Harman Kardon Drive + Play iPod Control System user reviews

Pros The DP1 hooks up easily to my iPod Touch, and the controls work great. The display is great to use while driving, and I like the way that the 5 way control wheel can be used to navigate the system.

Cons Direct audio out does not work with cass adapters, sounds worse than the FM trans. FM does not work well in urban areas, Resets itself, have to change my settings back every so often, cannot play within an artist, only at album level.

Summary This unit has been great for use as an iPod controller and the dash mounted screen is great for use while driving. The joystick is easily placed for use while controlling my tunes, and the screen is easy to read while driving. I have a Nissan Maxima with the Bose system, so the only audio input I have available is via a cassette adapter, which sounds lousy when connected to the brain unit (just fine when plugged directly into my headphone output of my iPod), and the FM route isn't a very good choice in the Chicago area. I have resorted to plugging my ipod headphone jack directly into my cassette adapter, and using the DP1 to Charge and control my iPod which works and sounds great with the exception of the inconvenience of having to hook up another cable when I plug the unit in.
Every so often it just plain resets itself, and I have to go back and change my settings back to where they were when I shut my car off last time.
The Aux In jack is buried underneath a few menus so when I want to listen to my Sirius radio, I have to go through a series of menus to access this input EVERY TIME I start my car. Very annoying , , , plus it sounds awful when fed through the DP1 when using the Cassette adaptor.
The DP1 is lacking the ability to access all of the playing options of the iPod, you cannot just play all the tracks by a certain artist, the next (and only) step after selecting an artist is to select the album you want to play . . . you would have to make a playlist of their music, and load it on your iPod if you wanted to listen to every song you have by the _____(insert favorite artist here).
Screen is very bright, and you can adjust the contrast to make it appear less bright, but as soon as the unit resets itself (just about every month), this setting is lost and must be re-done.
My first DP1 (I picked up another one from ebay for $20!) Died pretty quickly, the jack that attached to the iPod basically broke apart after it had been attached and detached from my iPod enough times. the first warning sign of this was that it would not recognize my iPod until I messed with the connections enough and voila! It recognized my iPod! I'm going to ditch my DP1 and get the Auxniss and mount my iPod Touch on my dash . . . the screen is bigger, and the sound will be much better when connected directly. Plus the Auxniss has 2 inputs, one for my iPod & one for my Sirius radio . . . and the great part is it all hooks up through my CD changer input on the back of my Bose head unit. . . which, since my car did not come with a CD changer I won't miss the use of this! The Auxniss does not have the controls, or the screen, but I can get by without these . . . I may try the DP1 in conjunction with the Auxniss just to utilize the controls for a litte while . . .

Pros Intuitive menu controls, painless install, easy overall setup.

Cons The scrolling is a little tedious, takes way too long to scroll through all of my music.

Summary This device is all business, easy setup, easy use, and most importantly RELIABLE! I have never installed anything in my car and this was a treat. The install was painless with three different connection options. The screen is small enough to be "low-key" and the same applies to the control knob. Everything you need is included for power source and the three different input options. The FM Transmitter is the best I have experienced, it is a perfect stand-in until you preform a more permanent install. I would recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a straight forward, easy to use, reliable iPod interface.

Pros Ipod like controls in a sleek package

Cons Wireless FM transmission is not great

Summary First off the video cnet has up here is for the Drive and Play 2. That product retails for about $400.
I recently got the Drive and Play 1 (NIB) for $21 (including shipping) on ebay. I installed it myself using the cigarette ligther for power but there is an alternative to the cigarette lighter providing power however I'd recommend a pro installation for that.
It's a monochrome screen and the control wheel is wired. However it works great just like the ipod trakwheel.
I will be purchasing the wired fm transmiter to see if it improves sound quality ($29.99 at Crutchfield). The people at Crutchfield are very helpful for tips when doing an install on an item like the plug and drive.
Overall it looks great and works great but the sound quality will make audiophiles cringe.
The following are links to Drive and Play 1 reviews on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1EfcJIZUV4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWe38mHvy9s

Pros Similar interface to the iPod. It's the closest thing to a heads-up display for iPod control.

Cons The software is poorly made. If you have more than 50 artists, the scrolling function is absolotely horrible. No option for podcasts on the top menu! I had to make a playlist for them.

Summary If you consider buying it, plan on mounting the display to your dashboard. Mine slid off of the dash a few times and the wire pulled out of the back.
If you're a podcast fan, you'll have to constantly update a playlist with podcasts, as the interface does not have the option.