Kudos for Suzuki for using this covered compartment in front of the shifter for the iPod hookup. It's a cinch to plug in the iPod as you can see the port and access it without any awkward fumbling around such as when it's located in the glovebox or center console box. And unlike using one of the latter locations, you won't have to rearrange other things, such as the owner's manual(s) or umm, gloves in the glovebox or whatever you've stuffed into the console box.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 19,210 miles
saturn95 says:
04:31 PM, 02/21/11
Another example of the exceptional attention to detail Suzuki put into this car.
blueguydotcom says:
07:30 PM, 02/21/11
I don't put my Touch in my car often (almost never) but I've found the center glove box is the best option while having it at the front of the center console like this will mean it will slide all over the place. Fail, in my view.
Best place ever - still - dash glovebox. It's totally out of sight, you don't ever come in contact with it and if it's like my e46 you could charge off the flashlight power supply. I just left my iPod plugged into my e46.
johnnyturbo says:
10:42 PM, 02/21/11
@ blueguy,
There is a small rubber mat inside this cubby so my iPod didn't slide around at all. Furthermore, as you can see in the second photo, it is also totally out of sight. Lastly, I left it plugged in (wherein it charges up the iPod), operated it via the audio interface and/or steering wheel controls and never had to touch it until I took it out of the car. A win, actually.
lostboyz says:
03:35 AM, 02/22/11
use a thumbdrive
fushigi says:
06:14 AM, 02/22/11
@lostboyz - That's my normal comment as well, but in the Kazoo's case I'm not so sure. That USB plug looks to be fairly close to the cubby lid so if you use a normal size thumb drive the lid might not fully close. Maybe IL or johnnyturbo can say if the cubby door will close if a regular thumb drive is installed.
Of course there are smaller form-factor thumb drives that would probably be fine.
blueguydotcom says:
07:52 AM, 02/22/11
@johnny,
Sorry, don't like it there. I want it either in the center glovebox for easy access/removal or totally, completely removed in the dash. In its current location it would be pretty much inaccessible for me to easily retrieve it, no thanks. For many people this setup is probably good. For me it would be an exercise in frustration (couldn't get my fingers to it) or I'd use the cord to pull it out (which isn't a good thing).
mtaylor3 says:
01:35 PM, 02/22/11
I find this to be the perfect spot for the USB and it also makes a great place to put the key fob (or wallet or anything else you don't want in your pocket). The rubber mat keeps anything from sliding around. And if I'm leaving the car for a short period and don't want to take my ipod, just unplug it and shut the door. Done! OK, so maybe it's not the best idea to leave the ipod in the car unattended for any length of time, but at least it's hidden. I actually leave the door closed most of the time while driving, since all the controls I need are on the steering wheel.