More and more people are getting HD radio installed in their cars. The reception is better, the sound is clearer, and there is a wider variety of shows and stations to listen to. So, if you have already purchased an HD radio for your car – or if you bought a car with a HD radio already installed – why get an iPod car kit?
For one thing, with HD radio, the sound quality is improved over a normal radio but the sound will be poorer than an iPod kit; there are also commercials in between tracks. Sometimes the commercials are as often as every few songs, depending on the station. There is less static with HD radio compared to the standard FM or AM radio, but you can still have problems listening to stations; the station won’t fade out as quickly, but if you are too far from where the station is being broadcast, you won’t be able to hear it. This is especially a problem for people who often make long drives – searching for a new station every hour, because you’ve traveled outside of the previous station’s broadcast radius, can get pretty annoying. Obviously, neither the commercials, nor the geographical location, are a problem for someone who is listening to an iPod.

Even though HD radio has a greater variety of programming than regular radio, it can’t beat the variety of programming that can be found on podcasts, and played through your iPod. With an iPod, you can always choose what you want to hear; if a song comes on that you don’t want to hear, you simply fast-forward. No more flipping through stations hoping to find something you’ll enjoy; you have control over what you want to hear, anytime you listen.

The iPod is now more universal with the iPod Car Kit

Apple recently introduced two new iPod Touch models, the 32GB version and the 64GB version. Apples main marketing push for these iPods was built around the bases that the iPods are “50% faster than previous models”. As usual, most forum users were scepticle. As we all know, word spreads quicker than ever before with the internet becoming more important to our life’s – this makes it easier for rumours to spread. It only takes one respected forum user to dislike or not fully believe an idea and you have mutiny! Once this has happened, other forum users take his opinion as gospel and it spreads like wild-fire.

This push from Apple had just this problem. However, we have had a few test models and have compared them to older iPod Touch models (1st and 2nd Generation). We found the following results;

• Boot speed was cut from around 25-35 seconds to around 15 seconds.
• Opening web pages was cut from 30 seconds to around 20 seconds.
• Loading games was also cut in almost half. Games included Rolando 2, Tap Tap, Spore and more.

I think thats pretty conclusive evidence that Apple are on the right track here!

These new kits also appear to work perfectly with the Dice and Dension iPod Car Kits and In Car iPod kits on first quick tests (although tests will continue to confirm)

Dension has been working hard in recent months to increase the compatibility and functionality of the BMW kits in the Dension Range. The new kits are part of the Dension gateway range and offer increased performance over the older and now obsolete Ice>link Plus in many ways. Due to the complexity of the BMW vehicles and production and installation options when purchased from new, Dension have had to design numerous variations of the BMW kits. The kits produced mainly differ in the different types of connection looms, as many head units (Stereos) have different physical compatibility. In addition to this, the software (Firmware) installed on the stereo also differs from unit to unit adding to the complexity of the Dension Gateway range.

Dension has produced two types of kit depending on which vehicle and stereo you have installed. Firstly an option of the Dension Gateway 100 or Gateway 300 for vehicles with normal wiring looms. Usually found in vehicles pre 2004/5. The Gateway 100 and 300 share the same vehicle and stereo compatibility so if one of the kits is compatible so too is the other. These kits offer a digital connection to the stereo through the CD Changer port, and provide full control of the iPod and track selection through the stereo and or steering wheel controls. The 100 & 300 also offer track display on select stereos and charge all iPods including the new 5V charging iPods and iPhone 3g and 3gs. The Dension Gateway 300 also provides an additional USB input for a mass storage device to be connected, enabling you to store 10,000’s additional tracks or if you forget you iPod you have a back up already connected and ready to use.

The Second option is the Gateway 500, Dension’s Flagship in the range. The Gateway 500 is a fibre optic kit that extends the performance of the BMW’s factory equipment tremendously. By connecting into the fibre optic system the gateway 500 provides a fully integrated iPod connection controllable through the iDrive system. The Gateway 500 also allows you to retain your factory CD Changer & is provided with a USB input (as with the 300). However it’s the optional Extra’s that open up a new world of in car entertainment for BMW. Dension has expanded developed further upgrades for the 500, increasing performance and usability of the system as a whole. The BTA1500 bluetooth adapter connects into the system to provide a hands free Bluetooth system allowing your phone to connect through the vehicle, and more importantly Dension have created a multi-source media selection device caller the AVR. The Dension AVR designed recently enables you to make full use of all the devices connected through the Gateway 500 system. Controlling multiple devices and choosing which device plays where in the vehicle, you have the iPod playing in the front while the kids are watching their favourite DVD in the Back.

