Honda iPod Kit

Installed the kit in about 2 hours. Pretty straight forward install. Pull the radio unit, plug in a Y connector, pull the wires behind the glove box. Attach the adapter unit to the pipe behind the glove box and plug in the wire from the radio and then the wire to the iPod. So far so good. Neat, clean install.

Plug in the ipod and great sound. So far so good. OOOps no controls except volume. Now go take the supplied software disk to the computer. Have to load software that works with iMusic. It alters the format and adds a cheesy voice. Update the ipod.

Back to the truck. Can somewhat control the ipod with the head unit. Not elegant at all. Quircky controls that work sometimes and sometimes not. Absolutely no titles. Only info on the head unit is numerical. With 14 hours of music on my ipod, what a disappointment. The unit also disables the display on the ipod to nothing but a big checkmark. Double disappointment.
In a few words, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!! I am very unhappy with this pitiful excuse for an interface. I will post more information as I use this thing, but don't expect much more positive comment.

Hopefully this will be only need a software tweak? Sorry to hear this !
I've been wanting the Ipod adaptor since the news release, and it's sad if something like this would get thru Honda quality control. If it just doesn't work other than volume control, I can't see the point! Anyone else have this experience? If it's a flop, will they refund your money?
Keep us posted, thanks

Well, this is disappointing. Here's what it says on Honda's website regarding the Honda Music Link for iPod:

Designed specifically for Honda vehicles


Play music from your Apple iPod through your vehicle's audio system
Get crisp, digital-quality sound results
Use the audio system's controls to search for and play music from your iPod
Use the steering wheel-mounted audio control buttons to search for and play music from your iPod
The Music Link system charges your iPod battery while it's connected and the vehicle is on
Honda Music Link kit includes a dealer-installed Music Link cable, a Quick Reference Guide to get you started, and a Honda Music Link CD
For more information, call 1-800-999-1009


This info is displayed with a note that says "As shown in 2006 Civic Si", so maybe these features only work with vehicles produced for the actual 2006 model year? Guess I'll wait on this until we know for sure.

Sounds like I will pass on this device.

Is this the type of integration that you were hoping for?

Chrysler Group & Apple Announce iPod Integration (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/jan/08chrysler.html)

"Drivers will be able to listen to their iPod through the car’s audio system, select their music by artist, album or playlist with radio or steering wheel controls and view selections on the radio’s display."

Is this the type of integration that you were hoping for?

Chrysler Group & Apple Announce iPod Integration (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/jan/08chrysler.html)

"Drivers will be able to listen to their iPod through the car’s audio system, select their music by artist, album or playlist with radio or steering wheel controls and view selections on the radio’s display."

yep, thats what I was expecting... perhaps things will work out, who knows, perhaps with the Honda one, it may depend on what generation Ipod you have ? ... I think they are on the 5th generation at the moment

Well, this is disappointing. Here's what it says on Honda's website regarding the Honda Music Link for iPod:

Designed specifically for Honda vehicles


Play music from your Apple iPod through your vehicle's audio system
Get crisp, digital-quality sound results
Use the audio system's controls to search for and play music from your iPod
Use the steering wheel-mounted audio control buttons to search for and play music from your iPod
The Music Link system charges your iPod battery while it's connected and the vehicle is on
Honda Music Link kit includes a dealer-installed Music Link cable, a Quick Reference Guide to get you started, and a Honda Music Link CD
For more information, call 1-800-999-1009


This info is displayed with a note that says "As shown in 2006 Civic Si", so maybe these features only work with vehicles produced for the actual 2006 model year? Guess I'll wait on this until we know for sure.
No, this unit should work with the last two generations of Ipod (5th - the current, and the 4th, both of which are notable for the click-wheel.)

However, this has just cancelled itself off my list of in-car Ipod options. Basically being forced to use the voice system to find music stinks. I though the head unit would display artist/title/etc information, but it apparently does not. What a tremendous waste of money this is. Give me Ipod-based control over this any day. Honda screwed up big time on this one - once word of how this thing functions gets out, I can't imagine why anyone would bother with it. Way too much money for something this clunky.

This is really sounding like a HU limitation.

People have been disappointed in the XM display info and now the IPod display.

Too bad for Honda.

i just plug it into the AUX jack.

drdk, could you let me know how the steering wheel controls work with this? I downloaded and read the manual but it is a bit confusing when you don't have the unit in front of you. There's a lot of holding down the seek/skip button and the manual states that the steering wheel controls may not work. Confused . . .

