Killer Deal! Harmon Kardon Drive + Play

[Razzman]

For all you guys using iPods on your cars or boats this little goodie will solve all your issues if you use it plugged into an iPod ready head unit. The one beef i have with my Pioneer ready unit is that it makes the iPod inoperable so you can't scroll for tunes. You can do it from the HU but it's a pain! The Harmon Kardon Drive + Play allows you to remotely use your iPod as normal without accessing the glovebox, or in your cars case without messing with it either. These things were hundreds of dollars but HK came out with a color version so these are overstock new/old units for $20! I bought one and am passing the deal on .. There's about an hour and a half left to grab one.

http://www.stootsi.com/
http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/

[Jason B]

What does the Ipod have to be in to get that to work? A cradle? Or just plugged into the audio out like a normal pair of headphones?

[Razzman]

Look at the HK link itself and you'll see the control module box. The Drive + Play components plug into that, the iPod plugs into that and the module itself plugs into either the aux port of your headunit or through an internal fm modulator (aux port recommended) The iPod can sit anywhere you want.

[Jason B]

Ahh.. very nice.
Thanks for passing this along! I'm gonna get one. I always get nervous grabbing the ipod with wet hands, better to ruin a 20$ controller than the Ipod.

[Jason B]

5$ shipping also. wow. that's great.

[Razzman]

The nice thing is you can have the screen and control stick wherever is convienent for you. It makes accessing your tunes a lot easier!

[talltigeguy]

I bought one. For $25 how can I go wrong? That is the exact unit that Boats of Nevada has been using, although I think the one I saw was color...not a big deal to me.

Razz, Thanks for the heads up on that! If it is a scam, we'll be hiring an Italian guy named Guido to come looking for you.

[Razzman]

I bought one. For $25 how can I go wrong? That is the exact unit that Boats of Nevada has been using, although I think the one I saw was color...not a big deal to me.

Razz, Thanks for the heads up on that! If it is a scam, we'll be hiring an Italian guy named Guido to come looking for you.

Yeah the color unit is like $200 and up! Who cares if it's b&w for $25! Oh, btw...I think i've already met Guido, sounds like my brother-in-law!

[Original Wing Nut]

I bought one. For $25 how can I go wrong? That is the exact unit that Boats of Nevada has been using, although I think the one I saw was color...not a big deal to me.

Razz, Thanks for the heads up on that! If it is a scam, we'll be hiring an Italian guy named Guido to come looking for you.

I'm like tall $25 how can you pass it up. I do have a friend named Guido and he is 350# plus and 6'7" always a good guy to have around through school and now.

[ragboy]

I have had one in my truck for over a year, its awesome. The main thing to remember, is it uses several ways to connect.

1. FM modulation, DON'T do it.

2. FM modulation +, this is where a cable goes from ipod, and it intercepts your antenna. So it still goes through FM, but not through air, so a bit better. Still DON'T do it.

3. The HK controller module has a 1/8 mini jack line level output on it, directly from the ipod line level out. Buy an extra $5 cable to connect from this port to your RCA inputs on your head unit or AMP. This is the ONLY way you should connect. In my truck I have 2 10" subs under rear cab seat, and a great setup, and with this type of connection it is CRYSTAL, and THUMPS. Trust me on this one, I actually experimented and went through several methods and controllers to find what I liked best, I am crazy that way. The HK is great.

Most installers will be lazy, or not read the fine print about the direct connect. They will usually use the direct FM link, which pales to the direct connect. Also, it doesn't come with the 1/8 to RCA cable. So make sure you get the cable and have them do it right.

[Ks]

Does anyone know if it will work with the I phone?

Also, with the AUX in, is that the mini 3.5mm plug? or does it use RCA's to go into the back of the stock deck?

What is the sound quality like?

I want a interface, but I want the best sound quality.

Thanks

[talltigeguy]

The sound quality should be identical to the ipod with the input going to the AUX input on my HU.

My only thing is that I need to find a longer cable with the right sized connectors. I think I want to mount this on the dash, but the HU is on the port side, so I will likely run a cable under the floor. Will need to be about 8 feet long.

I think it said this setup comes with the Y splitter and all to connect to the AUX inputs.

[ragboy]

Yes, it does work with the iphone.

The 1/8 out plug on the controller could go to another 1/8 jack, if you wanted. From the 1/8 out, the sound is as good as any controller, but I would have liked RCA to RCA.

[Ks]

Im out then, I messed last year with the mini AUX ( IPOD to the Clarion HU via mini AUX) and I was not happy with the sound quality. It just sounded dull to me. I would end up using the same files and ripping a CD.

I know the reviews are good of this unit but I play my music really loud and want a the best signal possible through the IPOD.

Any other idea's how to get CD quality through the I Pod's?

[ragboy]

The connection from any controller that uses a direct connection from ipod line level out, through RCA inputs on your HU, should be CD quality, and as good as any thing else. The other factors is the quality of your sound file. 128kbps MP3s suck, AAC at 128 is better, iTunes Plus at 256 is outstanding, and the best is Apple Lossless or FLAC.

I listen through my iPod to my HK and my HU in my GMC all the time. And I have also burnt CDs for the same system, there is no difference. There may be a slight difference from a retail CD, but that is uncompressed digital format, and should only be compared to lossless coming out of the ipod.

Of course, another factor would be the quality of the DAC. If you have a super high end HU with a high end DAC, it may be superior to the DAC in the ipod. However, if you do research on the ipods, iphones, they use quality DACs.