My setup: ipod + XM radio (with pics)

[Mike]

Here is my setup for integrating my ipod touch and Xm radio.
it turned out fairly well. It's relatively clean setup for what it does. As you can see it covers some of the climate control knobs, but since mine is auto-climate I rarely touch them.
The idea was to get a setup that can accomodate both my ipod touch and my XM Pioneer INNO satellite radio.

Apart from the Ipod and XM radio here's what I had to purchase:
Ipod cradle from ebay:iHolder (search on ebay for seller oakstreet or iHolder)
Audiolink adapter with ipod and aux input
Pionner Inno car kit
Spare cigarette lighter

What I had to do:
Install Audiolink adapter. I ran the wires down to where the ash tray is.
Tap in the current cigarette lighter and install a spare one to hook the power for XM radio. Installed the spare one beside the shifter
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2459246880_3246d6b0f0.jpg?v=0
Put the XM antenna centered on the dash close to the windshield and ran the wire to the right tucked in between the windshield and plastic trim and then down the a-pillar and thru behind the glove box to finally end up behind the ash tray.
Also ran the aux input cable for the sound on the XM from the Audiolink adaptor to the ash tray.
So now I have 4 wires hidden behind the center console comming in thru the ash tray. The ipod plugin, the XM antenna, the XM power and the XM 1/8" audio cable.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2459246002_96b6fe1390.jpg?v=0
Now I have this mount that came with the Pioneer Inno that swivels in all directions. It's a stick on. I put it in the center of my center console. I like the fact that it swivel in all direction because depending if I want to look at it or the passenger it can be tilted towards the person. Also with the Itouch, you can see it portrait or landscape mode.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2458413751_483005cc53.jpg?v=0
And here's a close up on how the XM radio dock connects to the swivel mount. It's a little slot and it holds it safely in (no worries about it coming out) I had to modify the iHolder so it mount the same way. I basically cut a piece of plastic that has the same slot as the XM radio cradle and glued it to the iHolder (I can provide detail picture of that if anyone is interested.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/2459249262_a35aedd213.jpg?v=0
Ok so now, I'm all wired up, and mounts are installed and ready to use.
Here's how it looks with the satellite radio hooked up
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2458412867_77fa54b846.jpg?v=0
Here's how it looks like with the Ipod setup in portrait mode (when listening to music)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2458415125_e781b2f5b7.jpg?v=0
And finally here's how it looks in landscape mode when you want to watch movie or a picture slideshow or surf the web
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2458416011_634512b84c.jpg?v=0

Let me know if you have questions or suggestions on how to make it better.

[FLIPDADY]

Nice clean set-up Mike.

[Gizzmo_jr]

I maybe in the market for a holder just like that, thanks for the tip!

[howitts_done]

Awesome job!

I have been itching to do something like that with my ipod touch. What holder/case is that. With the Audiolink adapter is it possible to change songs from the steering wheel?

[LockOut]

Looks great, Mike! Very clean, great way to get your 2 components working without too much fuss.
Question for ya, not about the set up, but I'm sure you'll answer none the less :-P What shift knob is that? Is that a new model OEM one, or is it aftermarket? Really like the look of it.

[Cardinal Fang]

Nice job.

[huyzel]

Awesome job!
What holder/case is that.

yes... looks good.
I would also like to know what holder that is (want the option of portrai & landscape for my windows mobile device)

Looks like it says pioneer on it - perhaps it came with your sat radio?

Thanks.

[b.rabbit]

that looks awesome. and i like how in the landscape pic, there's a promo on TM3! ;P Slick!

[Mike]

aha! I was wondering if someone would notice the TM3 website on the last pic!
I looked a LOT to find the perfect ipod holder, and I'm really happy with what I found and turned out to be on of the cheapest one too (and from Canada). Highly recomended. Here's a link to the holder on ebay. It's called the iHolder. I don't like to give links to ebay as it expired but here it is anyway:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/iHOLDER-Car-Dash-Desk-Case-Mount-for-iTouch-iPhone_W0QQitemZ260236175943QQihZ016QQcategoryZ203 36QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Xm radio holder is the standard holder for the Pionneer Inno and came with that swivel mount. The swivel mount is also available on ebay by itself for super cheap
http://cgi.ebay.ca/DELPHI-XM-RADIO-SWIVEL-MOUNT-Roady-2-XT-MyFi-Inno-Nexus_W0QQitemZ180238285604QQihZ008QQcategoryZ1092 73QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

As for the shifter knob, that's the standard OEM (2008 model)

Audiolink adapter allows you to use steering control. Everything is fine except I'm not having much luck with the compability with my itouch. I've been in contact with Audiolink for a while but without much sucess yet :(
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24230

[howitts_done]

Awesome job!

I have been itching to do something like that with my ipod touch. What holder/case is that. With the Audiolink adapter is it possible to change songs from the steering wheel?

iHolder on eBay Link (http://cgi.ebay.ca/iHOLDER-Car-Dash-Desk-Case-Mount-for-iTouch-iPhone_W0QQitemZ260236175943QQihZ016QQcategoryZ203 36QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[LockOut]

As for the shifter knob, that's the standard OEM (2008 model)

I thought so. I like that one a lot better than my OEM '04 one! hahaha, looks a lot sleeker. I'm not going to lie, I wish that I had an iPhone/Sat radio so I could do that!

[lamerking]

Any idea where I can get a holder for Sirius sat. radio? I have the sportster 4 and would like to mount it in the same location as you have the xm unit.

[Gizzmo_jr]

if the XM radio adapter is stuck on in the center of the headunit, I don't see how the iHolder is able to clip onto the XM bracket, unless you remove it all together?

[RX9]

thats a good one, i like it.

[Mike]

if the XM radio adapter is stuck on in the center of the headunit, I don't see how the iHolder is able to clip onto the XM bracket, unless you remove it all together?

I had to modify the icradle a bit. I'll see if I can get a picture to show you what I did. Basically I remove the whole mounting arm and just kept the part that holds the ipod. Then I had to make a little plastic bracket and epoxy it to the back of the cradle.
I'll get back to you on that one with more details.

[Gizzmo_jr]

That be fantastic, I like the iHolder and your location is exactly where I'd want it too. I just don't want it to be sticking out 6 inches off the headunit. Thanks in advance.

[Mike]

Ok. So here's a few more details on how I mounted my iHolder to the swivel mount.

The idea was to make a custom plastic bracket that will be expoxy to the back of the cradle. The important is to have the right thickness material. Here is what I came up with that worked good:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/2472847833_e2a244d017.jpg?v=0

Took that plastic piece and with the help of a file and a metal saw I cut it to the right dimension:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2472847841_a1996c9a08.jpg?v=0

Then I used epoxy to glue it to the back of the cradle. I did a pretty messy job with the epoxy but it is all hidden behind so I can get away with it.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2472847817_24836eccea.jpg?v=0

And that's it. Hope that answer your question.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Interesting, thank you. I'll lookout for a iholder as soon as my neo unit comes in. I'm sure it will make more sense but the pictures will help. Good job.