Just got done installing a GROM USB/AUX/iPod adapter on my stock Becker 1492. For those who might be looking at this as an option to integrate an iPod into their stock system, I'll offer my thoughts and observations:
The GROM unit was simple and straightforward to install. Remove the stock stereo, unplug the CD changer connector (if you have one) and plug in the supplied harness. Plug in the appropriate cable (more on that in a moment) and run the cable through the console and into the bottom box of the armrest.
No additional wires or connections are required. The GROM unit gets its power through the CD changer harness. Do note that you will lose the use of your CD changer with this unit.
Found plenty of room on the left side of the radio recess to stuff the GROM unit and cables. Radio went back in without a problem.
Power up the radio and using the provided instruction, press the radio buttons to select the input on the GROM unit and you're ready to go. The new input device will play through the radio when the CD selection is chosen.
The GROM unit has several different choices of inputs depending on how you order/configure it. The default setup uses a USB "thumb drive" (provided by the user) that you copy your music in .mp3 format in a particular way so that it can be "read" by the unit. Using your track selection buttons allows you to step forward and back through the .mp3 files. I tried this but found it to be a bit of a kludge and somewhat tedious to not only load the music on the thumb drive but also in playing it back. Crude but effective.
There are two cables that can be purchased with the unit or added separately. One is a standard 3.5mm stereo jack that allows the user to plug in any device that has a reasonable output. No controls through this method, of course, just playback of music from the device that you connect.
The other cable is for an iPod with the 30 pin dock connector. This is the way I went, as I wanted a direct connection to my iPod's line out as well as for it to be powered while in use (the iPod cable provides charging through the GROM unit, too.)
While plugged in to the GROM unit the iPod is powered and its output is not affected by the volume control as the line out signal is going to the GROM unit, not the speaker output.
I found that the GROM unit provided a very strong signal to the stock stereo, almost perfectly matched to the radio, so there is no noticeable difference in volume levels when moving between the two modes. High volume levels indicated no noise from the electrical system, so isolation appears to be very good.
The only negative I found is that the iPod is powered at all times. I can't imagine that this is a significant enough draw to cause battery depletion, but it is something to consider if you leave your iPod plugged in to the car for long periods of time while the car is not running. Another issue related to this is that due to the power remaining on at all times, the iPod does not turn off when you turn off the car. While this is more of a nuisance than a fault, the last iPod integration hardware I had would shut off when the car was shut off, and as a result the iPod would stop and start as the car did. Again, a nuisance at best, but something to be aware of if you are considering one of these devices.
You can shop around and find the GROM units for under $100. There is also a Bluetooth adapter available that allows you to pair Bluetooth devices to the GROM unit and use your phone and other Bluetooth devices through the stock stereo. It also includes a microphone for hands free operation of your phone. Going this route puts you in the range of $130 or more for the whole package, which is more than I was willing to spend as opposed to the $50 adder to a rebuilt Becker with an auxiliary input. Not to mention that I don't use my phone while I'm driving, so the Bluetooth option wasn't something that was desirable to me.
All in all the GROM unit is a great alternative to gutting your BOSE system and slapping some non-stock ghetto looking head unit in that would ruin the aesthetics of an already beautiful car, not to mention it's far less expensive as well.
If you have specific questions about the GROM unit, let me know.
Dan
The GROM unit was simple and straightforward to install. Remove the stock stereo, unplug the CD changer connector (if you have one) and plug in the supplied harness. Plug in the appropriate cable (more on that in a moment) and run the cable through the console and into the bottom box of the armrest.
No additional wires or connections are required. The GROM unit gets its power through the CD changer harness. Do note that you will lose the use of your CD changer with this unit.
Found plenty of room on the left side of the radio recess to stuff the GROM unit and cables. Radio went back in without a problem.
Power up the radio and using the provided instruction, press the radio buttons to select the input on the GROM unit and you're ready to go. The new input device will play through the radio when the CD selection is chosen.
The GROM unit has several different choices of inputs depending on how you order/configure it. The default setup uses a USB "thumb drive" (provided by the user) that you copy your music in .mp3 format in a particular way so that it can be "read" by the unit. Using your track selection buttons allows you to step forward and back through the .mp3 files. I tried this but found it to be a bit of a kludge and somewhat tedious to not only load the music on the thumb drive but also in playing it back. Crude but effective.
There are two cables that can be purchased with the unit or added separately. One is a standard 3.5mm stereo jack that allows the user to plug in any device that has a reasonable output. No controls through this method, of course, just playback of music from the device that you connect.
The other cable is for an iPod with the 30 pin dock connector. This is the way I went, as I wanted a direct connection to my iPod's line out as well as for it to be powered while in use (the iPod cable provides charging through the GROM unit, too.)
While plugged in to the GROM unit the iPod is powered and its output is not affected by the volume control as the line out signal is going to the GROM unit, not the speaker output.
I found that the GROM unit provided a very strong signal to the stock stereo, almost perfectly matched to the radio, so there is no noticeable difference in volume levels when moving between the two modes. High volume levels indicated no noise from the electrical system, so isolation appears to be very good.
The only negative I found is that the iPod is powered at all times. I can't imagine that this is a significant enough draw to cause battery depletion, but it is something to consider if you leave your iPod plugged in to the car for long periods of time while the car is not running. Another issue related to this is that due to the power remaining on at all times, the iPod does not turn off when you turn off the car. While this is more of a nuisance than a fault, the last iPod integration hardware I had would shut off when the car was shut off, and as a result the iPod would stop and start as the car did. Again, a nuisance at best, but something to be aware of if you are considering one of these devices.
You can shop around and find the GROM units for under $100. There is also a Bluetooth adapter available that allows you to pair Bluetooth devices to the GROM unit and use your phone and other Bluetooth devices through the stock stereo. It also includes a microphone for hands free operation of your phone. Going this route puts you in the range of $130 or more for the whole package, which is more than I was willing to spend as opposed to the $50 adder to a rebuilt Becker with an auxiliary input. Not to mention that I don't use my phone while I'm driving, so the Bluetooth option wasn't something that was desirable to me.
All in all the GROM unit is a great alternative to gutting your BOSE system and slapping some non-stock ghetto looking head unit in that would ruin the aesthetics of an already beautiful car, not to mention it's far less expensive as well.
If you have specific questions about the GROM unit, let me know.
Dan