DVD Scott's Knots - Learn How To Tie Knots

DVD SCOTT'S KNOTS - LEARN HOW TO TIE KNOTS A Clear Concise Guide To Great Nautical Knots. Will have you tying your own knots like a seasoned pro in no time! This step-by-step instructional DVD will teach you how to tie a wide variety of knot

If you have a GPS, Global Positioning System in your car, you already appreciate the value of knowing where you are at all times. We don't have one of these GPS systems and I'm thinking about investing in one for our next vehicle. Although, I have a wonderful sense of direction, really, I prefer to rent a vehicle with a GPS system when traveling. A GPS system is invaluable on the road with the system alerts that notify you when you get off track or as you approach an important off ramp. The satellite system is a great tool for people on the move. If you think driving is the only way to use a GPS system, think again. A GPS sales system saves a business time and lost customers. The built in prospect and customer tracking system reduces the loss of opportunities and customers. It is almost like tracking a FEDEX package across the country in that you will know where the sales opportunity is all the time.

The Sales GPS System

One of the reasons salespeople get lost in sales is they don't have a map. Having a map is critical to ending any journey with success. Unfortunately, many business owners and salespeople don't have a sales or marketing map.

I have to confess, there was a time when I didn't have a sales map. Naturally, I got lost many times. It was a challenge of not knowing where I was or where the prospect was in the sales process. Remember, I mentioned earlier, my sense of direction is good. Well, it wasn't working during the early stages of my selling career. The routine of making sales calls and doing the sales activities just didn't get the results I was looking for. It would be years later that I would fine tune my sales process and develop the GPS and mapping system of selling. The evolution of this system is what we offer today.

If the words, sales process and sales map are foreign to you or you can't tell where you are with each prospect, there are ways to calculate your position. NO, the answer isn't in the stars. Let's make it simple and position you in a two step selling process.

• If you have more questions than you have answers about a prospect, you are in the discovery phase. This is the first phase of selling and you should ask more questions than speaking.
• If you have more answers than you have questions for the prospect, you are in the development phase. This is the second phase of selling and you must have a few answers to the problems the prospect has. You have this because you asked good questions in the first phase.

This simple test will tell you where you are in each step of a selling process with prospects. If you want a better description of how to know where you are in sales, we encourage you to join our webinar on "the game of sales." We regularly share our success secrets about the selling process and the game of sales.

Once you understand the selling process and your sales map, selling gets easier. You will also discover that there isn't much difference between a GPS and our Selling Magic sales acceleration program. Both systems will help you stay on track with reminders and guides. Both systems are automated and will save you time while helping you reach a successful destination. Each of these systems is simple to operate.

Steve Martinez is the leading authority on automating and systematizing the selling process for the Printing Industry. His company, Selling Magic, LLC teaches business how to simplify, balance and automate the complex selling process. http://www.sellingmagic.com

Garret 1139070 Ace 250 Metal Detector

Introducing the ALL-NEW Garrett ACE series - not just a new line of detectors, but a new way of thinking. We've taken much of the leading edge technology and well thought-out features from our GTI and GTAx lines and packaged them into the most aggressive, rugged outdoor design in the industry. These attention-stealing detectors are turning heads and sending the competition back to the drawing board.

But put aside their aggressive good looks and you'll see just how much amazing technology we've packed into these NEW machines. From custom notch discrimination, pinpointing, adjustable sensitivity and depth settings to the newest addition of the PROformance coils series, the 6.5x9" ACE coil, these detectors will never stop impressing you - or finding treasure!

