Car stereos with USB or sd slot?

[spanner]

I know it s a long shot but i'm sure some of our young'erns al all into it

Fed up listen to the same old cd's in the autochanger so am looking into sdcard and USB Headunits but am unsure how well it all works, how long does it take to build the playlist? Will it remember what you playing when you switch off? Do you get track info on the display i.e id3 tags? I'm guessing sdcards are quicker than usb.

[Legzy]

I use my iPhone (other mp3 players are also available ) & all the playlists/music I've already got sorted with my Belkin FM transmitter.

research shows, it can also double up as your iPhones handsfree kit, as long as you don't press any buttons (though I never use mine when my engine's on), though some people suffer a degree of feedback when trying to use it for handsfree I understand .

This is also good when travelling in convoy. As their range is about 100-200 meters, you pick the FM station you want (i.e. 92.6) & anyone within range can be driving along also tune in & listening to your tunes (or phone call if on hands free! ).

not exactly what you asked for, but a decent & cheap alternate.

[Rotaxmax125]

In my MX5 I've got an old ish Sony USB headunit and that shows the track info and I've never noticed it being slow picking up playlists. Also this is probably bit sad to admit but I've got a factor fitted Ipod dock in my civic and it always makes be laugh when I plug my Iphone into it and the phone says Car isn't a recommended phone accessory

[Kerr]

In my MX5 I've got an old ish Sony USB headunit and that shows the track info and I've never noticed it being slow picking up playlists. Also this is probably bit sad to admit but I've got a factor fitted Ipod dock in my civic and it always makes be laugh when I plug my Iphone into it and the phone says Car isn't a recommended phone accessory

A lot of things only say iPod compatible as they are not shielded against interference with the phone. They usually still work though.

Apple also changed how the later iPods and iPhones charge so it might not charge either.

[Kerr]

I know it s a long shot but i'm sure some of our young'erns al all into it

Fed up listen to the same old cd's in the autochanger so am looking into sdcard and USB Headunits but am unsure how well it all works, how long does it take to build the playlist? Will it remember what you playing when you switch off? Do you get track info on the display i.e id3 tags? I'm guessing sdcards are quicker than usb.

What are you going to connect through the USB?

I've never come across one that does not pick up song titles. They all read the music files and display the folders as you saved them.

If it's from your phone with stored playlists it might not read them.

[spanner]

Just a USB stick or a sd card with music on it.

My current sony head unit is supposed to show info but never does, even the cd changer is mp3 compatable but doesnt really show anything. Reading the manual doesnt really help, i think from that it just orders them based on title but doesnt actually show it, nor does it show any kind of folder structure, it just reads the mp3's as though they were no structure. Might be just because its so old though.

So am a bit wary whether modern units will actually do it!

[Kerr]

I've never seen one that does not.

If you are happy with you head unit and cd changer, why not consider something like this?

 http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits/parrot-mki9200

You will have connectivity for various things and hands free phone if you don't already have one.

I'm sure you can get one fitted for £160 these days.

[spanner]

Because i refuse to buy an ipod (i'm not a lemming!) and i dont want anything visible (no front usb. no ipod unit you have to operate)

I'm actually considering this...

http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits/parrot-asteroid


Its unusual, it can handle usb and sdcard, has a gps unit in it, and can access google maps using a 3g dongle, and there are a few 3rd party addons. Does seem like a geeks dream but not sure i can handle something that sounds like you need ot know how to program.

[EdamSpeed]

If you have a CD autochanger, but for some reason want to keep the original head unit, then you can get a gadget that mimicks the autochanger interface, but instead reads files off USB sticks.

I have one of these:



From these people:

http://www.connects2.co.uk/c2search.aspx?catID=52

[Blunder]

Same story, if you want to keep your headunit and have something to use with ipod and mimics an autochanger and takes hard drive etc.

Look at these... http://www.dension.com/

Also lets you control music from your cars controls in some cars