yet another iPod thread

I love my Ridgeline! The "thinking man's (person's) truck". I've been lurking for months, purchased an '07 RTL w/ Nav, and it hasn't disappointed.

I've decided to move to the 21st century and adopt the iPod lifestyle. I'd like to be able to control it when driving. I have the factory installed AUX input, so I have music, but no controls. Searches through the forums seem to indicate that if I didn't have NAV, and/or didn't have XM (I have both) I'd have some options. Is there any way to control an iPod through the factory-installed controls (head unit, steering wheel) without disabling the NAV and/or XM? I've read about Denison/Dice and USA-Spec, but it appears they only work without NAV/XM.

Thanks!

Al

USA SPEC will work on the factory HU with Nav and XM. See below paragraph from the Crutchfield website. You will have steering wheel control but the radio HU will not display song information.

Hey everyone, first post for me also. Owned my RL for about a week now and my FM modulator isn't cutting it. Worked great in the PT Cruiser, not so in the RL.

The USA Spec model, how is the volume? Do you have to crank up the HU volume to hear it or is it on par with the FM or XM?

The USA Spec model, how is the volume? Do you have to crank up the HU volume to hear it or is it on par with the FM or XM?
The volume for the ipod is comparable with FM/XM. I also used a fm transmitter and USA SPEC blows that away.

what model do us Nav/Xm guys need

as far as the USA/spec goes.

You can either do a search on the forum for USA SPEC, tons of threads on it. This topic has been discussed endlessly.

Or go to Crutchfield and find the perfect USA SPEC for your RL.
http://www.crutchfield.com

AlS and SeminoleRob,

WELCOME TO THE ROC!

I would suggest the Honda Music Link but I'm probably the only one:eek:, and no I don't work for Honda. The more I use it the more I like it. Even though I can't see any of the Ipod info on the nav screen I don't have any trouble finding one of the 950 songs on my Nano. I just keep a alphabetical list with each of the artist's names on it sitting in the center consol.

I remember ordering the Music Link then reading everyone's complaints about how disapointed they were with it. I thought that I to would be cursing the thing but I was pleasantly surprised when I got it installed. It works just as advertised and so far I haven't had any problems.

I've decided to move to the 21st century and adopt the iPod lifestyle. I'd like to be able to control it when driving. I have the factory installed AUX input, so I have music, but no controls. l

Welcome to the ROC! I have a NAVI model with AUX and there is no way I would go to the trouble of a USA SPEC interface. You have the IPOD right there (in my case in the cup holder) - steering wheel volume controls work fine, AUX audio "dims" when the NAVI talks to you and so forth. Just keep the volume on the actual IPOD cranked up. I also have zero interest in seeing the track names on my NAVI screen (not sure if USA SPEC gets you there or not), as I generally turn on either a podcast or a "road trip playlist" and just leave it alone...

Whatever route you go with, enjoy! The RL will serve you well...

Hey Guys Welcome

Another thing you might look at is the Harmon Karden Drive & Play. I posted some pics a while ago. Search for Drive and Play.

The controler is real easy to use and the sound is great.
NewEgg online has them at about $100

If you do this MAKE SURE IT IS HARDWIRED. Do not do FM wireless or FM wired!!!!!!!

Just go with the USA Spec. It's super easy to install. Crutchfield has them for $149.99 here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UKmW4kKuFwZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?I=581PA11H2Y

Plus, here's a coupon code to get $20 bucks off orders over $100. It's 3A706 . Just put that code in at checkout & you're $20 will be taken off the top. That also comes with free shipping as well, so you're only looking at $129.99 out the door, and you get the Crutchfield mastersheet as well.

Hope this helps.

Thanx
Chap

Just go with the USA Spec. It's super easy to install. Crutchfield has them for $149.99 here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UKmW4kKuFwZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?I=581PA11H2Y

Plus, here's a coupon code to get $20 bucks off orders over $100. It's 3A706 . Just put that code in at checkout & you're $20 will be taken off the top. That also comes with free shipping as well, so you're only looking at $129.99 out the door, and you get the Crutchfield mastersheet as well.

Hope this helps.

Thanx
Chap

chapds,

Thanks for the coupon code! I've just been lazy and haven't ordered it but, thanks to your coupon I finally did the deed! $20 off and NO shipping. Great! I'm looking forward to getting my player hook up finally!!!

cool, glad i could help. always look for coupon codes before i buy stuff. quick & easy yahoo search can save a few bucks...

thanx
chap

Thanks to all for the great replies.

If I can summarize the popular opinions:

1) The Honda Music Link is not recommended. It provides basically the same connectivity as the USA-Spec, but it disables the controls on the iPod itself. (Is this correct? I saw a post that said that you still had use of the iPod controls. If this is true, then the Music Link is basically the same as USA-Spec, isn't it). Most opinions were negative about the Music Link, although a few liked it just fine.

