Comments on: FUSION Releases Internal iPod Docking Car Audio Receiver

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:25:15 +0000

There’s this one as well…

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X100

It has a lot of cool features, a bit more than the FUSION, but still has the case of the “danglies” with a cable attachment to the iPod. If they could integrate the iPod to the deck like the FUSION, that’d be cool.

I do like ALPINE stuff though. All my amps are Alpine, but you don’t see them. Stealth FTW!

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:02:29 +0000

I know the one you’re thinking of, but it’s DOUBLE DIN (FAT) and $1800. Made by PIONEER. I’m sure there are others. The Pioneer has no iPod integration like charging and faceplate control of said player. It does have GPS nav though. The hard drive is integrated into the unit itself so you can’t just take the unit with you when you leave the vehicle to go for a walk.

If there is another SINGLE DIN, sub $300 deck that provides seamless iPod integration, like the FUSION one, then it would be worth a look in this context. But based on what’s out there, the FUSION is still the first to fully integrate iPod operations into the head unit. You can control your iPod with existing controls. The iPod is nowhere to be seen. It even charges.

By: Michael Kwan

Michael Kwan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:35:01 +0000

Stephen: Pioneer and Alpine both have “media decks” already that ditch the CD player. I forget the model number, but there’s one that replaces the optical drive with what is basically a cubby hole. I’ve also seen decks that rely solely on SD cards or USB memory.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:35:53 +0000

Haha I shouldn’t skip to the cool parts of the article! Thanks

By: MegaTechNews

MegaTechNews — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:15:51 +0000

Read =)

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:14:13 +0000

yea but which iPods are compatible? I mean a nano 3rd gen is wider than a nano 2nd gen.

By: MegaTechNews

MegaTechNews — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:10:31 +0000

Not really. This unit has NO CD player. You push your iPod directly into the unit for seamless integration. All controls are handled from the deck and there are no dangling cable issues with cheaper head units. With the loss of moving parts from the expulsion of the CD player, you also get a much longer warranty and potentially better reliability. It would have been nice if XM or SIRIUS was onboard as well for even more audio listening pleasure.

By: Hadouken Online

Hadouken Online — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:03:30 +0000

I’ve seen similar (and cheaper) head units from Pioneer and Alpine, but those involve a cable, placing your iPod in the glove compartment. Same thing, really.