Comment Try using an iPod in the car, then post! (Score 5, Insightful) 35
I don't think any of you people who recommend using the iPod interface in the car over using an Alpine head unit interface have ever actually tried using an iPod in the car while driving.
It's almost impossible.
Same goes for using the iPod while running, bicycling, or any other activity in which one cannot really take their attention away from the activity. The iPod screen (and especially the iPod mini screen) is small, and hard to read when the user is anything but stationary. Don't believe me? Then why did Apple make a remote to adjust volume and skip tracks to use in lieu of the iPod interface for active people.
The controls on any in dash stereo are much larger and more easily manipulated while driving than the touch sensitive wheel on the iPod...remember, stereo controls are *designed) to be used while driving...the iPod interface is not. Stereo controls remain in relatively the same location while driving...which is not true with an iPod. Finally, the display on the Alpine unit is backlit and large...designed to be read and interpreted from driving distance in direct sunlight and at night, etc., etc.
Most objections to this device should be that it (somewhat) expensive...but really, Alpine (who makes CD changers that they would like to sell) is producing an adapter for 3rd party device integration, and they have to charge something to cover their R&D and/or loss of CD changer sales.
In case you can't tell, I've been waiting for this since the announcement at the beginning of the year, and I'll happily throw my iPod mini in the glove box/console or wherever else I happen to mount the docking cable...
Greg
It's almost impossible.
Same goes for using the iPod while running, bicycling, or any other activity in which one cannot really take their attention away from the activity. The iPod screen (and especially the iPod mini screen) is small, and hard to read when the user is anything but stationary. Don't believe me? Then why did Apple make a remote to adjust volume and skip tracks to use in lieu of the iPod interface for active people.
The controls on any in dash stereo are much larger and more easily manipulated while driving than the touch sensitive wheel on the iPod...remember, stereo controls are *designed) to be used while driving...the iPod interface is not. Stereo controls remain in relatively the same location while driving...which is not true with an iPod. Finally, the display on the Alpine unit is backlit and large...designed to be read and interpreted from driving distance in direct sunlight and at night, etc., etc.
Most objections to this device should be that it (somewhat) expensive...but really, Alpine (who makes CD changers that they would like to sell) is producing an adapter for 3rd party device integration, and they have to charge something to cover their R&D and/or loss of CD changer sales.
In case you can't tell, I've been waiting for this since the announcement at the beginning of the year, and I'll happily throw my iPod mini in the glove box/console or wherever else I happen to mount the docking cable...
Greg
