StringFellow

New Business: With this mod and track repeat turned on, is there any pause in the sound when the cd reaches the end and the deck moves the laser back to the beginning? Or does the sound continue while the cd starts over? I remember with the gnunilink mod that's how it worked but I was curious if this deck/mod operated the same or not.

 

Cheers!

There is about a 2 second pause when the CD has to restart. If you press the track down button sooner, the pause will be slightly less (depends how many minutes have passed since your last track restart). Once you get use to the pause, you end up not even noticing it.

-S

Installed the board as per instructions and tips. I connected the male-to male 6' cable to the board and routed it through the armrest extension. I plugged the GLI in so that it was accessible without any future tear-apart, and then connected the GLI to this dock: (http://www.tentechnology.com/products/products_flexibledock.php). When all was said and done, no trips to Radio Shack were required and no extra connectors or couplers were used. The iPod can be connected quickly with one hand (no fumbling with a connector cable each time I get into the car) and it is within quick reach while in the car (see pics).

PolarDog

PolarDog, I really like your install using that ipod dock. A couple questions...

Right where the "arm" of the dock goes through the slot in the arm rest, it looks like some of the "insulation" was removed. Did you have to mod the "arm" of the dock or the slot in the armrest to get it to route through the armrest slot? If so, what did you do and how hard was it to complete? Materials needed?

Does the armrest close completely?

How easy does the IPod install and remove from the dock?

-S

Does anyone know where I can find vaction pics from the other "family members"? I know those "family members" have a forester and wanted to see those vacation pics.

-S

The Subaru ski attachment is made by Yakima. A Yakima accessory with a Subaru sticker on it. It comes with locks and the crossbar kit is fairly cheap (aprrox. $16). Just about the same price if you bought the racks, locks and mounting brackets from a sports shop.

For me the roof rack is only used in the winter (ski rack), so the extra money for cross bars, etc. just wasn't worth it. I also had a %10 off coupon at the time. I also personally don't like the big bulky aftermarket crossbars. If you have a LGT, you don't have a choice and have to get the aftermarket crossbars, etc.

SJG, your request for comparison might work better if you stated what your uses might be now and in the future.

-S

If you are like me, you get tired of having to remember to hit disk repeat to keep the silent track repeating. If you do forget, the CD changer switches CDs and you have to switch back to the silent CD (unwanted CD changer wear). Well, I have come up with something that might help.

I have created a CD with a 75 minute silent track and a 5 second tone track. When you start playing the CD (lets assume your forgot to press track repeat) and you listen to your aux device. After 75 minutes it will change to track 2. Since this track is a tone track, you hear a tone for 5 seconds (it is loud enough to over power the aux device music). It gets your attention and you just have to press track down 2 times. If you remember within 75 minutes to press track down once, great. If you don't remember, you have a tone telling you to press track down before your CD changer attempts to change CD. What do you think?

Here is what I did.

1. Installed Audacity 1.3 Beta (mentioned earlier in this thread by Jazzy).

2. Created a stereo track (Project drop down -> New Stereo Track)

3. Generate drop down -> Tone

3a. Change amplitude to 0.5

3b. Change length to 5 seconds.

4. File drop down -> Export as Wav.

5. Save to file name "Tone"

6. Created a stereo track (Project drop down -> New Stereo Track)

3. Generate drop down -> Silence

3a. Change length to 4500 seconds.

4. File drop down -> Export as Wav.

5. Save to file name "Silent"

Using your favorite CD burning software burn both of these tracks to an audio CD. Make sure you have "Silent" as your first track, and "Tone" as your second.

-S

Anyone know if the CD player will play 80 minutes CDs with an 80 minute silent track?

-S

Burn a CD with only one file, the blank audio song. No need for the PDF file in your car, it doesn't use it!

I understand that. But, if I have the data file at the end of the 75 minute track, the music will stop and it will then give me about 15 seconds to hit track down and start the 75 minute track over again before the changer tries to change CDs.

If I just have the 75 minute track, at the end of that track, the CD changer will change to the next disk. I don't want that.

-S

Jazzy sent me a blank CD that contains 2 files on it (a pdf file and the 75 minute blank audio track). The problem is that the data CD is the first track on the CD. So, when I select that CD in the CD changer I have to advance one track to start playing the 75 minute track. Then, when the 75 minutes is over, it tries to change to the next CD in the changer before I have a chance to start the track over again.

Does anyone know how to make the first track the 75 minute track and the second track the data file (PDF)? In this setup, after the 75 minute track has completed, the CD player then tries to play the data file (pdf). Since the player can't play this data track, it is silent for 15 seconds. This 15 seconds would catch my attention and allow me to select the first track again before the changer tries to switch CDs.

I know I can just push track "down" every hour or so, but some times I forget. The repeat function is useless because it resets after you restart the car.

I tried using the multi mode Nero option, but it always creates the first track as the data file.

Anyone know of a way of doing what I want?

