"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...

Anyone using their iPODs on their boats? IF so, are you playing through an
existing stereo system, or through one of the newer car/boat dash stereos
with an MP3 player input, or...just hooking up to external iPOD speakers?


I have an MP3 player that I occasionally use on the boat, but not often.
More often playing CDs. My MP3 player is a Rio Karma, which is a 20 gig
hard drive player, no longer in production. I run it through the audio
system on the boat. The head unit doesn't have an auxiliary input, and
every FM modulator I tried sounded like garbage. So I had a mad scientist
type guy, who sits in a small laboratory in the back of a local high-end car
stereo shop custom build me a switching device to my specifications. The
device sits between the head unit and the power amps of my audio system. It
allows me to switch between the head unit, which has a CD changer plugged
into it, and any of three other auxiliary inputs. 1). Satellite TV
receiver. 2). Rio Karma docking cradle. 3). Open cable terminating in a
1/8" stereo plug, which I typically will plug into my wide-screen laptop to
watch DVDs and run the audio through the sound system on the boat.

Whenever any of the auxiliary inputs are selected, the custom switch box
will send 12V power to the amps (which are normally turned on by the head
unit), and send the appropriate line-level stereo audio signal to the amps
(which is attenuated by a volume knob on the box). When using the head unit
as a source, the head unit controls power to the amps, volume, EQ functions,
CD/Tape/Tuner functions, and is optionally controlled by the hard-wired
remote at the helm. The switch box also allows me to select whether the amp
for the cabin, cockpit or both are currently in play for the selected
source. Since all the source inputs are delivered to the power amps at line
level, they will be heard with every bit of audio quality they are capable
of rendering, which is quite good in all cases. The only thing I give up is
5.1 digital surround, in the case of the satellite TV receiver. Need a
bigger boat for that.

At night, if the wife is sleeping and I'm up with a music jones, I'll listen
to the Karma through a set of Sony MDR-V6 headphones.

Thanks. I've tried two of the "broadcast" units to hook my player up in
the car, and I've not been overwhelmed.

It's been my experience that all FM modulators are just truly awful. Barely
a step above are the adapters that plug into the cassette player. The bottom
line is that to be listenable, the audio signal needs to be fed to the
amplifier at line level with no previous conversion, just as your components
are at home. That only leaves two options if your current head unit does
not have a line level auxiliary input. 1). Replace the head unit with one
that does have an aux input (most newer ones do now, because of the iPod
phenomenon. 2). Have your head unit or, as in my case, the path between
the head unit and the power amps altered to allow for a line level aux
input.

"RG" wrote in message news:8oJBf.1426$MJ.912@fed1read07...

Thanks. I've tried two of the "broadcast" units to hook my player up in
the car, and I've not been overwhelmed.

It's been my experience that all FM modulators are just truly awful.
Barely a step above are the adapters that plug into the cassette player.
The bottom line is that to be listenable, the audio signal needs to be fed
to the amplifier at line level with no previous conversion, just as your
components are at home. That only leaves two options if your current head
unit does not have a line level auxiliary input. 1). Replace the head
unit with one that does have an aux input (most newer ones do now, because
of the iPod phenomenon. 2). Have your head unit or, as in my case, the
path between the head unit and the power amps altered to allow for a line
level aux input.


All of the RF modulators I've tried were crap with the exception of the
built-in transmitter in a JVC Sirius receiver. Although it had line level
outputs in addition to the RF, I didn't feel like removing the radio in the
car I had at the time to connect the lines. These units have a switch to
select one of about 5 frequencies that it will transmit to the FM radio in
the car. It sounded excellent, except I found that while traveling back and
forth to Florida, local FM stations would occasionally interfere with the
selected freq. Solved that problem by simply removing the car antenna for
the duration of the trip.

Eisboch

RG wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Anyone using their iPODs on their boats? IF so, are you playing through an
existing stereo system, or through one of the newer car/boat dash stereos
with an MP3 player input, or...just hooking up to external iPOD speakers?


I have an MP3 player that I occasionally use on the boat, but not often.
More often playing CDs. My MP3 player is a Rio Karma, which is a 20 gig
hard drive player, no longer in production. I run it through the audio
system on the boat. The head unit doesn't have an auxiliary input, and
every FM modulator I tried sounded like garbage. So I had a mad scientist
type guy, who sits in a small laboratory in the back of a local high-end car
stereo shop custom build me a switching device to my specifications. The
device sits between the head unit and the power amps of my audio system. It
allows me to switch between the head unit, which has a CD changer plugged
into it, and any of three other auxiliary inputs. 1). Satellite TV
receiver. 2). Rio Karma docking cradle. 3). Open cable terminating in a
1/8" stereo plug, which I typically will plug into my wide-screen laptop to
watch DVDs and run the audio through the sound system on the boat.

Whenever any of the auxiliary inputs are selected, the custom switch box
will send 12V power to the amps (which are normally turned on by the head
unit), and send the appropriate line-level stereo audio signal to the amps
(which is attenuated by a volume knob on the box). When using the head unit
as a source, the head unit controls power to the amps, volume, EQ functions,
CD/Tape/Tuner functions, and is optionally controlled by the hard-wired
remote at the helm. The switch box also allows me to select whether the amp
for the cabin, cockpit or both are currently in play for the selected
source. Since all the source inputs are delivered to the power amps at line
level, they will be heard with every bit of audio quality they are capable
of rendering, which is quite good in all cases. The only thing I give up is
5.1 digital surround, in the case of the satellite TV receiver. Need a
bigger boat for that.

