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Car tech:
Best car stereos for iPod
(Updated April 22, 2013 10:44 AM PDT)
Antuan Goodwin
Associate editor
Many stereos now feature an "intelligent" or full-speed iPod connection, which transfers information from the iPod to the stereo's display and gives the driver full search and playback control via the stereo's faceplate buttons. The challenge for these stereos is to present the driver with a user-friendly means of navigating iPod menus on the move. Smaller (single-DIN-size) systems have less real estate to play with, but some manage to do a good job of giving drivers control over their digital-audio libraries. Here is our roundup of stereos that do the best job of recreating the simplicity of the iPod's control interface.
Pioneer AVIC Z130BT
In one box, the Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT has all the must-have car tech features that most people could want, including hands-free calling, voice-controlled digital audio playback, and turn-by-turn directions with traffic data.
Price: $1,899.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Pioneer AppRadio SPH-DA01
Pioneer's AppRadio has great potential as a cost-effective way to add touch-screen iPhone app control to a car's dashboard, but interface and multitasking issues will prove frustrating for early adopters.
Price: $140.00 - $299.00 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Alpine iDA-X305
For people who listen primarily to MP3/WMA/AAC audio, the Alpine iDA-X305 offers one of the easiest-to-use interfaces for in-car browsing of digital media.
Price: $329.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review