A Car Mounted iPod Hi-Fi?
Is there something wrong with your current system, or do you just want to hook an iPod into it? For the $350 cost of an iPod Hi-Fi (or similar), you should be able to get an iPod integration kit for your car. If your isuzu has a tape deck, you can get a $15 cassette adapter. If you actually need to upgrade your stereo system, the two areas to consider are: 1. speakers 2. head unit If you like the sound that comes out of your speakers, don’t try to change them. If your speakers rattle or otherwise show signs of being blown out, you may want to replace or upgrade them. When it comes to head units, factory units from the last few years typically play CDs, a few might still support cassettes. You can get units that include a built in CD changer, support MP3 CDs, include a GPS nav system or support your iPod. A basic MP3-CD head unit shouldn’t cost any more than $200 installed. Again, less than the iPod HiFi.
If you’re the DIY type, Crutchfield sells better systems than you’ll find at your big box store, and makes it extremely easy to install your new components in a couple hours. (You’ll most likely do a better job than some Best Buy/Circuit City employee too.) Starting at $199 this Alpine head unit combines Mp3 cd playback, and also accepts an ipod interface cable allowing you to control the ipod with the controls on the deck. I’ve been extremely happy with Alpine’s head units, and use another model right now to control my ipod, playback mp3 cds, and integrate XM. The leftover $100 is enough to get a decent set of door speakers that will sound miles better than anything that was stock.
The iPod Hi-Fi isn’t a decent stereo system. It’s not even really stereo. It’s a mediocre mono system. It would sound crappy, cost more than getting a real car stereo with ipod connectivity, and get stolen fast. Oh, and you’d have to turn around and fiddle with stuff in the back seat every time you want to adjust the volume or change songs. The iPod Hi-Fi isn’t even stereo, and it won’t run off your car’s power supply without the same amount of installation cost that you’d put into getting a real car stereo.