At night, if the wife is sleeping and I'm up with a music jones, I'll listen
to the Karma through a set of Sony MDR-V6 headphones.



I have a 6 changer CD player in the boat. I have the ability to use the
IPOD with an adapter that fits into the cassette player. Since I don't
listen to music often while on the boat (I prefer the sound of mother
nature) I didn't bring it up often.

This fall, my oldest girl took the IPOD and the off to college, so I now
have the computer attached to the home system. I can use the same
playlist as I had on the IPOD. One of the advantages of having "Dad's
CD's" on the boat is my youngest doesn't want to listen to my music.
With nothing else to do, she actually will talk. I find all I have to
do is listen and nod my head.

On a serious note, I have doctors are concerned about IPOD safety. It
seems there are major concerns with hearing lose. In Europe they
mandate a maximum sound level to lower the risk. Hopefully they will
start offering that as an option in the US.


--
Reggie
************************************************** *************

Q. What's the difference between a brown-noser and a ****-head?
A. Depth perception.
************************************************** *************

I'm also offput by the 99-cent a song price of Apple, but I'm not into
downloading stolen songs, and the "sharing" services, even the ones you
pay for legitimately, are a pain in the buttski.

I agree. I've never downloaded a song, nor do I ever intend to. The 1500
songs that are currently on my MP3 player were all ripped from CD's I own by
me on my computer. I'm fortunate to have a fairly good sized library of
CD's (about 750 and growing), and I find the process of ripping and
uploading very easy and straightforward. Plus, I don't have to deal with
user rights issues associated with download for fee music.

That said, my MP3 player is mostly used as a portable player with
headphones. I keep a large selection of mix CD's (currently 74 at last
count) permanently on the boat that I have compiled and burned over the
years from my music collection. While on the boat, it's easier for me to
listen to these long playing CD's (nearly 80 minutes each) loaded in the
changer than to futz with the MP3 player. They sound better too, since they
are not compressed. I've been into burning CD's since the very first
burners became available for computers. My first burner was an HP 2X
external. I don't remember exactly how long ago that was, but it was quite
a while ago.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...

Eisboch wrote:

All of the RF modulators I've tried were crap with the exception of the
built-in transmitter in a JVC Sirius receiver. Although it had line
level outputs in addition to the RF, I didn't feel like removing the
radio in the car I had at the time to connect the lines. These units
have a switch to select one of about 5 frequencies that it will transmit
to the FM radio in the car. It sounded excellent, except I found that
while traveling back and forth to Florida, local FM stations would
occasionally interfere with the selected freq. Solved that problem by
simply removing the car antenna for the duration of the trip.

Eisboch

You know of course that when you remove the antenna, your diesel truck
craps out.

You may be right. There are window stickers that warn against using any
type of transmitting equipment within some vehicles, including cell phones
without an external antenna. The RF can screw up the vehicle computer.

This wasn't the case with my infamous F-350. I never used the Sirius
receiver in it.
Since it was fixed the second time, all has been fine (knock on wood). The
true test will be next month. I am going to deliver Eisboch Jr.'s Fatboy
to Norfolk. Hopefully, this trip will be uneventful, unlike the last two
long distance voyages.

Eisboch

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..


Lemme know when. If I'm not in Flor-ida, maybe we can get some beers and
steamers nearby. I know a shortcut to Norfolk that will get you off that
damned I-95 and most of I-64 route.

Will do. Currently thinking mid-February.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...


Eisboch wrote:

All of the RF modulators I've tried were crap with the exception of the
built-in transmitter in a JVC Sirius receiver. Although it had line
level outputs in addition to the RF, I didn't feel like removing the
radio in the car I had at the time to connect the lines. These units
have a switch to select one of about 5 frequencies that it will transmit
to the FM radio in the car. It sounded excellent, except I found that
while traveling back and forth to Florida, local FM stations would
occasionally interfere with the selected freq. Solved that problem by
simply removing the car antenna for the duration of the trip.

Eisboch

You know of course that when you remove the antenna, your diesel truck
craps out.


You may be right. There are window stickers that warn against using any
type of transmitting equipment within some vehicles, including cell phones
without an external antenna. The RF can screw up the vehicle computer.

This wasn't the case with my infamous F-350. I never used the Sirius
receiver in it.
Since it was fixed the second time, all has been fine (knock on wood). The
true test will be next month. I am going to deliver Eisboch Jr.'s Fatboy
to Norfolk. Hopefully, this trip will be uneventful, unlike the last two
long distance voyages.

Eisboch



I have that same sticker in two of my cars (same brand as yours). Do
you really think they are trying to sell you their built-in cell phone?
I can't imagine that cars that cost that much would be affected by a
common cell phone.

Dan

"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
ink.net...



I have that same sticker in two of my cars (same brand as yours). Do you
really think they are trying to sell you their built-in cell phone? I
can't imagine that cars that cost that much would be affected by a common
cell phone.

Dan

You have some BMWs? You hot sh*&!

Watda ya got?

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
ink.net...


I have that same sticker in two of my cars (same brand as yours). Do you
really think they are trying to sell you their built-in cell phone? I
can't imagine that cars that cost that much would be affected by a common
cell phone.

Dan


You have some BMWs? You hot sh*&!

Watda ya got?

Eisboch



I can't compete...

330i
X5 4.4i

If I trade them both in and drop another $20K I can buy one M5.

I looked at the sticker again today. It includes radar detectors which,
as far as I know, don't transmit. What's up with that?

Dan