Also, is using the software with iTunes and the iPod very cumbersome. I only have the 4 GB mini and am contantly adding/removing songs and playlists. To add a layer of complexity (all the TTS stuff) on top of what is currently a very easy process may prove itself not worth the effort in the long run.

So far I agree this adapter is a disappointment.

I tested my father's iTrip mini (just for a minute or two) and did not find the audio quality to be that bad. If this adapter means adding a confusing, cumbersome in-car iPod navigation system and a confusing layer of complexity to iTunes and the process of transferring songs to the iPod then I will probably just get the iTrip.

Well, at least I could put the $200 towards a video iPod instead. Yipee!

Steering wheel controls work about as well as the head unit.(which ain't all that great) Before I post any more negative comments, I want to play around with this thing. I will be on the road for 5 or 6 hours tomorrow, and will have plenty of time to play around with the adapter. Will post some more impressions Wednesday. In the mean time, don't run out and buy one of these things. I really can't see it getting a lot better with familiarity.

eh, i just used the soundgate interface and got the remote for my ipod. controls volume, track selection and power. done. :)

I ordered the music link kit last week, but after hearing the less then steller reviews, I may return it. I like the soundgate option myself w/remote, at least you can navigate through the ipod itself.

eh, i just used the soundgate interface and got the remote for my ipod. controls volume, track selection and power. done. :)

Soundgate? Please elaborate!!!!! Tell us more.

Soundgate? Please elaborate!!!!! Tell us more.
This is a unit that plugs into the back of the stock CD player. It interfaces with the 14-pin connector so that you can plug an auxillary sound device into it via RCA cables (or a Sony 6-disc changer.) It will not, however, charge your Ipod nor will you have control over the Ipod from the stock stereo, you must use the Ipod's wheel for that.

There are two units like this, and they do exactly the same thing:

Soundgate Snhond3 (http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/sounsnhond3.html)
PIE HON3/PC-SON (http://www.myradiostore.us/auxadapters/pie/factory/no-external-changer/hon03-pc-son.html)

I'm installing the PIE unit this weekend, and I bought it solely because it is NOT at Logjam Electronics, who do not offer refunds or exchanges on open items unless they're defective. I got burned by them once already when purchasing what I thought was going to work (based on my wife's 2003 Accord working with it.) The Soundgate and PIE units are pretty much guaranteed to work because others here have used them successfully (http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438).

So I ignored the warnings not to buy this thing, assuming most of the troubles had to to with the voice recognition NAV features. Since I don't have a NAV system in my ridgeline, I figured I would be happy with just the "next track/prev track" features.

I can't really express how disappointed I am with this thing. It cost me $450 to get it installed, and it is the biggest piece of **** I have ever seen. I am dumbfounded - I keep thinking it is a joke.

At the very least, I expected it to number my songs from 1 to whatever, and I could hit previous and next to listen to them. You can't! It scrambles all of the songs on your ipod. I tried Disc 5 (album mode), and tried to go to the next album, and it took me to a random album. I hit back, and it went to another random album (not the previous album but an entirely different album). Then I kept hitting next, and it looped through the first five albums on my ipod randomly, ignoring the rest.

You can't see what song is playing - it only shows a track number. You can't fast-forward or rewind through a song. It "randomizes" the songs in your ipod, but then plays the same few and ignores the rest (and no, they're not on the same album). You can't even use the controls on your ipod - the controls are locked and the screen is blanked out except for a big green check mark.

When I picked up my car after installation, there was an "instruction booklet" which consisted of half a sheet of glossy paper, folded in half.

My buddy has an aftermarket ipod link that integrates with his stereo (he has a honda civic), and does it the right way. It only cost him $200. I thought that I would go with Honda's model because they could integrate it better than an aftermarket company could.

I was so wrong!

I feel like Honda stole my money - I was so happy with my Ridgeline (bought it two weeks ago) and with my experience at the dealership, but this does not match the quality that I've found in the ridgeline.

Has anyone succeeded in getting their money back for this? It simply doesn't work as advertised - it's just not usable.

About the only thing this delivers is great sound quality - much better than my fm transmitter.

johnhamm Sorry about your ipod problem.. but welcome to ROC! lets hear how other things are going with the Ridge... ya gotta love the ride! ?

So I ignored the warnings not to buy this thing, assuming most of the troubles had to to with the voice recognition NAV features. Since I don't have a NAV system in my ridgeline, I figured I would be happy with just the "next track/prev track" features.

I can't really express how disappointed I am with this thing. It cost me $450 to get it installed, and it is the biggest piece of **** I have ever seen. I am dumbfounded - I keep thinking it is a joke.

