ipod adapter suggestions...

Hi all,

I'm tired of living without my ipod in my truck. What adapters out there integrate well with the stock audio system of the RL RTL (no nav)? I know Honda sells the "Music Link" adapter but I'm looking for something less pricey that works as well or better.

TIA;)

USA Spec Pa11-HON2 Can get it at crutchfield.com ir circuitcity.com Make sure and get the HON2 not just the HON. Works like a charm!





I'm tired of living without my ipod in my truck. What adapters out there integrate well with the stock audio system of the RL RTL (no nav)? I know Honda sells the "Music Link" adapter but I'm looking for something less pricey that works as well or better.

TIA;)[/QUOTE]

Looks very cool. How was the installation? I didn't find this on Circuit City. Crutchfield has it but no installation instructions for the Ridgeline. Did you have to pull the radio out to plug into the Aux or were you able to get to it via the cd/storage compartment?

I've also got one of the radio transmitters and it's prone to static. It's amazing how few "clean" channels are available.

If my wife's iPod sits unused on the kitchen island for much longer, I'll confiscate it and buy something like this... :cool:

I installed one a few weeks back when I was replacing all the door speakers, could not be easier. I removed the radio and used industrial velcro to mount the adaptor on the top of the CD cubby. I drilled a small hole in the CD cubby and fed the iPod cable thru and it all tucks away nicely. This part of the install took maybe 15 minutes. The sound quality is great too. Hope this helps.

Oh yeah!!!! I forgot to mention, I have RTL XM, no nav. To keep xm, you will have to go to the dealer ship and get the oem 2 port Y bus cable. It's $15 + tax. This way you can keep cd changer, keep xm. Unplug XM, plug in Y cable, plug XM into one side and iPod adapter into the other. And don't worry, it can't be messed up, there's only one way that it works so you cant plug the wrong things in the wrong places.

Good luck.

BTW....I mounted mine in glove box, just screwed USA Spec unit into back wall and iPod lays in there.

I too second the USA-Spec adapter. It is easy as pie to install!
Take off the dash using the two screwdriver points beneath the steering wheel
remove 5 screws
pull the radio out
plug in the USA-Spec adapter
route iPod cable as wanted
put radio back, screws, and snap dash back on.

I mounted mine using velcro to the top of the CD compartment below the radio (I have an RTL without SR or XM). I then drilled a hole in the back of that compartment to run the iPod cable out.
My iPod now sits in that compartment.

MusicLink is far from perfect. Had I known how imperfect I'd have used another adapter.

I just installed this adapter... Similair to the USA Spec...

http://mp3yourcar.com/productdetails.asp?type=FACTORY&make=Honda&model=Ridgeline&carYear=2006&productID=714

It allows you to still control the ipod thru the clickwheel. (I'm not sure if the USA Spec allows that) You can also use the steering wheel controls to move forward and backward in the current playlist or album as well. The audio quality is very good.

Installation was just as mentioned earlier - very simple. I, too, ran the cable out into the cd cubby, so I can easily reach the ipod to select albums/playlists etc...

I'm currently using the Itrip FM adaptor with my Ipod. It works OK most of the time, but I'm looking for something better.

What works best with the XM equiped systems. I don't want to loose my XM just to use the Ipod. I've already bought and returned 2 different adaptors because they disable the XM

When you are using the Honda splitter, how do you choose between the two inputs??

cd/aux button. Y adapter lets hu read like its additional cd changer. Display even says CDC when in iPod mode.







I'm currently using the Itrip FM adaptor with my Ipod. It works OK most of the time, but I'm looking for something better.

What works best with the XM equiped systems. I don't want to loose my XM just to use the Ipod. I've already bought and returned 2 different adaptors because they disable the XM

When you are using the Honda splitter, how do you choose between the two inputs??

Anyone have any experience with this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320031871996

I've only seen them on Ebay, nowhere else.

The Harmon Kardon Drive and Play works great. See my post on install.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=108533&postcount=41

The wheel and monitor are extremely easy to both use and read( both during the day and at night.)

I saw this iPod connector to the stock Ridgeline radio from ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-HONDA-RIDGELINE-AUX-iPOD-INPUT-CHARGES-TOO_W0QQitemZ150021933841QQihZ005QQcategoryZ58350Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I know having the ipod completely functional is the way to go, since the Ridgeline RTS stock radio does not display titles.

