Photos of New Alpine

[ProZak]

Some folks were interested in how the new Alpine looks, and how well the iPod integration works. Photos I've got; I'm still getting used to the controls. I'll try to find time to write a more detailed review this weekend, right after I fix my OBC bulb(s).

With flash, kind of what it looks like in daylight. Notice the metallic gleam off of the HU. It's a sort of gunmetal dark gray normally; the flash makes it look awful.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1360.jpg


Without flash, night time illumination. I had to try about 23 times to get this picture (no tripod) so don't pick on me for how crummy it came out. The illumination from the iPod face isn't nearly so bad as it looks here, nor is the Alpine readout so distracting. Minus some points for the Alpine readout being white, and not dimming with the rest of the radio when the BMW's lights are on. Course, it *is* a sub-$200.00 US radio. *shrug*

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1362.jpg


iPod placement on the console - noticed the discreet black Alpine cable coming out the bottom. I think it's weird that there are actually 2 cables; I may get some shrink tubing to go over that. I have the iPod's case (a Contour Showcase 4G (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/contour-design-showcase-4g-ipod/)) velcroed in place, and the screen is just visible from the driver's position when the car is in D. Not that I need the screen with the Alpine; I should just turn off the backlight and be done with it.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1365.jpg


Magic Secret Decoder Box Place - just stuffed it into the glovebox and hooked the wires around the back, jammed them up into the center console, done. Too easy.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1368.jpg


Total investment:

HU - $169.00 plus tax at Best Buy
iPod Adapter - $99.00 plus tax at Best Buy
Wiring harness & antenna adapters - $29.00 at local radio shop

~2 hours of cursing and running back into the house to cry for help on this website

~1 scratch on the wooden shift handle (@!#%#$%!@$!@) that came with the car

I'm pretty happy so far - the HU is nice, and I'm *ecstatic* to be getting away from the tape deck adapter.

Which reminds me, anybody want to buy my factory stereo? This Alpine is going with the car when I sell it, as my next car is going to be an E39 540, and this won't fit.

Thanks for looking.

-Zak-

[InfernoM3]

Why didn't u just get one of the new 2006 Alpine units that do not need an adapter and just the cable. I think the model is CDA- 9856. They have it at bestbuy now and i think u can get it on ebay for about the same price u payed. That is what I am planning on getting. That way u dont need the $99 adapter. Just the $29 cable. I also noticed that you have ur ipd on the console. Why do u need it outside if the deck can control the playback?

[1995 525i]

Some folks were interested in how the new Alpine looks, and how well the iPod integration works. Photos I've got; I'm still getting used to the controls. I'll try to find time to write a more detailed review this weekend, right after I fix my OBC bulb(s).

With flash, kind of what it looks like in daylight. Notice the metallic gleam off of the HU. It's a sort of gunmetal dark gray normally; the flash makes it look awful.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1360.jpg


Without flash, night time illumination. I had to try about 23 times to get this picture (no tripod) so don't pick on me for how crummy it came out. The illumination from the iPod face isn't nearly so bad as it looks here, nor is the Alpine readout so distracting. Minus some points for the Alpine readout being white, and not dimming with the rest of the radio when the BMW's lights are on. Course, it *is* a sub-$200.00 US radio. *shrug*

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1362.jpg


iPod placement on the console - noticed the discreet black Alpine cable coming out the bottom. I think it's weird that there are actually 2 cables; I may get some shrink tubing to go over that. I have the iPod's case (a Contour Showcase 4G (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/contour-design-showcase-4g-ipod/)) velcroed in place, and the screen is just visible from the driver's position when the car is in D. Not that I need the screen with the Alpine; I should just turn off the backlight and be done with it.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1365.jpg


Magic Secret Decoder Box Place - just stuffed it into the glovebox and hooked the wires around the back, jammed them up into the center console, done. Too easy.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1368.jpg


Total investment:

HU - $169.00 plus tax at Best Buy
iPod Adapter - $99.00 plus tax at Best Buy
Wiring harness & antenna adapters - $29.00 at local radio shop

~2 hours of cursing and running back into the house to cry for help on this website

~1 scratch on the wooden shift handle (@!#%#$%!@$!@) that came with the car

I'm pretty happy so far - the HU is nice, and I'm *ecstatic* to be getting away from the tape deck adapter.

Which reminds me, anybody want to buy my factory stereo? This Alpine is going with the car when I sell it, as my next car is going to be an E39 540, and this won't fit.

Thanks for looking.

-Zak-
Nice set up..My set up is very similiar:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/668949/3

[Jay 535i]

How's the usability? That's my biggest concern with the adapter setup.

Nice match on the button color. Shame the display can't be made to match, too.

[Akhil]

and would it fit in my car (92 525i) with out any issue/problem?

Let me know.


Thanks
Akhil

[ProZak]

Useability is pretty good, as long as I don't try to do fancy navigation from the Alpine. Scrolling through a long list of artists / playlists is pretty slow. I may do what Inferno suggests, now that I have the wiring harness figured out.

[ProZak]

Jeez, I don't know; how much is it worth?

Seriously, though, I figure $100.00 would do nicely, plus shipping. Seem reasonable?

-Zak-

[1995 525i]

Some folks were interested in how the new Alpine looks, and how well the iPod integration works. Photos I've got; I'm still getting used to the controls. I'll try to find time to write a more detailed review this weekend, right after I fix my OBC bulb(s).