At the very least, I expected it to number my songs from 1 to whatever, and I could hit previous and next to listen to them. You can't! It scrambles all of the songs on your ipod. I tried Disc 5 (album mode), and tried to go to the next album, and it took me to a random album. I hit back, and it went to another random album (not the previous album but an entirely different album). Then I kept hitting next, and it looped through the first five albums on my ipod randomly, ignoring the rest.

You can't see what song is playing - it only shows a track number. You can't fast-forward or rewind through a song. It "randomizes" the songs in your ipod, but then plays the same few and ignores the rest (and no, they're not on the same album). You can't even use the controls on your ipod - the controls are locked and the screen is blanked out except for a big green check mark.

When I picked up my car after installation, there was an "instruction booklet" which consisted of half a sheet of glossy paper, folded in half.

My buddy has an aftermarket ipod link that integrates with his stereo (he has a honda civic), and does it the right way. It only cost him $200. I thought that I would go with Honda's model because they could integrate it better than an aftermarket company could.

I was so wrong!

I feel like Honda stole my money - I was so happy with my Ridgeline (bought it two weeks ago) and with my experience at the dealership, but this does not match the quality that I've found in the ridgeline.

Has anyone succeeded in getting their money back for this? It simply doesn't work as advertised - it's just not usable.

About the only thing this delivers is great sound quality - much better than my fm transmitter.

I share your disappointment, but think you're a little confused regarding the controls. (I'm an expert with all of 5 days experience :rolleyes: )
Disc 5 is Random (Shuffled) Album mode, so it was doing what it's supposed to do.
Disc 3 is Sequential (Alphabetical) Album mode.
Use the Disc 5 and 6 buttons to move up and down through the modes.
The Seek buttons will move you to the next or previous album.
The steering wheel buttons loop you within the same album.

Disc 3 is sequential mode? Where is that in the manual? The manual I have says that I only have access to Disk 5 and Disk6 since I don't have the NAV system in my car.

I'm going to run out and try disk 3... did anyone get a bigger manual with theirs? I took my ridgeline to a dealer that is closer to me than the dealer I purchased it from, and I haven't been too happy with this new dealer. Oh well...

TheRidgester - I am totally in love with ridgeline. I traded in my vw beetle for it, and I've never looked back! Man this thing is the most perfect car in the world. So practical, so cool.

OK, so I just spent about an hour in my garage after Lingered_I's advice about "Disk 3" mode.

Here's what I've determined. Here's my theory. It's simple:

The MusicLink designers were on crack for the entire duration of the design period of the MusicLink system.

This would involve serious freebasing on the part of both Honda designers and Apple designers, for approving/partnering on such an indescribable P.O.S., and this would explain why this product is practically useless.

Does anyone else have a MusicLink without a NAV system that would help me to decipher how the hell this thing works? I mean, the documentation is a joke. They should shoot the engineer who thought "text-to-speech" would be a cooler, more modern way than a simple digital display with album title, playlist title, song title, etc.

No matter what disk mode I put it on (1, 2, 3, or 4), there is no behavioral difference in the MusicLink (I do not have a NAV system). What matters is where the ipod is when you plug it in. :confused:

Example 1 - Albums:

I pick an album on my ipod, and play the first song in that album. I then plug the ipod into the MusicLink on Disk 1, 2, 3, or 4 mode. What happens? I can cycle through each track in that album. How do I, say, get to another album? You can't - you are forever locked into that one album. If you hold down "Seek" for 1 second, you do hear a beep, but that's it. Nothing else happens - the current track continues to play. What about the Tune buttons? They do nothing. :confused:

Example 2 - Playlists:
I pick a playlist on my ipod, and play the first song in that playlist. I then plug the ipod into the MusicLink on Disk 1, 2, 3, or 4 mode. What happens? I can cycle through each track in the playlist, but I'm forever locked in that one playlist. I can't go to another playlist, another album, another artist, nothing! :confused:


I am absolutely dumbfounded - what were they thinking? I mean, seriously, what were they thinking? That if I wanted to go to another album, I would open my glovebox, reach over unplug the ipod, navigate to the album using the ipod interface, and then plug it back in? :mad:

The only way I can go to another album is in "Disk 5" mode - and then it's potluck because all the albums are in random order and next/previous gets you a random album.

Another thing - it seems that Disk 6 does its "random shuffle thing" with the global song list initially, then you switch to Disk 3, for instance, then the random order of the tracks becomes "locked in" and you can go forward/backward in the locked in order from the initial random shuffle. I don't get it.

