[hefman]

Well, I couldn't stand waiting for someone else to install it, so I went ahead and ordered the Dension Icelink Plus for my iPod in my Nav II 'reg.

I believe this has been discussed before, but this unit will allow the head unit to control 5 playlists on the iPod, similar to the way it currently controls CDs in the changer or I can choose to browse the songs as normal through the iPod interface.

I spoke with a rep from Dension and he tells me they will have a free update coming some time in January, that will allow the ID3 information to be displayed on the head unit as well. He assured me the Nav II is capable of this, as their demo is working. Of course, I know how these things go. It'll probably be more like April before I see the update, but that's minor.

Now, with spockcat's A/V adapter for my kids rear-seat dvd player and this, I have a clean solution for both. I lose my CD changer, but that's not an issue if I have my iPod and, besides, my wife needs a changer in her new Passat!!! Now, for that video-in-motion thing... spockcat?

I should have it by next Wednesday. :dance: I'll let everyone know how it works.

 

[hefman]

Spockcat's right -- $199.

I'm told you can select 5 playlists for the iPod that will function exactly like the first 5 CDs on your CD changer functions, with the ability to scroll up and down through the songs with the steering wheel thumbwheel. The 6th CD button has another function on the iPod, which I can't recall at the moment. The iPod can also be controlled normally, through the iPod clickwheel.

Of course, that was the salesman talking... I may have a totally different opinion after I get it. I'll let you guys know either way.

 

[hefman]

The current version does not display ID3 tags -- it only displays CD#, Track#, but there is supposed to be a version in the works that does. I was told the Nav radio would be able to display song text and that they had a demo version working. They also told me existing customers would be "upgraded" to that capability, once it was ready (he thought late Jan/early Feb).

I actually got mine a week ago Friday, but it had an intermittent issue. When it was working, it was pretty nice -- sounded great too (no noise, good audio level). Sent it back last week and was told they'd fix it or replace it. I spoke to a tech there last Thursday and he didn't mention anything to me about it being incompatible. Maybe it's an issue with the upgraded stereo #1?

I hope they aren't yanking my chain about the ID3 capability...

Anyway, I'll post my findings after I get the repaired/replaced unit back.

 

[hefman]

Any new developments on the IceLink?

Well... I still don't have my unit that I sent back 4 weeks ago for repair. Hopefully, I'll have it this week. I really could have used it on my road trip last week. Fortunately, spockcat's A/V adapter saved me from going iPodless.

When I get it, I'll post some info and pics.

 

[hefman]

This is exactly the problem I had with mine when I installed it in December. After extensive troubleshooting, I sent it back to Dension on Dec. 14th. I still have yet to receive one back. I did, however, speak to a Dension tech support person yesterday, who told me there was an I/O issue with the Touareg Nav radio that was causing the problem. He said they have resolved the problem with a new revision, which they will be sending me in the next day or so. I had also talked with them in late December, where they acknowledged there was some compatibility issue with the Nav radio. Of course, at that time, they said they'd be sending me a new one in the first week of January. I guess we'll see if I get it and how it works. If it doesn't work or they keep stringing me along, I'm getting my money back.

Anyway, if this is true, I'm guessing the folks who haven't had issues have the standard radio. Can you guys confirm which radio you have?

 

[hefman]

I finally got around to installing mine a few weeks ago, right before a big roadie. Issue with the "No CD Changer found" errors is fixed. Unit recognizes the iPod every time. I also use the Proclip attachment just to the left of the glove box. It's a great mounting setup and looks very clean.

Here are my general observations:

1. Installation was easy. The only halfway difficult part was routing the cable to the CD changer. Now, I just need to figure out how to remove the CD changer, so I can put that in my wife's Passat. :-s

2. Dension user interface is okay, but, after using both, I much prefer it in the iPod UI mode. I can still change the songs back and forth (and FF) with the steering wheel controls, but it's much easier navigating the playlists on the iPod. Also, the Dension UI is very slow and whenever you're in the menus, there is an annoying skip in the audio when you are scrolling (painfully slow, I might add) through the selections. Additionally, the Dension UI does not turn the backlight on when changing songs or scrolling the menu, so you can't see what's playing at night, unless you set your iPod to keep the backlight on all the time. In the iPod UI mode, as soon as I touch the thumbwheel, the backlight comes on as it normally does.

3. Docking cradle comes loose after a while. I love the look of the docking cradle, but the ball mount is secured by a very small socket-head screw and it wiggles loose after a while. I'm planning on bugging Dension to make it more robust. We'll see what happens.

4. Audio is outstanding. I'm really picky about clean audio and background noise. It's every bit as good as the CD changer. In fact, you can bump up the audio level on the setup menu, which makes it a bit hotter than the changer.

5. One feature I REALLY like is you can set it up so that it only charges your iPod for a set period of time, after you turn off the ignition, so that it doesn't drain your battery. I set mine for 2 hours.

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm going to hold them to the ID3 info on the front screen. The salesman told me that if they could get it to work, I'd get a free upgrade.

 

[hefman]

With the Proclip glove box mount, where/how did you run the wire for the Icelink cradle?

Pictures?

Basically, I just have the wire running down between the center console and the dash, right below the mount. I thought that would bug me, but it doesn't look bad at all.

I am considering cutting a hole in the bracket portion that slips in beside the radio to run the wire through (I need to make a small modification to that to make it fit better anyway), but I'm not sure if it will crimp the cable too much. It also looks like it would be pretty easy to run the wire to the right and into the glove box, but it requires a hole in the box big enough for the cradle connector to fit through (about 3/8"). So, anyway, I think there are options if you want a super clean look.

I will try to post some pics when I get a chance.

 

[hefman]

Issue with the "No CD Changer found" errors is fixed.

Would you mind sharing how you fixed this issue? My Ice>Link install consistenly gets "No CD" or "No CD Changer found" messages. Is there an easy fix?

thanks
Matt

When did you purchase your icelink? They updated it in January to fix a bug that caused it to do this on the Nav radio. Dension replaced mine that I bought in December, which fixed it. If you bought yours before late January, you should be able to get Dension to send you the new version (v2.1, I think). I'd give them a call.

If you already have the new version, then you probably have a wiring problem/loose connection somewhere. More than likely, it's between the small circuit board and the CD changer (or radio head). If you have the extension cable that runs from the CD changer to your docking cradle, I'd check all the connections and make sure you don't have the cable crimped somewhere. You can also plug the cradle directly into the adapter at the CD changer to see if the problem goes away, which will tell you if it's the extension cable or not. If you have the direct connection to the back of your radio, just double check that connection.

I'd call Dension regardless, because they can walk you through the troubleshooting.