Customer Review: Garrett ace 250 is a good machine
Hi, excuse me for my bad english. I bought this ace 250, is my first metal detector, i found a lot of coins, not gold or silver until now. In my garden, and in sand beach. Is a really good machine until 18 20 centimeters max (coins). It discrimines well iron from coins, is easy to use, is sensitive, battery have long life, and it tell you exactly proof of target. In sand beach is good too, no problem. It is perfect for detect coins, not the best for detect gold. The pin pointing is good too, you need to practice to improve your precision, and of course reads the manual and see the dvd, in the first week you will know this good machine, his differents sounds. For beginners and not so on, very good metal detector (until 20 centimeters for coins). Good luck!
Customer Review: seems to be the most reccommended 'first' metal detector
Metal detecting seemed like something fun to do occasionally in my free time and on beach vacations, so I picked up the Ace 250 here (through electronica direct). After quite a bit of online research, this seemed to be to be the most reccommended "introductory" metal detector - a good compromise between price and features/performance. I mainly want to just have a fun time, and this has the minimum features to keep me from digging up a lot of garbage, which would quickly get frustrating. I just received the item, and it came very quickly from electronica direct, who also gave a ups tracking number and quickly responded to an email I sent them. I really wanted the instructional dvd, which is an advertised bonus on many websites. However, the dvd is included in the box from the manufacturer, so of course it's included! Once I start using it, I'll try to write a more performance-based review.

There was a time when automobiles did not have car audio system at all. These days, it is hard to find any type of automotive vehicle that does not have some sort of sound system built in or attached. Car audio systems are very important to most auto owners and the types of systems available have a very wide range. There are also many components that can be used to complete your audio system such as amplifiers, head units, speakers and auxiliary input devices that work together to provide you with a complete system that fits your needs.

An amplifier allows you to increase signals that are processed through the amplifier to make them audible. Basically, amplifiers can take a weak audio signal and boost it to generate a signal strong enough to use speakers. The size of the amplifier needed will be based on the system you are putting together.

Speakers tend to be the main component that is in focus when building a car audio system. Keep in mind that in order for your speakers to perform that their best capacity that you must have other equipment to support so there able to reach it. Various styles will have advantages and disadvantages. Speakers themselves are what take a digital signal and convert them to actual audio. Placement of speakers can also greatly affect the sound quality that the vehicle occupants are able to enjoy.

The head unit is what controls what you actually hear. This includes volume, tuning, bass, treble, and any equalizer options. This is also commonly the device in which you will insert your tape, cd, or input any sort of digital audio.

It is important not to "skimp" on any of these devices when building an audio system if you expect to have a premium sounding system. If any of these components are not quality or do not meet the requirements of your system you will notice when it is complete and at that point it could be costly to reinstall and purchase new equipment.

Purchasing such components online can be a very good way to cut the cost of the equipment. Commonly, car audio purchased from retail locations carry a very large margin so be sure to compare the prices online to your local retailers to see the huge difference. As far as installation goes, make sure you are working with a person or company that you can trust will do a good job with your vehicle along with charging you a reasonable price.

Purchase discounted Car Hifi at PowernetShop. Article written and distributed by Steve Cancel of Secure Link - Michigan Web Marketing.

Garmin MapSource City Navigator DVD for Garmin GPS Units, North America NT (010-10816-00)

GARMIN 010-10816-00 CITY NAVIGATOR NORTH AMERICA NT CITY NAVIGATOR NORTH AMERICA NT
Customer Review: City Navigator mapping software
The product performed as advertised. It's a bit costly, but given the extent of its coverage, it works. I found it very useful in a new city for getting around. I also use for bicycle touring; the routing options are particularly helpful for cyclists.
Customer Review: It will get you there.
Using this software on the Garmin Vista HCx. As talented as the unit is, it could do so much more, but the software is a great enhancement. I wish I had other Map software to compare it to. It doesn't always pick the right roads and sometimes it picks roads you would never take and vice versa. However, its ability re-calculate after you missed a turn or didn't want that road, is really cool. I haven't been able to truly test it in every aspect yet, but it will get you there.

This may come as a surprise...you don't have to buy a GPS separately. You can get one along with a latest mobile phone.

