Why do people seem to prefer front Aux in?

[cee]

I'm really struggling to find a half decent head unit with a rear Aux input. 99% of head units I can find are all front Aux meaning you have cables trailing everywhere. Why do people prefer this?

[harrysal]

Your best bet is going to be a rear usb in. That allows your own wiring in of cables, its the best choice, however, most are front aux in because it allows people to see where they have to plug it in, and for non-electric minded folk it allows them peace of mind when troubleshooting any problems they may have

[cee]

Rear USB requires the use of the headunit to control the iPod. I refuse to use these systems as they are simply awful.

My current headunit (a 20 quid JVC garb) has rear RCA and it's fantastic, but the unit is broken and looks gash (silver) so I need a suitable replacement)

[harrysal]

Not true. I have an alpine unit that closely matches the car it's front USB only and it's search function is brilliant. It is however personal preference.

[cee]

I find the GUI operated iPod systems slow and annoying. I like to be able to chose my music on the iPod itself, before I even get into the car, and to continue listening to whatever I had on while waling around.

The HU attachments also wreck the battery of the iPod (unless they offer a way to stop the automatic charge process)

I also really dislike cables trailing all over my dash so a rear input is a necessity.

[cee]

Maybe I'm just fussy, but I know of other people who would agree with me (on the rear input at least)

[Duke137]

Your right mate, I bought a head unit for the E36 not long back and had the same moan at the man in the shop

[harrysal]

I agree with you on the rear input, its just that i do not know of any that use that method, by alrights your opinion is your opinion (: but i use a rear usb input and placed it into the ash tray, was thinking of fibreglassing a dock connection in there, i myself dont like the AUX inputs, but its personal preference.

[cee]

I agree with you on the rear input, its just that i do not know of any that use that method, by alrights your opinion is your opinion (: but i use a rear usb input and placed it into the ash tray, was thinking of fibreglassing a dock connection in there, i myself dont like the AUX inputs, but its personal preference.

That's nearly exactly what my plans are ;) Gonna do the same with chargers too so it's all hidden and tidy.

I've managed to find a nice Sony unit with a rear aux and I've been very happy with my Sony kit in the past so will probably go for that.

I find it much easier to control my music from the iPod whilst driving, fiddling with the HU is a lot harder IMO and thus more dangerous. Aux input means I can also play music from my phone and laptop and other people in the car can use their players too.

Although a USB input could be cool for a HDD or Memory Stick...

[cee]

I have an Alpine iDA X305S with the blue tooth module in my E36 and keep a small iPod locked in the glove compartment does the job and a Alpine CDE 125BT in the E30 and the cable for this is routed behind the dash and sits in the tray just behind the ashtray and is used to play music from the iPhone and to charge it up.

Went for these options to be able to have hands free in the car the 125 isn't as good as the iDA in terms of dialling and using the phone but it'll do.

My phone has a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm AUX output which can be used to use the car speakers to hear your calls so I have no need for expensive handsfree compatible HU's. Never really understood the need tbh; the bluetooth just drains your battery.

[cee]

I'm an engineering student and a complete technology nerd, but when it comes to audio, I'm of the thought that you can't beat a good old school line out and RCA set up. Simple, crude, and works fantastically.

I'm still using my Dad's 80's HiFi amp at home with a set of 35+ year old speakers. Gorgeous sound. My friend has a brand new Denon amp that controls his entire home cinema along with his consoles and PC through HDMI, and frankly, it was a waste of 400 quid. Never works, and the GUI is so complicated it takes so long to do anything. Give me an Aux lead and some hard buttons, knobs and dials any day


20 going on 60...

