I've just purchased a Connects2 Ipod adaptor for my Fabia vRs, and thought I'd post a few pics of the installation.

For the Fabia Symphony head unit, the recommended Connects 2 model is a CTASKIPOD001 - I purchased mine from the Ebay shop - eBay UK Shop - CAR AUDIO SECURITY: Car Speakers, IPOD ACCESSORIES, Car Subwoofers - and paid £59.99 plus £4.95 postage. Delivery was a bit slow (8 days from order to receipt) but his price was the best I could find.

More details of the kit can be found on the Connects2 website - Connects 2,Car Audio integration specialists

Thanks to Skudmissile for the installation - it looks relatively simple if you have the radio removal keys - and only took him 10 - 15 mins (although he's done a few before!)

I have the Polo dual cup holder installed in my car, so I ran the Connects2 lead through a hole drilled in the back of that, and the Ipod itself is mounted in a generic vent holder that I have.

Here you go......

Nice tidy installation.

Just thought I'd add. Just tried my connects2 with my new iPhone. Sound comes through ok but it doesn't charge the iPhone and can't be controlled by the cd player either. Works great on iPods

Nice tidy install andy.

Nice tidy installation.

Nice tidy install andy.

Thanks guys - I'm really pleased wih how it looks.

That little cubby above the cup holders is a bit too small to be of much use, so running the cable through it seemed to make sense.

And its good to be able to see the info for the track you are listening to on the Ipod display.

Nice one Andy, just as we are about to get rid of the Fab....

Very nice install indeed. One question though, can you control the iPod from the head unit? For example skip forwards/backwards through tracks?

Or do you have to use the iPod directly all the time?

Cheers, Seb

Very nice install indeed. One question though, can you control the iPod from the head unit? For example skip forwards/backwards through tracks?

Yes - it allows this. On the standard Symphony head unit, it also maps the CD2 to CD6 buttons to the first five playlists on your Ipod. And of course it charges your Ipod too whilst connected.

Mine is postioned where it is so that I can also (when stationary of course) still control from the Ipod itself - plus I can see what track is playing, together with album artwork where available.

Wow that's excellent. Sorry, a couple more questions. Does it display the track name on the symphony's one line display? And how does one select the "iPod" as the source?

I tried installing a couple of iPod aftermarket head units in my fabia, but none of them seem to suit (dazzling flashing lights at night - stupid movie background designed for Stevenage chavs in their Vauxhall Corsas! (sorry if anyone has a Corsa on here )).

Nice install!

No, it doesn't display track information on the HU. But then if you position the iPod like Andy's, that doesn't really matter

On the aftermarket HU question, have a look at the Alpine X range. I found a similar problem to you, but have been happy with my X001 and allows full control from the HU. And the revised X100 looks even better

Nice install, but who stuck a blob of chewing gum on your dashboard?

I love the Alpine X range, especially the X300 (in green). But what really annoys me is that you dont get a clock! And we all know how annoying it is in Fabias to have to scroll through the trip computer just to find the time.

You only get a clock on the TFT screen Alpine X series, but Im worried this will be WAY to bright at night. How is yours? Does it dim enough at night with the headlights on?

Nice install, but who stuck a blob of chewing gum on your dashboard?

Ahhh - my emergency blu-tac

I love the Alpine X range, especially the X300 (in green). But what really annoys me is that you dont get a clock! And we all know how annoying it is in Fabias to have to scroll through the trip computer just to find the time.

You only get a clock on the TFT screen Alpine X series, but Im worried this will be WAY to bright at night. How is yours? Does it dim enough at night with the headlights on?

Off-topic, but yes the clock is fine on my X001. It's quite bright, but then I don't have it displayed all the time. Only use it occassionally as the Alpine also displays the time continuously at the bottom of the iPod display.

Steve

Have you got a pic of it fitted to your car Steve??

Ian:)

Sorry, no - and it was removed yesterday Might have some other photos though - I'll take a look.

Buyer's collecting the car today so the Alpine/BT module will be up for sale shortly, if you're interested?

Steve

.Buyer's collecting the car today so the Alpine/BT module will be up for sale shortly, if you're interested?

Explain to me what this is?? You got a website i could go to, to have a look at what you've got? Dont need nothing too flashy, just want to be able to control my iPOD from the headunit.

Ian:)

What is the sound quality like on this Connects2 Ipod Adaptor?

Sounds OK to me - but i'm certainly no expert.

Some would say its better to replace the head unit - but I wanted to keep things looking OEM so that wasn't an option for me.

I think the fact it uses the Ipod lead connector on the base of the unit rather than the 3.5mm jack output is a good thing - but I don't really understand why. Maybe someone else can confirm.

Where are you based? If its anywhere in North West or Yorkshire you can have a listen to mine sometime

The 3.5mm jack would be an analogue audio signal for sure, whereas the proper lead connection from the back of the HU could well be a digital signal (must be if it sends track names to the OEM display).

I've also found the problem with the Fabia is that all aftermarket HUs just dont look right. They're almost always too bright/wrong colour/or just too chav-like with all the flashing lights and colours.

Having said that, the Fabia standard speakers are capable of a LOT more than the Symphoney OEM HU - they sound pretty good with an aftermarket HU.

Cheers for the offer I'm based North East so not really an option :( . I'm in the same boat as you, as in I want to keep it OEM too, plus I'm not in the car that often so theres no need for an all singing all dancing HU that will cost a lot more.

My only concern was I know a guy who deals in audio and he said the sound quality isn't great, but that may be because he is comparing it to a HU that is £400+ so not really a fair comparison, think I'll have to pick his brains some more to find out exactly what he means. I guess it may also depend on the source i.e. the HU more than the quality of the Connects2 adaptor itself.

Cheers for the replies though, Andy

Just thought I'd add. Just tried my connects2 with my new iPhone. Sound comes through ok but it doesn't charge the iPhone and can't be controlled by the cd player either. Works great on iPods

Nice tidy install andy.

when you tried it with the iphone were you able to select your playlists from the phone itself? or did it just say "connected, and unable to charge" or something along those lines?

Very nice install. Didn't want to open up a new thread about this, so hope no-one minds if I ask a few questions.

Thinking of going for the bog standard Connects2 aux input adaptor, and having never done anything like this before, i'm treading carefully. This one

When you take the headunit out, does the grey box that comes with the Connects2 simply go behind the HU? Is there a way to fit it without drilling holes anywhere? Finally, would anyone like to help me fit it!

Yep, there's room to stow it somewhere down the back. Just make sure it's far enough down so as not to get in the way when the HU goes back in.

No drilling required. Where are you thinking of putting the iPod?

And if you put some location info in your profile, people could see whereabouts you are, and an even kinder person might be prepared to help you out

Steve

My car has the small box underneath the symphony HU (rubber lined) so I was thinking of putting it just there, and grabbing it when I need to. I don't really need to see the iPod all the time so to me it makes sense. Further thoughts though will probably mean i'm going to go for the iPod control version. just so I can stick it on random and skip through the tracks a bit easier.

Will update my profile now

Yep, I stowed by iPod there with my 1st Fabia. You just need to cut a small hole for the cable in the top left of the cubby hole and run it that way. You'll never see the hole so all is good

Or if you want a bit more control, run the cable that way, then use a Dashmount/Brodit mount, with a Brodit iPod holder and you could have it sitting to the left of the stereo, allowing you a bit more control.

Steve