DICE vs GROM. Need to decide and looosing my mind!
 

Hi Guys,

I'm posting this here because this decision is governed by the fact that I have few options because I'm driving a 2000 X5 with DSP. While it's also audio, it's more important that it's a 2000 X5.

I've spent about 5 days absolutely obsessing about whether to install the DICE Silverline Pro or the GROM AUX into my X5 with DSP.
I've been working with the amazing guys from BSW but I just can't make up my mind. Aside from the price (comes out almost the same w. adapters), here are the factors I need to consider:

- 90% of my driving is 10 mins. or less. 99% of that is ONE playlist ("Driving Music")
- I'm using a tape adapter and just want higher audio quality
- I'm used to/enjoy using the iPod to control music...having song names on the screen and controlling it with my steering wheel isn't as important to me.
- I've read a LOT of negative reviews of the Dice. I know you always hear the negative and rarely the positive on the forums, but the negative I have heard sounds like it would drive me crazy.
- I'm talking about problems like difficulty scrolling, static, clicking sounds, etc.
- The DICE sounds great when it works. The GROM sounds simple, fool proof and straight forward. No scrolling text, no steering wheel. LESS to go wrong or make problems.

- There's a good chance I'll be selling my X5 in a year as I might be moving.

I'm a college student who got the X5 with sheer good luck for a great price. $200 for either system + DSP adapter is a BIG investment for me.

Can you succinctly give me your opinion? Sway me?

Thank you for your help, I've spent at least 30 hours this past week researching this. It's a problem.

Thanks to BSW for bearing with me.

There are many differences between AUX and a full integration kit like the DICE Silverline kit.

The DICE should work perfectly without a hitch, you spend a lot of time in your X5 - try to make the experience as pleasurable as possible.

Been watching videos of all the scrolling text and it honestly just looks like the whole thing would be easier by picking up the iPod, finding my song and pressing play.

Could you please elaborate on these "many differences"?
Thanks Tom

Features of DICE SILVERLINE PRO Pod Integration kit include:
- Direct integrated connection, without the need for FM transmitters or cassette adapters
- Full Text Display
- Full control of your iPod via the radio buttons while in play
- Browse by Individual Song
- Browse by Individual Playlist
- Browse by Individual Albums
- Source Selector w/ Integrated AUX input
- Album Selection
- Full charging mode for all iPods (including iPhone touch models) through included dock connector

Features of AUX include:
- AUX is merely a headphone jack. No charging, no steering wheel control or text display.

The 2 items are completely different products. You simply get what you pay for.

Thanks, Tom. I have a charger that plugs into my cigarette lighter and after watching numerous videos of the DICE in action it looks quite cumbersome to actually get where I want to go, whereas the GROM will just let me pick up my iPod, find my playlist with a list of songs and choose it.

I've heard nothing bad about the Grom...Is there a difference in audio quality? I understand the benefits of the Dice (things the Grom doesn't offer) but are there DRAWBACKS to the Grom?

Cheers again for your kind help.

Answered your PM.

The two products aren't really comparable. Integration is worth it. I didn't find it hard to navigate my Icelink, I just set up playlists. Often I had it on random shuffle, and just used the skip song feature on the steering wheel controls.

I don't think it is at all safe for the driver to be looking at the song list on a iPod while driving, it is the same as texting while driving, but that is just me. We have an aux input on our X3, and use it with an iPod, but I don't use it in town, only on road trips when there is a passenger along to navigate the iPod.

I had really bad feedback from my Dice HD (not Silverline) that I ended up bailing on that and installing the OEM Aux input. I also didn't like the fact that my iPod would lock up and I couldn't control it via the device itself. There is a reason the UI on Apple's interface is so good, and I wanted to use it.

Not sure if the Silverline addresses the latter but I tried Ground Loop isolators, moving the cable, etc in my 2002 and couldn't get rid of the annoying whining sound that occurred as RPMs fluctuated.

I ended up being very happy with Aux-In.

For simplicity - the AUX kit would work - as it's a 3.5mm jack.

The DICE commands emulate the BMW factory CD Changer as well as the iPod commands, so no training is necessary. Having immediate access to Artists/Playlists and Albums is nice - with text display scrolling.

Let me know what you decide upon.

Yea, see, reports like this keep worrying me. I've heard that so often..the higher the RPMs go the more likely you are to get a sudden whine or clicking.

I know that the new Silverline Pro lets you select whether you want to control it over the HU/Steering wheel, over the iPod, or BOTH (use "hold" switch on iPod to toggle), so at least they're making positive changes.

