PLEASE NOTE: I am in no way affliated with the product I am to mention. I also used to not be a fan of iPods, because there were hard-drive MP3 players on the market before it (Creative NOMAD Jukebox) and I resented conformity. Anyway, they are nice little players that are sleek, and they get the job done and so many people have them, so this should be of intrest.
Everyone wants as seamless as possible integration for their iPod for a new vehicle. The number-one way to do this is to have a glove compartment solution in which a line goes from the head unit to the iPod in the glovebox (which allows iPod control from your head unit and/or steering wheel. Unfortunately, this involves a CD-changer AUX on the back of the head-unit in which the Solstice has an integrated CD-changer. I do believe that means that there won't be a CD-changer AUX availble. So unless you want to destroy the stock head-unit, or perform magic, this solution is not going to work.
We all know that there is no tape-deck, so that solution is out the window. And anyone who WANTS FM-transmission is a sadomasochist who likes low-fidelity audio with constant static on the side.
Now, if you are all like me, which you should be, then you were excited to know there is an AUX port on the front of the head unit. Yay. That means great quality, and moderately good integration. But, still not the best solution by itself. Where are you going to put your iPod and the mess of mini-jack cable? In a cup holder? with the cable getting in the way of your shifting, or your passenger's legs?
The answer for me is this:
DLO Transpod Direct
The Solstice has perfectly positioned the 12v outlet for such a use. You get a charging cradle and a short mini-jack adaptor to keep it as seamless as possible. You will want this especially if you are getting the premium sound system, as this system uses the iPods direct-line audio and not the headphone jack (tends to have more inherent line-noise). For those of you getting Cool or Sly, the dock also comes in
silver .
Another note, if you are currently using an iPods headphone jack for AUX or casset adaptor use, make sure you make the iPod's volume at 70-80% for best sound quality.
EDIT: April 22nd, 2006 New link to TransPod products:
http://www.dlo.com/Products/car_Prod...8457717231 75