With the latest generation of iPods and iPhones Apple dropped support for charging over the Firewire pin in the 30 pin dock connector. So therefore your snazzy New iPhone 3G, 3GS or iPod may not be getting charged while connected. If you're run into this problem, there are now a couple of solutions that will help you! The first one is by Scosche and it works great. It's called the PassPORT. It's a small adapter that plugs into the iPod cable in your car and the other end plugs into your iPhone or iPod. Bam, you've got charging and control.
If you have a Mercedes Benz the Scosche adapter may not work!
MB seems to be relying on more than just the power in that pin because even with the Scosche adapter, it still doesn't make your iPhone 3G, 3GS or NEW iPod work properly. Luckily there's another option by this guy in Sweden. I've seen this adapter work perfectly in those cars where the Schoche adapter didn't work.
Which one?
The Scosche PassPORT adapter should work in most cars. However, if you're even remotely thinking it may not work because you have an import, then I would definitely go with the other adapter. Also if you have a Mercedes, then you don't really have much of a choice. Go with the other adapter because it does work!
What about your Speaker System?
If you've got an older iPod speaker system like the Apple iPod Hi-Fi or the original Bose Sound Dock or the EOS Wireless Speaker system, then you're going to have the same issue. Luckily Scosche also makes an adapter for a standard iPod dock PassPORT as well. Check it out here. It comes in White too.
About Terry White
Terry is the co-author of The Best Selling "The iPhone Book" 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th editions. He has been active in the industry for over 25 years and is the founder and president of MacGroup-Detroit, Inc., Michigan's largest Macintosh Users Group, host of the Adobe Creative Suite Podcast and a technology writer - Terry White Tech Blog.
I tried the Scoche with my 3GS and it did not work; Pioneer radio. So I ended up buying a new radio. Wish I would have seen this review first. Oh, well the new radio sounds and looks great!
Scosche didn’t work for me on my BMW. My iPhone 3GS kept spontaneously rebooting. Two different units. I ordered the Griffin adapter and it worked perfectly.