Mp3 player recomendations please
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Your best bet is a Mp3 player with a 3.5mm audio cable. Personally I love my Sansa Clip. I have the 8gb and it cost like 60 bucks. The reason i say this over a fancy ipod or zune (i also own a zune) but the Sansa has a battery life of like 15 hours on one charge! The Sansa clip is also really small and will clip to anything, just super convenient. Good luck finding any other Mp3 player that lasts that long for that low of price! I attatched two links from Walmart for what I recommend and am personally tickled to death with.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sandisk-Sa...Black/13059993
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReTrak-Ret...Cable/13025689
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sandisk-Sa...Black/13059993
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReTrak-Ret...Cable/13025689
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
Unless you are using the H-D IPOD interface with a compatible IPOD you cannot use your handlebar controls for anything other than volume. Once you plug the male to male adaptor into the the aux input on the radio you change the mode to aux. You can change, skip, repeat and so on only by using the controls on the MP3 player. If you want a cheap idea and want use the handle bar controls, just make a MP3 CD. You can put upwards of 200 songs on it and use the display on the radio and the hand controls on the handle bar. I can ride all day on one CD and not hear the same song twice. I have 4 or 5 CD's with me when I go on a trip. I just change CD's in the morning and I'm good to go for the day. If you are not familiar with creating MP3 disks there are a few threads here that give step by step instruction. The other option is talk to most any teenager and they can probably help you out.
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,047
From: Wisconsin
I have my ipod mounted on the right handlebar just out of reach. I can easily reach up and hit the button to skip a song. I also use the retractable cable like the one in the link from rollin thunder's message.
I have an iPod nano, I am a Mac man. I use a patch cord between the iPod and the hd/hk unit. I have mine mounted using the riders claw, it is in thumbs reach, so I can skip jump etc via my left thumb. The handle bar controls the volume only.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I use my ipod.
The ipod is the easiest syncing for me, as i am an apple user. No DRM or other problems.
I also sometimes put mp3's on my sony ericcson cell phone. ( which I can aux in)
I use the aux port in on the front of the radio, that gives volume control.
coming out of my ipod touch I have the shure inline mic kit ( which I use for skype calls) the ANSWER button works as a pause/play control.
http://www.shure.com/americas/produc...-phone-adapter
So I have the ipod mounted off of my fairing pouch, if I need to see the display ( maps/directions)- the shure adapter has the mic/button where I can get to it to pause if I come to a toll or have to yell directions to the other rider.
and i have volume control with the bar controls.
2. the ipod/iphone app adaptunes ( free version) will auto control volume- which in conjunction with the radio avc works pretty good.
I use the power from the acc plug in the fairing.
I tried a couple of the mounts and interfaces, none of them worked reliably-
NONE of these expenses were harley specific, this is all stuff I had or needed otherwise. the power adapter was $7 at tj maxx
Mike
The ipod is the easiest syncing for me, as i am an apple user. No DRM or other problems.
I also sometimes put mp3's on my sony ericcson cell phone. ( which I can aux in)
I use the aux port in on the front of the radio, that gives volume control.
coming out of my ipod touch I have the shure inline mic kit ( which I use for skype calls) the ANSWER button works as a pause/play control.
http://www.shure.com/americas/produc...-phone-adapter
So I have the ipod mounted off of my fairing pouch, if I need to see the display ( maps/directions)- the shure adapter has the mic/button where I can get to it to pause if I come to a toll or have to yell directions to the other rider.
and i have volume control with the bar controls.
2. the ipod/iphone app adaptunes ( free version) will auto control volume- which in conjunction with the radio avc works pretty good.
I use the power from the acc plug in the fairing.
I tried a couple of the mounts and interfaces, none of them worked reliably-
NONE of these expenses were harley specific, this is all stuff I had or needed otherwise. the power adapter was $7 at tj maxx
Mike
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: New Hampshire
Save yourself some cash and just get a sony walkman mp3 play 16gb you can pick em up for less than $50 and just make playlists, simple drag and drop interface and no taking it in the a$$ from Steve Jobs granted you wont be able to use the fancy handlebar controls but the money saved you can buy something shiny when you get back home
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
One of the things I like on the Limited is the power outlet in the Tour Pak. I use mine to run an FM transmitter hooked to my iPod Touch, but any Flash based MP3 will work. I built loads of 2-3 hour playlists, and just change at gas stops. No CD's, and with a 32GB unit I have just about all my music with me. The touch lets me build playlists on the fly. The transmitter is so close to the anntena that I rarely run into interference, especially when I tune low on the FM band like 88.3.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: Pirmasens Germany
I went with the H-D Ipod module. I ride in the rain so mounting it on my handlebars or tank isn't an option. I also wanted convenience and reliability.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Actually depending on what bike you have, you can get an aftermarket stereo from Biketronics, Cycle Accessories, etc. that will plug and play with HD controls. IPOD connects through USB and controls all work perfectly. The stereo is 120 bux, harness is 250ish. Piece of cake and completely under your control.