iPod Nano cradle install

[Ler]

I got the Nano as a birthday gift last year and finally got around to mounting it in my car. Since I quit my job to return to school, income is negative at the moment, so you'll see that the emphasis of this iPod cradle is minimal cost.

Value = (utility/cost). This thing has been pretty useful, so I'll give it a utility of 40. If we analyze this install for value, we see that the value = 40/0 = Infinity! Right.

So, basic supplies:
plastic packaging sheet
pocket knife
masking tape
ruler
This template


The plastic packaging material. You want a piece that is pretty sturdy.



This will do- it came from the packaging of an ancient Nokia cell phone. What you ultimately want is a flat sheet about 3" square.

Next, print out the template and securely tape the plastic sheet over it- make sure everything is secure as you don't want the plastic shifting while you're transferring the pattern from the template.



Place the template and plastic over a sacrificial surface, like a magazine. Otherwise, I've learned that you'll destroy the nice smooth surface of your desk. Transfer the pattern by scoring the plastic with a dull tool. I've chosen to use the bottle opener/screwdriver blade of the pocket knife. Use the ruler to help ensure that your lines are straight. Your transferred pattern should look like this.



The brainiacs in this crowd can probably see where this is going. Trim off the extra material at the periphery.



Using the ruler again, fold the plastic along the creases- the finished cradle should look like this.



Here's another view. I've put masking tape on the flap that will be used for mounting in the car. The tape thickens up that flap, and provides a textured surface for more friction- the utility of this will be evident later. Also, you'l notice that the corners have been trimmed slightly- those pointy plastic edges can be very sharp!



Check to make sure your iPod fits well, and that the dock connector is unobstructed.




The connector I have supports power and sound, so I can obstruct the stereo jack with a plastic tab to support the bottom of the Nano. If you need access to the stereo jack, you'll have to relocate this tab.



Now, mounting this in the car- no tools required. Audi has done a wonderful job minimizing panel gaps in the interior, and we're going to use this to our advantage. Find a panel gap where you want the 'pod mounted. I've selected the area between the steering wheel and the center stack. Now for the tricky part- gently slide the flap with masking tape into the panel gap. You may have to shim with additional tape if the gap is big, or remove the tape if the clearance is small. Here's the cradle installed just below the aluminum trim.



And, here's the cradle with Nano.



Damn that's hot!

The beauty of this spot is that you can see the display through the steering wheel, just above the windshield wiper stalk, without obstructing any of the other gauges or controls.



The base of the Nano sits fairly flat on the interior panel behind it, so you can operate the buttons fairly easily by pressing firmly on the front. Also, notice how the top corners on the front of the cradle point to the next and previous bottons on the jog dial- this provides tactile feel for when you want to jump tracks. Just feel for the corner, and push- this is why you want to trim the sharp corners off of the plastic.

Even though this cradle is cheap and yes, somewhat ghetto, I think it's better that a lot of what's being sold currently. What turned me off about commercially available cradles is how intrusive they are to the interior. I don't want a chunk of metal bracket hanging off the side of the center stack, I don't want the ashtray and A/C controls obscured, and I don't want an iPod tree sprouting out of my cigarette lighter. Also, I don't want to have to put the Nano in the stupid cupholders, or stash it away by the e-brake- there's little else more frustrating than having to fumble for your iPod while driving.

The other nice thing about this is that it's easily removable so nothing is visible when you're not using it. It also makes it handy if you want to swap between cars- I haven't tried this on other cars yet, but I presume it'll work on any car with a panel gap in the appropriate location.

Those of you that are bold can try making a similar cradle for your standard iPod, Mini, Video, or Shuffle. The plastic may need to be reinforced for something with a little more mass, but you get the idea.

Enjoy your car and music!

[T-dot B6]

[MB The Body]

[USP]

[bla4ck]

[MC Hammered]

Now make a bunch and sell them for big $$$ on eBay!!

Seriously!

[FireBirdSC]

[Ler]

But decided to let Audiworlders in on the secret first =)

[MC Hammered]

[chuckdawg82]