Planet Audio PFM2 Wired FM Modulator Review
Monday, December 13, 2010
by Vera Smith
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Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I get great quality with my unit. Only the tiniest bit of hiss, no more than any other radio feed. There is a high pitched whine on AM when in underground parking structures, but that's where my AM reception is dying anyway.
Make sure you properly ground the device during installation to minimize interference. If you don't like the sound quality, just flip the 4 jumper switches to a different frequency to find one you like! This lets me use my mp3 player in Los Angeles, where the cigarette lighter FM modulators with wireless transmitters are absolutely useless.
For the money, it's wonderful. Doesn't come with many cables, though. You'll have to buy your own RCA-stereo mini plug cable.
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Product Description:
Wired FM Modulator
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USA SPEC PA11- FORD1 - iPod in-vehicle interface adapter Review
Thursday, October 14, 2010
by Vera Smith
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Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)My bride wanted an iPod in her 2001 Ford Taurus Wagon for Christmas.
At first I tried the Belkin TuneBase FM with ClearScan thinking that this would be an easy solution but quickly found that the cigar lighter was not very stable and since the antenna was in the rear, the reception was awful. Granted the TuneBase is a $90 purchase at target and the kids working returns were very empathetic to my having tried it and suggested the hardwired option.
The PA11-FORD1 got good reviews and the best price is here at Amazon. I had to purchase the extension cable from Crutchfield (a great resource for DIYer's) since the stereo receiver unit is mounted behind the spare tire on this vehicle. The wiring harness adapter has some heat shrink that has to be removed to get both connectors on the receiver. the extension cable can be run following the factory cable bundle along the drivers side floor board but the rear seatbelt bolt has to be removed with a large torx wrench to move the panel out. Once routed to the dash, the din tools are a must to remove the radio panel and mount the unit behind the dash.
I paired it with a Bracketron bezel mount that requires drilling into the metal frame around the radio and it's rock solid.
The PA11-FORD1 works in place of the CD changer option and sounds great.
I saved some bucks over having it professionally installed but if you are not so inclined I would suggest paying to have it done. Cheers!
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Product Description:
The PA11 series iPod interfaces provide direct connection for an iPod plus an optional audio source such as satellite radio, DVD, or video game system. Both the iPod and the additional audio source can be selected from the factory radioâ??s front panel. The interface adapter connects the iPod to your factory radio as if it were a CD changer, allowing direct selection of iPod playlists through the radioâ??s preset (or disc) buttons and is compatible with iPod models featuring the dock connector, including the iPod nano and 5G iPod video.
There are two operating modes available for the interface, Playlist Mode and Direct Mode. Playlist Mode uses the controls on the factory radio to provide basic navigation functions including song up/down, playlist up/down, repeat, shuffle, scan, and FF/REW functions. Direct Mode uses the iPod's click wheel to navigate through the iPod's menus and select songs, artists, playlists, etc. and the radio buttons are used only for volume, bass and treble. Both modes still charge the iPod while connected, and stops one hour after the iPod is paused to prevent over-charging.
Note: Display of artist and song title information, track search by artist, song title, album or genre are NOT supported. Only the Playlist and track numbers are displayed.
Applications:
Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - 1998-2002
Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - 2003-2005 May require optional CASF24 cable
Continental/Town Car - 1998-2002
Econoline - 1996-2003
Escape/Mustang - 2001-2003
Excursion - 2000-2005 Expedition/Navigator - 1999-2002
Explorer/Mountaineer - 1998-2005
Focus - 1998-2002
F-250/F-350 - 1998-2002
F-Series Truck - 2004
LS - 2000-2004
Marauder - 2003-2004
Nissan Quest 1999-2002
Ranger - 1996-1997
Sport Trac - 2000-2004
Taurus/Sable 1997-2005
Windstar/Villager - 1999-2003
Note: Factory radio must have a CD button.
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USA SPEC PA11-HON - iPod in-vehicle interface adapter Review
Friday, September 10, 2010
by Vera Smith
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Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I ordered this from Crutchfield (same price as here) after someone complained, according to their review, that the other leading Honda ipod interface (I forget the name) cut down on the volume.
I had some difficulty locating this particular model.... it's not the easiest to find. Also, if you go to a generic place (like Best Buy), they won't always know exactly what you need. Crutchfield has an online 'quiz' that asks you questions about your particular car, make, model, year, and what options you have installed, and then gives you a list of applicable options.
