Icelink vs BMW Ipod adapter... why does everyone avoid the BMW adapter?

It seems like there is a negative vibe toward the BMW Ipod adapter. Is there any reason? I can't seem to find any downside to it. Has anyone ever installed the BMW adapter in the sunglasses holder?

Seems much better than the OEM kit. It doesn't lock the IPOD until you select the CD changer interface. IIRC, the OEM kit locks the IPOD as soon as you plug it in. Tom@Dension can elaborate much more I'm sure.

Originally Posted by AlBoston

It seems like there is a negative vibe toward the BMW Ipod adapter. Is there any reason? I can't seem to find any downside to it. Has anyone ever installed the BMW adapter in the sunglasses holder?

Maybe the reason is as simple as the ice>Link and the soon-to-be-someday iCruze are a much better implementation now of the iPod OEM interface for some $50.00 more than the OEM solution.

However, there are some reports that the next iPodyourBMW OEM adapter will be Bluetooth based (Roundel, Dec 2004); it's being developed between Apple and BMW. If they add to this new adapter ID Tags and Playlist navigation then this OEM solution will leapfrog everybody else.

how is it so much better, i tried the search but i couldn't come up with a clear conclusion.

Originally Posted by AlBoston

how is it so much better, i tried the search but i couldn't come up with a clear conclusion.

OEM Adapter:
- Charges iPod
- You can only access special playlists name BMW1, BMW2-5 via 1-5 buttons.
- Button 6 accesses entire library
- Scan button on radio to preview tracks on selected playlist
- Random button on radio to shuffle tracks on selected playlist
- Only works on '02+ models and must be installed by BMW(?)

ice>Link+:
- Charges iPod, configurable to charge only when car is on
- Access to all playlists (No special playlist naming needed)
- Random button on radio shuffles tracks on selected playlist
- Virtually full control of iPod via steering wheel
- Further configuration options on iPod
- Firmware based. That means it's upgradeable. Future feature releases
- Works with any model BMW as well as many other HUs

That's a pretty basic breakdown of the two. I was going to get the BMW adapter but was sold on the functionality upgrades with the ice>Link+. HTH

Tom from Dension can probably insert his sales pitch as well....

Originally Posted by a2theb

OEM Adapter:
- Charges iPod
- You can only access special playlists name BMW1, BMW2-5 via 1-5 buttons.
- Button 6 accesses entire library
- Scan button on radio to preview tracks on selected playlist
- Random button on radio to shuffle tracks on selected playlist
- Only works on '02+ models and must be installed by BMW(?)

ice>Link+:
- Charges iPod, configurable to charge only when car is on
- Access to all playlists (No special playlist naming needed)
- Random button on radio shuffles tracks on selected playlist
- Virtually full control of iPod via steering wheel
- Further configuration options on iPod
- Firmware based. That means it's upgradeable. Future feature releases
- Works with any model BMW as well as many other HUs

That's a pretty basic breakdown of the two. I was going to get the BMW adapter but was sold on the functionality upgrades with the ice>Link+. HTH

Tom from Dension can probably insert his sales pitch as well....

No sales pitch - just facts. Let's add some more features to the ice>Link Plus:

- Album Play: If you like a particular song on your playlist, press a button and yo ucan hear the entire album where the song originated from

- Playlists: Your first 5 playlists are available via 1-5 buttons on your HU, like the BMW kit. The playlists do not need specific names like the BMW kit.

- Charging control: You have the ability to have the ice>Link Charge all the time, not Charge or Charge the iPod for up to 2 hours after the key is turned off. This can contribute to longer battery life in your iPod.

- ID3v2 Support coming soon - this is the reason iPod integration was invented: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=217570