[harrysal]

yea i have a netbook with a portable 500gb hardrive wired underneath my glovebox on a roll out keyboard tray, havent gotten around to wiring a board up to run it from the HU but have wired the inverter straight to the laptop and then to the ignition so it turns on and off with the car (: I myself hated using the HU so i have a remote on my wheel with a few simple scrolls and next,before ideas haha

[cee]

yea i have a netbook with a portable 500gb hardrive wired underneath my glovebox on a roll out keyboard tray, havent gotten around to wiring a board up to run it from the HU but have wired the inverter straight to the laptop and then to the ignition so it turns on and off with the car (: I myself hated using the HU so i have a remote on my wheel with a few simple scrolls and next,before ideas haha

That's a little bit more hardcore than I need

My only issue against the iPod or Headunit controlled media systems is that when you have a terrabyte of music in your collection, searching through it on a single line LCD is on par with trying to set alight water. It also means you have to sit in the car for 5-10 minutes to chose your music before setting off. I'd rather do that directly on the iPod while walking up to the car.

[cee]

I've found a decent Sony unit that does what I want, but I guess I'll have to put up with the mis-matching white/blue lights

[m8782538]

I have a cheap ALBA head unit, front AUX and USB Input, however flip the front down and you have CD and aan SD card slot so all my music on CD or SD Card, plus it doesn't look too bad either, mostly black unit, red buttons and red & white display.

[harrysal]

Yea, I pulled my alpine apart and wired in new orange LED's haha, i got bored a while back, hence the netbook, but with school i really havent had the time to work on it since then.

[cee]

So tempted to stick in an OEM unit, but not wire in the speakers, and then plug my iPod straight into an Amp...

[pac1982]

Do some research on alpines i've had loads of alpines which have front, rear, sub & aux

two of which that spring to mind are the Alpine 7876RB & most recently the Alpine 7998R

[cee]

Thanks, will give those a try. I'm trying to keep as much of a standard look as possible - nothing too OTT.

Sent a message to caraudiocentre.co.uk and got this reply.

Good afternoon Alex,



Thanks for your enquiry, the only unit that will fit your criteria will be the Kenwood KDC-6051 which has multi colour display illumination which can be put on red/amber In colour. This unit also comes with a rear Auxillary input on the reverse of the unit,



Here is a link to the product on our website, if you require further info please do not hesitate to contact myself



http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -26844.htm



http://images.kenwood.eu/files/image/20 ... L_reed.jpg



Regards,

Phil Marsden

In Phase International LTD,

Tel: +44 (0)115 9758606

Fax: +44 (0)115 9758609

Website: www.ipiltd.net Why Not order on-line at www.IPITRADE.com

*************************************************************************



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[polsta]

id day front aux is simply a case of- these days phones, sat nav, dvd, ipods+mp3 players, drivers and passengers both have them, iphones , etc- i rear only aux, means only 1 thing can be used really and ease of use plugging the various things in, not ever car has a glove box ease like the e30 to put a cable in, but saying that all it needs is an aux cable extension

had an ipod usb connection from rear to glove box on the pioneer i have got with remote- its fantastic, you can select on ipod then plug it in and play it, or select via head unit or remote, play lists etc

but i have a blaupunkt menphis sqr88 with fornt aux thats going in, a car audio shop looked at makign a rear aux for it, but couldnt be done due to the switch method of the front one, so reside to having to have an L shaped aux connector going across to the glove box for ipod

[bss325i]

Just put the ipod/iphone in the space in front of the ash tray. Thats what i do with Blaupunkt memphis SQR88 and it means i can easily grab it and change tracks. Why hide it away in the glove box and make it awkward to use?

The reason why the aux in has a switch is to cut the radio out when anything is plugged in.

[DanThe]

I have this Sony set in both my cars, its DAB and has aux in, aux out and another couple of ports on the back, I thread the lead with a 3.5mm jack through to the glovebox where it lives when not in use. The lights are a dull red/amber so not chavy at all. Works perfectly and sounds great

[cee]

Just put the ipod/iphone in the space in front of the ash tray. Thats what i do with Blaupunkt memphis SQR88 and it means i can easily grab it and change tracks. Why hide it away in the glove box and make it awkward to use?

That's what I intend to do, but I'd rather not have an aux lead trailing all over the dash getting tangled round the gear stick. Besides, it just looks crap.