2) Harmon-Kardon Play + Drive: quite a bit more capability than the others. However, for me, I don't see much value in the added display. With the USA-Spec connector, couldn't I route the cable to the center console, and keep my iPod there - refering to it's display as needed (and using the controls as well) The HK display seems no bigger than the iPod's.

3) Since I have the AUX input, I can just use a simple line-out connection (and a 12v charger) and have full use of the iPod controls, but only volume control using the steering wheel or HU.

4) USA-Spec: good sound, control from steering wheel and HU and iPod (in "direct mode" - in "playlist mode", iPod controls are disabled). No useful information displayed on the HU. In direct mode, you can skip forward/back by track, ff and rew, control volume, and still use the iPod to access album/artist/genre/playlists if desired.

#4 sounds to me the way to go (and recommended by most). Just a final check: I have an RTL with Nav and XM and the AUX outlet. If I purchase the USA-Spec and the Y-connector, will I keep the full Nav/XM functionality, and the AUX input?

Thanks for sharing the collective wisdom of the group - this is really a great asset for Ridgeline owners. Did I mention that I really like this truck?

Al

Can't you just get a male to male 1/8 inch cord and plug your I-pod in?:confused:

Sure, you could. The difference is that you will also have power to charge the iPod, and you will be able to use the existing steering wheel controls to control the iPod.

Will the USA-SPEC adapter deactivate or hamper any of the RTS' in-dash controls such as 6 CD changer, XM, etc? I remember with some of the Tundra's with an in-dash 6 CD changer it would do just that and I don't want to loose the 6 CD changer.

If you get the PA11-HON2Y it will not. If you get the PA11-HON2 you will need the Y cable from Honda dealership ($15).

So I too have just bought an RTL with NAVI and XM stock, and the truck has the AUX port.

today I just ordered an IPOD NANO.

For the simpliest way of playing the Ipod in the car, can I get a cable and attach to the AUX port and switch the radio to AUX? I really don't need to control the sound using the steering wheel etc. Does anyone know the cable? As for charging the Ipod, it has 24 hours battery so would just use that.

In the long run, is it best to get some sort of adapter kit to plus in the Ipod?

cheers

Last week I installed the USA-SPEC adapter and the install is simple, even for me (all thumbs). One thing that I did not think about until after the install is that you can only listen thru the Ipod connector or the RCA Aux connector. There is a switch that has to be set for one or the other. Unfortunately, I have an MP3 player and my Fiancee has an Ipod. I stuffed USA-Spec inside the dash right under the headunit. That's a little inconvenient :o So at some point I'll have to move the USA Spec unit should be place somewhere accessible like the glove box where I can toggle the switch whenever I need to.

Still, I can listen to the ipod albeit without track control via the steering column. I just use the earphone 3mm plug just like I do with my MP3 player.

Overall, I USA-Spec works great!

Last week I installed the USA-SPEC adapter and the install is simple, even for me (all thumbs). One thing that I did not think about until after the install is that you can only listen thru the Ipod connector or the RCA Aux connector. There is a switch that has to be set for one or the other. Unfortunately, I have an MP3 player and my Fiancee has an Ipod. I stuffed USA-Spec inside the dash right under the headunit. That's a little inconvenient :o So at some point I'll have to move the USA Spec unit should be place somewhere accessible like the glove box where I can toggle the switch whenever I need to.

Still, I can listen to the ipod albeit without track control via the steering column. I just use the earphone 3mm plug just like I do with my MP3 player.

Overall, I USA-Spec works great!


Rocko,

If you pull the USA SPec, and change your dipswitch settings, you can put the ipod on disc 5 and the RCA in's on disc 6. This way you can control the ipod via factory radio, and then just use your mp3 player as normal. I had the unit when I had mine and I had my ipod on disc 5 and my laptop (used for navi - voice out)(mini plug to RCA from WalMart for $4) and it worked perfectly. This way you can have it set up for both ipod and mp3 player. One of the nice features of USA Spec model.

Rocko,

If you pull the USA SPec, and change your dipswitch settings, you can put the ipod on disc 5 and the RCA in's on disc 6. This way you can control the ipod via factory radio, and then just use your mp3 player as normal. I had the unit when I had mine and I had my ipod on disc 5 and my laptop (used for navi - voice out)(mini plug to RCA from WalMart for $4) and it worked perfectly. This way you can have it set up for both ipod and mp3 player. One of the nice features of USA Spec model.

Really? Cooooool! Actually, that rocks! Thanks, imnfni! I bet that's all spelled out in the manual, too. :p
Thanks!

Really? Cooooool! Actually, that rocks! Thanks, imnfni! I bet that's all spelled out in the manual, too. :p
Thanks!

lol...I have the same problem, I have to remind myself to RTFM. (Read The Fu***ng Manual)

lol...I have the same problem, I have to remind myself to RTFM. (Read The Fu***ng Manual)
All RL owners have this darn chromosone ! :o