USB memory stick into truck radio aux input?

this has run its course
the OP has been given all the options
arguing about replacing the factory radio
is not helping the OP

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
Are you sure there is no USB port? I have just the basic radio/CD/Sirius player in my 2011 GMC Sierra and I have the USB port on the dash, separate from the radio. Mine is under a circular cover that looks like it could be an additional 12-volt outlet.

As an aside: One of my pet peeves is that GM only put one 12-volt outlet in the truck. My last one, a 1998 Sierra, had 3. In this electronic/digital age, what are they thinking when they eliminate outlets?

Maybe your now have to pay extra to get the USB port? I wonder what they are thinking.

Wayne

Not sure about GM but Ford you only get USB with the Premium "Sync" package (at least that is in 2013 when I bought my current truck), so it is possible the OP does not have a direct USB connection depending on year and model of vehicle (didn't GM have a more "basic" radio which didn't include Sirius?).

APT wrote:
Gdetrailer, I'm happy you have a solution that works well for you. I too went through multiple dedicated portable media players. There are multiple solutions to for the OP's desires. Anything can be a distraction, including OEM radio interfaces. Minimizing the driver's time while moving is important, so finding a solution that is easy to use does just that. I believe that Android and iOS interfaces are universal and quick/easy to use.

I use my smartphone for everything. I always have my media available whether I'm in my car, my wife's, a friend's, camping, beach, a get together, etc since I always have my phone. I have disciplined battery management. I have playlists that I can set up prior to driving. I have steering wheel controls for basic track advance/play/pause after starting my playlist while driving.

I really don't understand the OEM radio hugging aspect, really, replacing the OEM stereo is a HUGE upgrade. Even the so called "premium" sound packages are plain junk as far as sound quality.

For $66 plus $20 for the dash adapter and wiring harness you can get much better sound quality AND not need external players and many aftermarket stereos have the capability of using the vehicles steering wheel controls for about $20 for the steering control adapter..

HERE



Many of the after market stereos also have bluetooth, Sat radio, HD radio, navigation and so on capability and not to mention a wireless remote control to boot.

Heck, my 2013 F250 CAME with "Sync" but the sound quality stunk so I REPLACED the OEM head and even upgraded the speakers.. Now I have a complete stereo that sounds as good as my home system.

I simply load a cheap $6 USB flash drive with my favorites and leave it connected to my stereo.. Picks up right where the ignition was turned off, no wires, no batteries and no chasing players around the cab..

Sure it takes an evening to install but to me it is well worth the small cost and a few hrs of my time to get good quality sound..

Are you sure there is no USB port? I have just the basic radio/CD/Sirius player in my 2011 GMC Sierra and I have the USB port on the dash, separate from the radio. Mine is under a circular cover that looks like it could be an additional 12-volt outlet.

As an aside: One of my pet peeves is that GM only put one 12-volt outlet in the truck. My last one, a 1998 Sierra, had 3. In this electronic/digital age, what are they thinking when they eliminate outlets?

Maybe your now have to pay extra to get the USB port? I wonder what they are thinking.

Wayne

I recently bought this Griffin iTrip Bluetooth to Aux from Walmart Linky. $50. It powers from the 12v outlet and just plugs into the stereo aux jack. It connects my iPhone and 2nd Gen iTouch thru bluetooth to play through the car stereo aux port. It works well. No interference or any other disappointments. It can also do the same in an RV if the radio has an aux port.

Gdetrailer, I'm happy you have a solution that works well for you. I too went through multiple dedicated portable media players. There are multiple solutions to for the OP's desires. Anything can be a distraction, including OEM radio interfaces. Minimizing the driver's time while moving is important, so finding a solution that is easy to use does just that. I believe that Android and iOS interfaces are universal and quick/easy to use.

I use my smartphone for everything. I always have my media available whether I'm in my car, my wife's, a friend's, camping, beach, a get together, etc since I always have my phone. I have disciplined battery management. I have playlists that I can set up prior to driving. I have steering wheel controls for basic track advance/play/pause after starting my playlist while driving.

I have multiple Zune mp3 players. In each vehicle, I have set up a docking station with plug into car stereo and charger plugged into car. When I get in, I grab the Zune, select my desired playlist, pop it into the dock and off I go.

No messing with any of the things identified above. If I want to skip a song, I just hit a single button. If I want to pause, I just hit a single button. No more difficult than using the car stereo itself.

I see this conversation running along the lines of those "as seen on TV" commercials - detailing a basic task as something so convoluted and difficult so you'll buy their product. In the end the product is no better or worse because the task was never that difficult to begin with.

Go with what you prefer. They will all work. None is significantly easier than any other.

APT wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

You CAN by regular MP3 PLAYERS with touch screens for $20-$50..

You can buy Android based tablets with 7" touch screens for for $30.

But in reality buying over fancy gadgetry just to play a simple MP3 MUSIC FILE is over the top silly at best..

Phones, touch screen players, and tablets add layers of difficulty in navigating and playing simple music files..

I disagree. Going to a somewhat standardized Android or iOS based touch interface are easier to learn due to the quantities of people using them. The cost at $20-$50 is the same as proprietary MP3 players. And you gain other smart device features for "free".

I got my first iPhone when my youngest child was 2. Within a minute he could navigate pictures and videos. They are designed for the simplest ease of use.

Hmm.. Funny, I have as of yet found ANY "MP3" players as "proprietary" unless you are counting all the "Apple" based versions.

Last MP3 player I bought cost $18, has 4 gig of memory has a small screen to navigate folders/files via push buttons (UP/DOWN) next, play, pause, on/off and plugs into my PC USB port and requires NO SOFTWARE INSTALLED on the PC and I can view the player contents without using MS media player. To my PC it looks and acts like a USB flash drive. To me that IS NOT "proprietary" in any way shape or form.

As far as using a portable MP3 player, tablet or in your case a cell phone all have major draw backs of taking YOUR ATTENTION OFF THE ROAD while you:

#1 FIND the player that fell off the seat or into the abyss between the seat and console

#2 Fiddle around trying to find the song or folder you want

#3 Battery dies while you are driving and you are trying to plug charger in.

#4 FIND the player that fell off the seat or into the abyss between the seat and console

Honestly.. I am not yanking your chain, I HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE IT with portable music devices.. Velcroed them down, screwed them down, strapped them down.. ALWAYS was more messing around than I cared to admit.

After buying a indash unit with USB port, I AM DONE with messing around with those half baked external music devices.

I simply copy all the music I want to a USB flash drive, plug it in to the radio and now I have a juke box in my dash.. All with a dependable display that stays put, controls that stay put. No more guessing and fumbling around in the dark.. My newest truck I also have steering wheel control of my stereo.. I rarely have to ever reach over to the radio..

But, you are very welcome to do it your way.

I prefer my music on a dedicated device. Makes it easier to just get to my music and have it interrupted. I don't want my favorite song to cut out mid-song for a phone call.

Gdetrailer wrote:

You CAN by regular MP3 PLAYERS with touch screens for $20-$50..

You can buy Android based tablets with 7" touch screens for for $30.

But in reality buying over fancy gadgetry just to play a simple MP3 MUSIC FILE is over the top silly at best..

Phones, touch screen players, and tablets add layers of difficulty in navigating and playing simple music files..

I disagree. Going to a somewhat standardized Android or iOS based touch interface are easier to learn due to the quantities of people using them. The cost at $20-$50 is the same as proprietary MP3 players. And you gain other smart device features for "free".

I got my first iPhone when my youngest child was 2. Within a minute he could navigate pictures and videos. They are designed for the simplest ease of use.