With the Global Positioning System technology being developed every minute of each day, we're finding increasingly more applications for this major progress, and that means that having a cellular Global Positioning System locator phone could be among the most smashing tools you could own. A lot of mobile phone firms are nowadays fitting their latest phones with GPS technology which could aid you with your navigation requirements in addition to keeping track of your vehicle.

Not all mobile phone are cellular GPS locator phones. They should have the potentialities to obtain signals from the Global Positioning System satellites that are revolving around Earth so that the signals could be employed to locate a vehicle, provide you directions, and offer you with all the services which GPS technology provides. While you're searching a new mobile phone, you may prefer to look for a cellular GPS locater phone so that you've a lot of additional selections than with a usual mobile phone.

All you require to do with a cellular Global Positioning System locater phone is download software to your phone which will let you to locate a vehicle or receive directions to wherever you need to travel. Naturally, you still have to have a GPS device on the vehicle first. As soon as you have the GPS device, all you have to do is download the software and program it to determine the device and you're set to go. The greatest benefit you have with a cellular GPS locater phone is that if you have a GPS device which doesn't have an integrated screen, you are all the same able to see where you're going by simply viewing your mobile phone display.

One of the manners in which people use GPS technology is keeping track of vehicles. For anxious parents of inexperienced drivers, this could be a great instrument as they wonder wherever their teenage driver is. Although the teens might not like it, the parents would surely like it and appreciate its usefulness. As a matter of fact, one teenager on discovering the GPS device underneath the seat of his new vehicle remarked that he felt violated. However if teens recognized the fact the parents are doing so only because they're concerned they wouldn't see this as a privacy issue.

When you consider all the uses that a cellular Global Positioning System locater phone could offer, you will be able to figure how this extraordinary technology could make life more comfortable for many people. Owning a cellular Global Positioning System locater phone is a good way to start taking hold of your driving and your life.

Make sure you know what GPS systems are and how it can benefit you by visiting this popular website: http://fromexpert.110mb.com/gpssystems/index.php and you can also find out how you can find discount Garmin GPS.

Kamran is a Mechatronics Engineer who loves GPS systems. He is an enthusiastic follower of the launch of latest GPS systems. He runs an informative site that gives lots of information on GPS systems and reveals the best manufacturers of GPS. He is giving away a free downloadable e-book explaining what GPS is, how it operates as well as the best manufacturers of GPS. To make the best of this cool stuff and much more make sure you check out Kamran's web site at http://fromexpert.110mb.com/gpssystems/index.php