-S

I am one who also wanted/wants a solution that can be removed as needed. If the climate controls go out, if the display goes blank, etc., I want to be able to remove the mod and get the unit fixed. The convience of the other MODs just isn't worth $500, not to mention the possibility of screwing up the radio at mod time.

-S

AFAIK, you are correct Rony. I just thought there might be a way cuz some guy approached me and said his buddy is a sound engineer and had a way to make 3 hour silent cd's (and wanted to sell them to me for $5 a piece). If there's a secret, I don't know what it is, but I thought it might be something along those lines.

3 hour silent CD! Now that would be awesome!

-S

Does our CD players play 80min CDs? I was thinking about making a 80 minute blank CD....it would get me an extra 5 minutes. Anyone know?

-S

jazzymt, any chance athere will be a dual jack uanit to hook up a Sirius tunner?

Isn't needed. Just get a splitter and turn on the appropriate unit. That is what I am doing.

I have a 1/8" stereo extension that goes from jazzy's board to the center console. And from there I have a 1/8" splitter. I plug in my sirius unit to one (using a 1/8" to RCA adapter) and the other to my ipod. Works great.

Just remember that Jazzy's board has to be small to sit inside the radio.

-S

I have seen a bunch of different ideas regarding hooking up an IPod with the factory stereo. The unit built by JAZZYMT is inexpensive and the instructions make it a breeze to hook up. It is a direct feed so there is no stupid RF interference. Some people want to make a mountain out of a mole hill. The answer is simple.

 

Step 1 - Buy the PCB from JAZZY

Step 2 - Install it

Step 3 - Enjoy the music

 

Maybe someday Subaru and all of the other OEM's will get a clue and include an audio input somewhere in the car. Until then its as easy as 1-2-3.

Agreed! Jazzy's board isn't perfect, but sounds great, is easy to install, and can be removed if you need a radio repair, etc. If you can follow instructions and use a screwdriver, you can install this MOD.

I thought about installing a wired FM modulator for backup but I decided against it and would give this a try first. Glad I did......gotta return the wired fm modulator to CC now.

-S

Well I just completed by Jazzy board installation without issue. The part that I thought would be the hardest (removal of the front control panel) ended up being quite easy. The sound quality is awesome compared to a wired fm modulator. The static that I would hear time to time is now gone and as I turn the volume up, it stays clear and crisp (unlike the modulator). Total installation and clean up time ended up being around 90 minutes.

Great job Jazzy! What a service to the Legacy community!

Just need to make sure I don't have my external audio source on and playing a regular music CD at the same time. Just doesn't sound right

-S

I haven't noticed the sound of the CD spinning, but I honestly haven't tried to "hear" it either. Obviously, it's not going to be any louder than when you're actually playing a music CD either...so, I'd have to categorize it as "not noticable."

 

As far as address info, you can PM me your email and the rest of the info I'll get through paypal when you buy the board, but I'm currently backordered, waiting for PCB's from my vendor which could be a couple weeks.

Jazzy, how many boards have you shipped? Just curious about the install base of your board.

-S

I need some information. I plan on installing Jazzy's board sometime this weekend. In addition to installing Jazzy's aux-in board, I plan on installing a wired fm modulator in the event I have issues with the aux-in board. Couple questions...

1. I was looking at the Scosche FM-MOD01 FM modulator. Anyone have experience with this unit? Better one out there?

2. Also, for a replacement to the included Scosche switch, I was looking at this switch from Radio shack. Would this switch work?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062523&cp=&kw=rocker+switch&parentPage=search

3. Now the real question. I want to install permanant flush mounted female RCA jacks somewhere in the car. Does someone make these jacks? I want to install jacks (possibly in the center console) where they are just female jacks in the bottom. I could then plug in my audio source with 2 male RCA jacks. I just don't want the end of RCA cables just currled up in the center console. Did that make sense?

-S

Installed your board last week and it rocks! Really easy and great instructions, but I did have to flip the ribbon cable around (first time I tried it - nothing), but after that it worked like a charm! I get some ground noise, but since my kid is in the car with me most of the time, I don't play the music that loud anyways.

 

Thanks Jazzymt for one of the best mods for the moola!

Is there a way of determining if the ribbon cable needs to be rotated?

-S

A small update...I've run out of boards Not to worry though. I have more on the way from my fabricator which should be here in a week or so. I'm also shopping around for a spare headunit to start working on the next step in this evolution. I hope you all had a good weekend.

What is the next "evolution" you are hoping for? Just curious.

BTW, I just received my board in the mail today. Awesome shipment and quality I might add!! Depending on my schedule, I might perform the installation this weekend. Just need to visit Radio Shack for some cable and adapters!

Once I install it, I will post back with my experience.

-S

Just wanted to get some opinions from people who have gone from a wired FM modulator to Jazzy's direct connect. Just wanted peoples opinions on sound quality improvement between the 2 connection types.

I currently have a Sirius tuner connected via a wired FM modulator and wanted to get an idea of the quality of sound improvement I could expect.

-S

When you are playing a blank system I am sure it displays the disk number, but does it also display the track number and minutes/seconds?

-S