My plan is to run the AUX lead from the rear of the unit and hang down below the heater controls.

I have this Sony set in both my cars, its DAB and has aux in, aux out and another couple of ports on the back, I thread the lead with a 3.5mm jack through to the glovebox where it lives when not in use. The lights are a dull red/amber so not chavy at all. Works perfectly and sounds great

Thanks, what's the model name/number

[DanThe]

CDX_DAB6650

[bss325i]

Just put the ipod/iphone in the space in front of the ash tray. Thats what i do with Blaupunkt memphis SQR88 and it means i can easily grab it and change tracks. Why hide it away in the glove box and make it awkward to use?

That's what I intend to do, but I'd rather not have an aux lead trailing all over the dash getting tangled round the gear stick. Besides, it just looks crap.

My plan is to run the AUX lead from the rear of the unit and hang down below the heater controls.

The lead does not get in the way of the gear stick at all if its short enough.

It may not look great but its just a wire. In a previous post you say you want to be able to control the tracks from the ipod itself so you can have it in the glove box there for the wire wont be hidden.

[cee]

Just put the ipod/iphone in the space in front of the ash tray. Thats what i do with Blaupunkt memphis SQR88 and it means i can easily grab it and change tracks. Why hide it away in the glove box and make it awkward to use?

That's what I intend to do, but I'd rather not have an aux lead trailing all over the dash getting tangled round the gear stick. Besides, it just looks crap.

My plan is to run the AUX lead from the rear of the unit and hang down below the heater controls.

The lead does not get in the way of the gear stick at all if its short enough.

It may not look great but its just a wire. In a previous post you say you want to be able to control the tracks from the ipod itself so you can have it in the glove box there for the wire wont be hidden.

I'm not really interested in arguing about it, it's just the way I'd like to have it. I know a fair few people who agree with me so I was just commenting how how it's silly that the manufacturers seem to ignore this

[bss325i]

That's what I intend to do, but I'd rather not have an aux lead trailing all over the dash getting tangled round the gear stick. Besides, it just looks crap.

My plan is to run the AUX lead from the rear of the unit and hang down below the heater controls.

The lead does not get in the way of the gear stick at all if its short enough.

It may not look great but its just a wire. In a previous post you say you want to be able to control the tracks from the ipod itself so you can have it in the glove box there for the wire wont be hidden.

I'm not really interested in arguing about it, it's just the way I'd like to have it. I know a fair few people who agree with me so I was just commenting how how it's silly that the manufacturers seem to ignore this

Who's arguing?

And its not silly as it makes more sense to have it on the front.

[cee]

The lead does not get in the way of the gear stick at all if its short enough.

It may not look great but its just a wire. In a previous post you say you want to be able to control the tracks from the ipod itself so you can have it in the glove box there for the wire wont be hidden.

I'm not really interested in arguing about it, it's just the way I'd like to have it. I know a fair few people who agree with me so I was just commenting how how it's silly that the manufacturers seem to ignore this

Who's arguing?

And its not silly as it makes more sense to have it on the front.

I can't see any sense with it on the front, it's not like you ever unplug it.

[bss325i]

I can't see any sense with it on the front, it's not like you ever unplug it.

Eh?! Of course your going to unplug it!

I find it much easier to control my music from the iPod whilst driving, fiddling with the HU is a lot harder IMO and thus more dangerous. Aux input means I can also play music from my phone and laptop and other people in the car can use their players too.

When you charge it or sync it, take it out to listen to it with head phones or just when someone else wants to plug their device in.

[cee]

I can't see any sense with it on the front, it's not like you ever unplug it.

Eh?! Of course your going to unplug it!


The cable? I don't see the point, you only need to unplug the iPod from the other end, no need to remove the cable from the HU

[bss325i]

Ok fair enough but on some HU you have to unplug the lead as with it plugged in it cuts the Radio out.

[cee]

Wow well that would be a pain in the arse, glad I'll be avoiding that.