Here's what I am trying to figure out how to do:
Doing this would make this thing at least tolerable.

I simply want to be able to go to the next album on my ipod by holding down the Seek forward button for 1 second. I want to be able to play the next track in the current album by tapping the Seek forward button. You can skip to the "next random album" in Disk 5 Mode, but I don't want my albums randomly shuffled each time I press Next Album!

Honda didnt make the screen work as part of a safety measure I'm sure...though, to me - road rage is a much bigger problem then having to stare down to use my ipod.

From what I can tell this thing would be perfect if they just left the damn ipod itself alone. At this point in time I'd probably pay 100$ for an oem ipod-->h/u aux in adapter cable. This monstrosity sounds worse each time I hear about it.


Thankfully the 2006 Alpine head units are rumoured to have native ipod connectivity a 20$ cable which DOESEN'T eliminate other input devices. But the real question is - will they make one that doesen't have a CD player....

I am equally unhappy with the adapter. It was overpriced and certainly underperforming. Yesterday on a long trip, it somehow locked up my ipod so that it was frozen in the check box screen. Ipod would not turn off, could not control it, headunit could not find it. Thought it was fried. Fortunately I got home and it would link with iTunes and then I did a reset and got the iPod back.

Now on to other posts. It sounds like Johnhamm has not installed the software. Did you get a cd with the unit? You have to install theTTS software that loads simultaneously with iMusic. It creates the text to speech files on the iPod. Once that is done, you can use the disk selection.

Overall, after using this unit for a week now, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. Honda did not bring a useable product to market. I figure since I bought mine over the internet, and it is installed that I am just out of luck. Its too bad, as I had high expectations from a company with Honda's reputation. Another expensive, high tech mistake. Honda, you should be ashamed.

and by the way...When you plug the ipod into the truck audio system, it will turn on the ipod from its off status. When you turn the truck off, it does not do the courtesy of turning off the ipod. Ask me how I know......totally dead ipod twice!!(slow learner)

The more I work with this thing, the more I hate it!!!

I thought the software was just for users that have the NAV system installed in their vehicles. Do I have to install it if I don't have the NAV system? The instructions are really lacking for this thing.

I purchased it online from Honda, I'm wondering if I can get my money back and get it uninstalled.

LOL on getting money back. Being an early responder has its costs I'm afraid. At least I can try to help some of the other members of this group from making the same mistake.

You do have to install the TTS software on the computer that you use to program your iPod. Without the TTS, you won't be able to set and search the various disk functions. There are several files on the supplied disk. Be sure to print out the entire manual and the two additional word files. It explains the process a little better. The little pamphlet that you got at delivery is less than useless.

By the way, if you really want to listen to a playlist, turn it on just before you plug into the truck. Once it links, the iPod will start playing at that same place. WHat a lame way to get what you want.

The TTS software is for everyone (Nav or not) and does enhance the experience, although it's still far from satisfactory. It is the only way to know what your iPod will play next when seeking. Your drug theory may be correct.

Under the Category List in the Quick Guide it clearly states that the TTS software is required to make use of the category functions 1 to 4.

1. Playlists
2. Artists
3. Albums
4. Genres
5. Shuffle Albums
6. Shuffle Songs

I don't know if them manual is on the disks or not but you can download it from collegehillshonda. I read through it and was immediately disappointed. Then I read this thread and pretty much decided against it.

This was actually going to be my Christmas goft from my wife. I am not going to get it now. Just doesn't seem worth it. I would much rather replace the entire head unit with something that is made to work with an iPod.

So here's what I am looking for now: a head unit that would fit the exact space of the OEM non-NAV head unit, has at least a single CD slot, interfaces with an iPod and allows use of the steering wheel mounted controls (and has a display that doesn't look like it belongs on an alien space ship).

I just started looking (and I am not in a terrible rush to spend a ton of money right now anyway) but I haven't found anything yet. I will post if I do.

I just found this unit on the Alpine web site and it looks great but $$$$$. This does what Honda should have provided.

"IVA-W200: 2-DIN DVD/CD/MP3/WMA Receiver/AV Head Unit

Now you can maximize your in-car iPod® experience! Just one simple cable that goes directly into the all-new 2006 Alpine Full Speed™ Connection for iPod compatible head units. With no additional box required, directly connect your iPod for full control, full sound at full speed with an easy-to-use search interface. You have control right from the head unit, faster than other iPod connection solutions Enhanced features include 200 percent faster data transmission for quick and easy file navigation, as well as full-tag artist, album, song and playlist information displayed directly on the head unit, all while charging the iPod battery. Alpine’s exclusive Percentage Search allow you to toggle quickly through your Playlist, Arist, or Album on your iPod. Even faster file searching can be found in four of the Alpine units (DVA-9861, IVA-D100, IVA-W200, and CDA-9857) Use "Mix All" to shuffle your music. Alpine Full Speed connectivity offers an improved integrated solution that supercharges your music!

