Stereo & Electronics - Ipod ready head unit question

I just ordered a Microsoft Zune, because I got a great deal on it, and am close to getting a new head unit for my car. I really want one that I can hook the mp3 too and control through the head unit, but I don't know if the Ipod ready head units are compatible with other mp3 players?

no. you would just have to get one that has an auxilary in and control it from the zune. it sucks, but thats how you get screwed into an ipod

Hmmm, well that sucks. Anybody know of a Zune ready head unit?

Kinda pricey but....
Get you a alpine head unit like this: http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDA-9883

and get this adaptor: http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product_acc.php?model=KCA-620M

You could also get a headunit with a USB port (like some Pioneers) which would allow it to access the MP3 player's internal memory and play the music just like inserting a MP3 CD.

The Zune has a USB port right? Its internal memory should be accessible like a hard drive or almost any other MP3 palyer.

I believe it does have a USB port, but I'm not positive. If I go this route, would I have to control the music from the mp3 player, or could I still navigate through the songs on the head unit? I tried to ask a sales person at Best Buy about this to get a better understanding of how it works, but she was somewhat clueless

It would be like connecting a memory device to the headunit. The heaunit would read the memory and play the songs using its own built-in MP3 player. You can test that by bringing your Zune (and a USB cable) to a store that has a working demo of a USB-equipped headunit.

this is the one i have:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069882_338834008,00.html
i have used it with cds, my ipod, and a gig flash drive. see if someone in your area has one and hook the zune up to it. look at what it says about ubus.

Thats pretty much the unit I had in mind (well actually the Pioneer DEH-6900UB instead of the Premier DEH-690UB, but its pretty much the same thing).

What is the real difference between Pioneer & Premier? Premier appears to just be the same thing as Pioneer but a 2yr warranty instead of 1yr and a higher price. (BTW, I know that Premier is a Pioneer brand). The difference is probably partly defined by the label and partly defined by the QC process, kinda like processor ratings.

Awesome, thanks guys. I'll have to check that out. I was seriously considering selling the Zune for an Ipod so I can use it easily with a new head unit, but I'll check those out and see if I can't get something to work.

The only difference between the two is the premier is 2 yr warranty instead of one, and the premier comes with the ipod cable. it was only $10 difference in price when i bought it. since you dont need the ipod cable you could get the regular head unit.