MP3 charging / playing through AUX socket

Diggers · 08-27-2009, 05:37 PM

My car is a 2006 320d M Sport. I only bought it recently so still a newbie to BMW ownership.

My current MP3 player is a Creative Zen Sleek, but I haven't been able to find any suitable chargers that will (a) fit the cigarette lighter-type socket in the central console and (b) be sufficiently small that the lid will then close.

So I was thinking about buying an iPod, even if just for use in the car.

But my question is this - Is there a recommended iPod charger that is sufficiently small / flat to plug into the socket in the central "cubby hole" AND allow the lid/arm-rest to close?

I've seen pictures of a USB thing from Belkin, but are there any others? Do they work better with some types of iPod than others?

This might belong in an ICE sub-forum, and if so apologies (mods will no doubt redirect if necessary).

Otherwise, any suggestions gratefully received.

Cheers

ed335d · 08-28-2009, 01:52 AM

Is the charging socket on the Zen USB? I had a Motorola charger which was ideal because the cord left the body at an angle:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-VC7...1442159&sr=8-2

I have also used a Belkin thing for iPod through an aux port - this fits in the (e92) centre consol ok:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Auto-...442237&sr=1-16

Diggers · 08-28-2009, 02:30 AM

The Zen will charge from a USB port, I think, but doesn't have a USB connector on the player itself. So it MIGHT work with that Belkin(?) thingy that plugs into the car socket and has a USB port on it.

Otherwise I think it's iPod + possibly that other Belkin unit that you've linked to, which is useful - thanks a lot!

ed335d · 08-28-2009, 02:35 AM

The belkin unit has an iPod connector on it, so doubt if it will be compatible with the Zen. The other advantage of the Belkin is that it has a volume adjustment on it, as an iPod plugged into the aux port can be very quiet and distorts because you have to turn the car system sound up so high to get enough volume.

jonsteele · 08-28-2009, 02:40 AM

Monster do an iPod charger that has a 90 degree cable exit, so it fits easily. I used to use one and posted a thread detailing the set up (do a search it was a while ago).

I was never happy with the iPod in the armrest, the sound quality isn't great and its difficult to control. I eventually went for a Dension 500 and now have full control (even without iDrive). There is still a thread on teh unit kicking about, its not cheap, but well worth it.

1 AKY · 08-28-2009, 07:20 AM

I haven't got a USB port in armrest and therefore bought a Kensington Liquid AUX to connect to my ipod

Boost · 09-01-2009, 08:03 AM

Check out something called a "motor monkey" available from play.com at £12.99 delivered.

This is a really dinky, well made multifit charger. It does the job you describe very well. Also handy if you use mp3/phone/satnav etc which need different connectors.

Boost · 09-04-2009, 06:34 PM

OK , I dug out a pic - see above.

08-27-2009, 05:37 PM	#1
Diggers New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Titanium Silver Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	MP3 charging / playing through AUX socket My car is a 2006 320d M Sport. I only bought it recently so still a newbie to BMW ownership. My current MP3 player is a Creative Zen Sleek, but I haven't been able to find any suitable chargers that will (a) fit the cigarette lighter-type socket in the central console and (b) be sufficiently small that the lid will then close. So I was thinking about buying an iPod, even if just for use in the car. But my question is this - Is there a recommended iPod charger that is sufficiently small / flat to plug into the socket in the central "cubby hole" AND allow the lid/arm-rest to close? I've seen pictures of a USB thing from Belkin, but are there any others? Do they work better with some types of iPod than others? This might belong in an ICE sub-forum, and if so apologies (mods will no doubt redirect if necessary). Otherwise, any suggestions gratefully received. Cheers
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08-28-2009, 01:52 AM	#2
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	Is the charging socket on the Zen USB? I had a Motorola charger which was ideal because the cord left the body at an angle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-VC7...1442159&sr=8-2 I have also used a Belkin thing for iPod through an aux port - this fits in the (e92) centre consol ok: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Auto-...442237&sr=1-16 __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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08-28-2009, 02:30 AM	#3
Diggers New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Titanium Silver Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	The Zen will charge from a USB port, I think, but doesn't have a USB connector on the player itself. So it MIGHT work with that Belkin(?) thingy that plugs into the car socket and has a USB port on it. Otherwise I think it's iPod + possibly that other Belkin unit that you've linked to, which is useful - thanks a lot!
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08-28-2009, 02:35 AM	#4
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	The belkin unit has an iPod connector on it, so doubt if it will be compatible with the Zen. The other advantage of the Belkin is that it has a volume adjustment on it, as an iPod plugged into the aux port can be very quiet and distorts because you have to turn the car system sound up so high to get enough volume. __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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08-28-2009, 02:40 AM	#5
jonsteele Old enough to know better! 20 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In a pub, in the middle of nowhere! iTrader: (0) Garage List 1989 Landrover 90 [0.00] 2008 BMW 320d M Sport [0.00]	Monster do an iPod charger that has a 90 degree cable exit, so it fits easily. I used to use one and posted a thread detailing the set up (do a search it was a while ago). I was never happy with the iPod in the armrest, the sound quality isn't great and its difficult to control. I eventually went for a Dension 500 and now have full control (even without iDrive). There is still a thread on teh unit kicking about, its not cheap, but well worth it. __________________ Jon Steele 320d M Sport (E90) Le Mans Blue/18" Alloys/Bi Xenons/Climate Screen/Black, Heated Dakota Leather/6 CD Changer with Dension 500/Power Mirrors/M3 Lip Spoiler/Gloss Black Grills/Through Load, Storage pack, Lumbar Support, Smokers Deletion
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08-28-2009, 07:20 AM	#6
1 AKY Major 459 Rep 1,409 Posts Drives: F11 530d Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	I haven't got a USB port in armrest and therefore bought a Kensington Liquid AUX to connect to my ipod
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09-01-2009, 08:03 AM	#7
Boost New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 320d m-sport coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: herts iTrader: (0)	Check out something called a "motor monkey" available from play.com at £12.99 delivered. This is a really dinky, well made multifit charger. It does the job you describe very well. Also handy if you use mp3/phone/satnav etc which need different connectors. Last edited by Boost; 09-04-2009 at 06:33 PM..
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09-04-2009, 06:34 PM	#8
Boost New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 320d m-sport coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: herts iTrader: (0)	OK , I dug out a pic - see above.
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