* Compatible with any updated iPod with a dock connector, as well as an iPod video, iPod nano, iPod photo or iPod mini."

So I installed the Honda TTS application. I have to install it in order to skip to the next/prev albums or playlists!

The problems never end. After I installed it, it asked me to reboot Windows. When Windows rebooted, the "Speech" icon in the Windows control panel had disappeared! I cannot get it back even if I uninstall the Honda TTS application. The TTS application seems to run, but it goes through my 1.2g of MP3 songs on my ipod in about twenty seconds, it says it is processing, but it doesn't seem to generate any text-to-speech MP3 files. It does generate the funky playlists, but there's nothing in each playlist.

Can someone verify if there are actual sound files generated by the utility? Can you browse using iTunes and find sound files or are they somehow "hidden" from iTunes?

Has anyone else had problems with the "SAPI" text-to-speech icon in Windows control panel vanishing?

I can't believe Honda has done this to me! I was sooooo impressed with the dealership, but now I'm just OVER it! If I wouldn't have paid so much, it wouldn't be so bad.

I will take a look when I get home. I am really sorry you are having so much aggravation, but unfortunately, welcome to the club. This thing is the pits! I just sent an email to College Hills Honda complaining. Its not their fault, but it is where I bought it from.

So I installed the Honda TTS application. I have to install it in order to skip to the next/prev albums or playlists!

The problems never end. After I installed it, it asked me to reboot Windows. When Windows rebooted, the "Speech" icon in the Windows control panel had disappeared! I cannot get it back even if I uninstall the Honda TTS application. The TTS application seems to run, but it goes through my 1.2g of MP3 songs on my ipod in about twenty seconds, it says it is processing, but it doesn't seem to generate any text-to-speech MP3 files. It does generate the funky playlists, but there's nothing in each playlist.

Can someone verify if there are actual sound files generated by the utility? Can you browse using iTunes and find sound files or are they somehow "hidden" from iTunes?

Has anyone else had problems with the "SAPI" text-to-speech icon in Windows control panel vanishing?

I can't believe Honda has done this to me! I was sooooo impressed with the dealership, but now I'm just OVER it! If I wouldn't have paid so much, it wouldn't be so bad.
I've just checked my PC and the Speech icon is still available in Control Panel, along with the Text to Speech tab.
Regarding the sound files, it creates Playlists prefixed with ZZZTTS* and files in the ITunes Music\Unknown Artist\Unknown Album folder - an example file name on my machine is 02 0 00010001000200040000000000000000.aif - I think it's fair to say that these files take up a fair bit of space on your iPod. I have a Nano currently with 472 songs, using 1.77GB - in my estimation, an addition 50 to 60MB is taken up with the TTS files.

One thing to make sure is that your iPod has the latest software on it. These adaptors in general work like horse pitute without the latest software.

That new Alpine model, the IVA-W200 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=IVA-W200), looks like it will be the bomb. It won't be available until April but the Alpine's iPod Full Speed (http://www.alpinefullspeed.com/) system should work great. It is their second generation iPod adaptor, with all the advantages of learning from the first. Here is a video (http://reviews.cnet.com/4661-3424_7-6417679.html) from the CES in Lost Wages last week that features that deck. Notice in the video how fast the woman can operate her iPod. It will also hook up to Alpine's navigation and has Touch Pulse, a feel that mimics the touch of a button when you use the touch screen. Low retail will be $999 (MAP to those in the industry). Many other pieces in Alpine's 2006 line will have iPod Full Speed.

BTW, my name is Gregg. I am moderator of the electronics forum over at the Element Owner's Club. I also own a stereo store where we do home and car stereos (truth in advertising - we're an Alpine dealer). Tom asked me to stop on by. In case you're interested, here is the thread (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15950) on the stereo in my Element and the pictures (http://outpost42004lementtereonstall.fotopic.net/) documenting it.

Nice truck you folks drive, BTW. :)

files in the ITunes Music\Unknown Artist\Unknown Album folder - an example file name on my machine is 02 0 00010001000200040000000000000000.aif

Nope, there's no AIF files - there isn't even an "Unknown Artist" or "Unknown Album" folder. I may have to reinstall XP and see if the "Speech" icon comes back and try again...

