Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge has written a comprehensive guide for integrating the iPhone with you car, from a budget-friendly rig to the ultimate set-up.

The problem, of course, is that there’s no single device, cable or solution that will manage calls, music, and charge your iPhone’s battery simultaneously (Yet). I’m using a set-up similar to Jeremy’s budget solution — a cheap mount holds the iPhone in place, an audio cable connects it to my stereo’s audio in port and a Belkin charger keeps the battery going.

Of course, I’ve still got to pick the thing up and disconnect the audio cable to place or receive a call. I know that a Bluetooth headset would eliminate that issue, but I don’t want to have to buy one more thing to accessorize my iPhone.

Jeremy’s “Optimal Solution” eliminates a lot of the stuff with a Contour Design / Bluetrek SurfaceSound Compact, which is a nifty hands-free solution for mobile phones (though quite pricey). If price is not a concern, check it out. As for the rest of us, have you got your iPhone set up in your car? Share your solutions below.

As the worlds 2 Leading iPod Car Adapter brands, Dice and Dension go toe-to-toe to earn the title as the UK’s, Europe’s and the World’s best iPod Car Adapter manufacturer, some clarity is needed to cut through the hype, enabling you to make the right decision, if parting with your hard earned cash. 

It’s so important choosing the right option for your specific car make and model as compatiblity, functionality, reliability and sound performance quality all have an important role to play, get the wrong product and this could mean big headaches and a lot of frustration. So you’ve seen the products, you’ve seen the adverts and product the reviews, and you’ve probably even handled the product in store, now its time to hand over your credit card.

So which will it be, DICE or Dension? Lets take a look at both brands head to head…

Dension: Dension bring to the table a great range of products including the Gateway range including the 300, 400 & 500, the very flexible ice Link FM Modulator and the AUX input ice Link Lite with a range or neat Dension add-on accessories.

Dension Gateway 100: The Dension range starts with a bang with the very popular Gateway 100 vehicle specific iPod Car Adapter, giving you digital quality sound output and safe-control of your Apple iPod from your factory fitted or aftermarket car radio and steering wheels controls (if fitted). Available for many vehicles including Audi, BMW, Ford, VW plus many more manufacturers from A-Z.

Dension Gateway 300: Next in the range for Dension is the Gateway 300, feature-rich iPod adapter, with USB and Auxiliary input control this is 1-step up from the Gateway 100. Robust in design yet discrete and lightweight, enabling easy installation in all vehicles, the GW300 provides you with a multimedia in-car experience when on the move. Taking connectivity to the next level and available for most vehicles from A-Z including Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Chrylser, etc.

Dension Gateway 500: Last but no means least in the Dension Gateway portfolio is the Gateway 500, the ultimate warrior in the Dension range, it really is the muscle bound power house of the in car iPod adapter market. Its a Gateway 100 on steroids, with its revolutionary technology, feature rich functionality and clean visual lines, it has been designed solely for use with the latest fibre-optic vehicles including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche and Saab.

Dension ice Link ONE FM Modulator: For a flexible solution look no further than the Dension ice Link ONE FM Modulator. This Universal iPod adapter is compatible with all vehicles that have an ISO, DIN or FAKRA FM aerial connection on the radio. Typically used as an alternative to the Gateway 100 or 300 kits and for vehicles that don’t have a CD Changer port on the rear of the radio. Fast, flexible and seamless to install giving you hours of endless music. Not to be mistaken for the inferior FM Transmitter type kits.

Dension Add-On Accessories: To further enhance the Dension range and your in-car experience, you can take advantage of the useful add-on accessories such as AV Extender, Bluetooth Adapter, and CD Changer Retention Kit enabling you to keep the use of your changer, if you have one fitted.

DICE Electronics: DICE meet Dension head on with their DICE Electronics iPod Integration Kit range of high performance products, delivering quality, reliabity and robust design with a knockout blow.

DICE Electronics iPod Integration Kit: With the DICE iPod Integration Kit Car Adapter range they come out fighting offering superb compatibility, funactionality and high performance sound quality for a large range of family, prestige and sports cars including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Mini, Seat, Skoda, Toyota and VW. The DICE kits lets you connect your Apple iPod to your car radio seamlessley giving you optimum access to your entire digital music library.

DICE Electronics RDS FM iPod Kit: The DICE RDS FM Modulator iPod kit throws blow for blow againt the Dension ice Link FM Modulator adapter and giving it an advantage it the functionality stakes is the ability to display track and artist information right on the radios display. Not to be mistaken for the inferior FM Transmitter type kits.