Read the description on the site....it specifically says iPod cannot be controlled via factory head unit. Have to use controls on the iPod. It was worth the extra 20 to me to plug it in, stick it in the glovebox, and use factory controls just like it was another cd changer.

I'm looking for the best of both worlds. I want to control the iPod through the steering wheel, but since you are limited to 6 playlists (as I understand it) through the steering wheel, getting an adapter that also allows full access via the iPod's click wheel is what I'm looking for. There are units out there that do that, it appears.

I have the USA Spec PA11-HON2 and what you are saying is somewhat true about the 6 playlists. The iPod adapter "tricks" the HU into believing that it is another 6cd changer. Playlist or Disc 6 is a compilation of everything on your iPod. For example, I currently have 2 playlists on mine, I have one with 250 songs and one with 25 podcasts. When I navigate the radio in CDC "cd changer" or iPod I can select between 3 different discs 1, 2, and 6. CD1 has the 250, CD2 has the 25 and CD6 has all 275 tracks. I don't know if this is how you understood it, but it is how it works in my car. And I have still retained factory XM, factory CD indash changer.

I have the USA Spec PA11-HON2 and what you are saying is somewhat true about the 6 playlists. The iPod adapter "tricks" the HU into believing that it is another 6cd changer. Playlist or Disc 6 is a compilation of everything on your iPod. For example, I currently have 2 playlists on mine, I have one with 250 songs and one with 25 podcasts. When I navigate the radio in CDC "cd changer" or iPod I can select between 3 different discs 1, 2, and 6. CD1 has the 250, CD2 has the 25 and CD6 has all 275 tracks. I don't know if this is how you understood it, but it is how it works in my car. And I have still retained factory XM, factory CD indash changer.
Thanks for that. That is additional information that I hadn't read before. So really you get 5 playlists and an "everything" playlist, with the 6 buttons on the head unit itself. You pick a playlist, or the whole library, and then with the steering wheel you can select the tracks within that playlist. The head unit doesn't display any track information, other than which "CD" it thinks you are playing.

So if you have the USA version, is your click wheel disabled? There is a version on Ebay that I've seen labeled "Apogee" that is purported to allow both head unit/steering wheel control as well as the click wheel. So, presumable you can use the click wheel to access other playlists besides the 5 or 6 that other adapters provide. I think I have heard of other adapters that allow the click wheel to work as well as the head unit, but I'm not sure how that actually works out. Maybe you pick CD 6 and then you can pick a track with the click wheel, for example. Anyone know? I haven't seen that Apogee brand anywhere except on Ebay, so I'm a bit hesitant to get one of those.

Here's a question, but maybe you don't know since you only have the 3 playlists. If you have more than 5 playlists, which ones are the ones that are accessible through the head unit? I suspect they are the first 5.

I suspect they will play first five too. I haven't tried it. One of the things I hate about the iPods is they hold so much info, i cant remember where everything is. So I just have on playlist of about 250 songs and change those out every couple of weeks or so. ( I have the nano ).

I really trust the USA SPec model. others have had success here with it. I found it on eBay for about 120-125 but I decided to buy it from crutchfield because of their no questions asked return policy, free shipping and free shipping back to them if I didn't like it. I understand you can also get it at curcuitcity.com and I had circuit city do the install for me.

Also you use the cd up and down button, which I think is the 4 and 5 button to change between playlists. It's not like the built in cd changer where buttons 1-6 determine which cd you listen to.

Has anyone seen or used this. It appears that is has more functions than the USA Spec?

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/DICE_I_HONDA_3.html

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/DICE_I_HONDA_R3.jpg

The Dice Electronics - i-HONDA-R3 is a hard-wired iPod automotive integration kit. Each vehicle-specific kit provides CD-quality audio with track, playlist, album, and chapter control from both the radio and steering wheel controls (if applicable) while charging the iPod . Track numbers are synchronized between the radio's display and the iPod. The AUX input is user selectable while driving and features user adjustable gain and eq settings. . Honda radios do not currently support text display.