*deeeeeeeep sigh*

Since the kit appears to be a bust, does anyone know exactly which connectors to buy to connect an ipod up to the back of the OEM unit? I have an RTL w/o nav. Any help would be appreciated. I have tried to read through all of the threads but they don't appear conclusive. I also don't want to go the way of FM modulation.

Thanks!

Overall, after using this unit for a week now, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. Honda did not bring a useable product to market. I figure since I bought mine over the internet, and it is installed that I am just out of luck. Its too bad, as I had high expectations from a company with Honda's reputation. Another expensive, high tech mistake. Honda, you should be ashamed.
I can't believe Honda has done this to me! I was sooooo impressed with the dealership, but now I'm just OVER it! If I wouldn't have paid so much, it wouldn't be so bad.
Hey, folks, I understand your frustration here, but let's be real.

One company (Honda) is buying software from a second company to integrate a portable audio device from a third company (Apple) into a stereo they are buying from a fourth company (Alpine OEM, not to be confused with the consumer side of Alpine we all know) by using a cable they buy from a fifth company. I'm not even going to try and address problems with your computer (company #6) running an operating system made by a seventh company.

There well might be bugs Honda has to work out here. There might be some operator error going on. There is also the possibility there are unanticipated interactions between different software and computers. A run of 50 pieces, passed out to people who work at the factory to install on their own trucks, could well have been the beta test. We all - Honda, you and me - could still be learning here.

Maybe the Honda adapter is a piece of sh!t. Maybe not. In the hi-fi industry we have a name for folks who buy the first generation of something, be it a cool new truck or a cutting edge iPod adapter: early adopters. Early adopters are viewed by their friends as extra cool because they have the latest. We go over to their house to watch the Superbowl on their HDTV. To make that happen, you can count on the fact that early adopter was up on his roof, aiming his antenna at the TV station the Saturday before the game. Early adopters have to put up with all the grief so that when Ma and Pa Six Pack want to plug in their 12th generation iPod into their 2009 Ridgeline, it's as easy as installing a light bulb. Sorry. In the game of life, tag, you're it.

Give the Honda Music Link a chance, will you, please? I know Trevor at H & A is trying it out in different cars right now to see how it works. It's a little early and a little extreme to say a $200 part has totally destroyed your great experience with Honda and a great truck they make.

Since the kit appears to be a bust, does anyone know exactly which connectors to buy to connect an ipod up to the back of the OEM unit? I have an RTL w/o nav.I'm going to need some help to get up to speed here. Does anybody know if this radio's CD changer jack is blue or white? What about the nav unit - is its CD changer jack blue or white?

If you tell me that, I can give you an answer as to what iPod adapter to buy.

As an early adopter I feel it's my duty to relay my experiences back to would be purchasers and in this case back to Honda whom I have faxed. In the case of the fax, it's not done in a "give me my money back" context but in an honest attempt to convey my disappointment with their product in the hope that they take some of what is said onboard and do better next time. I seriously hope that doesn't take 12 iterations as you suggest.

Regarding the connectors, I believe the CD changer connector is green. Look at the photo below. The changer is on the right, already unplugged. The small blue connector (middle - still attached) is the Aux input.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4644&stc=1&d=1137214652

outpost4 - i know the grief that comes with getting cool sh*t first -- i just don't want anyone else to expect something like i was expecting before i bought it.

i still love my ridgeline - my previous posts were written under the influence of extreme frustration from my initial attempts to get this thing working.

without a doubt, the text-to-speech software (a .NET app using SAPI) was conflicting with other software on my PC. It could be anything - I installed Office 2003 with its speech recognition engine a few months ago, for instance.

tonight i reinstalled Windows XP on my machine, and the Speech icon appeared and I was able to run TTS the way Honda envisioned it and I now have my radio announcing "A, B, C..." when I press and hold the Seek button...

why didn't honda create a solution without involving a PC? it just seems to me that they should've interfaced into the alpine's text display and available buttons. Involving a PC is just ASKING for trouble and complexity (i'm a software developer by profession)

i was envisioning an interface that made sense like so:

pushing disk 1 to enter "playlist" mode, disk 2 to enter "album mode", disk 3 to enter "artist" mode, and disk 4 to enter "all songs mode". Then when you pushed Seek+, it would move to the next track in the current playlist/album/artist. When you held Seek+ down for a second, it would move to the next playlist/album/artist. Pressing Tune would fast-forward/rewind a bit through the song. Pressing RDM would randomize the order of the tracks, pressing RPT would repeat the current track (the current album/playlist/artist would autorepeat when it got to the last song). The playlist/album/artist name would appear on the display. And that's it!

