a camping trip and stuck for something to do at night.

We’ve thought of a few instances when an iPod car kit with video integration could come in handy, i’m sure you can think of a few more!

As Christmas is drawing near, in car network have decided to make it that little bit easier on your wallet when purchasing your iPod equipment. We have decided to create one special offer per month until Christmas.

October’s special offer is free delivery to all UK Mainland customers when ordering Dice RDS FM Modulators.

The Dice are one of the leading brands of iPod car kits. Based in the USA they produce integrated kits for a range on cars and a very competent RDS FM Modulator that is universal providing you have a European ISO Aerial, so basically you can connect it to 99.9% of European stereos both factory and aftermarket…

The iPod Car Kit connects directly into the Aerial on the back of the headunit that provides an excellent signal interface that also reduces the chance of interference from other FM broadcasting stations and devices that FM Transmitters can’t block out. The Dice RDS FM also charges your iPod when it’s playing and provides RDS Track information if the headunit is compatible.

The Dice kit is provided with a dock cable for easy access and can be mounted anywhere in the car with the use of brodit mounting brackets and passive cradles depending on your iPod.

To claim your free delivery on the Dice RDS FM

type OCT_DICE into the coupon section when ordering

Dension are producing a new accessory for the gateway 500 enabling users to control the functions of the Gateway 500 in a much more user friendly way. The AVR unit will allow videos to be watched on original screen or on a display installed in the rear of the vehicle (IVE1000 still required to play AV).

Densions main reason for developing the new AVR accessory is that it allows multi source operations, meaning that the user can play multiple choices, so maybe you would like to listen to your favourite music on your iPod while driving & keep the Kids quite by watching their favourite Video in the back. This is set to be a revolutionary break through for Dension as multi source has never been done to this extent in car audio.

The AVR may be some time away as Dension are first trying to complete the production of various projects like the BTA2000 Bluetooth Adapter, the CD Retention kits for BMW & some secret projects we can’t tell yet!! (Prepare to be amazed because you are going to want some of these). However more information on all new products will be available soon at www.iPodcarkitdirect.co.uk

The Dension BTA1500 Bluetooth adapter is now available at www.iPodcarkitdirect.co.uk, the specially designed unit will maximise the Gateway 500 fibre optics system in allowing the user to make hands free phone calls, stream music from mobile phone (and other AD2P devices) and browse your phone book on all compatible screens. The New BTA1500 has been in development since the BTA1000 was discontinued several months ago, Dension realising the importance of this technology to its customers have put their full concentration on completing this project in minimum time and maximum testing ensuring the new Bluetooth unit lives up to expectations.

The New BTA1500 Bluetooth adapter is only compatible with the Gateway 500 Fibre Optic Systems. The BTA2000 Densions’ next product is expected to be ready nearer October 2008 and is expected to be compatible with all Dension Gateway systems. No Doubt more information regarding the BTA2000 will be available here soon.

Brodit and iPod Car Kit Direct have been working very hard on producing the highest quality iPod mounts and passive cradles for a very long time indeed. The latest batch of items will hold all the new iPods into a passive cradle in your car without damaging the dashboard.

The cradles will work with the following Apple iPods:

The Apple iPhone (all hard disc sizes)
The Apple iPod Classic 5th Generation (All sizes)
The Apple iPod Nano 3rd Generation (All sizes)

To view these items just simply click “iPod Mounting” on the left hand of our website underneath the “products” bar. Then click “Passive Cradle”

Due to the high demand for this item and a good platform, Dension have decided to expand the capabilities of the Dension Gateway Bluetooth Adapter. Expected features include phonebook browsing, music streaming from your phone, text capability (on supported cars and phones) and a few other little tricks which we are keeping up our sleeves.

Dension are due to split the original Gateway bluetooth adapter (the BTA1000) into two separate parts:

The Dension BTA1500 Bluetooth Adapter, specifically designed for the Dension Gateway 500 on all platforms (BMW, Audi, Porsche, Saab, Volvo, Mercedes) and will definitely feature phonebook display.

The Dension BTA2000 Bluetooth Adapter, designed for all other Dension Gateway models including the Dension Gateway 100, the Dension Gateway 300 & the long awaited Dension Gateway 200i (for when it finally arrives – most probably near December 2008).

The Dension bluetooth adapter is just another chapter in Densions push to continue to be the worlds number one iPod Car Kit specialists. Dension seems very confident that these new designs will be knocking on iPod Car Kit Directs doors within 2 or 3 months. Prepare yourself for the ULTIMATE integration!

The Dice BMW SilverLine is the next generation of iPod Car Kits is soon to be available in the UK and Europe. The new Dice kit is on course to replace the Previous BMW Dice Kit due to a break through in technology. The SilverLine has many of the same functions and features as the previous kit, in addition to this the greatest new function allows the user to Browse the iPod for songs, Play-lists and albums (Using the radio, Steering controls) BEFORE making a song selection…

This Means that you can still listen to your music while searching for the next track… The Silverline is also compatible with all the new iPods. This is the future of Car entertainment !!!

In Addition to this, the release of the Dice Video Cradle is immanent allowing you to view all the videos on your iPod

Dension are working very hard to complete the Gateway 100 iPod Car Kit for General Motors & Vauxhall. The Unit is believed to be compatible with the majority of the Vauxhall range providing the first fully digital iPod Car Kit solution for vauxhall cars. Currently the Ice>link One (previously known as the Ice>link FM) is the only unit from Dension that will work.

There is not a confirmed time scale for the release for the units but it is expected to be soon. The Unit is expected to retail at the same price as the other Gateway 100 units.

Look for the best kit for your car at www.iPodCarKitDirect.co.uk

Dension are in the process of updating their product range and part numbers making selecting a product for your specific car make and model easier, faster and providing a superior in-car experience. The range will also have some new exciting additions including the:

• Dension ice Link One
• Dension ice Link Gateway 100
• Dension ice Link Gateway 200i
• Dension Bluetooth Adapter for Gateway 100/300/500
• Dension CD Changer Retention Adapter for new Gateway 100 / 300 (the Gateway 100 replaces the ice Link Plus)

The Dension ice Link One is a new addition to the Dension ice Link FM Modulator range.

The Dension ice Link Gateway 100 is a new addition to the Dension ice Link Plus range.

The Dension ice Link Gateway 200i is the new Dension product compatile with Portable Sat Navigation devices enabling mute of your iPod Tunes when the navigation prompts directions through your car speakers. Also providing bluetooth handsfree functionality via portable navigation.

The Dension Bluetooth Adapter connects smartphones and PDA’s for: music / hands free calling / navigation.

The Dension CD Changer Retention Adapter is for use with the new Dension Gateway 100 and Existing Dension Gateway 300 and enables the use of CD Changer when fitting a Dension Adapter

More info soon on available dates and the new Dension product range of iPod Car kits and iPod Accessories.