I purchased a Dension Ice link to hook up my iPod through my car stereo, a few weeks back, and just thought I'd share with you my experiences with the product and the company.

Overall, the product is OK. The sound is pretty good-I am one of the lucky ones I guess. Evidently there has been a significant problem with grounding noise, so that the user experiences (serious) engine noise over the stereo system when using the Ice Link hookup. But it hasn’t been a problem for me. The product is pretty flaky at times. I have had to reset my iPod about 6 times in the ~month I have been using it, to get the Ice Link to recognize the iPod. I also frequently (nearly every time I plug it in) have to turn the radio off and on a few times to get the stereo system to link with the Ice Link. A nice feature to the Ice Link is that it gives you the ability to use the iPod UI while it is connected. However, you don’t get the song names and artist to scroll on the radio head unit (if you have that feature) if you are in the iPod UI. I think there maybe other 3rd party adaptors that allow the same thing though.

The main issue I have had with the product is that is seriously damaging the casing on my iPod. I am not so vain as to need my iPod in pristine condition all the time, but their cradle has nearly removed two digits from my serial number on the back of my iPod, along with placing a serious scratch down the back of the unit, and has also marred the sides pretty bad. They offer a cable connecter instead, but the company outright refuses to replace the cradle, stating they don’t stand behind any products that were not purchased on their website (I got mine at Best Buy). They want me to spend the $40 on a new cable. Well, I know it is not a lot of $$, but I spent over $200 on the product (and you don’t get a lot for the $200-just a couple of cables and a connector), so I think a company should stand behind their products: if a design flaw in their product is damaging mine, they should take steps to address the issue. But they simply refuse.

I first tried to deal with this with Zoltan in Technical Service. He stated over and over again that there was nothing he could do, (seemingly) primarily because they can’t resell the cradle. He finally said to email him, and he would see what he could do. Well, 10 days and two emails later, and no response from Zoltan.

My last conversation, with Tom, x115 at Dension, was unbelievable. He is the Customer Service Manager, and he wouldn’t even listen to me. He said I could buy a new cable, or return it to Best Buy. Period. Well, I can’t return it to Best Buy, since it has been past 30 days, so essentially, they are telling me my product has a 30 day warranty, since if I have any problems with the product, I am out of luck since I can’t return it anymore. I asked to speak with his supervisor, and he refused. I asked the name of his supervisor, and he refused to give it to me. Unbelievable. I would like to take them to small claims court, but I have no idea about how to go about that, and if it is possible with an out-of-state company.

Just thought I would share my fun experiences with Dension. Buy one if you want, but don’t expect a lot of service, OR a trouble-free product.