ipod interfaces

i recently got a ipod video and am wanting to hook it up in my car. i have an alpine deck that i bought i think like a year ago. it's a CDA-9827. according to alpine, the ipod interface would work with this deck. i'm contemplating getting it so i can play the ipod through the car. i was just wondering if anyone else uses the interface ( i think it is model number kce-420i) and if so how do you like it? i was also wondering what other types of interfaces are out there. I know about the FM transmitters and how they are not the greatest. anyways, any help would be appreciated.

the install of the interface is no problem because i've installed everything in my car myself this far and i think i can handle the interface.

I have an iPod Mini running to a CDA-9847 through the KCE-420i and I love it. A friend of mine has the Pioneer DEH P3700MP with their iPod hardware, and I have to say I like the navigation of the Alpine much more.
You can search by Artist, Playlist, Genre, or Album. The only downside is that if you have a lot of different artists, it can be a pain getting to what you want. If I want to listen to underOATH, I just scroll backwards a bit...and voila. Li'l Wyte, on the other hand, takes a LOT of scrolling to get to. If you only listen to a few different artists, or you use playlists a lot, it's wonderful.

i'm wondering if you can select a song or a playlist directly on the player rather than using the deck? i know this sort of defeats the purpose but what if there is a passenger in the car that wants to select something and doesn't know how to use the deck.

Every one of my friends gets a short lesson on how to work the deck.
It's really easy.

must be nice to have technologically sound friends. mine barely know how to turn the computer on