With flash, kind of what it looks like in daylight. Notice the metallic gleam off of the HU. It's a sort of gunmetal dark gray normally; the flash makes it look awful.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1360.jpg


Without flash, night time illumination. I had to try about 23 times to get this picture (no tripod) so don't pick on me for how crummy it came out. The illumination from the iPod face isn't nearly so bad as it looks here, nor is the Alpine readout so distracting. Minus some points for the Alpine readout being white, and not dimming with the rest of the radio when the BMW's lights are on. Course, it *is* a sub-$200.00 US radio. *shrug*

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1362.jpg


iPod placement on the console - noticed the discreet black Alpine cable coming out the bottom. I think it's weird that there are actually 2 cables; I may get some shrink tubing to go over that. I have the iPod's case (a Contour Showcase 4G (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/contour-design-showcase-4g-ipod/)) velcroed in place, and the screen is just visible from the driver's position when the car is in D. Not that I need the screen with the Alpine; I should just turn off the backlight and be done with it.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1365.jpg


Magic Secret Decoder Box Place - just stuffed it into the glovebox and hooked the wires around the back, jammed them up into the center console, done. Too easy.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/ProZak37115/PICT1368.jpg


Total investment:

HU - $169.00 plus tax at Best Buy
iPod Adapter - $99.00 plus tax at Best Buy
Wiring harness & antenna adapters - $29.00 at local radio shop

~2 hours of cursing and running back into the house to cry for help on this website

~1 scratch on the wooden shift handle (@!#%#$%!@$!@) that came with the car

I'm pretty happy so far - the HU is nice, and I'm *ecstatic* to be getting away from the tape deck adapter.

Which reminds me, anybody want to buy my factory stereo? This Alpine is going with the car when I sell it, as my next car is going to be an E39 540, and this won't fit.

Thanks for looking.

-Zak-
Jay had asked me if I knew anything about Alpine's claim that you can only scroll through three hundred songs via their adapter and since I have the mini, that hasn't come up. I see you have the bigger IPOD so I was wondering if you could address that with Jay (ex. how many songs do you have..do have hundreds of songs for 1 artist or 1 playlist etc).

Thanks,

Michael

[Alan_525i]

Why didn't u just get one of the new 2006 Alpine units that do not need an adapter and just the cable. I think the model is CDA- 9856. They have it at bestbuy now and i think u can get it on ebay for about the same price u payed. That is what I am planning on getting. That way u dont need the $99 adapter. Just the $29 cable. I also noticed that you have ur ipd on the console. Why do u need it outside if the deck can control the playback?

According to Crutchfeild the CDA-9856 does not have adjustable color. It also seems from Alpine's website that none of their current models do. The last generation had many with adjustable lighting.

[InfernoM3]

According to Crutchfeild the CDA-9856 does not have adjustable color. It also seems from Alpine's website that none of their current models do. The last generation had many with adjustable lighting.
yah i was wondering that too. I may head to best buy tonite to check them out. I wonder if there is a way to mod the bulbs if not. it weird too that the 05 models are more expensive than the 06 ones.

[hakwuzhere]

The new '06 CDA9857 will have BioLite (Alpines color adjustment)... thats the term your looking for on any of thier headunits.

Im waiting for a 9857 for myself because its the first in thier line that does Bluetooth, IPOD and XM... Also looking at picking up a Blackbird as soon as I get to play with one.

[Jay 535i]

Jay had asked me if I knew anything about Alpine's claim that you can only scroll through three hundred songs via their adapter and since I have the mini, that hasn't come up. I see you have the bigger IPOD so I was wondering if you could address that with Jay (ex. how many songs do you have..do have hundreds of songs for 1 artist or 1 playlist etc).

Thanks,

Michael

Yup, and I still want to know.

For example, I have on my iPod 450 Beatles songs. Is it even possible to scroll through them all on the Alpine head unit? If so, does it take ages?

You said scrolling was really slow. How slow? Like, 0.5 seconds per track? Cuz I don't have 200 seconds to waste getting to Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except for Me and My Monkey.

Does the Alpine head unit's functionality make navigating a fully-loaded 20GB iPod so tedious that it completely defeats its own purpose? That's what I'm trying to find out.

FWIW, I'll repeat what I've said before: AFAIK, this limitation isn't unique to Alpine but exists with all similar iPod adapters. I'm still hoping for first-hand feedback from someone who's got one, though.

[ProZak]

Jay -

I picked up a new unit from Crutchfield for the full-speed ipod stuff, and I'm sending it back; the display is horrible, it thumps when it powers on, the overall build quality is very cheap. And no, I can't scroll through longer lists on the ipod, but I'm resigned to that, so long as I've got good sound quality and a good looking faceplate. FYI.

[InfernoM3]

Jay -

I picked up a new unit from Crutchfield for the full-speed ipod stuff, and I'm sending it back; the display is horrible, it thumps when it powers on, the overall build quality is very cheap. And no, I can't scroll through longer lists on the ipod, but I'm resigned to that, so long as I've got good sound quality and a good looking faceplate. FYI.
Which model did you order? cda-9856. I took a look at this one at best buy and the display wasn't very good. seemed like 90's technology. last years' models seem to be better quality for some reason. I guess I'm gonna wait till the 9857 comes out and see how that one looks.