iPod Car Adapter Comparison Shopping

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

OK ... I've had my iPod Nano for almost a week now, and I am totally in love with it - Yes this is my first iPod, and I am beginning to wonder how I made due without one?

Today the idea struck me that yes I need an iPod Car Adapter, so I can save my batteries, and even charge them, all while pumping my favorite iTunes through my car CD deck.

After spending a good 2 hours searching the web, I concluded that there are no shortage of iPod car adapters available on the market. Here is a brief summary of my findings:

If you drive a BMW, or a Mini Cooper, the best option for you is probably the iPod car adapter that Apple and BMW jointly developed for this application. This iPod car adapter kit will set you back $300, bu that price includes professional dealer installation.

Now for the rest of us, there are many pricepoints for ipod car adapters, depending on if you want brand name quality or reliability, of if you are not quite as fussy.

Monster Cables, and Harmon Kardon have full-featured high end car adapters both priced at $199.00.

Next lowest price I found belonged to the Neo iON Car Stereo Adapter for iPods priced at 189.00.

While these 3 iPod Car Adapters are complete car installation kits, there were a couple lower priced units I saw that looked like they would do the job just fine for the thrifty shopper.

CTA Digital sells their 3in1 car kit for iPod adapter for $49.00, and Beklkin sells their iPod Car Adapter for $41.95

Griffin Technology sells what is called a Powerpod, that goes for a mere $24.99, which looks to me like it would do the job just fine for people on a budget.

Now if you are looking for cheaper options still, you can get the old cassette tape car adapters for anywhere from $12 to $20.




With so many choices, I thought quite a while about which route to take. I have decided that since this is my very first iPod, and I am still relishing in the novelty of it, I am going to go all out, and grab me that super stylish Harmon Kardon Drive and Play iPod Car Adapter!