Features
all kits include dock connector, a docking cradle featuring a video output is availble as an add on
Female 1/8" stereo jack used for audio input
Works with all iPod's with dock connector
Browse and select via Song, playlist, album, or chapter all through the controls of your radio (Dice does not limit the amount of playlists that can be selected through the radio)


DICE replaces the earlier DENSION ice>Link Plus model with an easier to use more intuitive control system and the addition on an auxilary input
Connects to the CD changer port behind the radio
Will work with all in-dash CD players and in-dash CD Changers.
Will NOT work with trunk mount CD Changers. Must be disconnected.
G3 iPods do not support Album or Chapter browsing

I'm currently using the Itrip FM adaptor with my Ipod. It works OK most of the time, but I'm looking for something better.

What works best with the XM equiped systems. I don't want to loose my XM just to use the Ipod. I've already bought and returned 2 different adaptors because they disable the XM

When you are using the Honda splitter, how do you choose between the two inputs??You don't need the splitter if you use the USASpec PA11-HON2y 2003-Up Honda/Acura Audio input + Interface for iPod. It's $144.98 at http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=1006

If you have XM, use USASpec PA11-HON2y.

If you don't have XM, use USA Spec PA11-HON2.

If you DON'T want to connect an iPod, you would use something else entirely.


One of the reasons for all the confusion on this subject is that one person asks about their particular model, then others jump in with different Ridgeline models.

There is no one solution for all the Ridgelines yet. We all need to be very careful when reading solutions and offering solutions that we know specifically what the need is (iPod vs. some other device) and what the Ridgeline model is.

Honda did not make this simple.

Has anyone tried integating ipods video capability with their existing audio setup? I am trying to look for an ipod integration which would still let me play videos on my ipod.

OK I'm interested. Where do you get detailed instructions (preferably with good pictures or illustrations) to take the dash of my 06 RTS apart.

go to www.handaaccessories.com (a sponsor for this site) and look at the OEM iPod adapter and you will see a link to a pdf document that is directly from Honda and it gives detailed instructions and illustrations on how to remove the dash to get access to the radio. I'll try to post the link.

Good luck.....


http://www.handaaccessories.com/ridgeline/musiclink.pdf

Try the above link, or go to their website and look under Ridgeline Accessories, interior, electronics.

DO NOT BUY the I-HONDA-R3 from Dice Electronics. Even though it is stated several places throughout their website that they will talk to a Ridgeline, it does not.

I called up their support line and they told me that they will be looking into a firmware update within the next few MONTHS to get this thing to work.

When I asked them about their documentation and such, they just stated that they will work on that to pull that stuff off of the website.

Total CRAP!!

I'd suggest staying away from the Y harness entirely for the purpose of connecting two inputs to the 14 pin bus; it is... problematic.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=168863#post168863

I used the Y harness and its worked perfectly ever since day of install, I did go to dealership and pay $15 for the OEM Y Harness. I also have 06 RTL S/R no Navi.

Hmm... mine was the factory harness too. You have an aux converter and factory XM hooked up?

sure do, xm cable in one end and USA Spec Ipod adapter in the other.

Ah, that may be it; the Soundgate/Y harness combo might be the issue then.

Ah, that may be it; the Soundgate/Y harness combo might be the issue then.YES!

It's the combo as you have figured out. ;)

Many people are using Y-harness (or products with T-harnesses) but the Soundgate isn't compatible.

Also, keep in mind you weren't personally interested in iPod functionality, but this thread relates to iPod functionality. Those wanting to control an iPod would go a different direction, depending on their specific vehicle.

(BTW, I completely agree with you that Honda shouldn't have put us through this grief and expense to add a simple audio input. I think Honda's lead audio engineer was hired from Radio Shack, and was the July 1973 Employee of the month. We're lucky we don't have 8-tracks and CB radios in our Ridgelines.)

Absolutely right!

FOr exclusive IPOD connections there are indeed some cool devices that will actually give you some integrated control, which of course the Soundgate and Blitzsafe devices I've talked about don't.

Isn't that the truth about the audio setup... it's just plain dumb! Look at some of the factory audio you get in other vehicles; the Dodge Nitro has a stinkin' car pc in it! Hopefully one day Honda will catch up on the audio side of things; they're so great on so many other aspects - if they'd figure out their audio I might not have any complaints!

I have the USA SPEC and have my Sirius and iPod running through it. Have all my cables routed through the empty switch plate at the seat warmer switches.

No FM mods here. I wish I could control the Sirius with the steering wheel buttons but i'm pretty sure no one created that feature yet.