Garmin Foretrex 101 Wrist-Mounted GPS Navigator

The economical Foretrex 101 is the wrist-mount GPS that frees up your hands so you can focus on your outdoor activities. This product joins the Foretrex 201 in Garmin's growing line of wearable, wrist navigation devices. The Foretrex 101 has all the features and functionality of the Foretrex 201, including PC interface capabilities for downloading waypoints, tracks and routes, but operates on two AAA batteries.It's easy-to-use interface and basic GPS capabilities are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who would rather replace the batteries than recharge the unit in the field. This unit features Garmin's intuitive operating logic, utilizing six dedicated buttons to simplify navigation. Whether it's a campsite, deer stand, or other place of interest, users can mark its location, identify the waypoint, and navigate to it later using the GoTo function. Also, with the help of Garmin's exclusive TracBack technology, users can retrace their steps by following an electronic breadcrumb trail back to their original starting point.Because the unit is waterproof, the Foretrex 101 is a natural companion on watersport adventures like kayaking, canoeing, boating and sailing. In fact, this device incorporates another feature found on the Foretrex 201: a sailboat-racing timer. Competitors can configure the countdown sequence prior to the start of the race and utilize their GPS location to be in the best possible tacking position when the race begins.
Customer Review: Excellent tracker
This is my final GPS unit. It does what I want. It's easy to set and tracks quickly and efficiently. Sure wish these things could see the satellites inside of buildings. I got it partly to find my car in mall parking lots, but it would also be handy to track back to the correct building entrance. Once it's moving around under roof, though, it can't track well, if at all. I'd like it to have a lanyard hole, so I wouldn't always have to wear it on my wrist. I could use it as a key fob or have other options. The computer interface cable has to be plugged in HARD to get it to connect. The Iogear USB to serial adapter cable works well with it.
Customer Review: Adventurers and Explorers-you need this tool!
Although no single navigational tool should ever be used alone (a backup compass, using landmarks, maps & common sense are always necessary), the Garmin Foretrex 101 wristmounted GPS Navigator really works to "bring you home". I used this GPS in the wetland hardwoods of the Cache River NWR in East-Central Arkansas. This refuge, together with the White River NWR are dense bottomland hardwoods of oak and cyprus trees and marshes. Once inside these massive forrests (80+ miles long at points) you can barely see the sky and can get lost almost immediatly. My Garmin GPS was a great comfort as I kept walking deeper & deeper into the woods. It's simple to use and always let me know exactly (within 30 ft) where and how far away may my car was. After exploring for hours, I simply entered "Go To" my #1 position (my car), and followed the arrow home. It was simple and really worked. I am still learning to program the unit on how to enter a Long.& Lat. off of a topographical map so it can guide me to the exact spot I am interested in exploring. Once I have mastered this last test, I will be confident to take on the world. Good Luck and enjoy this great navigational tool.

Although there are many advantages to cell phone GPS tracking, there are also privacy concerns. As most people carry their cell phone with them at all times, the ability is in place to track the exact movements of all individuals. Is this a case of Big Brother, and who can access to this information?

Cell Phone GPS tracking can prove useful in many walks of life and especially when an emergency arises. Picture the scene of a road accident where injuries have occurred. A 911 call made from a GPS cell phone would significantly speed up the arrival of the emergency services if the GPS signal from the cell phone can be pin-pointed to an exact location. This feature alone could save many lives.

For these reasons the FCC has instructed that wireless network providers provide the cell phone GPS tracking location information for 911 calls which have been made from cell phones. This is known as E911. In essence this is no different than a 911 call made from a land line, as the land line is registered to an address and the relevant emergency services can be quickly dispatched to that address.

However, where the difference occurs is that a property does not move but the tracking of a GPS cell phone is registering the day to day movements of an individual, and that has given rise to the privacy concerns of who can access such private information.

However, the relevant law relating to E911 is fairly explicit. It allows carriers to provide tracking location information to third parties for e911 emergency calls only, however not under any other circumstances whatsoever without the consent of the cell phone owner.

The privacy of cell phone GPS tracking has also been backed up by a number of recent court hearings. Recent court hearings have disallowed the requests of law enforcement agencies to obtain cell phone GPS tracking information from the cell phone companies for suspects. The courts have ruled that Congress have not authorized location tracking without actual evidence of wrongdoing and that probable cause is not sufficient reason for the release of records.

These events will ensure that the advantages of cell phone GPS tracking will not be compromised by privacy issues and that its long term future and usefulness is secured.

For more information on cell phone GPS tracking and other GPS products visit http://www.satnav-gps.info today.

