There are a lot of different types of transmitters available to purchase, each differs in performance and quality. As with everything else in life you get the good and the bad. The problem with transmitters is that the bad are very bad and give the other products a poor reputation on the back of theirs.

FM Transmitters by nature are designed with a slight fault, in that they are prone to interference from other signal frequencies. This can manifest in two ways either the transmitter signal is blocked because the other signal is stronger or interference is received over either audio playback, resulting in echo, buzz or both.

The actual quality of the audio being played through the transmitter is generally quite good. Most genuine products such as Griffin iPod fm transmitters , dexim and or logic3 offer audio equivalent to a good radio station (radio 1 for example) however its generally expected if you use a frequency close to a powerful local or national station you will receive a little interference at some point during connection.

The solution to this problem however is simple. Firstly select a signal which is clear of any radio stations, this will reduce the amount of interference heard, secondly if your frequency picks up any in the future simple change frequency. The Griffin iTrip Fm Transmitter for example has 3 pre-set frequency’s to change to if you do happen to receive quality issues with the current settings.

FM Transmitters are a good solution if you only want a simple iPod input in your car, If for example you don’t need an integrated kit that offers full digital quality, iPod control and text display the Transmitter could be the kit for you.

A small saying that my granddad used to say to me “you get what you pay for” generally rings true in all walks of life. If you buy a cheap transmitter you should expect the performance to be poorer than other kits, from our experience the griffin tend to offer the best all round performance in the iPod Fm Transmitter world.

After recent news that Dension are due to release a new product entitled the "Gateway Five" we received our sample models and set about to get testing just how good it is. Dension promised the item to have a much better integration than a Parrot MKi 9200 (Parrots Flagship Bluetooth and iPod car integration kit) and after working with Dension for a few years – we believe them!

The main big advantage that the Dension Gateway Five will have over the Parrot alternative is that the Dension integrates into the stereo’s display and controls (either from the stereo itself, or from the steering controls). This in itself gives it a better selling point compared to the Parrot but pair this with the way that the Dension Gateway Five actually takes control of the iPod and the Phone in comparison to the Parrot MKi 9200 and you really do have something special. Could this be the product that knocks Parrot from its perch?

Lets start off by providing  a comparison chart, showing which kit has which features. After the chart we can move onto discussing each feature or specification, one by one.

From the above chart you can sort of get your head around why this product is so exciting. We will now talk about our findings and go further in depth for each feature listed above.

1. Full CD Quality Audio
Bluetooth as a technology doesnt provide enough bandwidth for the music to be sent to the stereo in perfect audio. Pair this with the fact that the Parrot DOESN’T use the car stereos amplifier (it uses a pretty poor 15 watt internal amplifier) AND the fact that you can only get sound through your front speakers (unless your lucky enough to be in the 2% of people who have a vehicle which can handle a better wiring harness, all be it for another £80!) mean that the Dension simply wipes the floor with the Parrot kit here. The Dension kit fully hard-wires into the car stereo via the CAN-Bus system so the entire connection is optical digital, quality is just perfection. The only time you will hear bad quality with the Gateway Five is if the MP3 file on the iPod is poor quality.
Dension – 1
Parrot – 0

2. Hard Wired Digital Connection
We have touched on this a little above so there isn’t too much need to go into detail but because the Parrot MKi-9200 transmits the iPods music via Bluetooth, the quality isn’t the best. Compare this with the Dension’s CAN-Bus connection and Dension take the spoils again!
Dension – 2
Parrot – 0

3. Works through ALL speakers
Another simple response needed. The Dension works through every speaker and utilises the cars amplification (be it from within the stereo itself or from any upgrade like a Bose system). Because the Parrot MKI kits use older SOT lead technology, only the front two speakers work.
Dension – 3
Parrot – 0

4. Control Bluetooth from the stereo (Including Missed Calls, Received Calls & Phonebook)
Obviously the Parrot comes with an external display which can control the phone functions. Its not a terrible display but its nowhere near as good as using the vehicles display. It looks out of place in most vehicles and just doesnt look "OEM". However, you can search by missed calls and received calls etc. The Dension does exactly the same thing but through the cars display and cars controls (steering wheel controls and stereo controls) instead of fiddling with a little external screen.
Dension – 4
Parrot – 0

