IceLink for iPod? Too good to be true?

**lespaul** · 02-11-2004, 07:49 PM

I just stumbled onto something called "IceLink" in another forum. I searched here and got no hits. Here's the product link.

http://icelink.densionusa.com

This *seems* to be the perfect solution for iPod users. Here's what they claim:

- Continuosly charges iPod while connected.
- Full control of iPod through existing radio controls. (!)
- Even works with steering wheel controls, if present. (!)
- Interfaces directly to your existing stereo's wiring harness.
- Works with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation iPods.

If this really works, then it's everything I'm looking for. Has anyone seen one of these in action?

One thing that I'm really unsure about is their claim that it works with older iPods. I didn't even know that these versions supported the remote controls, so I don't know how they could control the iPod (forward, rewind, etc...).

I'm going to order one, and if it sucks, hopefully they'll take it back without too much hassle. If it really is as sweet as it sounds, I'll follow up this post with pictures of my install.

Pat

**jusatry** · 02-11-2004, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by lespaul

I just stumbled onto something called "IceLink" in another forum. I searched here and got no hits. Here's the product link.

http://icelink.densionusa.com

This *seems* to be the perfect solution for iPod users. Here's what they claim:

- Continuosly charges iPod while connected.
- Full control of iPod through existing radio controls. (!)
- Even works with steering wheel controls, if present. (!)
- Interfaces directly to your existing stereo's wiring harness.
- Works with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation iPods.

If this really works, then it's everything I'm looking for. Has anyone seen one of these in action?

One thing that I'm really unsure about is their claim that it works with older iPods. I didn't even know that these versions supported the remote controls, so I don't know how they could control the iPod (forward, rewind, etc...).

I'm going to order one, and if it sucks, hopefully they'll take it back without too much hassle. If it really is as sweet as it sounds, I'll follow up this post with pictures of my install.

Pat

check out the forums at www.audiworld.com

people there use it with the symphony II radio... SEARCH before you post there, or you will be flamed.

good luck

**lespaul** · 02-11-2004, 08:14 PM

Cool! Found lots of articles there. Sounds like IceLink is the real deal. I'm so glad someone finally got it right.

Now I'll probably only have to wait about 18 months for backorder.

- update -
I stand corrected. My order shipped after about three days. Let the installation begin...

**lespaul** · 02-23-2004, 09:15 PM

I have the icelink. Everything looks good... now I just need those "keys" to remove the stereo. Does anyone know where to get them? I looked around and found that nice installation that "yeahboz" did on his Audi, but the link he gave (www.samtagsales.com) doesn't work.

I have a 2003 Audi A4 with the factory "Symphony" stereo.

**jusatry** · 02-23-2004, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by lespaul

I have the icelink. Everything looks good... now I just need those "keys" to remove the stereo. Does anyone know where to get them? I looked around and found that nice installation that "yeahboz" did on his Audi, but the link he gave (www.samtagsales.com) doesn't work.

I have a 2003 Audi A4 with the factory "Symphony" stereo.

i bought mine from samtagsales a little while ago....doesnt work huh? you can get em from the stealership, or make your own... (see posts by RASTA4 i think his name was).....

but i jest checked and sam-tag works, but its spelled "samstagsales"....yay for google spell checker

here is your link:
http://www.samstagsales.com/vwaudi.htm#electrical

you are looking for item number T10057

good luck

**lespaul** · 02-24-2004, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by jusatry

but i jest checked and sam-tag works, but its spelled "samstagsales"....yay for google spell checker

Doh! Thanks. That's exactly what I need.

Here is the original post, in case anyone else is looking to mess around with their Audi. Yeahboz did a really nice job. But, yeah, the link is "samstagsales." Whatever a samstag is...

Thanks again. Pics of my install coming soon...

**jnusaira** · 02-24-2004, 02:54 PM

"Starting as low as $149.99!"

ARE THEY INSANE!! F - that ... i like the idea ... but i am not spending 150 for it.

**lespaul** · 02-24-2004, 06:25 PM

Yeah, it's pricy. But When you consider that getting just a basic line-in cable (Blitzsafe) costs $90, then it doesn't seem so bad. And to me, it's worth it to be able to control the iPod from the steering wheel, and to have the iPod automatically stop when the stereo turns off. Plus, those Blitzsafe things have a pretty lousy reputation. There's not much for iPod owners to choose from, really... I guess you could get a Transpod or something, but your stereo will have to have line-in jacks, unless you want to use the FM signal (yuck).

**CoCa** · 02-24-2004, 06:35 PM

I would wait on the ICE link till this summer when Alpine will be releasing a headunit that interfaces with the ipod through a singel connection and allows full control/display of the ipod on the head unit.

**lespaul** · 02-24-2004, 07:43 PM

That sounds excellent...

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...004/0002084211

I bet it will be way more than $150, though. And I don't really want to replace the factory stereo in my Audi... it just looks cool. An Alpine system would look really out of place in the A4 dashboard. Everything has that all-black-with-red-backlighting look.

Still, that Alpine thing is going to be sweet. I've been wondering why someone hasn't already built something like that. Only about 50 kajillion iPods have been sold so far...