IPOD connection

I want to connect my Ipod to my disco II stereo. Problem is the standard Land Rover head unit doesn't have a plug in the back to connect a lead into. Two questions........

Will a higher spec Land Rover head unit run an Ipod through the multi changer socket

or

Can I get an after market unit that will still allow me to use the steering wheel controls.

I've tried the FM transmitters but they only work if the volume is turned up full on the Ipod and the stereo and just sounds crap.

Thank you in advance.

I priced up a few units when i was putting my after market head unit in, the ones that work with steering controls are twice the price of a standard head unit plus the cost of a harness from the steering controls to the headunit i couldnt be arsed.
I havent got the steering controls but more the basic buttons for volume and radio on the dash.

I ended up getting a headunit from halfrauds which has ipod socket, usb socket and an sd card slot.
Cost around 70 quid, very happy with it, to be honest i have stuck a 2gb sd card in and never used any other function other than the radio now and again.

Get an I-Trip transmitter, the one that plugs into the lighter socket that charges the Ipod as it plays. Also having the GND on the Ipod grounded to the 0V on the car pretty much eliminates noise and uses the Ipods digital line out not the headphone jack.

Mine works well in my disco1, radio always picks it up fine.

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-iTrip-Auto-Transmitter-Charger/dp/B000BWACX2]Griffin iTrip Auto FM Transmitter and Charger for iPod: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

So these units may use the ipods digital line out, but transmission to the FM radio is still anologue just the same as for any MP3 player using using the headphone socket with this type of tecnnology.
If the head unit has a multi stack CD input then use that with an interface lead or best of all a head unit with an ipod input or Sd card, memory stick input then it will be digital sound through out and the head unit will also display the track playing and some some interface with an ipod player completely showing all thats displayed on a ipod's screen.

I've got iPods on the go in both my Discos;

In the D1 I fitted an aftermarket Alpine head unit with the ipod lead popping up in the centre box, dash controls no good now but overall quite pleased.

In the D2, I've got the o/e Highline unit, unplugged the multichanger and fitted a Connect2 interface. All steering controls are fine but its easier to use the ipod itself to choose tracks and playlists as the head unit is still convinced theres a CD player fitted. It charges the ipod and works really well.

Hope that helps.

DD

discool said:

digital line out, but transmission to the FM radio is still anologue just the same as for any MP3 player using using the headphone socket with this type of tecnnology.

Click to expand...

Yeah I didn't say the transmission was digital, I said this because he was saying his current transmitter doesn't work unless the IPOD is at full volume..which means his must run off the head phone jack and most of the transmitters that run off the jack are crapola.

The griffin one is the best in my opinion if you want a transmitter, I went for one because I didn't want to loose my CD changer.

Cheers for the help, I like the controls on the wheel and I'm reluctant to loose them but don't want to spend a fortune on a new head unit and cables.

If I could find a higher spec Landrover unit I would fit that with a cable in to the changer plug but from what I have found most scrapies bid the units because every new car comes with a cd player anyway.