5. Control the iPod from the Stereo
Now this is obviously where Dension excell, they have been at the forefront of iPod integration since the iPod was first made. Anyone who wishes to integrate iPod in a car always use Dension systems as the standard but they can never achieve what Dension have achieved because everytime anyone gets close, Dension raise the bar. The Dension Gateway Five can control the iPod fully from the stereo, this includes searching for artists, albums, track, playlists, podcasts, genres – all using the stereo controls and the steering wheel controls (control can also be reverted back to the iPod if needed anyway). The Parrots iPod interface is pretty simple but not impossible to use. Obviously the control has to be done from the external display again.
Dension – 5
Parrot – 0

6. Requires external display
Some like external displays, others think there are numberous issues with using an external display. One of the main concerns is that theifs know that there is an aftermarket Bluetooth kit fitted into the vehicle – making it a target. Other issues are that the displays look fairly ugly (the ones which dont look too bad tend to be too small to use accurately). Instead of using an external display, the Dension Gateway Five uses the vehicles display to tell you everything you need to know.
Dension – 6
Parrot – 0

7. Integrated through the vehicles display
The same as above really, obviously the Parrot needs the display to be operated where-as the Dension uses the vehicles displays. This point isn’t a win or a loss for either Dension or Parrot so the scores stay the same!
Dension – 6
Parrot – 0

8. Integrates though the vehicles display
Again, as above. No conclusion can be drawn from this point other than give the facts.
Dension – 6
Parrot – 0

9. Phonebook displayed on the stereo/cluster
Well another point for Dension here. The Dension Gateway Five allows the phones contacts to be viewed from the cars display.
Dension – 7
Parrot – 0

10. Control iPod Playlists from the stereo
The Dension can, the Parrot cant. Simple.
Dension – 8
Parrot – 0

11. Control iPod Artists from the stereo
As above.
Dension – 9
Parrot – 0

12. Control iPod Albums from the stereo
As above, again.
Dension – 10
Parrot – 0

13. Control iPod Tracks from the stereo
As above, again, again!
Dension – 11
Parrot – 0

14. Control iPod Podcasts/Genres etc from the stereo
And again…
Dension – 12
Parrot – 0

15. Compatible with most mobile phones
Neither a winner or a loser on this one so both get a point. Both kits work with nearly every phone around today. The Dension utilises the new Blue Core Chip which is considedered the new standard in bluetooth technology. The Parrot uses its original chip – which is by no means far behind!

Dension – 13
Parrot – 1

16. Charges the iPod/iPhone, including 5v charging iPods
The Dension certainly does do this. The Parrot’s NEWER models does this.
Dension – 14
Parrot – 2

17. Add-ons (Like Video Output from the iPod into the stereo/nacigation)
Another point for the Dension. Because it utilises the CAN-Bus system, there is a possibility of sending so much more information through the system.
Dension – 15
Parrot – 2

18. USB Input for flash drives and hard drives
Yet another point for Dension… They are really destroying the Parrot kits here!
Dension – 16
Parrot – 2

19. Aux Input
Both get a point here.
Dension – 17
Parrot – 3

20. Pricing
Both are on par. However, its important to remind you that the Parrot kits DO need an additional part to connect it to the vehicle, the Dension doesnt. Another point for Dension.
Dension – 18
Parrot – 3

The iPhone is one of the most successful phones in recent history. The ability to integration numerous features makes the phone desirable, the image, design and styling make it more so. The fact its a must have accessory for a large majority of the population speaks volumes about the success Apple have had since the release.

One of the reasons the apple iPhone is so successful is because it brings all types of new digital media to the table. In fact some would say its responsible for a large part of the development of new media. For instance, Would sites like Facebook and Twitter be so popular if they weren’t accessible on your mobile phone?

Harnessing this new media is a challenge for all companies wanting involvement in the iPhone revolution, making an add-on that actually improves the features of an iPhone is somewhat difficult. Apps can be created relatively easily depending on the subject and performance targets, and of-course the skill of the development team behind it. However the devices that physically connect to the iPhone face entirely different obstacles. A good example was the power chance from 12v to 9v and 5v charging.

One of the problems when trying to integrate the iPhone with external hardware (None computers) is that the software on the phone is complex, computers can obviously install compatible software to integrate well, however when trying to integrate into something more simple in design i.e a car stereo more problems are encountered. Software is obviously not available to install on car stereos so certain features on the iPhone are not transferable.

The major problem when connecting an iPhone to a device without software is that the iPhone locks out and goes into flight mode. In the case of iPhone car kits, If you wanted to control the iPhone through the stereo or steering wheel controls the kit will lockout the iPhone, basically turning it into an iPod. Which isn’t a problem when navigating through your music collection, however you will not be able to make or receive calls or texts.

