USA SPEC Volkswagen iPod® Interface Connects your iPod to select 2005-up Volkswagen factory radios Review
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
by Vera Smith
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Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Okay, here it goes. The review is gonna be long but it includes EVERYTHING you need to know about the product...
First. I have a 2005 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T GLS sedan with the standard double-din (double-height) factory stereo.
I did a lot of research and glad I did. It was invaluable... which is why I'm writing this review in return.
Overall, excellent! EASY install, GREAT sound quality. Smart design.
First of all, I recommend that anyone considering this product, download the owner's manual from the USA SPEC website (for free in PDF format). That will give you an idea of the scope of the installation and the different "modes" available and how the factory stereo controls work and what the different "CD choices" represent. More on this later.
Next, in addition to buying this unit, you need the "keys" to pull the radio from the dash. You technically need four but can use two. They go into each corner of the radio (see the horizontal slots). You can buy the keys on ebay... or you can visit your local Best Buy, etc. and throw the tech a few bucks and pull the radio right there in the parking lot... like I did. If you only have two keys, pull the left side of the radio first (lots of youtube videos on how this works... I recommend you watch a couple before attempting). Once the left side of the radio is "out" (literally a couple of millimeters) then use the keys to pull the right side of the radio and voila!
I also recommend that you remove the glove compartment... MUCH EASIER THAN YOU THINK... Five torx screws. Open the glove compartment and you'll see three torx screws along the inside of the top of the compartment. There are also two torx screws underneath the glove compartment down below. You may need to get down on your knees to see them.
WHEN YOU PULL THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OUT BE SURE TO DISCONNECT THE INTERIOR LIGHT. It has a quick connect plug located on the left side of the compartment. Once the compartment is out, you have A LOT of space to work with. I read some reviews about people having problems finding a place for the unit... I had no problems... with the glove compartment out. Honestly, I don't know how people were able to install the unit without taking the glove compartment out... you decide...
Also, a lot of reviews mention that there is a ground wire which you need to connect... TRUE... and not mentioned in the documentation. When you take the cables out of the box, suddenly there is this black wire hanging off one of the connectors... that's the ground wire... Connecting the ground wire correctly IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. If it's not installed properly... (good connection) you'll get buzzing, static. etc... Very bad. Also, most reviews that I read said that the ground wire isn't long enough. Also, TRUE. I had to splice an additional 2' to the ground in order to get to a good ground connection... As for a good ground connection. This was daunting at first... You have to be careful what you connect the wire to. For example, DO NOT CONNECT TO ANYTHING UNDER THE DASHBOARD THAT IS EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG = BAD!!!!!! The airbag unit can be seen when the glove compartment is out. If you look up under the open space where the glove compartment was... that's it. This is what I did... I ran a ground wire from where I spliced to the right side of the front passenger foot well. Went you look at the right side... down by where you're feet would be positioned, there are a couple of screws... one will have a TON of brown wires connected to it... There's another one right next to it... Simply unscrew the nut, attach the exposed portion of the ground wire (I wrapped the wire around the bolt post then reinstalled the nut). The nut was the same color as my car so it might be hard to find. Also, for good measure, it's not a bad idea to take some sandpaper to the bolt and the nut... it's painted which means you may not get a good ground... IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT IS A GOOD GROUND CONNECTION, CONSULT SOMEONE WHO DOES. THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT. You DON'T want to fry your electrical system... and guess what, factory warranties are generally void if you alter the wiring... not sure if this unit qualifies for the disqualification but if the warranty underwriter finds out you were installing this unit, chances are they won't approve that $4,000 claim. BE CAREFUL!
When the glove compartment is out, look to the left of where your feet would be and look directly behind/below the radio... There is a PERFECT spot for the unit...
When you unplug the stereo, ONLY UNPLUG THE CD CHANGER (BLUE) PLUG... If you pull the other one, you'll lose power to the radio and will have to enter the security code to activate the unit again. (Call your VW dealer... they keep the four digit code on file).
Connecting the unit is as simple as it looks in the instructions. In addition to this unit I bought a fantastic iPod/iPhone mount to complete the professional look. Crutchfield has an excellent one ($65 but worth every penny). Simple to mount too... Pull the trip from the climate control switches, remove two torx screws on the right side of the climate control unit, insert the mount and reinstall the two torx bolts and the trim... DONE!
Also, during the installation, I added the RCA/3.5mm jack. You'll have to change one of the DIP switches on the module, but it's all explained well in the documentation. I ran the AUX jack (which is associated with CD #6 on the changer) into my glove compartment (made a small hole in the back to feed the wire through). Now I have another connection for a DVD player, sat radio, etc...
The sound is amazing. I'm using the "Hybrid" mode which allows me to control the iPod/iPhone from the device or the radio... I prefer to use the device... more intuitive and familiar. Supposedly, if you have steering wheel controls for the radio, they will work as well. I don't have that option...
Also, not documented very well... but very nice feature: When you turn the car off, the radio turns off and the iPod paused at the exact spot... When you turn the car on... touch nothing and the song will continue from that position.
This is THE answer you're looking for if you want excellent sound quality and a minimally invasive installation (no wire cutting, etc.)
Hope you all enjoy!
