iPad install: head unit or no ?

I'm thinking of doing an iPad install in my truck.

The big question I have is should I have a head unit or not ? If so, which one ?

I rarely play CDs. I could easily convert all my CD material to mp3s.

Dash space is at a premium in my truck.

The big thing I need is an AM/FM tuner.

What would you do ?

Thanks

You definitely want a head unit so you will have bluetooth for calls and since the ipad does overheat and you won't have it in your car at all times, you need a HU. As far as headunits, I would get the Kenwood KDC-X994: It has USB and aux input from the back among other features.

Here's what I did: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/ipad...silverado.html

Thanks for replying, Torres.

I was looking at your install. It inspired me to do my truck, which is a Ford Superduty.

I have a dash space problem. What do you think of mounting the iPad in portrait orientation rather than landscape ?

I'm worried about being able to see the display in bright daytime conditions.

How is the iPad and the X994 in this regard ?

Thanks

I would definitely go with Landscape because you will get a bigger image size for videos and most of the apps have more information in Landscape mode. I haven't had any problems with visibility, but I do have my windows tinted. Another bonus of getting the X994 is that you will be able to use your steering wheel controls to control volume and other features and it lets you pick the color of the screen to match your Ford's interior...

Most legacy iPhone apps do not work in landscape mode, just so you know. But they look terrible blown up 2x anyway.

How good is and AM/FM on the X994 ?

I don't understand why we need the head unit to do BT with the phone. Why can't the phone connect to the iPad and have it do the BT stuff and just feed the HU the audio ? No software to do that ? I can't seen how scrolling through a contact list on the X994 would be better than doing the same on the iPad.

I'll probably get an X994 once I get my dash space situation figured out.

Not sure if this gonna answer your question or not but Apple's implementation of BlueTooth is horrible! It's very limited to what you can do within the Apple framework.

Interesting enough is that XP+centrafuse+iphone works like a charm!

Not sure if this gonna answer your question or not but Apple's implementation of BlueTooth is horrible! It's very limited to what you can do within the Apple framework.

Interesting enough is that XP+centrafuse+iphone works like a charm!

Have you tried iheart radio app (iphone or iPad)? It carries local FM and AM stations, just not all of them. You can install and check. And it also display lyrics of what's currently playing.

I don't think you can connect the phone to the iPad to make or receive calls using the iPad's mic/line out. I just tested with my iP4 at least, and they can't see each other. I searched on cydia and you can only find keyboard, gps and mouse BT stacks.