Okay, I hope you'll all forgive me a dumb question that a dealer could answer. But since I won't be able to get to a dealer for at least several days, I figured I'd impose on the kind readers here for a hopefully quicker answer. :wink:

Can anyone tell me if the Crossfire's stereo has an auxiliary input? I've been thinking about picking up an iPod instead of trying to carry a bunch of CDs in the car, but there's no reason to buy it now if it's not going to plug into the Crossfire until a decent (-looking and -featured) replacement head unit can be identified...

Cheers,

Greg

 

There is no aux input. When I get my Crossfire I'm going to buy an FM modulator to hook up to the ipod. Should work decently. I suggest buying the iPod, as it is one of the greatest pieces of consumer technology to come around in a while.

 

The iPod is a great invention, I have a 2nd gen 10 gig version that I use at work and during my commute on the train. I've been thinking of getting the griffintech FM transmitter so I can use it in my car as well.

 

I have the iRock. It isn't very good. I think the only good fm modulators are the ones that actually hook in to the antenna imput of your car, but they are more expensive and require a lot more work to install.

 

Yeah, the ones that physically attach to the antenna lead and electrically cut off the signal from the antenna when you turn on the iPod (or whatever source you're using) are supposed to be decent, but as our fearless leader pointed out, making the physical attachment can be a pain. I guess I might consider one of those, but given the other issues with the current factory head unit (invisible display, totally unmarked buttons), I suspect I'll just go searching for a third-party replacement that has an AUX input. The problem is that most of them are black, and so end up looking really out of place in the Crossfire dash.

Say, does anyone know if the silver paint on the interior dash panels is the same as the exterior "highlights" (fake fender vents, windshield trim, etc)? If so, it would probably be possible to disassemble the faceplate of a third-party head unit and carefully paint some (most?) of it before putting it back together and installing it in the Crossfire. This would be especially true with one of the units where most of the faceplate is display, minimizing the area to be painted...

As for the iPod being great, yeah, I'm a Mac-head, and I've got an iPod at work that I use as an portable exernal hard drive. But I don't have any real use for a portable music player, except to save myself from having to cart CDs in and out of the car. Not to mention trying to find a place to store them in a car like the Crossfire. 8) I suppose if I commuted on a train like obiwan I might feel differently, but being in SoCal where everything is so spread out and I neither live nor work near a train station...

Cheers,

Greg

 

A local car stereo dealer suggested the same thing. Specifically, having a Harmon TrafficPro (with navigation and green light display) painted to match the console. They have an interior modification specialist who swears he can match the color, sheen, and clear-coat perfectly. I would feel better if I saw someone else do it first - but the longer I put up with this stereo, the more I feel willing to be the test case!