My Loudlink installation.

[2b1ask1]

Make the I pod/AUX CD2 and leave DC1 ,3,4&5 empty you can set the I pod on shuffle or play list. that way it will stay on CD1 for short journeys and you could drop it back to CD1 before disconnecting I pod. That said I’ve not had any noticeable corruption on mine not that it gets a huge use as the SD is 32Gb.

 

[Emtee]

Miles, I'm looking to install some kind of iPod solution. How are you getting on with this - is it living up to expectation?

I've got a couple of questions if you don't mind. First off, you mention David Howson's installation guide... where can I find this? I'm rubbish with spanners so I'll need all the help I can get. Also, where did you get your retractable cable from? It looks like it's connecting to the iPod connector rather than the headphone socket, so presumably making use of its line out. Are you getting sufficient amplification or do you find it's a bit quiet?

Cheers!

Hi Hunta,

Firstly I should say that I was delighted with the loudlink.....for the grand total of one week, at the end of which I'd booked my car in to have a couple of niggles sorted out, which turned out not to be niggles. Long story - another thread - selling my children (again) - it's still there - withdrawal symptoms - AAARGH!!!

And count to ten...........8........9........10

Right.

First of all I note you say "iPod solution". If you want to run the loudlink from the SD, then Newtons (2b1) comments should be bourn in mind as the loudlink can be a little bit flaky in this regard.

The installation guild is here.. .http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/679-NIT-units-or-What-s-in-the-arm-rest-of-a-4200

I thought a spanner was a bridge and got on all right, so go for it....

I got my cable from Maplins, though if you search ebay / Amazon you can find them there also, and I believe also in black if you want. It does use the iPod connector.

I did find it quiet, though this was nothing to do with the Loudlink and everything to do with Larini, but if you do, then if I recall correctly you can set the Loudlink AUX volume in the software, or in the iPod setting of course.

Overall I was (briefly) pleased and for iPod at least would be happy to recommend.

Let us know how you get on?

Cheers, Miles.

 

[hunta]

Thanks Miles, most useful. I might have a dig around, scope the fittings out a bit before committing (then find I can't get it back together again and be up a gumtree without a paddle ) And yes, this would be completely to plug an iPod into - I wouldn't bother with the SD card element at all.

I just read about your unmentionables... hope it gets resolved soon, quickly and with minimal wedge-impact.

 

[hunta]

BTW, what does a phone privacy unit do?! I don't have the phone kit, so purely out of interest.

 

[Emtee]

BTW, what does a phone privacy unit do?! I don't have the phone kit, so purely out of interest.

This was an option apparently? Basically a PA type ear-piece that plugged into a socket in the armrest to silence the speaker, but not the mic'. Never used it and don't know of anyone that did.

As for my unmentionables.... I fear resolution will be neither swift nor wedge-friendly, indeed to pick up on that analogy......... half way up me back and rising.

Cheers, Miles.

 

[Emtee]

Thanks Miles, most useful. I might have a dig around, scope the fittings out a bit before committing (then find I can't get it back together again and be up a gumtree without a paddle ) And yes, this would be completely to plug an iPod into - I wouldn't bother with the SD card element at all.

I just read about your unmentionables... hope it gets resolved soon, quickly and with minimal wedge-impact.

The SD is useful for software upgrade, so worth getting a cheapie card just for this purpose.

Cheers, Em.

 

[2b1ask1]

Software communications with the loudlink MUST be done with a low capacity SD card (under 2Gb) over 2Gb cards are HCSD and are formatted differently the loudlink cannot read a flash file from them on bootup....

This is where I was struggling to get mine to set up innitially; Miles is correct you can adjust the volume in the software to match my NIT levels I upped mine to 90% from the standard 50%.

Also to install and run the software on your PC you MUST install and run it in administrator (right click option on the file and program icon).

 

[2b1ask1]

Additionally I found that to get the loudlink to flash I used the battery isolator switch in the boot, off leave for a minute insert small capacity prepaired SD card, on and turn on audio (with A/C turned off) let it go through boot.

I put just 2 tracks on each CD on my flashing SD card just to test with.

 

[hunta]

It would be nice to think you could put the relevant firmware version on (wouldn't it ship with the correct version installed?) then fit and forget... Thanks for the pointers though.

 

[Emtee]

Software details here....

http://loudlink.eu/download/Loudlink_LLK-A08-B08-A09-B09_install_guide.pdf

 

[hunta]

Thanks chaps. I had a scoot around the Maserati Life site too. Seems the mod of choice there is a cable which plugs in alongside the CDC. Think you may need to have the CDC for this to work (I do) and you don't get SD card playback but I'm not interested in that. So this offers easier installation (no unit to stash) and I believe charges the iPod as well. If you want to you can even have a switch and preserve CDC playback, though it's redundant really.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MASERATI-Blaupu...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5ade7db444

Need to investigate further, but could be a better option for me.

 

[GhostyDog]

Sory for being thick but what is an NIT? Is this the only way to get an ipod hooked up? I have a dension ice link in the gta hooked up to the cd changer port works like a charm.

 

[Emtee]

Hi Sean,

The NIT is the module that sits under the armrest that drives the hifi, phone and mapping functions. The Loudlink is an emulator that plugs into the NIT's multi-changer port allowing either SD card and / or iPod integration. The integration isn't perfect, but it does the job. There are other options, but the loudlink fitted my bill.

Em.

 

[GhostyDog]

Hi Sean,

The NIT is the module that sits under the armrest that drives the hifi, phone and mapping functions. The Loudlink is an emulator that plugs into the NIT's multi-changer port allowing either SD card and / or iPod integration. The integration isn't perfect, but it does the job. There are other options, but the loudlink fitted my bill.

Em.

Thanks Miles, I;ve just seen that other thread about one on ebay so that helped as well, are they only on 4200s?

 

[Emtee]

Thanks Miles, I;ve just seen that other thread about one on ebay so that helped as well, are they only on 4200s?

Yes, just the 4200's. The 3200's and GS's run headers.

 

[hunta]

So I've now had a chance to dig around under the armrest, many thanks to those here who posted detailed instructions. My problem appears to be that I've got an after-market Bluetooth phone adapter plumbed in already. It's fairly tight in there, and I'm not confident enough to go pulling at the bird's nest to get as far as the fabled blue connector.

My question now then is does anyone know anybody in the Hertfordshire / north London area who can be relied on to do a good job? Given the space constraint I think my best bet will be the eBay cable rather than the Loudlink, so just keeping it tidy and not botching it are the main criteria!

 

[phrozen]

Just about a buy a loudlink, my car doesnt have a cd changer fitted (only one slot in the arm rest) will the loudlink still work??

thanks!

 

[Emtee]

Just about a buy a loudlink, my car doesnt have a cd changer fitted (only one slot in the arm rest) will the loudlink still work??

thanks!

Hi phrozen and welcome to the forum. The CD changer, if fitted, would be in the boot.

The Loudlink cable plugs into the CD changer socket at the back of the NIT module under the armrest. If you don't have the CD changer, then this socket won't be in use. If you do, then the Loudlink is still fine, but at the expense of the CD changer.

Follow this thread for more info...

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/679-NIT-units-or-What-s-in-the-arm-rest-of-a-4200

Cheers, Em.

 

[phrozen]

Em thanks for the warm welcome!!

So am I right in assuming that all the loudlink is compatible with all 4200s..cd fitted or not?

thanks!

phrozen

 

[Emtee]

Hi phrozen, I can't say with any certainty that the Loudlink will be compatible with ALL 4200's as I've not checked that deeply into it, but I've not heard of any instance where it didn't fit.

Cheers, Em.