Dension have created a new iPhone car kit which allows the connection of the iPhone without it going into flight mode, you control the iPhone’s music from the phone its self so you still have full phone features combined with the music integration into your car. The iPhone is charged while connected and the stereo retains all of its usual controls, I.e volume controls.

The Gateway Lite is the next generation of iPhone car kits specifically designed for such purpose, have you mobile jukebox in full operation in your car and you phone if required. The Gateway lite is not a phone kit and does not offer any handsfree functions, but is the best solution for integrating your iPhone into your vehicle.

iPod car accessories are useful for long journeys, car accessories for the iPod can range from protective cases, to protect against scratches and more serious damage. Through to fully integrated iPhone car kits which provide a digital connection combined with iPod and music control through the stereo / steering wheel adapters and charging facilities.

The apple iPhone combines a fully functional phone with a top of the range MP3 player and so much more. However when it comes to getting more value from your iPhone, its difficult to know what accessories are best value for money and worth while investing in and which are a waste of time.

Do to the nature of the iPhone, you should be looking for a kit that matches its performance and usability. The iPhone has somewhat revolutionised the mobile phone industry in the past four years. Although touch screen technology was around before, the iPhone’s usability and functionality surpassed all its competitors. The screen was more accurate, the navigation more simple and the music storage and playback included in the package is better than any other phone / MP3 player available today.

So if you want to improve the functions of the iPhone or any other iPod for that matter you need something that will a) allow the iPhone to do something that it wasn’t capable of doing before and b) ensuring the product is the best on the market for what you want it to do, assuming you don’t want to just make do. This is usually where people get confused. What do I want the product to do?

There are various products available for the iPhone that allow integration into most vehicles factory stereo equipment. (Assuming you want a hard wired connection) which provide a variety of different functions and features. Ranging from full music control from steering wheel or stereo to track and image display on screens, through to Bluetooth functionality for an additional phone. After market technology for OE (Original Equipment) hard ward installed in the vehicle is now better than ever and can improve the driving experience for all road users.

Ipod integration into vehicles is now commonplace, a lot of new vehicles are pre installed with them or have the option to upgrade, however this is usually a more expensive option with less functions than most after market solutions. The market leaders in this area Dension offer a wired connection into the back of the CD Changer port that provides a full digital connection and control of the iPod / iPhone when docked.

Other features can include Text display, and advanced track search functions, USB integration and iPod charging, Other kits also provide some of same functions and can be just as reliable however Dension cover the vast majority of vehicles and stereos which most other brands do not.

Unfortunately one of the only draw backs to the iPod car kit when using the iPhone is that the phone functions are restricted and the iPhone’s flight mode is automatically selected. The iPhone becomes an iPod when connected to the system and to date there no way around this, however with continual software updates and improvements in technology a solution may not be too far away? However the quality of audio played is second to none, the full digital connection plays music to the quality of the MP3 or AAC file uploaded to the iPod. Music downloaded from iTunes usually runs at 256bps rather that the 128bps usually written on CD’s meaning the quality achieved is far superior. The continual development of this industry also means that improvements to the systems are common, and additional parts and accessories which offer an improved service are introduced regularly.

The need for an iPod / iPhone car kit is purely a luxury, its not essential but it is a fantastic way of passing the time when driving. Enjoying the music you love to hear rather than what ever happens to be on the radio or trying to dig through 100′s of CD is one of the main reasons for people purchasing these kits. Apple introduced Music on demand, popularised by the iPod. This is extended further now with the introduction of iPod / iPhone car kits. Your music when you want it, where ever your going.

OK, so you’ve seen all the blogs, virals, youtube videos and thousands of adverts advertising what NEW and IMPROVED features various app’s may offer…. It seems that using an iPod as a sprit level and other fairly useless functions is a growing trend, and soon no doubt builders the world over will down tools and purchase a multi-functional iPod which is capable of Sawing, Hammering and Screwing, drilling and any other task builder’s may have to do daily.

Dont Get me Wrong, I think some of the iPod and iPhone features and app’s are absortultly genius and provide an excellent service, made much more convenient and user friendly than ever before. However in general these app’s are few and far between.

Some of you may be wondering at this stage what the "Thing" is that everybody seemed to have forgotten. Its simple, Why aren’t we using the iPod for the task in which it was invented??? Playing Music …. I have seen several adverts recently regarding Apple and the iPhone 3gs and iPod Touch, and at no point in the advertisment did apple mention what the iPod was best used for (an MP3 player BTW). It seems to be all about the extras you get with package nowdays!

