Ipod Interface or Alpine Head unit
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 517
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From: Gettysburg Pa
Ipod Interface or Alpine Head unit
I was wondering if it is worth the extra money to install a Alpine head unit. I would also have to purchase the harness to use my handlebar controls. I would like to upgrade my speakers and also buy lowers with the speaker pods in them, so I will need to add an amplifier. I was trying to figure out if I should just buy the HD Ipod interface or if it is worth several hundred dollars more to replace the head unit. Any advice would help.
Thanks,
Lisle
Thanks,
Lisle
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
replace the head unit and think about selling it -- I have replaced the head units in all bikes except my 06 SG (waiting to do it) I have used Kenwood, Pioneer, and JVC so far the JVC Kameleon seems to be the best. None have been marine radios.
The Hawg Wired interface is plug and play--cost a little more than the other interface modules but worth it to me.
The Hawg Wired interface is plug and play--cost a little more than the other interface modules but worth it to me.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Take the $400 you'd spend on the HD Ipod interface kit and put it with the $400-$500 you'll get for selling your Harman Kardon head unit and use the $800-$900 you have to buy a far better head unit (Ipod compatible) , install kit and interface module from Hawg wired or Biketronics, and you'll have a fair amount of change left over.
If you plan to add a second set of speakers to the HK head unit, you'll find that you'll need to spend another $120 list price for the non-Ultra overlay harnesss, p/n 70169-06, to access the rear speaker outputs of the HK head unit (or less if you fab your own harness to plug into the 35 wire connector on the back of the HK head unit). Using an aftermarket head unit allows adding a second set of speakers without the expense of the overlay harness.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
If you plan to add a second set of speakers to the HK head unit, you'll find that you'll need to spend another $120 list price for the non-Ultra overlay harnesss, p/n 70169-06, to access the rear speaker outputs of the HK head unit (or less if you fab your own harness to plug into the 35 wire connector on the back of the HK head unit). Using an aftermarket head unit allows adding a second set of speakers without the expense of the overlay harness.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: OHIO......UGH !!
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I was wondering if it is worth the extra money to install a Alpine head unit. I would also have to purchase the harness to use my handlebar controls. I would like to upgrade my speakers and also buy lowers with the speaker pods in them, so I will need to add an amplifier. I was trying to figure out if I should just buy the HD Ipod interface or if it is worth several hundred dollars more to replace the head unit. Any advice would help.
Thanks,
Lisle
Thanks,
Lisle
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
The reason I first asked for model/year was to determine if he had an Ultra with CB/Intercom since no aftermarket radio will retain those functions. Since he has a Road Glide, no CB/Intercom.
Unless he plans to add the CB/Intercom, there is very little operational reason to retain the Harman Kardon and seriously overpay for such features as HD's add-on XM, Ipod control, etc.
Aftermarket radios will also offer pre-amp outputs for connecting an amp and avoiding the distortion of the radio's amp, AUX connection in the rear of the radio, and other features not available without modifying the Harman Kardon unit.
Since I wanted a clean CB/Intercom installation, I retrofitted the HK radio in my '04 EG along with the CB module, etc., and have added fairing lower speakers using the 2011 CVO SG speaker boxes, Arc 125.2 amp, etc. so I have a pretty good idea of what's involved with those mods as well as their cost.
Carl
Unless he plans to add the CB/Intercom, there is very little operational reason to retain the Harman Kardon and seriously overpay for such features as HD's add-on XM, Ipod control, etc.
Aftermarket radios will also offer pre-amp outputs for connecting an amp and avoiding the distortion of the radio's amp, AUX connection in the rear of the radio, and other features not available without modifying the Harman Kardon unit.
Since I wanted a clean CB/Intercom installation, I retrofitted the HK radio in my '04 EG along with the CB module, etc., and have added fairing lower speakers using the 2011 CVO SG speaker boxes, Arc 125.2 amp, etc. so I have a pretty good idea of what's involved with those mods as well as their cost.
Carl