Dension has shown us the future of In Car Entertainment, and has a few products in the pipe line which will open more doors of opportunity for the Digital Media Age.
Dension products are available from the number one Online iPod Car Kit Store

Fusion electronics are quickly becoming one of the most popular car audio brands around, Their reputation is built on the back of producing Good quality, Good looking and very cost effective products, directed specifically towards a younger generation. Fusion found a gap in the car audio market and discovered that many people in the modified car scene are equally concerned about how the product looks as well as how it performs.

This helped create a boom in professionally installed, fantastic looking “show car” installs, where installs were showed off for the image as well as sound quality, and this is still a growing market that many manufactures are looking to take advantage of.

For a full list of Fusions 2008 Reactor range

Fusion Reactor Sub enclosures & Bass packs,

Fusion Reactor Amplifiers

Fusion CA-CD500 iPod Ready Stereo

Inphase IPS 248BT Now in Stock

The new Inphase IPS 248BT Stereo is now available and in stock and Car Audio Plus. The IPS 248BT is packed full of great new features Like a USB and SD card slot & built-in Bluetooth that allows hands free calling that can store up to 30 names in its phonebook. The 248BT is purposely designed for the factory fit look (OEM) to match as closely as possible to the standard look in most cars, but allowing you to upgrade your system sound quality with its 4 x 60w built in amp.

A Great Stereo for the Price

Get the most out of your iPod on the move. Dension and Dice both produce car kits that allow you to get the most from your iPod. Search through your Songs, play-list and albums to find the music, Pod-casts & Videos that you want to listen to when you want to listen to them. Get your Music on the move with the iPod Car Kit.

Choose the best Kit for you by selecting factory fitted radios, choosing your car, and then choose the kits that will work best for you. Simple

If your car doesn’t have a dedicated iPod car Kit, choose from the universal adapters.

All iPod Car Kits are available at www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk

The Dension Bluetooth adapters are currently undergoing re-development, Dension are updating the firmware on the BTA1000 bluetooth adapter (compatible with the Gateway 100, 300 and 500) which should make the BTA more consistent during operation. The update will also improve the DSP (Digital Sound Processing) which will improve the quality of the microphone and incoming calls.

The BTA100’s are currently out of stock and due to the upgrade being imminent it is likely that the next batch will be the upgraded unit.

Other BTA News,

Dension are also releasing a version specifically for the Gateway 500, The BTA1500 will in principle work in the same way as the BTA1000, However Dension have managed to utilise the additional power & functions from the Gateway 500 to make the 1500  a far greater product. The BTA1500 will allow the user to have full phone browsing (phone book) and may also be able to play any existing Audio and Video files on the phone.

The BTA1500 is due to be in stock soon

Some love them, some hate them. But one thing that’s guaranteed is that Sony always produce a good quality head-unit, and Sony’s New Mid Range is no exception. They come with all the features that you expect from a head-unit and with the added satisfaction of knowing you have bought a high quality, well built & good looking stereo.

One new feature that Sony has introduced is the new Quick-BrowZer technology, which eases the task of finding a specific track. Simply press the browse button, and then scroll through tracks with the controller. A very cool and useful function.

The New Sony Range includes

Sony CDX-GT420

Sony CDX-GT620

Sony CDX-GT828

Look at the full Sony range on Audio Assault

Kenwood have again produced two excellent mid-range stereos, the W5041UA & W5041UG (the same stereo but in different colours) feature a rear USB port so you can attach your Pen drive / hard drive, has ID3 Tagging so track names and titles will appear on the stereo & the Stereo will even read AAC files, so all the music you have in iTunes can be copied onto disk and you will get full compatibility tracks with all the info showing on the screen. Add in a punchy 50Wx4 MOSFET power section that’ll make your music sound great, and then cap it off with System Q Sound Control’s six adjustable preset curves and 3-band EQ, and you have a tough act to follow.

KDC-W5041UA

KDC-W5041UG

Visit Audio Assault for the Full Kenwood Stereo Range

If you think the Pioneer Budget range was value for money, wait till you see these. Pioneers New Mid-Range stereos have the best of both worlds (in terms of performance and styling) These boys pack all the punches and look good doing it. The P5000UB, P50UB & P3000MP have all the features of the previous models and more, the P50UB for example has iPod & USB connectivity as standard and trust me, you will NOT see a better looking stereo in this price range.

Take a look for your self you wont be disappointed

Pioneer DEH-P5000UB

Pioneer DEH -P50UB

Pioneer DEH-P3000MP

Visit Audio Assault for the full range