So The One thing that everybody should try using an iPod for is to store and play your favourite music

I’m obviously Kidding, the iPod is obviously an inspriational invention so here are some other things you can do with it that you might not of thought of?

Here are some uses for an iPod or iPhone include;

1) App’s can transform your iPhone from a simple phone and mp3 playing device to navigation device, resource finder, account manager or so much more depending on which app you use. Look long and hard, some of the best apps are still to be popularised.

2) Google Maps, Every contact with a physical address (regestered in google) in your contact book can be found on google maps, even better these contacts are automatically found when browsing for directions say to a resturant stored as a contact. Simply search for the contact and you have directions to the location from where your standing. Genius !!

3) Mobile internet, where ever you are you have full access to the internet, emails and all that the internet brings.

4) Videos and TV programmes, The newer iPods are capable of storing more information than ever before. Take advantage of this and load your favourite videos and TV programs to watch at your convenience.

5) The iPod can be transfromed into a truely mobile MP3 Player with the use of an iPod car kit. Plug in to your Car Stereo and you have full access to all of your tracks while you drive

The Apple iPod has done its bit to shape society over the past ten years, Not only is it a desirable gift or accessory. Its changed the way we listen to and purchase music. The most noticeable improvement the iPod / iPhone deliverers over its predecessors, is the ease and simplicity of use and instant satisfaction it delivers.

Music and applications can be downloaded instantly, negating the need to travel to a store to purchase CD singles or albums. Which except for a few people, was seen as a hindrance. No longer do we need to carry stacks of disc’s and filter through them to find an album for what ever mood were in. Put simply the iPod has revolutionised the music industry and carried it into the future, making music more accessible in our daily routines.

Many other companies have joined the music revolution in a bid to further improve the way we control and listen to our favourite albums. It has become big business, with more and more companies offering improved quality and functions for home audio and visual systems as well as car and mobile audio. One of the market leaders in the car audio field, Dension, have been developing new systems which allow full control of the iPod through the stereo and entertainment system in the vehicle.

For many the iPod symbolises mobile music, and more recently mobile entertainment with the release of the iPod touch and iPhone, and the continuing developments Apple are making in the Video and TV area. Dension have adopted this ethos of entertainment on the move and produced iPod car kits that surpass any other kit on the market in terms of quality and integration.

iPod integration is key for quality and ease of use of the kits, if they don’t match Apples exacting standards for the iPod there is no point in developing them. With this in mind Dension set about improving previous versions of iPod kits they already produced. (Which they were already market leaders) and come up with a kit that ensures great quality audio and simple easy controls. The Gateway Lite was born.

The Gateway Lite is the next step up from the Gateway 100 / Gateway 300 ipod car adapters, The lite offers a much improved navigation system which was not available on the 100 / 300 unless text compatibility was available on your vehicle. By making the system easier the Gateway Lite is much more effective when making a track selection, reducing the browsing time and frustration this may have caused.

Combined with USB input the Gateway lite makes your favourite music truly mobile, allowing you to carry you entire music collection in your vehicle, you no longer need the poor quality and probably illegal FM transmitters. Simply choose the Gateway Lite.

Dension are market leaders in iPod car kit integration. Their iPod car adapters provide better quality audio and track navigation and selection over any other kit on the market. Drive, Control, Charge and Play your iPod.

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.

The Gateway Lite is the latest in a long line of Dension iPod car Adapters. With each predecessor showing an increase in usability and functionality. Dension Gateway Lites predecessor the Gateway 100 was the most successful iPod kit in history. Offering a more advance track browsing system than any other kit on the market. However the complex nature of the 100 was ultimately its own downfall.

The 100 iPod kit offered track selection from the steering wheel controls / Stereo or the iPod, in which either artist, album or playlist could be selected. However the complexity of the gateway 100 system was not well suited to the majority of vehicles stereos, which cannot provide text support. This meant users would have to remember which combination of functions would enable iPod or stereo mode, and allow selections of tracks depending on browsing type, something that frustrated a lot of users.

The problem isn’t necessarily with the Dension unit, as the system works perfectly with text compatible radios. The problems occur when no text is available, and unfortunately most factory radios are not capable of displaying text rendering the gateway 100 kits difficult to use.

Dension have realised this problem and have improved the browsing system used in the new Gateway Lite. Dension designed the Gateway Lite specifically for none text compatible radios, and by doing so improved the browsing functionality by simplifying the track selection process.
Rather than the complex deep structured system in the Gateway 100, the lite is controlled via the iPod click wheel to browse through the iPod folders. Once the source is selected, tracks can be flicked through using the steering wheel controls for ease of use.

