new audio kit
The US Landrover site mentions the "arriving soon" new audio/ipod kit where the entire unit is installed in the center
armrest with no visible wires, allowing the ipod to be hidden in the armrest rather than in a cradle where it invites broken windows. Would anyone know of this kits availability in Europe?


AUDIO CONNECTIVITY MODULE - COMING SOON 2007!

The Audio Connectivity module portal, neatly located in the center armrest, delivers high quality sound and exceptional ease of use. Allowing connection of an iPod®, MP3, USB or other digital audio device, the system plays back and is controlled through the standard stereo head unit of the In-Car Entertainment system. Connection is simple using the cable provided and a choice of ports for iPod®, USB or Auxiliary interfaces. There are no stray cables visible inside the car and the center armrest provides a safe and secure place to store whichever digital audio device is connected.

The ACM has been available through LR dealers for several months now. But, it doesn't quite work the way it is described on the US site. Here are a couple of relevant posts / threads:

http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic5476.html?start=16
http://rangerovers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14149&start=15 

Looking at the spec etc. of the kit on the landrover site it sounds (and looks) like the kit I was looking into for my MG from Denison, only the iPod was mounted remotely in the boot of the car and controled through the head unit in the car.

I think Land Rover bought the rights for its version of Dension's IceLink so they could market the product as their own (which is why Dension doesn't sell a "competing" product for our cars directly, you can only purchase one from Land Rover dealers), so you are right on the striking similarities... Unfortunately, unlike versions for other car marques such as your MG, Land Rover's IceLink cannot be controlled from the head unit - you can only perform some basic navigation via steering wheel controls. And, because there is no transfer of the iPod interface of tracks, artists, etc., to either the radio or touchscreen monitors, the player really needs to be within eyesight to make the system work. This, the ugly cradle near the steering wheel.  

Are there any news on the new ipod kit ???
Would be interesting.

Chris

I have a black Ipod nano 8GB mounted in a Belkin wireless base station. The whole unit plugs into the 'cigarette' lighter by the dash, and because everything is black against the black radio stack it is almost invisible . I don't really mind having to operate the Ipod manually as it is within easy reach. This works well for me. Chawton White TDV6 HSE with Alpaca and Rodium, Automatic Climate Control,
Privacy Glass, 22 inch, Hawke Alloy Wheels, Brembo Front Brakes, Premium ICE Pack, Clear repeaters, Chrome Driving Light Surrounds, Tasmods, Chrome handles, HST Grille, Chrome Side Vents, JE ECU Upgrade