View Full Version : Integrating an IPAQ into SEAT LCR standard head unit
Hi,
I need some advice. I would like to take the audio output from my HP IPAQ5450 and have it so that when audio is playing from the IPAQ, it automatically takes priority over any audio that the head unit is currently delivering to the speakers. i.e. the radio or CD gets muted and the IPAQ takes over, very much like a mobile phone car kit. I am ideally looking for a hardwired solution.
Is this possible? Has anyone done this or something similar?
At a guess your going to need some for of music mute hack system, onto the back of your HU ?? Basic term's I know.. What in car cradles are available for the Ipaq?? Are any of these Mod'able??
Been looking at this myself, I only use the iPAQ (2210) for TomTom not for playing MP3s, so requirements are slightly different maybe.
If you go to www.pocketgpsworld.com, there's a review of a Qubit (http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/qubit-sound.php) device , which might do what you want, and they also have a nice little unit that lowers the music volume in three speakers and patches the PDA sound over one other - idea for TomTom. If you read the forums on there you'll find that there seems to be some confusion on supply and price... I think it's something like 100 Euro.
I also contacted Autoleads to ask the same sort of question, because like you I figured that it was a Car Kit type of function. Their development department told me that they had a prototype in front of them, and I've been added to the "prototype testers list", but don't know any more than that, other than it seemed like this was more of a MP3 player type of hook up.
Edit: I've brought an Autoleads PC6-059 to wire the car kit up through the stereo, and was hoping I might be able to do something with this, when I get round to fitting it.
Hope this helps.
I've also been looking at the Qubit stuff. Like you said they do a PDA mute device. I think I'll look into that in more detail after my tomtom stuff arrives.
I've also been looking at the Qubit stuff. Like you said they do a PDA mute device. I think I'll look into that in more detail after my tomtom stuff arrives.
If it is for TomTom, I've found that mine is loud enough to hear over the radio, and TBH I tend to switch the voice navigation off a lot of the time because they get a bit annoying, and just look at the TomTom map as I drive along (motorways etc).
The times when I turn the prompts on so I don't get lost, I tend to turn the radio off so I can concentrate. Then the other time that the voice nav useful is blatting down A roads, when you want to look at the road, not the map, and because I'm blatting, I've got the radio off anyway.
Each to their own, I guess, but I'd say get your TomTom, get a cradle so you can see it, then give it a couple of months before going out and buying something.
Another option - I've just got a Jabra BT250 headset for use with my mobile, and found out that there is a registry hack for the 2210 that allows the headset to pair with the iPAQ. Sound is good enough whilst on the move, but the downside is that you can use the headset with either the PDA or the Mobile, but not both at the same time.
Might be worth a look.
I've decided on a solution for me. check out www.seidio-europe.com and particularly the G2500 GPS. This unit is an IPAQ cradle that charges your IPAQ and has a built in speaker that is driven from the IPAQ. It is model specific so that your IPAQ is securely held. It also connects in your wired GPS receiver or charges you bluetooth receiver. This is the best solution I've found. I know it doesn't mute your stereo but with the built in speaker, this wont be necessary.
I looked at these before, but;
a) seemed expensive at the time, but not now - I think you have to have a cradle really, and most are around this price, plus it's gonna cost this much to feed the PDA into the stereo!
b) from the diagrams, it seems that the 12v power in and line out cables stick out a bit from the cradle, makes it look a bit untidy - what's your's like? Pics?
c) the 5v out is interesting, hadn't paid much attention before. I guess it's meant for charging a BT GPS, would be useful for other stuff though (BT Headset perhaps). I notice they do a lead for charging phones and other stuff from this socket. :think:
Pics would be nice :cheers: and did you get yours direct from Seido?
When it arrives and I've installed it, I'll take pictures and post them.