[Alexbartman]

Hi there..

After reading everyone's difficulties regarding hooking IPODs up to the standard Saab Stereo in my 1998 9-3SE - I bought the i-trip FM modulator.
It's rubbish, really rubbish...so i thought I'd try and get a CD/Tape unit to use an IPOD cassette adapter (i've herard this is better)

I've seen one on ebay (model number 2016ZSA) but it does look too big.
Is there a CD AND Tape unit that will fit my Saab????

Grateful for any help!

 

[kazmiekr]

Not of any help, but I use the tape adaptor for my ipod and sounds pretty good. The only thing bad is my krackling front speaker. I heard the fm modulators are garbage.

 

[CleveSaab]

FM Transmitters are junk, too.

They will work great IF you live in the middle of nowhere.

I think I'm going to go cass adapter also.

Man I wish we could AUX-IN as easy as the SS guys can.
Or hack the changer somehow....

 

[rktek]

Change your headunit for a new one with AUX input.

Question: Are the AUX inputs on new headunits works with optic fiber? If not, what are they using for data transfer?

 

[Jeremy R.]

The auxiliary input just uses a regular old analog 1/8" phone plug. If it used optical fiber, you wouldn't be able to hook an iPod up to it.

 

[CleveSaab]

Change your headunit for a new one with AUX input.

I really would like to keep the factory head unit. Now that I have an SE with door speakers and an amp, I am happy with the sound.

 

[rktek]

You can change the headunit without changing the rest.

 

[Melovesha]

Change your headunit for a new one with AUX input.

Question: Are the AUX inputs on new headunits works with optic fiber? If not, what are they using for data transfer?

you cannot put an SS head unit into the OG 9-3 or NG900. It is a completely different system, and it is not even close to a standard din size.

 

[Melovesha]

Change your headunit for a new one with AUX input.

I really would like to keep the factory head unit. Now that I have an SE with door speakers and an amp, I am happy with the sound.

I've been using a cassette adaptor, it sounds good. my only issue is the squeeking from the cassette adaptor itself.

;:

 

[kazmiekr]

I've been using a cassette adaptor, it sounds good. my only issue is the squeeking from the cassette adaptor itself.

Yeah I guess I forgot about that complaint. I am not a fan of the rumble of the cassaette adaptor, but it has an easy fix, turn up the volume

Oh and that my SID shows "CLEAN TAPE", ugh.

 

[CleveSaab]

You can change the headunit without changing the rest.

And still keep the factory amp?? Haven't really seen anyone do that?!?!

 

[rktek]

I sold my MD player (MiniDisc) and I would like to buy an IPOD. I remember the MD player had an optic fiber output. Does the IPOD have one?

Do you know if car headunits with optical inputs exist on the market?

 

[cybergreg]

I sold my MD player (MiniDisc) and I would like to buy an IPOD. I remember the MD player had an optic fiber output. Does the IPOD have one?

Do you know if car headunits with optical inputs exist on the market?

No, iPod's only have minijack out for headphones or lineout from a dock type connector.

 

[jads]

I agree re the iTrip quality. Majority of the time there's just too much interference and you spend half your time searching for better frequencies. The quality of the stereo appears to affect how well it works, also.

One thing I've found works: get someone in the passengers seat to hold it (the pod) it provides and earth of sorts, and works much better. :roll:

 

[mcpaul]

I've been using just an ordinary cassette adaptor for a few months now. No probs, just an annoying wire hanging around. But I can live with it.
You could by a BMW. Apparently they are getting into bed with Apple now.
Or a Smart car. They are releasing a special edition built around an iPod. I think it powers the engine as well.
Frankly, I'm a little disappointed that a you've taken the trouble to invest in a SAAB, you know be a little quirky and individual, and then you've been fished in by the Apple advertising men. There are better players on the market.
I've got an old Rio Riot. 20gb, quarter the cost of an iPod and better sound. It also fits perfectly into the compartment just in front of the gear stick.
Also, your downloads from iTunes... Digital Rights Management renders them unuseable in 10 years. Your car will outlive the music...

 

[bkrell]

I've used both the modulator and the cassette w/ my XM radio. I liked the fact that there was no long wire w/ the modulator, but buying batteries was a pain. I have 2 hrs a day of commuting, so I had to replace the batteries once a week. The sound quality w/ the modulator was much lower than w/ the adaptor, too. I had to turn the volume the whole way up.

 

[CleveSaab]

Frankly, I'm a little disappointed that a you've taken the trouble to invest in a SAAB, you know be a little quirky and individual, and then you've been fished in by the Apple advertising men. There are better players on the market.

Agreed Mcpaul. I was talking about iPod in general terms, IE as an MP3 source. I like Apple as a company and wish them well, but I don't now, nor do I ever plan to buy an Apple product.

This is my MP3 player.

Karma > iPod

 

[CleveSaab]

Wonder if THIS would work????

Prolly not huh, since a aftermarket changer won't work...damn you Saab....

 

[Marquis de Saab]

I bought Sony MD with car kit - tape, car remote, power supply. I've put it in the handrest compartment, sticked joystick remote left to the ignition lock (where sunroof button should be), connected tape to it and everything works fine. Remote is easy to use/reach, rest of the controls are on the steering wheel... I'm not using power cable (lighter plug) since one battery last for almost 2 weeks in my case (2-3 hours daily). Only thing I don't like is cable from tape to the remote, but I can live with that. Sound is very good with 132kbps compression rate (2,5 hours of music) and in the handrest box there is enough space for at least 6 MD's more. Yes, there is a "kling-klang... kling-klang..." sound from the tape adaptor, but like Kazmiekr said - turn it up! That tape adaptor is the only acceptable solution.

 

[kcsaab900s]

I installed my iPod in my car, but it surely wasn't cheap . You get what you pay for though- the quality is near CD quality and it besides the iPod's color, it looks 100% stock.

Have a look at the picture on my website:
http://www.superiortraffic.net/saab/index.php?module=photoshare&func=showimages&fid=3

The only problem that I have with it is that you have to plug in the iPod every time you put it in the car. Oh well, what are you gonna do? I'd say it was worth the money. Then again, you'll hardly catch me without listening to some kind of music.

Edit: My bad, I forgot to mention what I did . I got a phone mount for a NG 900 and that's what the iPod sits in. Then I got an FM modulator installed. It's much better than the iTrip (which I tried) because the wire from the modulator actually wraps around the antenna (inside the car). I never have to search for a frequency- they're all crystal clear.