A quick Recap: To summarise DICE and Dension are the heavy weights in the world of iPod adapters for cars, with the 2 offering a huge range of vehicles they cover, from Alfa Romeo, Audi all the way up to Volvo and VW. Whatever car you drive from A-Z there will more than likely be an option for you and more cars are being added to the list on a weekly basis.  If the decision is down to budget then the FM Modulator products are fantastic value, don’t forget these are compatible with all vehicles as they are universal and with the option of seeing artist and track on the DICE option this would be my choice.

Looking for the Ultimate iPod in car solution, maybe the Dension Gateway is for you. So your iPod is loaded with your favourite tunes, movies and downloads. Maybe you have an MP3 player other than the popular iPod, a USB flashdrive or other USB device, audio devices that use AUX.

The Dension Gateway comes in 3 different popular models, badged as the Gateway 100, Gateway 300 & Gateway 500. And with a range of useful add-ons such as the Bluetooth Adapter, CD Retention module and AV Extender, every scenario is catered for.

The Gateway range is a favourite world wide, now used by millions for its Optimum Compatibility, Functionality, Reliability and High Performance Sound Quailty and is available for a wide range of Family, 4×4, Prestige or Sports vehicles. Whatever you drive car, bike, scooter, motorhome or commercial vehicle, your iPod can now come with you providing entertainment on the go.

Dension Gateway 100:

Lets start with the Gateway 100 as its the more popular option due to its affordablility to all. The Dension Gateway 100 is a vehicle-specific iPod Car adapter that gives you Digital-quality audio and full control of your Apple iPod from your standard factory fitted car radio/stereo. Simply connect the Gateway 100 to the CD changer socket connection at the rear of your radio and you have crystal clear music wherever you are!

As well as offering iPod integration, The Dension ice Link Gateway 100 will keep your iPod fully charged while connected and offers auxiliary audio input via a 3.5mm jack socket. This means that you can pass the audio from any audio device (e.g. Creative Zen, iRiver, iPod Shuffle) through your car stereo.

The Dension Gateway 100 gives you simple operation, by way of simply navigating playlists, albums & songs from the accessible buttons on your iPod or the buttons on the front of your radio or even steering wheel controls (if fitted). 2 options: 1) Your iPod is within easy reach when you choose the Dension Active Cradle application or 2) hide it away with the Dension Dock Cable option.

Your connection options are:

Dock Cable - The Dension dock cable is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the rear. This iPod connection method is ideal for discrete installation of your iPod in the glove box, arm rest or similar hidden location. The Dension dock cable will charge your iPod.

Active Cradle - The Dension active cradle is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the bottom. This option is ideal if you want your iPod accessible and within easy reach on your dashboard. The iPod is held securely in place and can be removed when you exit the vehicle with maximum charge as the Dension active cradle will charge your iPod when docked. All iPods are suitable as inserts are supplied that reduce the cradle to suit the smaller iPod products.

Dension Gateway 300:

Taking the Gateway range up a level the unique features of the 300 model is its ability to connect USB, storage devices, AUX to your car radio with seamless ease. As the above 100 car adapter, the Denison Gateway 300 gives you simple operation, as you can navigate playlists, albums & songs from the buttons on your iPod or the buttons on the front of your car radio/stereo or steering wheel controls (if fitted).

Your iPod is easily accessible as you 2 options, 1) the Dension Active Cradle application or discretely hide it away with 2) the Dension Dock Cable application. The Dension ice Link Gateway 300 is a vehicle-specific iPod Car adapter meaning whatever car you have there is an option for your particular car make and model. These adapters give you crystal clear CD-quality audio and safe control of your Apple iPod from your factory fitted car stereo. Simply connect up the Gateway 300 to your CD changer port at the rear of your radio/stereo and so you can take your entire music library with you on the move!

The Dension ice Link Gateway 300 takes connectivity to the next level with iPod integration, USB input (for flash drives and USB Mass Storage Devices) and auxiliary audio input via a 3.5mm jack socket. This enables you to pass audio from any audio device (e.g. Creative Zen, iRiver, iPod Shuffle) through your car radio/stereo. And rest assured as the Dension ice Link Gateway 300 will charge your iPod as you drive.

Your connection options are:

Dock Cable - The Dension dock cable is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the rear. This iPod connection method is ideal for discrete installation of your iPod in the glove box, arm rest or similar hidden location. The Dension dock cable will charge your iPod.

Active Cradle - The Dension active cradle is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the bottom. This option is ideal if you want your iPod accessible and within easy reach on your dashboard. The iPod is held securely in place and can be removed when you exit the vehicle with maximum charge as the Dension active cradle will charge your iPod when docked. All iPods are suitable as inserts are supplied that reduce the cradle to suit the smaller iPod products.

