So you have your iPod and it works great, except when it comes to listening in your car. Maybe you picked up an FM modulator and that works somewhat well, except in large cities where it is almost impossible to get a clear station. If your car still has a tape deck maybe you have a mini-jack to tape adapter, which actually works fairly decently especially for 20 or so dollars it costs. Unfortunately if with both of those methods a point comes when the iPod runs out of juice and you have to charge it. Also both of those methods require access to the iPod to control your music selection. The Dension iceLink solves all of these problems.

The iceLink setup enables you to control your iPod music through your car’s stock stereo and provides power at the same time. The setup and install is fairly easy and quick depending on your current car audio solution. The most common interface option is to utilize your car’s CD changer plug. For some this means pulling out the stereo head unit, others can find the plug in areas such as the trunk. If you do attempt the install yourself, you should recognize that many cars need special/unique tools to remove the stereo (a theft deterrent) and if you attempt to remove the stereo without the tools you run the risk of damaging the stereo. Fortunately these tools are widely available from places on the internet or even from the car’s respective dealership. Secondly you need to disconnect the battery prior to the install, and if you are working on a stock stereo you will most likely need the stereo’s security code. The code should have been included with your car’s manual/paperwork; a dealership should also be able to get the code for you. Lastly make sure to follow the instructions provided by iceLink manual. I was able to install the iceLink into an older Audi in just about 30 minutes. The harness supplied by Dension fit perfectly with the stock stereo. Depending on the setup you will probably need to find an available metal screw somewhere on the housing of the stereo head unit to ground the iceLink. That will help with reducing extra noise.

Once installed you only need to select your CD changer option from your car stereo. The small circuit board translates information back and forth between the iPod and your car’s stereo. Controlling the iPod is a fairly intuitive process: the next track button on your stereo will advance the iPod to the next song and so forth, as if your iPod was just a very large CD changer. There are some options available such as line-in power from the iPod, basically a volume control so you can match the input of say the radio. This way there isn’t a huge difference in volume when you switch from radio to iPod for example. A power option lets you decide how your iPod is powered. There are several other options for controlling playback and playlist control. Overall it is a very good setup, the added options are not necessary but a very nice touch.

The one draw back I have found to this setup is the limited selection of playlists from the stereo. As it is right now you are only able to select the first 5 playlists, using the preset buttons on the radio. If you want a particular playlist located outside the first 5 you have to disconnect the iPod from the iceLink dock, use the iPod to select the playlist then reinsert it into the iceLink. That is the only complaint I have with the setup, but so far no other solution has done any better. The sound quality is as good as a CD, depending on the encoding rate of the file. One notable feature I like is the iceLink is capable of recognizing the shuffle button from my stereo. Overall I would highly recommend the iceLink, it has made long drives that much more enjoyable. You don’t have to worry about changing discs, or your iPod running out of power. Just sit back and relax and enjoy the nearly endless stream of music.

Aside from the Dension iceLink there are other car iPod integration option from places such as Monster Cable; the iCruze. The price for the Dension iceLink is about $200 and the Monster Cable option can range anywhere from $250 - $400 depending on your car and other options. If you are not up for a self install you could probably add about $40 - $100 more for a professional installation. When looking for a new car and iPod integration is important to you, check and see if the manufacturer offers a built in option as many are. BMW started back several years ago and nearly every manufacturer has followed suit. More information can be found on Apple’s iPod Your Car website.