Denison ice-link plus - again!!

[Darren C]

I am considering going the ipod route in the A2 and was torn between the Audi option or the Denison ice-link plus as fitted by JimbobA2TDiSport - see link below:

http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3095&highlight=ipod+adapter.

I am really looking for some feedback as to the best fitment of the Denison ice-link plus. JimbobA2TDiSport has obviously placed the lead through the gap in the side of the stereo; what I want to know though is this really a good idea or will this result in unnecessary wear?? Thoughts please!!

Also, is the bracket a simple screw on fix as it would appear in the later pictures in this thread, screwing into the dash with existing screws??

Mike, is this the same beast that you have, if so any advice on positioning and install would be great, as I know you have yours located by the gear lever console?

I intend to do the install myself, but I want to be certain that I buy the right piece of kit from the outset and be aware of any problems that may reside!!

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

Cheers,

Darren

[Skipton01]

Hi Darren,

Yes, the Dension is the one that I have fitted to Tank.

I used to have it mounted in the same position as Jim, but I changed to the lower position when I discovered Plummer iPod mounts (www.plummer.co.uk) as it made for a much ore aesthetically pleasing installation, plus, the cable isn't held captive to the same extent as with the higher-up option.

The Plummer consoles aren't the cheapest around, but they do integrate with the car interior - probably better than the original Audi option.

The only real downside to this option is that the iPod is on show to any thieving scum that may be around - you need to get into the habit of removing the iPod when you leave the car. Front tinting also helps!

Cheers,

Mike

[alexwharton]

Id advise on not leaving it in the glove box ether. Thief's know people put sat navs, ipods, phones in there and may break in just for a look. A friend of mine had his car broken in to for a mars bar.

[Darren C]

Thanks for the quick and comprehensive response Mike!! :)

I will probably go for the Denison and initially run with the high position set up.

I guess the cable is tough enough to withstand slight crimping at any rate!!

Cheers,

Darren

[Darren C]

Id advise on not leaving it in the glove box ether. Thief's know people put sat navs, ipods, phones in there and may break in just for a look. A friend of mine had his car broken in to for a mars bar.

I agree Alex, and I have long been in the habit of never leaving valuables in the car!!

Thanks for the input, however!! ;)

[Skipton01]

Thanks for the quick and comprehensive response Mike!! :)

I will probably go for the Denison and initially run with the high position set up.

I guess the cable is tough enough to withstand slight crimping at any rate!!

Cheers,

Darren
Try to run the cable through the bottom corner if you can. As you know, the corners of the factory systems are very slightly rounded off and so they'll pinch less than coming straight round the side.

Cheers,

Mike

[moogaloo]

One thing worth pointing out (and the reason why I did not go for either ipod solution) is that I believe navigation on the head unit is via playlists and you cannot navigate via the ipod directly.

For this reason I invested in a decent mount and AUX in solution as the best interface to the ipod is the ipod itself.

[toby1]

Don't forget Darren, you could save a few quid by buying my unfitted, still in box, Dension Ice Link plus. It has the 20 pin connector harness for a Concert 2.

I'll not ever use it and you could save £s!

[Darren C]

Don't forget Darren, you could save a few quid by buying my unfitted, still in box, Dension Ice Link plus. It has the 20 pin connector harness for a Concert 2.

I'll not ever use it and you could save £s!

Toby,

Many thanks for the offer mate, I would have taken you up on it had I not ordered the said item earlier and prior to reading your post. :)

The offer is appreciated however, and hopefully one of the other members will snap it up.

Cheers,

Darren

[Darren C]

One thing worth pointing out (and the reason why I did not go for either ipod solution) is that I believe navigation on the head unit is via playlists and you cannot navigate via the ipod directly.

For this reason I invested in a decent mount and AUX in solution as the best interface to the ipod is the ipod itself.

You are correct in that navigation is via the head unit, but I am not sure as to whether this is restricted to 'playlists' only. As per usual... Mike??

Appreciate the warning, but my credit card has already taken a hit!! ;)

[Darren C]

Try to run the cable through the bottom corner if you can. As you know, the corners of the factory systems are very slightly rounded off and so they'll pinch less than coming straight round the side.

Cheers,

Mike

To the rescue again... thanks buddy, will do!! :D

[Skipton01]

Navigation via the headunit is by way of a playlist system. Basically, the first 5 playlists on your iPod equate to the 5 discs in your 6 disc changer (this is what the headunit 'sees' the iPod as). The 6th disc however takes you into a special setup menu and in it, you can choose to navigate via the iPod itself.

In this way, you have full control over the iPod, exactly as if you were just listening to it whilst walking down the street. In this mode, you can still use the headunit to fast forward/rewind and skip forwards and back.

The Dension really is the best solution to iPod integration in an Audi and the iPod easily outshines things like Phatnoise for storage capacity too.

The only area where it falls down is that song info is not available on the DIS or headunit. This has been addressed on the A6 and A8, which used MOST bus, not CAN. Unfortunately, it will never be implemented for CAN cars.

Cheers,

Mike

[Darren C]

Mike - brilliant reply!! :D

I am now 100% happy with my choice and I will definitely favour the disc six with full ipod control option.

Thanks for all your valued input.

Regards,

Darren

[Skipton01]

You're welcome Darren, as always.

Disc 6 is what I always use and that's why I use the lower mounting position for my iPod - it makes using the click wheel so much easier as you can steady your hand on the seat/gearknob.

Cheers,

Mike

[moogaloo]

That sounds like a much better interface han my wifes blaupunkt ipod interface, where it restricts you to the playlists with no direct ipod control. So you can't do things such as shuffle.