Pioneer AVIC-D3 In-Dash GPS Navigation System with DVD Player

A great navigation system should be simple to use, provide intelligent routing with rich data, and feature entertainment options that make driving more enjoyable and convenient. The Pioneer AVIC-D3 in-dash navigation system comes with two DVD-ROMs containing a massive Tele Atlas database, enabling the unit to provide a gigantic network of turn-by-turn routable roads. You get fast processor calculations of multiple routes and directions to destinations via the graphic map interface and voice guidance within seconds. Have access to 12 million Points Of Interest (POI) throughout the United States and Canada for the nearest gas station, restaurant or ATM. The double-DIN size will fit in most standard vehicles providing a perfect placement in your the dashboard. The integration gets even better with the multi-color illumination to match the interface to the colors of your dashboard. Never need to touch your cell phone again with the optional CD-BTB200 Bluetooth adapter used with a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone. Make and receive phone calls while listening through your in-car speakers. With subscription and optional XM NavTraffic service, you will be one step ahead of traffic jams and alternate routes will be provided. 2 DVD-ROM CNDV-70M Map Data US, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii Coverage Area 3D Hybrid Sensor (Gyro & G-Force) GPS Receiver & 8-Channel Antenna Included Emergency Mode Display 1-Year Roadside Assistance Included Map, Guide, Route, Driver's & Rear View Display Mode 5 Vehicle Dynamics Skins - Original, Carbon, Hologram, Sharp Metal and Classic Playback - MP3 Playback with ID3 Tag, WMA (Windows Media Audio), iTunes AAC and DivX Video on DVD/DVD-R/-RW, CD/CD-R/-RW 24-Station/6-Button (18FM/6FM) Presets Built-in Speaker Power - MOS-FET 50W x 4 3-Band Parametric EEQ Equalizer BSM (Best Stations Memory) XM Radio Ready with Enhanced Graphical GEX-P10XMT or GEX-P920XM optional accessory
Customer Review: Pioneer AVIC-D3
The Pioneer AVIC-D3 is a great after market In-Dash GPS Navigation System. The multitude of features and additional accessories make this system a must have for mobile video/navigation enthusiasts. As with most "all-in-one" type technologies, it does take a while to get used to the interface and menus. Though once you become familiar with them, which doesn't take much time at all, you'll probably find yourself wanting to cruise around just for the heck of it. One slight annoying design flaw is "the system's single disc slot means that users will constantly have to switch between navigation discs and media sources to make the most of its many features." But if this is not of a particular concern to you, then you'll be generally satisfied with this product.
Customer Review: Good System for the price
First off, if you plan to use the Navigation system heavily AND a CD/DVD heavily as well, think about it! I bought this system in the last week and I was able to test it thoroughly this past weekend. It is a very good beginning of the line model and for the price it is going for, even with all the bells and whistles, it is a very good product. If you buy it at the current price from amazon you will get the AVIC-D3($594.95) the bluetooth($94.95) the iPod Cable($15.45) and the remote($13.80-if you need it, my package already included it) totaling for less than $720. Paying $700 for hardware you get navigation, DVD playing capabilities (video plays only when the car is moving less than 10MPH-unless overridden), iPod integration, cell phone integration (handsfree mandatory in CA beginning summer 2008), you can also get satellite radio and traffic if you want. It is a very complete system and you can also expand it by installing head rest monitors or flip down monitors, rear-view camera, amplifiers, and then list can go on and on. As far as comparing this product to others in the market...it has it's limitations. It isn't as complete as other systems could be, but the price makes those things be forgotten about. Cons: 1) It has a limitation on the media loaded. You have one slot for CD/DVD/Navi, so if you want to have a DVD all the time inside your unit, then pretty much forget about Navigation. If you are going to use Navigation all the time, then maybe this system is not the one for you. If you have an iPod however, you can have plenty of music from there without the need for a CD (plus you can play your videos from the iPod too, however you need to manually select them). In my case, I would like to have two DVD slots where I can get to keep the navigation disc inside and I can get an extra slot so I can put music videos to listen to (music from DVDs is much richer than from CDs or iPod) or have it free for a CD. Juggling discs isn't something I look forward to when I'm even starting my drive, even less if I was driving. 2) The screen size is smaller based on its big buttons (relatively speaking) and the CD slot which is visible. I am unsure what the others are in comparison, but seeing them side to side the AVIC-D3 seems to be dwarfed. 3) Programming and usage of the unit is not completely easy or intuitive. I have not been able to program the 150+ entries from my address book into the nav unit since my phone will only do one by one. The phone needs to be disconnected from the unit in order to do this 4) Lack of tilt feature. Some units allow some tilt so that the glare can be reduced. I am unsure of the tradeoff that exists (on the one hand it could brake and make it unusable, on the other, there's no tilt). Pros: 1) Very affordable compared to others. With less than 700, I was able to purchase the system, the bluetooth, iPod connection, and a remote (which I don't know if I'll use, but it's there for now). Other systems (the next one up) went for much more, two times more than this one. 2) Although some of the more intricate programming is, well, more intricate and hard, most things are very easy to get to. You'll get how to program your cell phone and once you have done it once, you really don't need to do it. Playing a DVD, CD, out of the iPod, radio (even programming the stations) isn't hard. Using the navi is very intuitive, keep pressing the Menu button if you need to do something and press Map if you need to get back to the map. 3) Has everything you need, or most of it anyway. 4) Expandable. You can have other screens connected to it, amplifiers, camera, satellite radio (XM & Sirius). I am unsure whether you can have HD Radio or if a DVD changer is currently available or if it will be available, but a DVD changer would be a great addition for the system. In short: I have the system and it works for me, it has what I need at an affordable price with expandability. At this current time, I would say I would buy it again, although I would look to see if there was a possibility to get one with 2 discs for a comparable, or even a little more expensive. I would NOT get it if: I had long drives to difficult locations where I don't know where I'm going and I was carrying kids who would be watching DVDs. Hope this helps getting you the best system for you!