Dension Gateway 500:

Taking the Gateway family to the highest level, the Dension Gateway 500 is the ultimate in iPod to car connectivity. This model is for prestige and exclusive vehicles that have fibre-optic audio systems fitted as standard and delivers pure sound excellence by delivering your complete iPod library, MP3 player tunes, USB Storage device content and AUX data to you when on the move.

The Dension ice Link Gateway 500 is specifically designed for vehicles with audio systems that use fibre optic connections, including the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) system and the D2B system. Fibre optic audio systems in car, for multimedia applications is becoming more popular with manufacturers especially with high end and luxury vehicles. You’ll find it in Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles and other manufacturers are now starting to use this optimly reliable, MOST and D2B system high end technology .

The Dension Gateway 500 is the perfect device to use with this technology and systems, allowing you to further expand the functionality and creativity by integrating your Apple iPod, flash drives, USB Mass Storage Devices (via the USB input) and auxiliary audio input (via the Aux input). This means that you can pass the audio from any audio device (e.g. Creative Zen, iRiver, iPod Shuffle) through your car stereo. With selected vehicles you have the ability to keep the use of an existing CD Changer and simply switch between using your iPod / USB / Aux and the CD changer with the provided change over switch.

The Dension Gateway 500 gives you simple operation, enabling you to navigate playlists, albums & songs through your existing audio system and steering wheel controls (if fitted). The dock cable comes as standard, but you can add-on the additional Dension Active Cradle if you want your iPod within easy reach on the dashboard.

Your connection options are:

Dock Cable - The Dension dock cable is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the rear. This iPod connection method is ideal for discrete installation of your iPod in the glove box, arm rest or similar hidden location. The Dension dock cable will charge your iPod.

Active Cradle - The Dension active cradle is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the bottom. This option is ideal if you want your iPod accessible and within easy reach on your dashboard. The iPod is held securely in place and can be removed when you exit the vehicle with maximum charge as the Dension active cradle will charge your iPod when docked. All iPods are suitable as inserts are supplied that reduce the cradle to suit the smaller iPod products.

Add-on Accessories: To add flexibility to your iPod, car adapter and motoring Dension have released various add-on yet essential accessories for the optimum driving experience. If you currently have a CD Changer, use bluetooth or if you have screens in your car, read on…

Dension CD Changer Retention Kit - If you already have a CD changer installed in your vehicle and do not want to lose the functionality it offers, then this module is for you! It enables you to connect the Dension Gateway 100 as well as your CD changer and you can switch between the two as and when you need. The Dension CD Changer Retention module is only available on selected vehicles/radios.

Dension AV Extender - Do you have an iPod that supports video output and want to connect it to an external screen or monitor? To do this you will require the Dension Gateway AV extender module (IVE1000) that provides RCA AV Output that you can connect directly to your selected video display.

Dension Bluetooth Adapter - The Dension Gateway Bluetooth adapter enables connection of your mobile phone, PDA, Navigation or other Bluetooth device to your car stereo via the Dension Gateway. This lets you stream music, audio, or make hands-free calls all from your factory radio.

We have now received in stock the new DICE Electronics iPod Integration kits and they are proving to be a great rival to the previously dominating Dension iPod Adapters.

I’m going to take a few moments to give a quick overview of the DICE iPod Integration kit, from opening the box to installing in a vehicle and playing your music collection. For the purpose of this review I will be using the Audi DICE iPod Kit.

From the first impression this kit looks extremely professional. It is a well packaged product that comes in a clear resealable packet so you can rest assured it will reach you in perfect condition. The part number and compatibility information are clearly displayed so you can guarantee the correct fitment for your vehicle.

Whats in the box?

Each DICE iPod kit contains the following:

1) Vehicle Specific Harness - This kit is supplied with a 20-pin ISO Harness and a 12-pin quad-lock harness.  You may be wondering why there are two harnesses and it is simply because earlier Audi vehicles used a 20-pin connection and in the last couple of years Audi changed to the new 12-pin quad-lock connection. Rather than create two separate kits for each connections, it is more economical to just include both harnesses with the one kit. Another positive about this is if you upgrade to a new Audi model, you already have the harness so it will save you purchasing a new kit.

