iLounge

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it will cost you a minimum of $200 fo a compatible Alpine head unit (the model number must start with CDA-) and the ipod adapter retails for $100, although the local places are charging upwards of $129 for it.  Installation for the head unit would be extra, but the ipod adapter can be installed yourself.

Here in Santa Clara, CA, i got mine at Car Stereo Outlet.  AMS CAR STEREO also had it in stock Both places are on Stevens Creek. 

Posted by sbono13 on September 26, 2004 at 7:37 PM (PST)

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i live in australia, i really like the idea of this setup, and i think while nothing better seems to be around the will sell afew head units too. yay.

PS both myslef and a friend of mine have crashed while toying with the pod so i am happy that its locked.

Posted by scottsri on September 26, 2004 at 11:08 PM (PST)

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where can I test this out? I really need to play with it before I decide whether it’s worth it. Anywhere in Santa Clara/San Mateo counties is fine (California).

Posted by kbyrd on September 27, 2004 at 5:25 AM (PST)

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Does anybody knows if the KCA-420i includes the AiNet cable? if so, what’s the length of it? Thanks!

Posted by n0nsense on September 27, 2004 at 5:38 AM (PST)

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Does anyone know if you can control the ipod through the ipod it self? Or would you only be able to control it through the head unit?

Posted by xer0 on September 27, 2004 at 6:09 AM (PST)

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The iPod runs in accessory mode, which means the iPod doesn’t work as an interface when it’s plugged in.

Posted by Mike on September 27, 2004 at 10:06 AM (PST)

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The cables are 6 ft lpng and are included there is a very accurate review at http://playlistmag.com/reviews/2004/09/alpineipod/index.php
I can think of nothing else to add. The biggest deawback is trying to scroll because the damn thing is so slow. I do think it sounds great and the trade off is worth it I’m using a 9833 deck.

Posted by Ric Higgins on September 27, 2004 at 6:54 PM (PST)

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I agree about the slow scrolling. i would have preferred up-down buttons than a scroll knob.  At least I could have held the down while the interface slowly scrolled down.  Now the knob has to be continuously turned the whole time.

Posted by sbono13 on September 27, 2004 at 8:15 PM (PST)

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I am really disapointed in the new alpine interface for the ipod, I bought it yesturday and I might return it today.
frist, there is no sreach by gender.
seconded, yes the scroll is very very slow I have a 15gig ipod g3 about 7g in use. It took me over TWO minites to scroll through all my artist list. I timed it. thats a long time to be scroll whille you’re driving.
navigation is almost impossible, 100 bucks for all this, I really suggest to anyone who is go to purchse this make sure you try it out frist and/or make sure you can return it.

Posted by MMDragon on September 28, 2004 at 5:55 AM (PST)

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I agree, the interface is slow, especially if you have 150 or so artists to scroll through.  However, maybe I have a solution for your inabiliy to search by gender.  Perhaps you should make a “male” playlist, and put all your male artists there, and make a similar “female” playlist for your female artists.  Problem solved.

Posted by Answer Guy on September 28, 2004 at 6:07 AM (PST)

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yeah I though of that , making playlist of rock rap 80’s….etc. for the gender glitch, but I dont think that I an would be able to stand the slow sreach,... what would take me 25sec. tops to find a particular song I want to hear now takes me 2 to 3 minutes.
also the song are order weirdly, you can not sreach in an artist folder alfabeticly, I am not sure that order they are in?
it seem the ablum order is how they organized it. but that means if I want a song off the last ablum in the folder I have to scroll or pick every song before that,  god help you if you want to listen to an artist that you have more than three albums of…

Posted by MMDragon on September 28, 2004 at 7:53 AM (PST)

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MMDragon,

I think you mean genre, not gender. Answer Guy baaaad:)

Posted by tryin to help on September 28, 2004 at 10:31 AM (PST)

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Once you have selected an artist, you can hit the search button once to start searching through the artist’s songs (organized by album), or you can hit the search button TWICE to search through the artist’s albums.  Once you have selected an album, hit the search button once and pick out your song from a shorter and more tractable list.

Posted by sbono13 on September 28, 2004 at 11:47 AM (PST)

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This is probably well known by now but the Alpine adapter is totally functional with way-old AI-Net head units. 

I have a 10 year old AI-Net head unit.  I bought the KCA-420i and hooked it up today to this 1994 head unit to see if it works.  It works great and sounds great.  There is no display info on the head unit but you can select a specific play list from the Ipod and hit play on the Ipod PRIOR to plugging in the Alpine adapter cable.  The fast forward, next track and mix functions work fine from the head unit.  When you are using the fast forward function, the head unit will display the minutes and seconds you are scanning through the song.

Posted by Ipodloungeaaronr on October 1, 2004 at 7:12 PM (PST)

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al and ed’s auto sound…i think thats what its called, they have it. i talked to a guy from the one in north hollywood and he said they have them. so check it out.

Posted by hi on October 3, 2004 at 7:11 PM (PST)

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Order from crutchfield, then take to a local installer.  I got a CDA-9826 + KCA-420i for $299 shipped.  Should be in stock.

Posted by Ed on October 4, 2004 at 9:03 PM (PST)

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a question about the iPods and the KCA…
do you have to have the click wheel iPods? (the new 2004 versions)?  I have the sensor wheel with the separate play, menu, etc buttons.  It’s updated to the newest software update they have for it.  Will it work?

Posted by levity on October 6, 2004 at 3:48 PM (PST)

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My friend has purchased it and has a G3 iPod and claims it works flawlessly with his older Alpine video screen head unit. I have a CDA9815 from 2 years ago and am dying to get one. I connected a line to my aux. input, but thats cumbersome, as well as distracting to look at the iPod and select music.

Anyone have any experience with using this with either an XM receiver or Alpine CD changer? I don’t want to lost my XM…

Posted by Joker on October 7, 2004 at 9:35 PM (PST)

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any updates on the cda-7894 ? does thte 420i work with it ?

Posted by mix masta mikey in orlando on October 13, 2004 at 8:01 AM (PST)

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so the G3 button works?
thanks!

Posted by levity on October 15, 2004 at 9:34 AM (PST)