Still torn about it, though. GROM seems to be a no brainer, but the DICE just...feels like it's premium, although I keep hearing problems.

You seem to have a case of Analysis Paralysis. First decision is, do you really want either?

If you are worried about feedback from wiring, that can happen with any device and has more to do with your vehicle than the accessory you are installing.

If you don't think the Grom has any issues, do a Google search. I found a half million pages by googling "Grom Ipod Problems", about the same number for "DICE Ipod Problems". Not scientific, but there you go. I have never used the Grom, so can't comment on the quality. My Icelink worked fine.

One thing you might want to consider is that Tom is a board sponsor, and answers DICE questions in the sub forum. That may be worth something to you, it is to me.

Very true. In fact, you are correct on all counts. I'm a college student on a budget and I'm new to any type of modifications to my car. Naturally this is part of "tuning' a car to your preference, I'm just encountering a bad case of not wanting to make the "wrong" decision, even when BOTH options will likely make me happy in the end.

One hour I'm convinced the simplicity of the GROM is the way to go. Then I read a forum post, a note by Tom or someone from BSW and I think "They're right, it IS only the unhappy people who post" and I think the DICE must surely be the best choice.

Either way...happy to hear more input and I'll definitely let the whole world know when I've decided.

I'm currently a GROM user. Got it from ebay and installed it myself. I'm happy with it BUT I want more functions and capabilities! (Human Nature?) I decided to try the DICE as well - so I ordered it through ebay a few days ago. It will arrive Aug 17. I will be able to compare and probably make a comparative analysis for both modules a few days after the 17th.

Glad to hear from someone in the same situation! How did you like the GROM (fit, audio quality, etc.) Does it behave itself?

See, I'm actually not really in need of more functions and capabilities, I just want high-quality music from my iPod in my X5 and am concerned that the "extra capabilities" make the Dice less stable.

Finally got my DICE here in Manila and I personally installed it earlier this morning. If the GROM unit was easy to install, the DICE was 5 times easier because it came with the whole rear connector for the Business CD Radio.

Point by Point Comparison DICE vs GROM:

AUDIO QUALITY - same for DICE and GROM (CD Quality)

ADDTL. AUX input - same (Present in both DICE and GROM)

AUX Input Audio Quality
-DICE is better. It comes with adjustable Bass, Mid and Treble. AUX unit can also be recalled through CD-5 button. I have my DVD Player Audio routed through here!
-GROM does not have this function. To toggle between the IPOD and the AUX unit, you have to disconnect one of them.

IPOD INTEGRATION
Audio Quality - same CD Quality Audio

Playlist Accessing
DICE is better, ALL Playlists are acdcessible / GROM is limited to 5 Playlists only

Accessing of other IPOD Content
-DICE is better, you can access by Playlist, by Album, By Artist, By Song. Song titles, Artists, Album titles all appear on my instrument cluster pixelized screen.

-GROM - Only 5 playlists can be accessible through the MID Radio controls. Although you can just plug on your IPOD through the AUX input of the GROM and access the songs through the IPOD controls directly.

PRICE:
GROM $70
DICE $160 (128% MORE THAN THE GROM)

Overall Comment / Verdict:
-DICE is for the Audiophiles and iPOD/Music Addicts who does not mind spending 128% more just to have the iPOD unit hidden and out of sight. Needs to see his X5 dashboard clean and neat!

-GROM is for the budget conscious music iPOD lovers who don't care if they access other iPOD content through the iPOD buttons itself.

I currently love the DICE! (until a better one comes along). Thanks guys! Hope this helps.

It sounds, from your usage, like you don't need the extra niceties of the Dice unit. If all you want to do is play the iPod through your stereo using a high-quality input, and you're on a budget, the least expensive way to go sounds like the best.

Unless you need it to recharge your iPod's batteries, another option is a BMW Auxiliary Input cable, which attaches to the back of your head unit. They're about $75.

i had the silverline pro. i have dsp in my 02 x5 but didnt need the adaptor. it worked great. i replaced it with the mediabridge for bluetooth and that works great. takes 10 mins to hook up. i know nothing of the other one. i bought a used ipod on ebay for $40. that way i didnt have to bother running the wires to the front of the car. scrolling is easy, but basically i left it on my top 25 songs and never touched a button. i'll let the silverline pro go cheap.

Great review! Did you receive the DICE DUO or MediaBridge?