$400ish is a lot of money to pay for an MP3 connector that is barely usable, wouldn't you agree? My podcasts are currently useless because of the lack of rewind/fast-forward. The frustration of having to relisten to the first hour of a podcast because i can't fast-forward through it is going to suck.

Anyways, I've said my piece. I'm going to make the best of it and keep using it. I still love my ridgeline!

Both well reasoned and insightful posts. Thank you very much, Lingered_I and johnhamm.

You only sent a fax? When I've thought one of my manufacturers has made a bonehead decision, I've been known to send out next day letters to everyone involved, from the president of (say) Yamaha on down through the entire sales team. It is your duty, Lingered_I (an anagram for Ridgeline, right?), to let everyone know that you are disappointed with your purchase. My experience from 29 years in the audio industry is that the manufacturer wants and needs this real world feedback. It's the only way they find out what's really going on. Good companies, like Honda, respond surprisingly well to this input.

I'm afraid much of the problem here lies with two different cultures, that of consumer electronics and computers. We do a lot of custom home installation at my store. A big line for us is Sonance. When the iPod first came out, Sonance instantly saw the potential for integrating this into the home and quickly announced the first interface I ever saw, home or car. Sonance also sells some cool keypads that could be reconfigured to control an iPod. When they brought this up to Apple, it was like talking to a wall. Maybe in a year or two was their answer. Things we take for granted in consumer electronics, like remote control, are just now being integrated into the iPod. With time, these issues will get worked out, but a rule of thumb in my industry is that it takes 18 months from conception to make a change in a product. You'll find what you want on the 2008 Ridgeline, johnhamm. ;) :D Your control scheme works for me. Understand it is not in Apple's vocabulary. They don't even allow you to control it from another room. Given this, how does Apple expect us to control it from the dash of our cars? Why aren't we able to network an iPod into a computer? I am designing a new whole house system for a big Apple customer. He wants to have his iPod in a docking station by the front door and be able to control it from his main Apple computer. Sorry, that's not possible. Huh?

And yes, it won't take 12 generations of iPod to get there, but a guy I worked with for 18 years has the rule of threes. He doesn't buy anything that isn't 3rd generation. The first two generations don't work, or at least not well. I think we are finding that here. Look at the great advancements Alpine has made in their second generation iPod adapter, Full Speed (http://www.alpinefullspeed.com/).

For my car, the new Video iPod should allow me to integrate it into my dash. I have an Eclipse double DIN navigation/touchscreen/video piece in there (the AVN5435) and using the video out from the docking station, and the fact there is now remote control for an iPod, I'll set up a remote repeating system in my car. There is a small wasted space on the back of the center console in an Element. I'm going to set up the docking station there, feeding audio and video out into my deck. I'm going install a remote repeating system, too, from the dash to the docking station. Using the video out, I should get the iPod's display up on my deck. With the remote I should be able to control it. It will be a little funky but at least I'll have complete control. Notice I have to design this control system myself. No pre-made cabling will do the job, either from Apple or Eclipse. That figures. :rolleyes:

Green, you say? Green? I'm going to have to visit my local Honda dealer and do more research. Just when I thought I was figuring out the Element....

Damnit. My iPod installation scheme won't work. I was back on the Element board where the video output of the Video iPod is being discussed and found a link to another board that had this post:

can you get the menu options out the AV connector
2005-12-22 18:24:13 pod_downunder [Reply | View]

Its a pity they don't also allow the menu options you select with the wheel to be redirected to the AV connector. That way, if you owned the uni dock and remote, you could use it as a juke box, just turn on the TV to see the menu, use the remote to control the Ipod. Would sort of make it a poor mans Front Row.
Next generation, I guess....:mad:

I was an early adopter of ipod integration for cars in general. In my last car i had an Alpine head and as soon as the KCA 410i came out i had one in my car. That was 2 years ago and that worked 10 times better than the P-O-C i just installed in my 2 week old ridgeline. I got my RL of the truck straight from the plant a little over 2 weeks ago, so its definelty not just a Headunit firmware problem. The navi unit teases you that its gonna give you more than just an aux in but then displays a Blank "Extension" Screen. I have tried with both my 4G ipod and my brothers brand new video ipod with no change in results. Unfortunately from a hardware side it probably wont be a quick software update to make things right. Its a shame that Alpines OEM and Consumer branches dont communicate more, I have never been more dissapointed with an alpine generated product. This may seem like me whining about $200 down the drain but it realy was my first dissapointment with my new baby. I was hoping for a Bluetooth adapter considering alpines latest releases but who know how that would turn out...

