Bump..

This is a funny one, I listen to Radio 2 pretty much all the time I am in the car, music from my era and no adverts. However, I do have an iPhone 4S which syncs with the car fine and so I kept it hidden away under the armrest all controls, phone book etc coming through via BT module (Wiggs upgrade) onto centre display and steering wheel, voice control also works (in sometimes amusing ways).

The phone is packed with music, I use it on the train, so I thought whats the cheapest way to play it through the car when Jeremy Vine, Desmond Carrington or Sunday Love songs is on. Now it should be noted I don't tend to jump from track to track but play either full albums or playlists created on my computer, just like it do on the train when it is in my pocket and I put them on there so actually know what they are without track displays etc - I tend to keep the centre display on Nav and what you get via the liquid crystal under the speedo is limited (but useful for the phone)

So I just bought a £3 Y cable on eBay connected to the aux socket and USB (both on the rear control panel) to charge and the 21 pin connecter on the phone, I subsequently bought a Macally Cup Holder mount (another £14) because SWMBO ( on the very rare occasions I let he into the car) kept asking who was singing on the playlists - so she can now STFU and look at the screen and if she wants to skip a track she can - I don't care as I like them all or they wouldn't be on. I can also now access Siri through the car hands free but I do need to press the button on phone - I don't know how the new kits deal with Siri.

I find it ideal and it has the added advantage that I don't keep leaving the phone in the car like I used to when it was out of sight. Obviously I've now lost a cupholder, but I only tend to have one can of pop on the go at any given time.

For me personally hundreds of £££s to get control on the steering wheel and a display of what's playing just isn't worth it for the hour I use it every few days and also it won't add anything to the resale value and the next RR you buy will have all the integration kit fitted anyway. The sound quality is excellent, certainly a lot better than FM Radio and probably as good as the installed kit which must also use the same outputs on the phone and inputs on the car. For others, like my son actually, music is everything with iPod or iPhone on the go all day so he would undoubtedly see the value in doing it properly.

Call me a cheapskate bodger if you like - guilty as charged

If anyone is bothered to read this massive war a peace post and want's me to, I can take a few pics - just let me know. Geoff

I would love photos of where ur connections are and what tyoe of connections? When u say in the rear of the control panel, what are u referring to? And the 21 pin connector on the phone? U have me lost.

Thanks

The reason for me fitting the LROE kit is because i like the quality of the sound in my VSE (which you loose with an aux lead) and also use my iPod/iPhone on shuffle. So its like my own radio station, be it at home/workshop or car. With the kit installed it means i can hit FF to move onto the next "shuffled track" without looking at the phone or taking my hands off the wheel...

A no brainer IMHO, but then i use the car as a driving advert for our business so can justify the costs that way...

For any of you not in the know, the LROE kit is made by Dension (thats why you cant buy a Dension kit for the FF...



Craig

Can u post a link for that product ..? Google not showing anythIng. Is it difficult to install? The thoughts of running leads front to back is a killer for me..

Me or Supershuttle? Lolo



Craig

+1 genuine LR Audio kit for me in my 06.
Didnt run cable front to back, the iPod dock cable is in the glove box.

I got the kit for £300ish fitted it in under 2 hours and as Craig says the sound quality is fantastic.

A little more fidgety to locate the module on pre07 but not too bad.

The MOST harness is per prepared and you get to keep the CD changer as well as charge the iPod.

I have my iPhone connected as well as connected to the car kit by bluetooth. Pauses the music and answers flawlessly even on iOS 5.1

All in all I'm really happy with it had it for 2 years now.

SteveGT on this forum was a huge help with fitting (bought it from him. Is eBay)

U Craig.. I am willing to spend the money but there are f k all people over here that have a clue bout these cars, so I'll probably end up attempting it myself..

As above Lolo, speak to your local main agent first... Mine is the kit for the 07> model and as Happymaddison states above took me around 2-3hrs to fit...



Craig

Not that I wish to start an argument in this almost empty room. How can the sound be better than using the Aux port? all are analogue inputs, inc the CD player which will produce a better sound because of the audio codecs used to record a shop bought CD, that's why you can only fit about 20 or so tracks on. There may be some slight impedance issues but that won't affect quality only volume. The possible shorter and separate higher quality cable connections may have a very slight effect but sadly digital it ain't and that would be the only way to get a significant improvement.

Don't forget the music we are talking about here is also only usually MP3 format you can get several hundred tracks on a std CD - so not the best quality and you're listening in a car full of HiFi compromises not the ideal place for a top drawer experience.

IMHO, If you want the convenience spend the money, however if your are thinking sound quality improvement - we Range Rover owners need to have more money than sense and this would be another way of proving it.  Geoff

I agree, I am looking for ANY solution So in my previous posts how do I go bout the aux method? Is it connected behind the touchscreen, or cd player?

The ACM is digital as is the CD Player, the MOST interface means that the DAC isn't done on the changer like it is in a conventional split mount audio system.

As Craig said the ACM is actually a Dension gateway. Dension are a very long standing partner in the iPod appproved scheme so have full access to the DRM chipset and the codecs.

I use at least 320kpbs and ideally ALAC or FLAC converted files. but you are right that they are usually compressed.


EDIT: the AUX solution is a 3.5mm mini jack to the audio input under the flap on the back of the centre console.

Happy- are u saying there is an aux port on the back of the touchscreen? ..!????mines a 06 model.If so that will do me just fine.

Hey Lolo,

Maybe it's just for Rear Seat Ent but there should be an Aux in under the heater vents on rear of the centre console under a flap.(have a look in the back seats)

I have an AUX in said place .... and no RSE. Land Rover Addict
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