USA Spec Ipod Adapter

[fireguy2emt]

Thanks to everyone who posted info on this topic. I just sent an email off to USA Spec after visiting their site and seeing this:

PA 20 TOY – On screen Song Title, Artist and song selection from Menu on all Factory Toyota and Lexus FACTORY NAV radios – This model coming Fall - Here is the web address http://usaspec.com/ipod.html

I don't know if requests made in numbers help so if anyone else wants to send them an email the address is: info@usaspec.com

Here is what I sent:

To whom it may concern:

I have a 2007 Honda Ridgeline with factory Navigation. I have found the PA-11 adaptor on your site but also saw this:

PA 20 TOY – On screen Song Title, Artist and song selection from Menu on all Factory Toyota and Lexus FACTORY NAV radios – This model coming Fall

Will there be a model coming out that will display the Song Title, Artist, etc on the Factory Nav for Honda? If so, do you know when this will be available? And maybe how much (or a guestimate)?

Thanks



I will reply back as soon as I get some info.

[fireguy2emt]

Ok. Before I start, don't everyone get your hopes up....but.....

I talked to someone at USA Spec today about the iPod interface that will display the info on the Factory Nav units and the guy said it is on their to do list and will hopefully be ready in ~ 4 months.

The phone # for USA Spec is 626-336-3836 (googled it) if anyone wants to call and let them know we are interested in this product. I know I am.

[craigger]

Wow - great news fireguy2emt. Thanks for the info on this - definitely worth waiting a few more months for this.

-craigger.

[fireguy2emt]

craigger

I will keep everyone posted on the details. I will be calling monthly and checking out USA Spec's website to see if any additional info becomes available and post it here. I know I am gonna wait for the new model to be released. When I have a definate date when they will be released I can find out if they will do Group Buy pricing and let everyone know.

[Dalimonster]

Originally Posted by brunski22

Just to let everyone know--I recently bought the USA SPEC IPOD Adapter from Crutchfield (www.crutchfield.com) for $149.99. I went to a mobil audio place and was told that Hondas are really hard to install radios in so it would be about $200 to put it in. Well I got mad and did it myself. It took about 25 minutes and was ridiculously simple. All you do is take off the dash, pull out the factory radio, and plug it in the back.

It works great on hybrid mode and I would recommend it to anyone. Just do it yourself. All you need is a phillps screwdriver (for the radio) and a flat head screwdriver (to pry up the dash).

Is it really that simple to install? You just pry the dash open with a screwdriver? I just got my ridgeline and I don't want to screw it up. Do you have any more details?

[e_piph_a_ny]

Originally Posted by Dalimonster

Is it really that simple to install? You just pry the dash open with a screwdriver? I just got my ridgeline and I don't want to screw it up. Do you have any more details?

You must be a newbie cuz this topic has been heavily discussed. You can use the search function at the top menu/left side or just click here..How hard is it to install USA Spec I-pod interface?

[djeaux]

Originally Posted by Dalimonster

Is it really that simple to install? You just pry the dash open with a screwdriver? I just got my ridgeline and I don't want to screw it up. Do you have any more details?

There are two little slots for a standard screwdriver located in the dash face plate on their side of the steering wheel.

Before proceeding, insert the key into the slot at the top of the steering column & move the shift lever all the way down. Tilt the steering wheel down, too.

Cover the head of the screwdriver with electrical tape or something to keep it from burring the dash slots. Pry until it pops out.

Then work your way around the dash face plate, popping out the clips.

Finally, disconnect the wiring plugs for the light door/off/on switch, the switches around the instrument cluster & the HVAC switches. They have push in tabs to unlock the plugs. Lift the dash face plate out of the way.

There are four phillips screws holding the head unit in place.

The whole process installing my Car2PC adapter (essentially the same as the USA Spec install) took me about 10 minutes. Less than five minutes were spent removing the dash.

I believe any primate can do the install. The main requirement is having opposable thumbs.

[ronelm77]

I installed the USA Spec HON2Y from Crutchfield this weekend. I have thumbs, but I was a little leery about tearing apart my dash. It was easy. The clips holding the dash just pull out. Nothing to depress. I just pryed it off with my hands after sticking a screwdriver blade in to start the whole process. And they snap back in great. Disconnecting the harness connectors wasn't too bad once I found all of the little release spring tabs for each one. The hardest was the big one behind the HVAC display. It's a little hard to get your hand in to release, then relatch it. The install is a piece of cake because the connectors only go together one way after you unscrew 7 phillips screws to pull out the head unit. I ran the cord from the aux connector to the USA Spec box behind the glove box because there was the most space to drop the cord down, and then I mounted the box on the side of the passenger footwell with velcro till I get around to a more permanent hiding place. Works great. Haven't played with the setting switch options yet so I use my ipod itself to select tunes. Plenty of volume, and charges the ipod. While the ipod does stop playing and save your place in any playlist when you turn off the ignition, the screen on the ipod stays on, so I turn the ipod off and hide it when I get out of the Ridgeline. Whole install took 45 minutes for me. I didn't disconnect the battery terminal because I didn't want to reprogram the radio. XM works perfectly, too. I highly recommend the USA Spec HON2Y after messing with 2 crummy FM transmitters that had low volume and/or interference from other FM transmissions.

[drake'sridgeline]

New to the forum and after 2 days reading about USA Spec Ipod connector, I am still confused about what I need to order to install. I plan to install myself as I am a do-it yourself person, but just want confirmation as to part number.

I have now had my 07 RTS (xm ready) for 3 weeks.

My question is whether I need the Y cable to hook up. Is this just needed if you want to use cd changer or the xm radio? I don't plan on ever using XM and I don't use the cd changer (all my cds are in the attic). All my music is on my ipod and my wife's ipod and so for us it is regular radio or ipod. I also can't stand my fm tuner anymore and am ready to throw it from the window.

I just can't find a specific post from anyone with an RTS with XM/aux that tells me where to plug into the rear of the head unit.

I see at H and A (this link - http://www.handa-accessories.com/ridgeline.html) that the USA Spec is 149.99, but don't see y cable in the photo or in the description. Can I order this and install it to get what I want?

Thanks for the help and thanks to all those who posted the instructions on taking dash apart. Very helpful.

[larryr]

Originally Posted by drake'sridgeline

My question is whether I need the Y cable to hook up. Is this just needed if you want to use cd changer or the xm radio? I don't plan on ever using XM and I don't use the cd changer (all my cds are in the attic). All my music is on my ipod and my wife's ipod and so for us it is regular radio or ipod. I also can't stand my fm tuner anymore and am ready to throw it from the window.

The new hybrid model has the Y cable built into it. all parts are in the blister pack. the Y cable that attaches to the XM port on the radio, the Ipod cable and the adapter ( about 2"x3"x1" ) and 4 useless screw to attach it with.

I attached mine to the 1/2 metal bar that runs from the firewall to the front of the dash, between the radio and the glove box with tie wraps and tie wrapped the extra length of cable to the same bar. I have to remove the stops for the glove box to change the switches but hybrid mode is all I use.