Its a shame that Alpines OEM and Consumer branches dont communicate more, I have never been more dissapointed with an alpine generated product.

It's a shame Pioneer (http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Ridgeline&catcgry2=2006&catcgry3=4DR+RTL&catcgry4=KA5AT&catcgry5=AUDIO+UNIT+%281%29) and Alpine (http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Ridgeline&catcgry2=2006&catcgry3=4DR+RTL+SUNROOF+NAVI&catcgry4=KA5AT&catcgry5=NAVIGATION+SYSTEM) don't talk more too :rolleyes:

Alpine and Pioneer are competitors. It would be like asking Ford and GM to talk to each other about new cars they were planning.

As for the OEM and consumer sides of Alpine talking more, I agree here. It is almost like there is a wall between them. I certainly got that impression when I took a tour of their Torrance facility. They do use each others knowledge base. The number of Alpine OEM nav pieces out there gives us better and cheaper consumer pieces. The consumer division uses OEM to peer into the automobile manufacturer's futures. But this iPod adapter situation is a perfect example of where the two sides could work so much better together. Full Speed is seemingly a much better solution for controlling your iPod than the Honda piece. This difference between the consumer and OEM sides of Alpine may reflect the differences in their customers. The OEM side seems very conservative. Car companies are very conservative. Mistakes can easily cost millions of dollars. Conservative retail stereo companies go away. Have you tried to buy a Sansui, Akai or Teac piece lately? What has been the criticism of Sony lately in the popular and financial press? That it's been too conservative and hasn't been innovative enough. A common refrain is that Sony should have thought up the iPod.

But then the whole industry is playing catch-up when it comes to iPods. We've got to remember this technology is only 4 years old. It's still in its infancy. When only 4 years old, CD players either were cheap and sounded terrible or were very expensive. Four years after they first hit the market, VCRs sold for $800. Blank tapes cost $20. Four years after their introduction, car stereos were still 8-tracks.

"Sounds like I will pass on this device."

Yeah, no ****! Sounds horrible. I may soon buy a 2006 and was gonna get this. Not now and I cc the original post to the salesperson so he knows why!

OTOH, I will have the Nav and that has a mini jack for the audio only, unless I am mistaken.

Thanks for saving me the money!

I guess the good news is that this will probably be fixed by Honda, given time, so I can add it later.

Is this a new option for those that don't believe the Honda solution comes close? It appears like you have more functionality. Track Names?

http://www.mp3yourcar.com/productdetails.asp?productID=714

Is this a new option for those that don't believe the Honda solution comes close? It appears like you have more functionality. Track Names?

http://www.mp3yourcar.com/productdetails.asp?productID=714


us with XM are still SOL with that unit.


Looks like I give up on Honda with this... Ordering my Alpine radio tomorrow... atleast I still have my old Alpine XM tuner laying aorund somewhere.:o

Looks like I give up on Honda with this... Ordering my Alpine radio tomorrow... atleast I still have my old Alpine XM tuner laying aorund somewhere.:o
IShootPics,
Does this mean you've given up on the Phatnoise conversion as well?
I was curious on how that was going to turn out for you.

IShootPics,
Does this mean you've given up on the Phatnoise conversion as well?
I was curious on how that was going to turn out for you.

same thing as the Icelink and AUX input... disabled XM even with the splitter cable, and it worked intermittently.. i found a guy with a honda/acura kit... some software/hardware trick in the Honda ipod kit to retain switching between XM and the new input. If I did already have XM paid for for the rest of the year, i would have kept playing with the Phatnoise to make it completely stable. :o

disabled XM even with the splitter cable, and it worked intermittently..

When you say worked intermittently, was this with the xm completely unplugged from the h/u, or plugged into the splitter cable?

I stummbled across this switcher (http://peripheralelectronics.com/web/signal_path.asp) (bottom of page) Do you think this will solve the problem?

When you say worked intermittently, was this with the xm completely unplugged from the h/u, or plugged into the splitter cable?

I stummbled across this switcher (http://peripheralelectronics.com/web/signal_path.asp) (bottom of page) Do you think this will solve the problem?


both, actually.. it just didnt want to work 100% with the truck.. I had to turn the ignition off and try to be "clever" with it a few times... its just not something I want to do every time I get in the truck to go somewhere.



And no, that piece wont work.. its a data/control function instead of an audio problem... sometimes the radio only read out CDC and did nothing else, and I would have to turn off the ignition to "reset" things. :(