Friday, 24 July 2009

iPod Car Kit Direct Blog | New Audi CAN iPod Car Kit

Dension is in the process of releasing CAN kits for several different vehicle manufacturers. The New CAN Kits offer the same functionality and features as the non CAN kits with one exception. The gateway 100 and gateway 300 CAN kits provide text information from the iPod on the cluster screen in the vehicle. This is something that has never been available before.



The Dension Gateway Can System utilises the Cluster screen on the Vehicle to show text and track information sent from the iPod through the gateway system. Vehicles will show the information in different forms depending on the cluster present on the vehicle.



The Cluster screen is located near the speedometer on the dashboard in Audi vehicles and is usually available in 2 forms, Red and White. The Red screen is much more common as it’s the factory standard where as the White screens are usually found as part of an optional upgrade.



The gateway CAN kits are still compatible with non cluster Audi vehicles; however the text display will only work with the Cluster system.



For more information regarding iPod Compatibility, Cluster displays, the CAN system and other iPod car kits for Audi vehicles please visit Audi Gateway 100 CAN

Tuesday, 21 July 2009

New Gateway 100/300 CAN for VW vehicles

Dension has released the latest Gateway CAN kits for Volkswagen vehicles. The New 100/300 kits released provide text information on certain radios in newer VW’s. The Gateway system offers the same excellent sound quality and the ability to control your music through the iPod, stereo or steering wheel controls as well as charging the iPod. However the CAN system allows text to be played across the Cluster screen on the information panel. This can be found in different areas depending on which stereo was installed in the vehicle during production. However it’s usually located on the dashboard near the speedometer.
The CAN System operates and can be controlled in the same way and the previous Gateway 100/300 which are still available for the none CAN car systems, and allow different amount of text to be shown depending on the stereo system used.

Have you got CAN?

The Hi line cluster display usually is found in newer VW vehicles with steering wheel controls shows the text, If you have the Hi line and one of the stereos listed below its likely that you will be able to receive text information.

Compatible Stereos.
Radio Single CD RCD 210 (MP3 also) - MY09 Jetta, Passat, Touran, Fox, Polo, Golf, Tiguan & Sharan
Radio Single CD RCD 310 - MY09 Jetta, Passat, Touran, Fox, Polo, Golf, Tiguan, Sharan & Eos
Radio Single CD RCD 300 (Visteon) - MY05 Jetta, Passat, Touran, Fox, Eos, Polo, Golf, Tiguan & Sharan
Radio Single CD RCD 300 (Grundig) - MY05 Jetta, Passat, Touran, Eos, Fox, Polo, Golf, Tiguan & Sharan
Radio 6 CD RCD 500 MP3 (Panasonic)(5 keys along the bottom 4 on RCD 300) - MY07 Jetta, Passat, Touran, Eos, Polo, Golf, Tiguan & Sharan

Follow the link for More information on the new VW Gateway 100 CAN

Car Technology Blog Site

Monday, 13 July 2009

Are Bluetooth Car Kits - The Answer to Phone Driving?

There are obvious complications involved with manually answering or dialling out numbers while driving, all of which may cause the loss of control of the vehicle at any point. The logical solution to this problem is a Bluetooth car kit.

The Sales of Bluetooth and Handsfree Car Kits have certainly risen. This can be attributed to a variety of different reasons including a change in the law, the increase of mobile phone sales, the improvement in mobile phones & the improvement of Bluetooth kits. The increased Sales of the devices has lead to a growth in the market which in turn has allowed manufacturers to improve the next generation of kits making them more user friendly and safer to use.

The Devices on the market today are fully functional with minimum contact. The use of various voice commands operate the devices and allow you to navigate your way through menu systems to find contact’s, incoming text messages and voice mail. This allows the users to concentrate on driving instead of trying to find your phone if it’s ringing, or if you want to dial out.

Although bluetooth kits offer massive improvements driving with them rather than without them, Bluetooth car kits may not be a good solution for you. There is a counter argument that the devices can also cause accidents indirectly as some people lose concentration and become too involved in the conversation.

Its the drivers responsibility to remain in control of the vehicle at all times and if the use of Bluetooth kits restrict you from doing this they should not be used.

Monday, 6 July 2009

Integrated iPod Car Kits For Audi Vehicles

Integrated iPod Car Kit for Audi vehicles

iPods are one of the most successful inventions if not the most successful inventions in the last 10 years, Its one of a very few inventions that transcends generations. In my family I have one, my parents have two and even my grandparents have one (Admittedly they struggle to use it sometimes). However this demonstrates the desirability, use-ability and functionality of them. Due to this invention It’s likely within 10 years most of the worlds music collection will be digital, with very few singles & albums released on CD or any other physical media. With this in mind it’s important to realise now what impact this will have in the present and more so in the future.

There’s a growing trend within the car audio and entertainment market to connect the iPod into the entertainment system, through the car stereo. This allows access of all of your favourite music and videos (where compatible) at the touch of a button. With the use of these devices you are in control of what you listen to, when you want to listen to it, without having to change 100’s of CDs to switch from artist to artist.

Many aftermarket manufacturers already offer this function with their newer stereo ranges. However the vast majority vehicle owners do not want to remove the original stereo equipment and replace with an aftermarket equivalent. This is more evident in the case of the more luxurious and executive vehicles owners such as Audi, as it’s more difficult to integrate aftermarket systems into the more expensive and desirable interior. If this is the case for you there are more options available than you may have thought.

iPod Car kits are available for factory fitted radios, among the best are Dension and the US equivalent Dice. These devices connect into the CD changer usually found on the back of the stereo. When connected they emulate the CD changer but allow you to connect you iPod into the system. From here you can control your music selections from the vehicle steering wheel controls or from the stereo & navigate back and forward through albums while it keeps you iPod charged and ready for when you exit the car.

Kits are available for the following Audi Radios,

Chorus, Chorus II, Chorus Gen2, Concert, Concert II, Concert Gen2, Symphony, Symphony II, Symphony Gen2, Navigation Plus RNS-D, Navigation RNS-E, Navigation RNS-Low

Separate kits are required for the MMI, MMI Basic fibre optic systems.

Fully Integrated Audi iPod kits allow you to connect your iPod into your factory fitted stereo. Cycle through your favourite tracks using the steering wheel controls and keep your iPod cahrged and ready. Visit for more iPod Car Kits