Tom Tom GPS began in 1991 as Palmtop, a business to develop applications for the first handheld computers. Initially those applications were business oriented, but soon individuals wanted personal organizers to keep track of their fast paced lives. The company then began to develop games, dictionaries, personal finance products and route planners for PDA's (personal digital assistants). As the demand for these applications grew globally, specifically after the launch of the successful Palm Pilot, the handheld market expanded rapidly and Microsoft also got into the game. Palmtop developed applications for all these units.

Near the end of the 1990's, Palmtop began to spend more time on the development of GPS (Global Positioning System) software, which could identify your location anywhere on Earth. The field of navigation showed incredible opportunity for growth. Palmtop started to focus more and more on navigation solutions like route planners. Mobile opportunities were opening up incredible opportunities.

In 2001 with increased focus and vision on navigation aids a new name was needed. Tom Tom was born. Tom Tom GPS utilized its strengths to create the first mobile automobile in car navigation system utilizing the Global Positioning System. The Tom Tom GPS Navigator was a massive success.

When TomTom GPS Navigator 2 hit the market in 2003, it was clear that more than PDA owners were in need, and wanted, GPS devices. It was dictated by the public that getting from place to place should not require stopping and asking for directions all the time. People wanted a full time map at their disposal that would change to suit their destination.

TomTom GO, introduced in 2004, was hailed as the most easy to use and most portable stand-alone automobile GPS navigation device ever. Then came TomTom MOBILE, a brand new GPS navigation solution designed to make smartphones operate as in-car navigation systems.

TomTom's products emphasize innovation, quality, and simplicity of use, safety and consumer value. These products include all-in-one navigation devices, which allow customers to navigate as soon as they take the GPS unit out of the box. That is the award-winning TomTom GO family of products, the TomTom ONE XL and TomTom ONE products, and the TomTom RIDER for motorcycle and scooter riders.

TomTom also supplies GPS navigation software products that integrate with third party devices. This Is the TomTom NAVIGATOR software for PDA's and smartphones. The TomTom WORK product line combines intelligent navigation technology with strong communication technology to provide industry leading vehicle tracing and tracking expertise.

TomTom provides customers with foreign language assistance, entertainment, and local weather and traffic information. Get from A to B stress free with TomTom GPS systems.