However the improved browsing functionality isn’t the only addition to the gateway lite, Dension have added a USB input into the system as standard. Enabling an additional 8 to 16Gb of music to be browsed through. Browsing through the USB drive is as simple as the iPod, CD button 6 selects the USB and 1-5 select Playlist, albums or artists.

In short Dension have yet again improved upon previous kits. Increasing the usability, simplifying the operations and adding additional source selections, you might think all these benefits come at a cost. You’d be wrong. The gateway lite is actually cheaper that the Gateway 100 and Gateway 300. The only downfall is that it doesn’t provide any text compatibility, however the this will never be available for those vehicles without CAN Bus systems.

Dension have announced the latest product in a long line of iPod car kit adapters. The Dension Lite is the newest kit that will be replacing the Gateway 100 and Gateway 300 for vehicles with CAN systems.

Dension have simplified the Lite kit, which some people may find a bit odd? A new kit with fewer navigation options than its predecessor. However due to the majority of vehicles stereo’s unable to support text display the previous Dension kits were often difficult to navigate and use. Resulting in users becoming a little frustrated in the products. Due to the complex menu structure the gateway 100 and 300 were only really suitable when text display is present.

The Dension Gateway Lite Negates the need for Text to be displayed on the stereo by utilising a much simpler operating method. Once the device is connected press the CD button on your vehicles stereo and you will start to receive audio from the iPod. The iPods click wheel controls the music selection while the steering wheel controls allows the user to skip forward and backward through tracks, providing a far superior system over the gateway 100 and 300.

Updating the controls isn’t all that Dension have modified on the Gateway Lite, It comes as standard with USB integration. So you can connect up to 8Gb of additional music to browse through. The method of navigation for the USB is different as there is no click wheel to operate from. However the operations are still simple. Just press CD button 6 to select the USB, and buttons 1-5 to select which albums / Playlists are played.

The Dension Gateway Lite is great value for money, as its much cheaper than its real equivalent the Dension gateway 300. In fact its nearly half price if you only require USB connectivity.

Dension Will be discontinuing the non Text compatible Gateway 100 and 300 units soon and rolling out the Newer Lite Kits is already underway.

Visit iPod Car Kit Direct for more information on the Gateway Lite iPod car adapters functions and compatibility.

As you would imagine iPod Car Kit Direct are rushed off our feet at the moment with the Royal Mail strikes and Christmas coming up. Dension have decided to throw a spanner into the works (but boy do we love the pressure!) with the release of a whole bunch of new products and have taken a bold step and discontinued the Gateway 100 & Gateway 300 for certain vehicles (The vehicles that cant see the text info (ID3 Tags) that the Dension kits send). It is important to note that the Dension Gateway 100 & 300 is NOT discontinued completely & is still the current model for vehicles that DO display text information (ID3 Tags).

Densions new kits are as follows:

Dension Gateway Lite (Replacement for Gateway 100 & 300 for certain vehicles) – GWL1 XXX (Replace X with vehicle specific codes)

• Available for Audi, Skoda, VW, Alfa, Renault, BMW, Seat (and more coming soon)
• Comes as standard with a USB connection (only previously available on the more expensive Gateway 300)
• Retails at a cheaper price than the Gateway 100 so you get extra features for cheaper!
• Still charges the iPod when you add a Dock Cable or an Active Cradle onto your kit
• Control the iPod/USB from the stereo/steering controls or the iPod itself
• Easy user interface as aposed to the old Gateway 100 and the Gateway 300 which was very complicated to use when your vehicle doesnt show text info
• Still uses the CD Changer port so you still get CD Quality audio
• Can be used as a USB car kit if you dont have an iPod, just simply purchase it without the Dock Cable or Active Cradle
• Works as an iPhone car kit and fully supports 5v charging

Dension Ice Link One (EXACTLY the same product as before but CHEAPER) – ILFICR91

• Hard Wires into the back of the stereo
• Charges the iPod
• CD Quality Audio
• Comes as standard with a Cradle
• Current Price £89.97, New Price £69.97
• Works as an iPhone car kit and fully supports 5v charging

Dension Gateway 500 Lite (Replacement for the Gateway 500 for certain vehicles) – GWL1MO1, GWL1DB1

• Works in exactly the same way as the Gateway 500
• Designed to work with vehicles that cant display track information, makes iPod/USB operation easier
• Cheaper option to the Gateway 500
• Retail price of £230
• Works as an iPhone car kit and fully supports 5v charging

We will be updating our blog daily with more detailed descriptions and information on vehicle specific kits