Using an iPhone in the car

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Using an iPhone in the car

amphibem

138 posts

Master Geek

#41175 10-Sep-2009 19:08

So since getting an iPhone a month or so ago I have been working on getting it to play nice with my Pioneer headunit. I bought the iPod cable which works well, but doesn't charge the phone due to the lack of Firewire.

To deal with this I bought a car charger kit from CableJive in the states. This works alright, with a couple of issues:

1. After about 30 seconds of playback from the stereo being turned on the music pauses. It restarts and is good from there on.

2. Sometimes (maybe to do with the order it is plugged in) it doesn't charge, and 'ERROR-AO' comes up on the headunit screen. Playback still works though.

For anyone else in this situation I would still recommend this adaptor, it was about $72 shipped (will vary with exchange rate) and will be invaluable for long trips/prolonged use of the GPS. What I am looking for some feedback on is a decent car mount for the iPhone. The best looking one I have seen is the Kingsington model, however it has some very bad reviews. What I need is something that holds the phone steady (I have a cheap one at the moment and the screen reflection flickers which is very annoying), can fit the iPhone with a soft case and allows for plugging the cable into the bottom. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Bung

6477 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#254851 10-Sep-2009 19:26

amphibem: So since getting an iPhone a month or so ago I have been working on getting it to play nice with my Pioneer headunit. I bought the iPod cable which works well, but doesn't charge the phone due to the lack of Firewire.

You may be off on the wrong tangent. Firewire is 12V. Newer iPods (assume phones are same) have stopped using 12V and stick to USB 5V. Your head unit may be actually providing 12V (Firewire equiv.) but not 5V.

amphibem

138 posts

Master Geek

#254918 10-Sep-2009 23:49

Ok I had heard it was something to do with FireWire. Anyway it doesn't matter, it doesn't charge with the standard cable but does with this power injector

dan

1134 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#254951 11-Sep-2009 08:36

I got in the last couple of days, a proclip solution for my iphone and car

the iphone clip is adjustable so can hold iphones with a case, has a passthrough iphone connector so dont have to plug and unplug all the time, tilts and swivels

its a 2 part thing you order from proclipusa.com one for your car mount, and one for your device ie iphone

djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#255061 11-Sep-2009 17:01

my pioneer head unit has an ipod adapter about 200 bucks extra a few years ago.... works find with my iphone also except for the big fat white cable hanging out of the glove box.

Toys: Ã¯Â£Â¿ iphone 4s; PS3 good times. Ã¯Â£Â¿ 13inch macbook pro. Ã¯Â£Â¿ ipad 3. Ã¯Â£Â¿ 27inch imac. Ã¯Â£Â¿ airport express & time machine. raspberry-pi running xbmc and a gopro try hard.

T: jptocker@twitter
E: jptocker@gmail.com
www.innocle.co.nz

amphibem

138 posts

Master Geek

#255064 11-Sep-2009 17:15

I am guessing your headunit has a USB port, and are using a USB to iPod cable?

Mine only has the Pioneer iPod connector, and the cable for this doesn't charge the phone.

amphibem

138 posts

Master Geek

#255321 13-Sep-2009 10:26

Quick update on the CableJive Car Kit for those interested, if the iPhone is plugged into the car kit after the car is started I get no issues. So I would recommend this to anyone else with a Pioneer headunit and CDI-200 cable.

macuser

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#255337 13-Sep-2009 12:07

Bung:
amphibem: So since getting an iPhone a month or so ago I have been working on getting it to play nice with my Pioneer headunit. I bought the iPod cable which works well, but doesn't charge the phone due to the lack of Firewire.

You may be off on the wrong tangent. Firewire is 12V. Newer iPods (assume phones are same) have stopped using 12V and stick to USB 5V. Your head unit may be actually providing 12V (Firewire equiv.) but not 5V.

It also may be a USB1.0/1.1 port, which doesn't provide enough voltage to effectively charge an iPhone/iPod

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djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#255340 13-Sep-2009 12:24

i just realised my 2g does charge but my new 3gs doesnt :(

Bung

6477 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#255464 13-Sep-2009 21:45

macuser:
Bung:
amphibem: So since getting an iPhone a month or so ago I have been working on getting it to play nice with my Pioneer headunit. I bought the iPod cable which works well, but doesn't charge the phone due to the lack of Firewire.

You may be off on the wrong tangent. Firewire is 12V. Newer iPods (assume phones are same) have stopped using 12V and stick to USB 5V. Your head unit may be actually providing 12V (Firewire equiv.) but not 5V.

It also may be a USB1.0/1.1 port, which doesn't provide enough voltage to effectively charge an iPhone/iPod

USB 1.1 & USB 2.0 both provide 5V. If the outlet is via a keyboard, monitor or hub it may not be a "high power" 500mA type, that is a current issue and can affect either type of USB.