Wayne MacLean is an avid hiker, snowshoeing enthusiast, and loves the outdoors. He is a writer for both online and offline businesses.

http://www.best-gps-info.com/tom-tom-gps.html

Garmin Gps 45xl

For any person living in this modern world of high-tech, modern equipment and fashionable cars with all the trims, getting your assets protected is advisable. Many people spend a large portion of their monthly income paying for expensive cars and vehicles, included in this they often need to arrange a monthly payment to cover insurance for their vehicles. In South Africa, theft rates and robberies are high and common in all areas of the country. This means that insurance premiums for vehicles are often high, so technology delivers us the option of bringing down our monthly premiums with extra security measures to aid in prevention and recovery of your vehicle.

This is where we find out more about vehicle tracking systems. These systems can come in various formats, from GPS to Point-to-Point systems. Choosing the right system for you will take some research on your behalf. Search the internet or make some calls, get professional advice and quotes from your chosen companies. Compare services and prices between your chosen vehicle tracking companies and look at their vehicle recovery success rate and experience in the vehicle tracking field.

Because there is a market for vehicle tracking services, there are many different companies and vehicle tracking systems to choose from. This is beneficial to us, the consumers, as prices for vehicle security is made more affordable as companies compete with each other. Make sure you read the fine-print on any contract before you Thegps47389 up with a company. Some vehicle tracking companies can lock you into paying for their services for up to 3 years, where you may prefer to get a month to month contract system. Be sure that you are comfortable with your vehicle recovery contract before signing.

Another very important thing to remember when looking for a suitable vehicle recovery company is to ensure your insurance company recognizes the vehicle recovery company you choose to use. If your insurance company does not recognize your chosen vehicle recovery company, it is possible that you wont get a reduced insurance premium once the recovery system has been installed.

So, before you make your choice on a vehicle recovery company, make some detailed investigation by looking on the internet and making some calls to your insurance company. Get smart and protect your assets today. The unfortunate event of vehicle theft happens daily in South Africa, so ensure you are not a victim. Increase the chances of getting your vehicle back with a vehicle tracking system and save money by decreasing your monthly insurance premiums.

Phil Smulian is a reviewer for supplier of top car tracking system and leader in gps vehicle tracking, Tracetec PTY LTD

Garmin Ique 3600 PDA GPS Instructional

I recently "sold out" and bought myself an iPod. Here's a pro's guide to hooking it up to your head unit!

But first...

Unless you've been living in a cave for the past few years, you have heard of the iPod; Apple's wonderfully designed portable music player. The iPod allows you to carry the music of hundreds or thousands of CDs in a small box that fits easily in your pocket or bag. It is capable of much more, but the focus of this article is on the music. Because of the extreme portability of the iPod, many people want to bring it with them in the car. This is a problem because most cars don't offer iPod connectivity, with few exceptions. Fortunately, there are solutions for people who want to use their iPod in the car.

Direct connection:

Pros: Control iPod with stereo and remote controls, automatically charges iPod, perfect sound quality, easy to install, cheap Cons: None that I know of!

This option is only available to owners of radios that support a direct connection to the iPod. Basically, all you need is a cable that connects to your iPod, then to the radio. Alpine is one brand I know that offers this feature. Some new vehicles also offer a direct connection to the iPod.

How to connect via an interface:

Pros: Control iPod with stereo and remote controls, automatically charges iPod, perfect sound quality Cons: Expensive, more complicated to install

This option is available to owners of more up-to-date aftermarket radios and some newer factory radios.

Aftermarket radios:

You'll need a brand specific ipod interface. For example, if you have an Alpine head unit, you'll need to get an Alpine ipod interface. Usually, this interface is a small box that has an output to your radio, and an input that connects to to your ipod. Basically, you'll need to find an appropriate mounting location for the box. From there, find a good place to route the ipod cable. Some good locations are inside the glove box, or if you have a pocket in your dash, route it through there.

Factory radios:

You'll need a vehicle specific ipod interface. The one company I know of that manufactures these interfaces is Peripheral. Check out their website to see if your vehicle is supported. If yes, you're set! Hook up the interface similar to how you would above.