We have a factory radio with built in CD player, no cassette player, no CD changer, and no navigation system. If you DO have a changer, chances are you will have to unplug it in order to have a space to plug in the ipod adapter cable thingie in its place (the choice is yours - - 6 hours of music, or 16 days of music - - whichever you prefer)
I also like that it has two interface possibilities, depending on the simple flip of a dip switch. Default setting is 'playlist mode.' You set up playlists in iTunes, labeled HONDA1, HONDA2, respectively, up to 5, and control them with the corresponding '1-6' buttons on your radio/CD player. In essence then, your ipod mimics a CD changer, but with each playlist having an unlimited number of tracks (although the display stops counting at 99 - - a limitation of the CD technology, not the ipod's). This is perfect when travelling with persons with diverse tastes in music - - you can program something for everyone. There is no 'HONDA6' because the '6' button plays all tracks on the ipod.
Drawbacks to playlist mode, as far as I can tell, is that if you're addicted to the 'shuffle' feature of your ipod, you're out of luck (as far as I know - - haven't had a lot of time to play around with it just yet).
However, flip dip switch #2 to the off position, and you can directly access all of the ipod's features (according to the installation manual) - - volume, treble, bass, etc. etc. In this particular case, the ipod plays through DISC 5, trk 1 on your radio.
To recap then.... in playlist mode, the adapter completely takes over the controls on the ipod..... buttons don't work, etc. In direct mode, you can control and have access to all of the menu features and settings on your ipod.
Steering wheel controls also work on this model - - volume up or down, and hitting the button in between on the steering wheel will advance to the next track.
I had the installer install the actual interface module in the left side of the glovebox, so that I can have access to the dip switches. Also, the ipod can stay in there with it, out of site.... handy (but don't forget it in there on hot days).
Furthermore, the adapter also features a set of standard RCA audio plug-in jacks, if you want to plug in some other external source of music or video (like a portable DVD player). To use this setting, simply change dip switch number one from on to off.
BTW, I tried virtually ALL of the highly recommended FM transmitters for ipods - - and returned EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. With this, I look forward to many happy hours of music in my Honda. Money well spent, I'm already convinced.
I'm giving it 4 stars because I just got it today..... I'll let you know later if I'd give it 5 stars.
(A bit later):
OK, I just absolutely adore it. 5 stars.
I like the direct setting even better. I confess, I'm addicted to the shuffle setting on my ipod, and I like the 'giant jukebox' aspect of the shuffle play.
Couple of extra notes:
This adapter also charges your ipod. No need for an external charger.
In both modes (direct and playlist - see above review for explanation), the music will start where you left off. In fact, in direct mode, it went back a few seconds and gently faded in when I restarted the car.... very nice.
Sound quality is very good. Your mileage may vary, as they say..... it depends on what you listen to and the quality (or bit rate) at which you import your songs into iTunes. I import my songs at a fairly high rate (224 kbps), because I don't care for Apple's default rate (128, if I remember correctly). Also, and is this is fairly obvious...... Blind Lemon Jefferson is going to sound differently than say, Bruce Springsteen. When listening to some Hank Williams Sr. earlier today, I could have wished for a bit more bass. Fortunately, in direct mode, I can change those settings to my hearts content.
This was installed in a Honda Odyssey 2000 minivan. The above complaint (about wanting a bit more bass) is also a general complaint against the Honda factory stereo system..... it's a pretty good system, but not great. (Sigh) I guess a speaker upgrade from Crutchfield is the next step......
Also, if you order from Crutchfield, they claim to have installation instructions for the do it yourselfer - - in this particular case, they didn't...... only info on how to remove the dash panel from around the stereo. I'm pretty handy, but opted to have someone else do it instead...... $30 bucks cash got it done nice and neatly..... be sure to shop around tho', as prices are likely to vary greatly.
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Product Description:
The PA11HON Honda / Acura iPod interface provides direct connection for an iPod plus an optional audio source such as satellite radio, DVD, or video game system. Both the iPod and the additional audio source can be selected from the factory radioâ?TMs front panel. The interface adapter connects the iPod to your factory Honda or Acura radio as if it were a CD changer, allowing direct selection of iPod playlists through the radioâ?TMs preset (or disc) buttons and is compatible with iPod models featuring the dock connector, including the iPod nano and 5G iPod video.
The PA11 series iPod interfaces have two operating modes available. Playlist Mode uses the controls on the factory radio to provide basic navigation functions including song up/down, playlist up/down, repeat, shuffle, scan, and FF/REW functions. Direct Mode uses the iPod's click wheel to navigate through the iPod's menus and select songs, artists, playlists, etc. and the radio buttons are used only for volume, bass and treble. Both modes still charge the iPod while connected, and stops one hour after the iPod is paused to prevent over-charging.
Note: Display of artist and song title information, track search by artist, song title, album or genre are NOT supported. Only the Playlist and track numbers are displayed.
Honda Applications:
Accord - 1994-2002
Civic - 1994-2005
CRV - 1995-2004
Odyssey - 1995-2004
Pilot - 2003-2005
Prelude - 1995-2004
Acura Applications:
Integra - 1992-2001
Legend - 1991-1997
Vigor - 1991-1997
See PA11HON2y for other 2003-2006 Honda vehicles.
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