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Product Description:
iPod connection adapter for select 2005-up Volkswagen factory stereos * manage the iPod via your radio's CD changer controls * adjust volume, track up/down, fast forward/rewind * use up to five playlists (select five favorites, or Auto Playlist will let you choose from the first five on your iPod) * Direct Mode allows you to control everything via the iPod itself, giving you access to all playlists (requires a DIP switch change on the USA SPEC adapter) *
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USA SPEC PA11-VW6 - iPod in-vehicle interface adapter Review
Saturday, October 9, 2010
by Vera Smith
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Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I had this installed by best buy for $50 and like it. It has a spot for aux input also, requiring an optional rca to headphone cable (~$12).Now I have both aux and iphone/ipod connections. You can't hear both at the same time (ie directions from one device, music from another) but it will still charge the Iphone when playing aux from another source. You can have devices operating on both cables and switch easily between them by selecting a different preselect button. I had hoped that "control from factory radio" meant you could see track names, but you can't.You can select from existing playlists or use the dial to advance quickly through a list. One preselect button allows control from your apple device directly.The aux connection as no control from radio and does not charge. Sound from the Ipod/phone with apple connection is great. Aux is not impressive, which may be a result of the cheap rca cable I added. FYI - manufacturer's website claims that the provided apple cable is an updated 3g s cable.
Click Here to see more reviews about: USA SPEC PA11-VW6 - iPod in-vehicle interface adapter
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 are 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:
Cabrio - 1998-2004
Beetle - 1998-2003
Beetle Convertible - 2003-2006
EuroVan - 2001-2004
Golf - 1998-2006
GTI - 1998-2006
Jetta - 1998-2004
Passat - 1998-2005
Touareg - 2004-2006
Special Note: PA11VW is not compatible with vehicles equipped with Satellite radio tuner, DVD, or CD changer. Also, some 1998-1999 vehicles equipped with Bose or Premier radios with 13-pin DIN cable in trunk are not compatible with PA11VW.
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USA-Spec PA15-HON2 Honda to iPod Interface Review
Sunday, September 12, 2010
by Vera Smith
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Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I ordered a USA Spec PA15HON2Y to use my iPhone 3G in my 2005 Accord.I looked at multiple products including a parrot MKi9100 and DICE.Ended up choosing going with a USA Spec and a separate Parrot bluetooth unit (MK3000) since it 1) was price right and 2) offered integration with the factory radio.
My Accord has built in Navigation so I wanted something that would play nice.The USA Spec unit does integrate with my nav and radio.You can set up the USA Spec to display using text of what is playing (Artist, name, category).This will scroll through the upper radio display on the Accord as well as on the Audio menu on the navigation screen.If you want text, it will put the iPod menu on the iPhone into accessory mode and will not allow you to select specific songs directly from the iPhone.You will need to use the stereo controls or the steering wheel controls to scroll.There is the option to give you direct access to the iPod screen (you adjust modes by the pre programmed XM stations ie XM station 1 would be Artist, 2 would be by Category, 3, all songs, 6 is direct ipod).If you do choose to toggle to the direct iPod control, you lose the text - it'll just show as iPod.
The USA Spec unit will also allow you to keep XM functionality in the Accord.The XM stations show up on XM2 mode.... I don't subscribe to XM but can still hear their barker/preview stations.
One concern I had was that I definitely did not want to lose my navigation controls... safe to say it all still works... the Nav still shows maps, etc as well as provides voice directions.It will continue to mute (like it normally does) XM, FM, and iPod music when it gives you directions.
Installation wasn't too bad - took awhile to get everything out (and yes you have to take out the factory navigation to get to the right plug). After you pull out the nav unit, it's plug and play (unplug the blue plug from the back of the Honda Nav, plug in the male end of the cable that attaches to the USA Spec unit, plug in the additional adapter, then plug in the original Honda Nav plug right into the additional adapter (the adapter allows you to keep your XM).
I used some heavy duty auto tape to secure the litte USA spec box on top of the nav DVD drive and ran the ipod cable through the empty slot below (had to cut a small opening). I put everything back together and everything is hidden and seamless (except the adapter cord that plugs right into the iPhone).It does charge the iPhone too!
It sounds great.... (at least the same quality of the CD player).A couple of other great things about the USA Spec - it has another set of audio inputs.I plan on using these eventually when I add video through my navigation to get sound in since all of the video adapters still require another sound adapter.Also, it works great with Pandora or streaming podcasts through itunes (if you're in an area that has good AT&T coverage).I added the Parrot CK3000 bluetooth since I didn't want to have to unplug the iphone to answer it... the iPhone plays nice with both at the same time... if I'm listening to my podcasts and get a phone call, the music gradually softens and the phone rings.
The new DICE silverline units looks like it performs the same way but it was $40 more than the cheapest price I could find with the USA Spec.
Overall, I give this 4 stars and would recommend it.... only thing I wish it would do is also show song text even if it was in direct mode.... maybe this is a limitation on apple's part where it doesn't send text data if your using it as an accessory. Also, each time you plug your iPhone in, you get a nag screen about it isn't made for the iPhone and if you want to turn on Airplane mode to minimize interference... I hit no and it works fine.
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Product Description:
New model includes the new #G Cable enables full charging of all ipods including new 3G iPhone, New Nano and new 2nd Gen iTouch
Selected model years of Acura TL, TSX, RDX, and Honda Element, Accord, Civic, CRV, Ridgeline, S2000
Easy Installation - All Cables are Plug and Play for Easy Installation Adds Additional Aux Input Direct Mode Allows You to Control Everything via the iPod Superior Sound Quality - True Digital Quality Sound through Factory Radio Uses CD Changer Function - Operate an iPod Just Like a CD Changer Auto Maintain and Auto Memory Auto Playlist Select - Selects the First 5 Play Lists On Your iPod Other Features, Track Forward/Back/Select Playlist/Shuffle/Random Play Auto Skip - Skip 10+ Songs In Each Playlist Auto Charge - Charges iPod Battery and Auto Stops after 1 Hour of Non-Use
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