How to connect via a phono to RCA cable.

Pros: Excellent sound quality, easy installation, super cheap Cons: Can't control ipod with stereo, ipod won't automatically charge

You will need a head unit that has an auxillary input for this to work. If your head unit does not have an aux in, you're probably better off looking for another alternative.

How to connect an iPod through FM modulation:

Pros: Very easy to setup and install, device is widely available, most devices charge the iPod Cons: Not the cheapest, poorer sound quality, ipod can't be controlled by radio

This is the easiest way to hook up an iPod to your radio. Basically, your ipod connects to a device that broadcasts the music to a radio station frequency. Tune your radio to that frequency, and your music will play through the radio. There are a variety of products available that do this.

Other digital music solutions:

Kenwood makes a "music keg", which is basically a portable hard drive that interfaces with the Kenwood receiver. This is a great alternative to bringing an iPod with you in the car. Just load up the music keg, and your songs are good to go.

Alpine makes a digital music player. This device contains a hard drive that you can load up with your songs. It works very similarly to a CD changer in that it is controled by the head unit.

A brief word about other digital music players:

The iPod is not the only digital music player available. Creative Labs has the Zen, and Microsoft just released the Zune. There are many other devices available as well. If you have one of these other digital music players, you can still use some of these techniques to connect your player to your head unit.

Unfortunately, the iPod has been embraced much more than its competitors, so as far as I know, there are no interfacing options available for the other digital music players. You can still connect the device to your head unit through a mini phono to RCA cable. You can also find FM modulators that are not iPod specific which will allow you to connect to your head unit through the radio.

A brief word about digital music formats, compression, and sound quality:

So, back in the ice ages, like 10 years ago, a new digital format known as MP3 began to take the internet by storm. Basically, it allowed a full CD of music to take up minimum space on a person's hard drive. Before MP3, the main format available to most people was PCM (aka WAV). PCM is basically an exact replica of the information stored on CDs. Anyway, MP3 changed that. It was now possible to compress the music to a significantly smaller file size. In general, you could fit 10x the data in the same space. Where a typical WAV file of a song might take up 50 Mb, an MP3 file of the same song might take up 5 Mb, without a severe loss of sound quality. The songs could now be transferred very easily between people. This of course resulted in a whole lot of controversy...Remember the original Napster?

Yeah, yeah. Who cares?

Here's why it matters. In order to fit a lot of data in a small space, you have to take some stuff out. In other words, you lose sound quality. MP3 files allow for higher or lower amounts of compression, and usually this is expressed by bit rate. Basically, the higher the bit rate, the higher the sound quality.

Yeah, yeah. Who cares?

When playing music in the car, especially LOUD, sound quality matters a great deal. So, you'll want to be sure that when you play MP3s (or other digital music formats) in your vehicle, you use higher quality sound files. If you use poorly encoded music files, you'll definitely regret it!

Poorly encoded files tend to sound "tinny", or like they are being played through a can. Also, high frequency sounds such as cymbals and voice (especially when vocalists use words that contain the letter "S") sound "swishy". Bass tends to sound muddy and sloppy. When you play this stuff loud, it gets very annoying.

Anyway, if you plan to play digital music in your vehicle, be sure you are using high quality sound files. For MP3, the files should ALWAYS by 44.1 kHz. The bit rate should be at least 160, but preferably higher. I personally encode all of my files at 256.

Anyway, now you know about digital music in the vehicle!

Alan Bayer is an entrepreneur and car audio enthusiast. He runs an eBay store selling car stereo install supplies:

http://stores.ebay.com/honest-aebs-autosound/

He also has a GREAT website with car audio articles (such as the one from above). Also on the website, learn about car audio equipment, how to find the best equipment, how to install it, and save big bucks in the process!

http://www.honestaebs-caraudio.com/

Large Family Tents