Becker audio and iPod connection

Andrew · 05-12-2009, 07:29 PM

Didn't find this on a recent search so ...

I'm getting a bit annoyed with using the iTrip I've got through my LCR standard stereo (an Aura) so though I'd research and upgrade.

First I thought I'd just add the VAG cable but I am told it isn't very usable really.
Second CraigyB suggested a Denison which looks more functional although still limited
Thirdly I got carried away and thought I might replace the head unit.

I don't want something flashy but I don't see anything that keeps the OEM look other than Becker. Talking to a local car audio shop he tells me that the Becker interface for the iPods doesn't work with my 5th gen and he showed me an Alpine unit which, while iPod functionally excellent, is far too bling and doesn't look OEM at all (one of these: Alpine*-*Digital Media Receiver*-*iDA-X305).

The shop also mentioned Becker were on their last legs financially anyway so maybe not a good route to go. Shame, as if they worked I'd snap up a GP7992 with iPod link.

So, what do you reckon? Best route for adding usable iPod functions? I'll be keeping the car for a while yet but don't really want to spend more than £500 all in, including fitting.

cosmicblue · 05-12-2009, 08:55 PM

[quote=Andrew;1455305]
The shop also mentioned Becker were on their last legs financially anyway so maybe not a good route to go. Shame, as if they worked I'd snap up a GP7992 with iPod link.quote]

Your dealer is talking out of his ar$e over Becker - they are part of Harman International.... Harman International - AKGÂ®

Tipex · 05-12-2009, 09:00 PM

I think shark is the man to ask, he's a dension dealer and I believe there are more than one kit available, PM him, or wait for him to notice this thread!

Andrew · 06-12-2009, 12:58 PM

I didn't think the dealer was too good actually - didn't present me with any real options other than the bling Alpine thing.

I wonder if you can use the Denison with the Becker I like? Hopefully it would give more functions over the standard Seat stereo.

I'll await the Great White ...

shark_90 · 07-12-2009, 12:16 PM

Did somebody say Shark?

OK, the best OE integrated solution by far is the Dension kit, however it's not particularly feature-rich for the Mk1 compared to the text-based version for the Mk2.

I'm pretty sure the Dension won't work with the Becker as it is made for OE systems.

I had an older Alpine iPod HU in my Golf and I didn't rate it much. The sound was good but the iPod functionality was rubbish to be honest. Navigating through the iPod to get to artists or albums was virtually impossible. Perhaps the X305 is different and easier to use, but you still can't disguise the fact that it just doesn't fit in if you want the OEM look.

It's a difficult call to be honest.

Andrew · 07-12-2009, 01:56 PM

Yes, it is a dilemma I was hoping would be easy to solve dammit!

I'll have another look at that Dension site although it is difficult (for me at least) to work out how on earth I'd actually use my head unit. I guess I'd have to fiddle about with playlists and maybe call one of them "1. Car" and dump in there everything I'd want (thereby ensuring it is at the beginning of the list of P/Ls in iTunes). From there I'm imagining just skipping through tracks like I would on a CD.

No hope of Becker releasing new products that work with a gen 5 iPod then?!

Of course, another solution would be to buy a gen 4 iPod for exclusive use in the car. Which of course then begs the question of how good the Becker iPod link up is - would it be more usable than a Dension with my exsiting OEM unit?

Questions questions ... sorry!

gizze · 08-12-2009, 11:20 AM

The Alpine units are pretty good, the ipod interface is also very good as long as you get one with hi-speed connection.

I am sure the ipod only units are as good as it gets for browsing an ipod, but they look terrible!!

I have a 9887 in my 1 series and that is not fully compatible with 5g and iphone either, but that is only cause the ipod is looking for power on the usb pins now instead of the firewire pins, so it no longer charges the unit, however everything else works fine and you can buy a converter for £20 that sits between the ipod cable and ipod and charges it again.

I am sure this is probably the same with the Becker.

Which Cupra have you got?? Got a pic of the interior??

This is my 9887 in the 1 series, never going to look as good as OEM, but does sound good and has a superb ipod interface.

Andrew · 08-12-2009, 02:16 PM

You get the idea from this photo - not my actual car. The second photo is with the unit I'm thinking of.

The more I research it the more I think a Becker with iPod kit and then getting myself a 4th gen iPod for £50 off eBay is the way forward. Doesn't look like I have any other OEM-look options.

gizze · 08-12-2009, 03:23 PM

I agree.

The Becker is a good unit, and I nearly went with another one myself, I have had 2 traffic pros and an Indianapolis now and liked them all, definitely the best looking.

If you get he Grand Prix it has bluetooth built in as well.

gizze · 08-12-2009, 03:41 PM

Try the 5th Gen first if you have one, the Alpine says it doesn't work with it, but mine does perfectly.

