This is a question for the 2006 CTS. Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket head unit for MP3 players/iPod that integrates with the factory system and steering wheel controls?

Thank you.

I just saw an add on the other day for an iPod add on to any car stereo. I read the back and it gets hard wired into the head unit. I think it was $100-200. I can't remember exactly. I saw it at Best Buy

Have you tried iTrip (here are some on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AAAPF/104-7564049-1527932?v=glance)) It's the easiest and cheapest way to have iPod in your car using your stereo.

The iTrip is very convenient and affordable. But it gets interference from my cell phone. The best thing is to integrate into the steering wheel controls and head unit.

Thank you.

DO THIS:

Buy a device called iPod2Car. I just installed it in my 1998 Eldorado and it works beautifully. Not only does it charge the iPod while you play music, but it allows you to use steering wheel/radio controls to change tracks and RW/FF. The sound quality is 100 times better than the TransPod, and 290387482973 times better than iTrip. It plugs into the CD changer port, which, for me, was in the trunk, so installation involved running the iPod cable from the trunk to the center console (pretty easy) and plugging in a harness. It's really worth the $150.

http://www.theistore.com/ipod2car.html

Check to see if they offer it for the '06. If they do, get it.

iPod2Car...that is what I recently saw! It does look easy enough to install.

It is not compatible with the CTS and you have to disable your factory XM if you have it.

Have you tried iTrip (here are some on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AAAPF/104-7564049-1527932?v=glance)) It's the easiest and cheapest way to have iPod in your car using your stereo.

For $10 more the Xtreme Mac's AirPlay is far superior in usability and reception then the iTrip. I had the iTrip initially and it was ok, but I wasn;t really happy. I returned it and the guy at the Apple store recommended the AirPlay and I have to say it is easy as hell to use (no disc to load playlist frequencies) just dial in a clear frequency. Although the new iTrip2 will be out in a month and that is supposed to match the AirPlay.

The problem with any of these is the low power output of the transmittter to send the signal to your head unit. So yeah, hard wiring it would be best, but for the CTS, at least up to the 2005, there are not many options if you want to keep the unit you have in the car right now.

...The best thing is to integrate into the steering wheel controls and head unit...

The only problem is that you would never get the same functionality with the steering wheel controls as the with the control wheel on your iPod. Probably volume up and down would be the easiest and then to change from playlist to playlist...maybe...? The ideal solution would be simply to have a head unit designed to interface with the iPod right from the start so you don't lose functionality. I think BMW has one right now and I know aftermarket units have them.

I can get a cable thru Vogue that will allow you to interface directly with factory system and plug you ipod into it and go. it charges, give you control thru headunit and is great. the cost is around $150.00.

I had no idea either of these two product existed... thanks for the info!!

The ONLY "correct" way to integrate any auxillary source is to use a Cleansweep by JL Audio..

The other "Correct way" is to use the XM input as described here http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/auxaud/

You need the XM unit though...Works great for me!

Reed

Do either of these methods actually display the song and artist titles on the head unit via the Class2 serial data bus, or do they simply hardwire the audio output to the sound system? If they're hardwired, how does the headunit differentiate between inputs and display them? Can you control (track skip, random, etc) via the steering wheel controls? If any of these solutions do, I'm sure a LOT of forum members would want to know details!

It seems to me, if someone could crack the serial data bus messaging, it would open a whole market of aftermarket accessories (XM, Sirius, MP3 players, video inputs, etc).