2) DICE control Module - This is the main brain of the DICE iPod Kit that enables the factory radio to communicate, operate and charge the iPod while connected. Its compact size (L9.5cm x W6.5cm x D2.5cm) enables it to be discretely installed behind your car radio or dashboard. Looking at the module you will see a number of connections including a 12-pin rectangular socket for connection of the vehicle harness, an 8-pin round socket for connection of the iPod dock cable & a 3.5mm AUX jack socket for connection of other MP3 Players and audio devices. On the opposite side of the module you will see 4 dip switches which are used for configuring the iPod Adapter but you will rarely need to adjust these.

3) iPod Dock Cable - Like with most iPod Car Kits the DICE adapter is supplied as standard with a Dock Cable that plugs in to the bottom of your iPod. The total length of the dock cable is 150cm. An additional iPod Video Cradle is also available should you wish to mount your iPod on your dashboard and why not do this with the aid of the Brodit ProClip brackets that we have available on the site.

4) User Manual - Each DICE iPod kit is supplied with a user manual that covers the following points:

•  Introduction to the DICE iPod Kit
•  Connection Diagram
•  Dip Switch Configuration
•  General Operation
•  Song Browsing
•  Aux input
•  Troubleshooting

You can also download specific installation guides from the DICE Electronics website that guide you on:

• Contents of kit
• Basic wiring diagram
• Radio removal
• Connecting the DICE iPod adapter to your radio
• Connecting the iPod to your iPod adapter
• Replacing your radio

Installing the DICE Electronics iPod Integration Kit

The first thing you should do before installation is to familiarise yourself with the installation instructions, DICE user manual and your radio manual. It is important to do this to ensure correct installation and operation of the Dice iPod adapter.

When installing any iPod car kit you must ensure that the radio is switched off an your keys are out of the ignition. In some cases you may need to disconnect the car’s battery, but the installation instructions for each kit will advise you on this.

The first step is to remove the vehicles radio and to do this you may require a set of radio removal tools. In Car iPod.com now stock a range of radio keys suitable for most vehicles.

Insert the radio removal keys into the holes/slots on your radio and gently pull your radio forward. You can then locate the connections on the rear of the radio.

Depending upon which iPod Adapter you are installing you will need to locate the CD Changer connection on the rear of the radio. In this case we are looking for the 20-pin ISO connection. As you can see, this connection is already occupied (as the vehicle is fitted with the BOSE amplifier) so the plug must be removed and replaced with the red plug supplied with the kit.

On this adapter you can then re-connect the original plug for the amplifier in-line with the red connection. On some vehicles the CD changer connection may be taken due to the vehicle being pre-fitted with a CD changer, if this is the case then it will need to be totally unplugged so you can connect the DICE iPod Adapter. This Audi kit also requires an earth connection which can be taken from the earthing point on the back of the radio (refer to specific installation instructions).

Earlier we identified each connection on the DICE module and now its time to connect everything together and decide on where you want to put your iPod. I have chosen the glove box as it is the most secure and easiest to get to from the rear of the radio.

Once all the cables are routed and the DICE module is tucked away behind the radio you can gently slide the radio back into place and begin testing. I would advise that you don’t put the radio back in all the way in-case there is something you missed during installation and you need to get to the back of it again.

For this review the module was not fully installed behind the radio as it was to be removed shortly after.

Now the fun part. Connect your iPod to the dock cable, power up you radio and press your CD Changer button (refer to your radio manual). You will immediately see that the iPod starts to charge and when you press Play on your iPod you will hear your music and your radio display will show the track number. On vehicles that support Text Display (BMW) you will see the track name. To navigate through your iPod you can do one of three things, use your iPod directly, use the controls on your radio or use your steering controls if you have them fitted. I found each of these methods equally as fast to change between tracks.

Once you are satisfied that the iPod adapter is working as it should, now is the time to gently replace your radio making sure you don’t trap any wires in the process.

I hope this has been useful for you and will help you choosing the right adapter for your vehicle. Remember if you have any questions, then don’t hesitate to speak to one of our expert staff at incaripod.com

Factory Fitted, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) also known as OE (Original Equipment) basically means the standard factory fitted equipment found on and in your vehicle. In this article we’ll be talking about and relating OE to your audio equipment found in your car as standard and how we can connect an iPod (Aftermarket) product to these systems ensuring optimum compatibility, reliability and high quality sound performance.

OE radios are manufacturerd by various suppliers including Alpine, Blaupunkt, Becker, Clarion, Delphi, Ford, Fujitsu Ten, Grundig, Matsushita, Philips, Toyota, VDO, Visteon. These are not to be confused with Aftermarket car radios that can be explained as radios not fitted at the factory and on the complete opposite and are for public sale and are found on car audio websites and in car audio shops, etc.

