Two (more) uses for the Cassette deck on the Q45

[Infinitiguy19]

I got this magazine called Think Geek and i went on there website and found two products that use a Cassette tape to play music or connect with your phone.

Stand Alone or Car Cassette MP3 Player:

In between the beloved LP record and the now familiar CD, there was another music media format - the cassette tape. It was very popular during the 80's and one thing that definitely made it standout was that, unlike a LP, you could easily record onto a cassette tape. Before that your recording options were primarily limited to reel-to-reel tape machines, which were usually pretty large and sometimes not so friendly. Being able to record onto cassette tape also lead to the ever popular "mix tape" - which was usually a collection of kick *** songs you'd give to your wannabe girlfriend or someone else you were trying to impress.

This MP3 player is built into a standard cassette tape, letting you use it as either a uniquely old-school-style MP3 player, or with any car cassette or cassette player to play your music. You will have no problems listening to hours of your favorite songs via the built-in SD card slot, and you can easily change to different songs if you have multiple SD Cards. If you are into retro style looks but with a new technology upgrade, this is a MP3 player worth adding to your gear.

No internal memory - you must supply a memory card External memory: compatible with SD/MMC card (max. 2GB) Earphone jack: 3.5mm USB 2.0 System: compatible with Windows 2000/XP Battery: built-in 450mAh lithium battery Recharge battery via USB cable Use like a normal cassette in a car cassette player or cassette player Use as a stand alone MP3 Player Repeat playback mode 7 button interface Dimension: 2.5" x 4" x .45"

Don't want to put you out of business shane, Because you make Ipod adapters.

Source: http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/car/a5 ... ----------

Add some Bluetooth via your cassette tape deck:

The lowly cassette tape deck - you have to give it some credit, it is a survivor. CDs have been around for over 25 years and yet many vehicles still come equipped with a tape deck. Few other media formats have hung on so well. And to help prolong the life of this sometimes useful piece of ancient technology, we introduce the Bluetooth Cassette Tape Adapter.

With this handy Bluetooth receiver you'll be able to make and receive calls in the car with the built-in headset profile. Quick and simple pairing with mobile phones over a stable Bluetooth connection for seamless audio. A quick and easy way to make old technology new again.

Internal Microphone Tone and LED Function Indication Bluetooth Properties: Profiles: Handsfree, Headset, Class: 2, Range: 10m Power source: Internal battery (5V DC charging - adapter provided) Dimension: (102 x 64 x 12mm)

Source: http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/aad2/

I wonder if you have to have the Tape deck on all the time for this?

Enjoy all and Happy Holidays.

[Q451990]

I have to say, the bluetooth adapter is pretty cool. I wouldn't want to limit my MP3 quality to what can be put through the magnetic tape heads of an 18 year old tape deck. It amazed me that the '02 Q still had a tape deck in the middle of the dash!

Heath

[Skibane]

Quote »Battery: built-in 450mAh lithium battery[/quote]They should have included a DC generator, powered by the take-up spindle...

[maxnix]

I wouldn't want to limit my MP3 quality to what can be put through the magnetic tape heads of an 18 year old tape deck.

Nor an FM frquency adapter! But it's only lossy MP3 format so.............

[Jesda]

I owned one of those about four years ago, made by a Korean company called Digisette. Picked it up at Radio Shack on clearance for $150.

Nice device. The instructions were terrible but I figured it out, and drivers from the manufacturer's site allowed for drag and drop sync with iTunes. So, despite the poor packaging, it was really slick. You used the FF/Rewind buttons on your tape deck to switch songs.

Had a voice recorder for whatever reason, AND you could pop it into a tape deck, hit record, and record digital audio DIRECTLY to the device.

Mine had built-in storage as well as an SD/MMC slot. This particular one at Think Geek has USB charging.

It was also a standalone MP3 player, so I plugged in some ear buds and mowed the lawn. If you want a discreet low-capacity MP3 player for your car and don't need the video/photo functionality of an iPod or hate dangling wires, this is the way to go. Looks stock, works great.

My Chrysler however has no tape deck and I already got my brother an iPod to use in the Cadillac.

I might order this one for the Chrysler:http://www.crutchfield.com/p_0...=5684

Its a head unit with NO CD or cassette. It plays strictly from a Bluetooth audio source, aux input, or an SD card slot. No moving parts. Unfortunately, it doesn't do AM radio, which I find handy on road trips.

Its also $59.99 right now. A week ago it was $120. In addition, it happens to have a Mercedes-Benz style audio harness connector in the back so I won't have to do any wiring for the Crossfire. Also available in black.

They should have included a DC generator, powered by the take-up spindle...

Genius!

*sigh* I want a Miata.

[RyanH]

Nothing to add, except the wanting a Miata sentiment. It gets really bad every time I drive my little brother's turbo Miata from hell. One word: FAST!!!!.