Test drove a GTi but what about the iPod / Bluetooth

[Scrubs]

Hey all,

Test drove a GTi DSG today and was very impressed!!!!!

Am looking at getting a fairly standard configuration (no sunroof, Sat nav etc) but the 2 things I would nt mind getting are the iPod conector and the Bluetooth.

Simple question is: are they worth it???

I have a iTrip (FM Transmitter) that plugs into my iPod at the moment and it works fine and I can get one of those BlueAnt things that clips to the sunvisor..... but if I am going to get a new car than I would like everyhting nice and neat....

So what do you reckon... do any of you use the iPOD conector... is it just a headphone jack that plugs into the head unit or does it charge as well??? Where is is located?? in the centre console for example??
Does the Bluetooth work well???

Is there anything else i should consider that you thought of after tha fact??

Thanks in advance.....

[Mischa]

from what ive heard the bluetooth works well and the ipod interface is basic at best. if you do decide to get htem, make sure htey're thrown in as part of the deal.

[mk3pete]

i dont know if they come with a head phone jack or a usb port my guess is its a headphone jack my friend has a ford focus and his ipod connector was just inside the glove box on the right hand side very neat and you could close the glove box with the pod still connected and was locked away out of sight out of mind i suppose dont know where they would be in the gti

[Thomas]

Hi Scrubs......you can't go wrong with the GTI. One of my friends got one two weeks ago and I had a drive in it......AWESOME!!!!! He got the vanilla version with no extras.

Given the reviews people have made here on the new SatNav unit RNS 510....you may want to consider this as it has a built in Hard Drive as well being able to link to your mobile via bluetooth.

I have the standard bluetooth fitted onto my Jetta and whilst its convenient, in hindsight I don't think I would pay $800 for the kit. A "Blueant" could do the trick.

Good luck with the purchase!

[les88]

Ipods have your all songs, but you can burn 800 songs on 6 CDs in MP'3 format and play it on the player in the car no problems with song quality
les

[Scrubs]

Ipods have your all songs, but you can burn 800 songs on 6 CDs in MP'3 format and play it on the player in the car no problems with song quality
les

Good point..... didn't think of that...

The feedback has been great guys!!! Keep it coming.....

I think I will stick with the cd's/iTrip as $485 for a conector seems a bit of a premium......and the bluetooth I will see if I can get as a addition...

[mk3pete]

if its factory cd player and the car has an option for a head phone jack its more than likely the head unit will have a head phone jack port at the back of it you could buy a head phone jack wire for 10 bucks and put it in your self save you having to keep changing frequencies all the time

[Greg Roles]

As a long time mobile car kit user, I'd have to rate my latest Blueant Light as THE best in car kit I've EVER had, and I've had several. I've had all the expensive genuine ones, and this little kit both lasts forever on a charge, is unobtrusive on your vision, and the sound quality on both ends is simply outstanding. Beats anything else I've had hands down. THAT last feature is the biggest thing, as I'm sure you know how annoying it is to have a conversation with someone with echo's, feedback and just simply " a bad line".

For the price you can get them on flea-bay you can't go wrong.
PS: The earlier Blueant supertooth two is nowhere near as good.....

[Cupra]

I had the ipod connector installed in my tdi during a service, cost me about $300 at penrith vw. I had an fm tx the radio keep drifting just off frequency & required an extension to plug into the 12v outlet. The VW connector lives in the glove box, plugs into the bottom of the ipod & recharges while plugged in & everything is controlled via the steering wheel controls, works great.

Phil

[bailey78]

As a long time mobile car kit user, I'd have to rate my latest Blueant Light as THE best in car kit I've EVER had, and I've had several. I've had all the expensive genuine ones, and this little kit both lasts forever on a charge, is unobtrusive on your vision, and the sound quality on both ends is simply outstanding. Beats anything else I've had hands down. THAT last feature is the biggest thing, as I'm sure you know how annoying it is to have a conversation with someone with echo's, feedback and just simply " a bad line".

For the price you can get them on flea-bay you can't go wrong.
PS: The earlier Blueant supertooth two is nowhere near as good.....

I'm with you Cogdoc - that Blueant Light performs brilliantly and has amazing battery life. I am having issues with my factory fitted bluetooth (getting unit replaced on Monday by S.Y. VW.) Hopefully they can sort it out as the echo on the factory supplied bluetooth is driving my nuts!

As far as IPOD kit goes, I have found this one to be the best - Connect2 - available at www.thecarkitcompany.com.au. Allows full use of IPOD even when its connected in the saddle. The factory one freezes out the IPOD and allows use of the first 6 playlists only (the buttons on your head unit control these). A pain in the arse.

[ozgriff]

I don't think either are necessary and the cost to install IMO is unreasonable.

I would get the car's pricing and everything else sorted and than ask for them to be included as an 'after thought' before signing on the dotted line.

You know you're not paying extra for them and if you can't get it without paying a premium, than not much is lost.

[pallman]

Factory ipod set up

I have the factory ipod set up. I have to say I am dissapointed with it. The track names and playlists DO NOT appear and the interface only allows you to acces the first 5 playlists on your ipod.

I expected the ipod screen to be replicated on the vehicle display. Not so.

[livingthedream]

Tough one this, but i can see what people are saying. In our XTrail we replaced the head unit with a Pioneer and hooked up the pioneer ipod adaptor. It gives you song name etc on your display and simple to use.

I also got the VW ipod adaptor put in my Jetta because i didn't want to replace the factory head unit. I always just leave my ipod on shuffle. I don't care what song comes up, if i don't like it i skip it with my steering wheel controls. I dont have more than 5 playlists (only use a 8gig ipod) so that hasnt really bothered me. But if i was someone with a 30Gig ipod then yeah i can see it getting annoying trying to sort your way thru it.

I also got the bluetooth, and to date no real problems.

[Maverick]

There is a new MDI interface for the stereo, this allows you to use a usb memory stick or a ipod and gives you full control over them that is far better then the standard units they have now. I haven't seen the interface on the RCD500 but only on the RNS510 however so can't go into specifics.

The standard GTI has a 3.5mm jack in the console between the seats.

The bluetooth from the dealer is crap, it's an after market parrot system sold at a premium, save your money and buy the genuine bluetooth from europe, it's cheaper and far better integration.

There is information on all of these here and at the golfmkv forums.

[RIS00]

I have the factory ipod set up. I have to say I am dissapointed with it. The track names and playlists DO NOT appear and the interface only allows you to acces the first 5 playlists on your ipod.

I expected the ipod screen to be replicated on the vehicle display. Not so.

thats exlactly why i didnt get the ipod connection, no one at the dealership i bought mine from could confrim whether the actual song names came up on the screen or not. I just use the AUX input if i do take my ipod which is very rare