The Easiest way to improve the quality of audio in your car is to improve your speakers. Standard factory fitted speakers usually only provide between 5w & 20w peak output & usually made from inferior substandard materials. The materials used are prone to distort and whine when the power supplied is turned up. Considering that most Factory head-units (stereos) only supply an amplified power signal of up to 20w, you can see that the speakers are very quickly at the maximum level.

Aftermarket Speakers are usually between 50w RMS to 250w RMS (400w Peak), instantly providing the extra quality needed. Although the Power output is not the only guide to how good the speakers are, it is a good indication to how the speakers will handle the power provided and reproduce into a good output.

Depending on the level, quality and volume wanted or required, factory head-units may not be able to reproduce the signal to a powerful enough level. This is only usually the case when building a whole system involving Amps & Subs, in which case you would need either an aftermarket stereo or a line-driver.

Aftermarket Speakers

Aftermarket Head-units

The installation of the Gateway 100 & 300 units are usually trouble free, in fact the most troublesome part of the installation is removing the head-unit. We have listed a few features regarding the installation that will help you when deciding whether or not you should try it yourself. (Please remember that The Gateway 100 & 300 products are car and radio specific and have different pin setting for different units)

Preparation,

Disconnect the head-unit (stereo) from the battery. If you have a security code applied ensure that you have it recorded.

Remove the Head-Unit

Often the radio will have a specific radio Key that will need to be used when removing the Stereo, (available at http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/iPod_Car_Accessories/Radio_Keys/). Simply insert the keys into the slots and pull out the head-unit.

Remove the Original Harness

Remove the harness that is attached to the stereo, these harness look different in different car models and manufactures.

Replace the Dension Harness

Attach the Dension Harness to the stereo and then re attach the old harness to Dension harness. The Denson attachment should then be connected to the Dension PCB (black box).

Attach & route the application

When the harness have been connected together, connect the Dension application (Dock Cable or Active cradle) to the PCB and rout into the position that you would like it to be kept, (for dock cables this is usally in the glove box, active cradles are usually attached to the Dashboard)

Insert the head-unit  

Insert the head-unit back into the original position and re connect to the battery.

Remember,

The Key code for the radio, updated iPod software & Dension software also resolve 99% of installation problems

For more detailed instruction refer to the Manual when purchased, or visit http://install.dension.com

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

Dice have released the next version of the dice iPod car kit, The silverline iPod car kit is much the same as the previous kit available from dice, but has updated firmware and additional features that make the user interface more usable. The main difference between the two kits is the additional browsing options available. The silverline iPod car Kit allows the user to search through tracks without playing them, so you can listen to your favourite songs and avoid the ones that you don’t want! You don’t have to cycle through to get to the one you want. The Dice Sliverline iPod car kits are only available for BMW’s.

The Dice Video cradle is also expected to be available soon, allowing videos to be played on external screens

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 Dice BMW SilverLine is the next generation of iPod Car Kits is soon to be available in the UK and Europe. The new Dice kit is on course to replace the Previous BMW Dice Kit due to a break through in technology. The SilverLine has many of the same functions and features as the previous kit, in addition to this the greatest new function allows the user to Browse the iPod for songs, Play-lists and albums (Using the radio, Steering controls) BEFORE making a song selection…  This Means that you can still listen to your music while searching for the next track… The Silverline is also compatible with all the new iPods.  This is the future of Car entertainment !!!

In Addition to this, the release of the Dice Video Cradle is immanent allowing you to view all the videos on your iPod

New Firmware is soon to be available for VW, Audi & Mercedes Dension Gateway units that will allow CD Track information to be displayed on screen, The update believed to be available for the VW, Audi & Merc Gateway 100, Gateway 300 and Gateway 500 iPod Car Kits.

This is obviously great news for the owners of VW’s, Audi’s and Mercedes and will really allow you to get the most out of your iPod. However there is no accurate timescale that suggest when the upgrade will become available, so stay tuned for more information.

All the Kits are available from iPod Car Kit Direct

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

Dension are working very hard to complete the Gateway 100 iPod Car Kit for General Motors & Vauxhall. The Unit is believed to be compatible with the majority of the Vauxhall range providing the first fully digital iPod Car Kit solution for vauxhall cars. Currently the Ice>link One (previously known as the Ice>link FM) is the only unit from Dension that will work.

There is not a confirmed time scale for the release for the units but it is expected to be soon. The Unit is expected to retail at the same price as the other Gateway 100 units.

Look for the best kit for your car at www.iPodCarKitDirect.co.uk