05-12-2009, 07:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Andrew Nissan GTR Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,738	Becker audio and iPod connection Didn't find this on a recent search so ... I'm getting a bit annoyed with using the iTrip I've got through my LCR standard stereo (an Aura) so though I'd research and upgrade. First I thought I'd just add the VAG cable but I am told it isn't very usable really. Second CraigyB suggested a Denison which looks more functional although still limited Thirdly I got carried away and thought I might replace the head unit. I don't want something flashy but I don't see anything that keeps the OEM look other than Becker. Talking to a local car audio shop he tells me that the Becker interface for the iPods doesn't work with my 5th gen and he showed me an Alpine unit which, while iPod functionally excellent, is far too bling and doesn't look OEM at all (one of these: Alpine-Digital Media Receiver-iDA-X305). The shop also mentioned Becker were on their last legs financially anyway so maybe not a good route to go. Shame, as if they worked I'd snap up a GP7992 with iPod link. So, what do you reckon? Best route for adding usable iPod functions? I'll be keeping the car for a while yet but don't really want to spend more than £500 all in, including fitting. __________________ Leon Cupra R, Black

05-12-2009, 08:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
cosmicblue Mini Cooper S Join Date: May 2004 Location: Warwick Posts: 569	[quote=Andrew;1455305] The shop also mentioned Becker were on their last legs financially anyway so maybe not a good route to go. Shame, as if they worked I'd snap up a GP7992 with iPod link.quote] Your dealer is talking out of his ar$e over Becker - they are part of Harman International.... Harman International - AKGÂ® __________________ Arrived 24/11/2009: 2010 A5 2.0TDI S-Line Cabrio. Aruba Blue, Blue Hood, Black Alcantara and Silver Stitching, Servotronic, AMI, B&O, Bluetooth, MMI 3G, Cruise, Int Light Pack, Auto dimming interior mirror, TP Monitor, Folding Mirrors, Heated Seats, Parking Plus, Servotronic Steering, 10 spoke 18" alloys. Gone - Cherished 2007 3.0 TDI Quattro Tip Cab S-Line. Mauritius/blue hood - all the toys!

06-12-2009, 12:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andrew Nissan GTR Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,738	I didn't think the dealer was too good actually - didn't present me with any real options other than the bling Alpine thing. I wonder if you can use the Denison with the Becker I like? Hopefully it would give more functions over the standard Seat stereo. I'll await the Great White ... __________________ Leon Cupra R, Black

07-12-2009, 12:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
shark_90 Selachimorpha Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,504	Did somebody say Shark? OK, the best OE integrated solution by far is the Dension kit, however it's not particularly feature-rich for the Mk1 compared to the text-based version for the Mk2. I'm pretty sure the Dension won't work with the Becker as it is made for OE systems. I had an older Alpine iPod HU in my Golf and I didn't rate it much. The sound was good but the iPod functionality was rubbish to be honest. Navigating through the iPod to get to artists or albums was virtually impossible. Perhaps the X305 is different and easier to use, but you still can't disguise the fact that it just doesn't fit in if you want the OEM look. It's a difficult call to be honest. __________________ European vehicle Remapping and Diagnostics from Shark Performance Tuning - Immobiliser deactivation - PIN/SKC retrieval - Key coding - DIS/Cruise retrofits - Colour DIS/Maxidot/MFA+ dashboard swaps www.sharkperformance.co.uk Take control of your tuning with the new Self Tuning System from Shark Performance

07-12-2009, 01:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Andrew Nissan GTR Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,738	Yes, it is a dilemma I was hoping would be easy to solve dammit! I'll have another look at that Dension site although it is difficult (for me at least) to work out how on earth I'd actually use my head unit. I guess I'd have to fiddle about with playlists and maybe call one of them "1. Car" and dump in there everything I'd want (thereby ensuring it is at the beginning of the list of P/Ls in iTunes). From there I'm imagining just skipping through tracks like I would on a CD. No hope of Becker releasing new products that work with a gen 5 iPod then?! Of course, another solution would be to buy a gen 4 iPod for exclusive use in the car. Which of course then begs the question of how good the Becker iPod link up is - would it be more usable than a Dension with my exsiting OEM unit? Questions questions ... sorry! __________________ Leon Cupra R, Black Last edited by Andrew; 07-12-2009 at 01:58 PM.

08-12-2009, 11:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
gizze Audi R8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Norfolk Posts: 9,532	The Alpine units are pretty good, the ipod interface is also very good as long as you get one with hi-speed connection. I am sure the ipod only units are as good as it gets for browsing an ipod, but they look terrible!! I have a 9887 in my 1 series and that is not fully compatible with 5g and iphone either, but that is only cause the ipod is looking for power on the usb pins now instead of the firewire pins, so it no longer charges the unit, however everything else works fine and you can buy a converter for £20 that sits between the ipod cable and ipod and charges it again. I am sure this is probably the same with the Becker. Which Cupra have you got?? Got a pic of the interior?? This is my 9887 in the 1 series, never going to look as good as OEM, but does sound good and has a superb ipod interface.

08-12-2009, 03:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
gizze Audi R8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Norfolk Posts: 9,532	I agree. The Becker is a good unit, and I nearly went with another one myself, I have had 2 traffic pros and an Indianapolis now and liked them all, definitely the best looking. If you get he Grand Prix it has bluetooth built in as well.

08-12-2009, 03:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
gizze Audi R8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Norfolk Posts: 9,532	Try the 5th Gen first if you have one, the Alpine says it doesn't work with it, but mine does perfectly.