These have the attractive packaging and large investment put into marketing by each brand for retail sale as as a superior upgrade to the standard factory fitted radios. Having said that Factory Fitted radios are now far higher in quality and performance than they were as little as 5 to 10 years ago and can produce exceptional sound quality.

Aftermarket radios fitted as OE radios:

A selection of car dealer/manufacturers now choose to fit aftermarket radios as standard in a certain range of cars, and this is compatible with an Aftermarket iPod Car Adapter Kit as opposed to OE kit.

Add-on OE / OEM iPod Car Adapter Kit:

Manay websites online including in car ipod offer the biggest range online of hight perfomance iPod car adapter Packages to fit the majority of Factory fitted radios in the UK, Europe and the world, as this option becomes ever more popular year on year. Why? Simply because there are so many advantages to keeping your standard radio and adding-on your iPod in this way. The most obvious and favoured benefit is that you retain the integrated look and functionality of your cars current radio set-up and by doing so you will prevent the need for any extra accessories that would ultimately cost you more expense if you were to add an aftermarket radio then iPod aftermarket kit, as the alternative option.

View the OE iPod Adapters here and the Aftermarket iPod Adapters here 

Unique Design:

As many cars OE radios’ are a unique shape, design and are integrated into the dash they are a completely different shape to an aftermarket radio DIN (standard European radio size - approx 2″ high) and as a consequence if you were to fit an aftermarket radio you will more than likely need to invest in a fascia adaptor to enable your dash hole left by the removal of your OE radio to be reduced to a (DIN) sized aperture to accept an aftermarket radio.

In most cases you will also need other Installation Accessories including a harness adapter lead to convert your standard OE radio wiring to ISO (International Standard wiring connector) specifications to fit an aftermarket radios’ wiring connector and further expense would be added if you have a Stalk Control on your steering wheel that controls your radio as you will need a Stalk Control, SMART lead. When fitted this will give you functionality of your new aftermarket radio via your steering wheel controls.

Advantages of keeping your OE radio:

Theft deterence is another very important issue that keeping your standard OE radio provides. There will be no visible signs of adding an iPod Adpter as this will be well hidden in your glove box or active cradle that will just look like an empty car phone cradle. This is further understood because a potential thief’s main goal is to find and ulimately steal an aftermarket radio such as a Alpine, Kenwood, Sony, etc, simply because they are far more desireable than an OE radios and would be worth more money on the black market.

Factory Fitted iPod Car Adapters:

Many dealers such as Audi, BMW, Ford, VW, etc are now fitting iPod car adapters as standard, however these are often no more than an auxilliary port. This basically means that you can connect your iPod to your radio using an basic jack lead, but control of your iPod is unfortunately from the iPod itself only! This is actually not recommended as driving and messing with your iPod could result in, well a crash. Your best option is to have full control over your iPod from your radio or steering wheel controls (where fitted).

Expensive car Dealer Prices:

You can now take an in car iPod adapter kit as an optional upgrade whe you buy your car or alternatively buy one from your dealer at a later date, post sale. In all honesty the kits that are sold haven’t exactly been built using the most reliabile and performance producing components mainly due to the large profit margins that car dealers choose work with. High prices, low quality!

Many iPod users want to connect their iPod to their car stereo but are worried that they will have to disconnect and loose the function of their existing factory fitted CD changer. We have heard from many customers who have been told by so called “car audio experts” that this is true but I can tell you now that it isn’t and I’ll show you the solution.

Dension, one of the leading iPod Car Kit and adapter manufacturers have released a module that connects in-line with their Gateway 100 & 300 iPod Adapters that allows you to have your iPod, USB or AUX input connected while keeping the use and functionality of the CD changer you already have installed.

The Dension CD Retention module is available for all Dension Gateway 100 and Dension Gateway 300 applications including Audi, BMW, Ford & VW to name but a few. View the full application list at In Car iPod.com

So, you’ve got your iPod that lets you playback videos and you have a car that is installed with an in-dash screen, navigation screen or even headrest monitors. What could be better than connecting your iPod to those screens to show your videos, movies or TV shows as well as playing back your MP3’s?

Step forward the Dension AV Extender module, which connects to the Dension Gateway 100, 300 & 500 to allow you to do this.

The AV Extender connects in-line with the Dension Gateway devices and provides standard audio / video RCA output connections that can be easily connected to a screen.

If you have a standard manufacturer’s navigation unit in your car and want to connect your iPod video you may require additional adapters as some systems don’t have the standard video input connections on the rear. You may want to physically check this or confirm the connections with your dealer first.

The Dension AV Extender is available from In Car iPod.com