USASpec PA11-HON2y IPOD adapter

[grego9877]

I thought I would chime in and say that I am very satisfied with the USASpec PA11-HON2y ipod adapter I bought a couple of months ago for my 2007 Ridgeline. It was a little pricey (it cost $132 at Discountcarstero.com), but it is was easy to install (see the threads in this forum that show how to install these kinds of things --- you have to pull off the dashboard cover, but that really IS easy, surprisingly enough) and it has worked flawlessly. Here are the features:

1. If you do the basic install and hook up the adapter to only the USASpec supplied cord which connects to the ipod's smart connection on the bottom, you can make up to five playlists on your computer (HONDA1, HONDA2, etc.) that are downloaded to the ipod and can then be accessed as CDs 1 through 5 on your steering wheel controls or your radio controls (you will be in the infamous AUX mode), and CD6 is then your full library which you can play either in order or randomly by pushing the random button on the dashboard radio control. In this mode the the ipod is charging as you go and you can use the radio and steering wheel controls to advance to the next song (in order, or random). The only downside to this mode is that in some ipods you are completely locked out from the ipod's own controls, so you can't use them to pick individual songs, and there is no way to pick individual songs through the radio controls, other than advancing through a list to get to the song you want. Also, one thing that is confusing is that you don't get to the different lists by punching the numbered CD buttons (i.e. pushing "3" for list 3) --- you have to push the up and down toggle instead. Finally, when you first plug the ipod in after it has been unplugged, once in a while it can take up to a minute for its little brain to get organized and start playing; its no big deal (and usually takes less time) but don't panic if nothing happens immediately. Give it a minute.

2. You can also set the adapter up with an additional cord that will play any device with an "RCA" type plug (i.e., the standard earphone plug on one end, and those red an white stereo plugs on the other; USASpec does not supply this cord, but you can buy one for a few bucks at any Radio Shack). You can use this mode on your ipod too by unplugging the "smart" bottom cord and instead plugging the RCA cord into the ipod's earphone jack, and in this mode you can pick individual songs using your ipod's own controls. In this mode, your steering wheel and radio controls will not work to do anything relating to the ipod except change the volume, and your ipod will not charge. Also, if you set the USASpec adapter up in this mode (there is a little switch on the adapter --- the instructions explain it) you can only have four playlists, CD5 then becomes full library, and CD6 become "RCA" mode. CD6 remains dedicated to RCA mode even if nothing is connected to the RCA cord.

3. If your Ridgeline has the little storage space underneath the radio, you can drill a hole in the back (or two holes if you use the RCA cord as well) and pass the cord(s) into the storage space and the adapter then sits on top of the storage space --- inside the dashboard, but outside the space. I held it down with some duct tape; you could screw it down if duct tape seems to Mickey Mouse, but then you will have screws protruding into the storage space -- so far, after a couple of months, the Mickey Mouse duct tape solution has not been a problem. Either way, using the storage space like this works great to keep ALL of the cords and the ipod itself out of sight --- so less worry about someone trying a "smash and grab" to steal your ipod.

4. My Honda dealer replaced my radio under warranty (it's a long story and had nothing to do with the adapter) and gave me no grief about the fact that I had an aftermarket ipod adapter. In fact, the service rep wanted the model number because he was thinking of getting one.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Toobuku]

I just had mine installed last Saturday and I am happy with the audio and controlling it from the steering wheel. You don't get much of what is playing now nor can you move through your playlist unless I am missing something.

I was using a FM lighter adapter to hold and play my ipod touch however I used the holder to hold the ipod and ran the cable out of the glovebox and hooked it up to the ipod. The ipod stops when I turn off the engine and picks up where it left off when I start the engine. I can view what is playing directly from the ipod and move through the playlists as well. I will post pictures tomorrow to show how I have it set up.

[zjennings]

Bad choice. You both should have gone with the Peripheral Electronics PXAMG. Gives you text, and an extra input or HD Radio (or any two of the three, iPod, AUX, and HD Radio).

Zach

[Toobuku]

Originally Posted by zjennings

Bad choice. You both should have gone with the Peripheral Electronics PXAMG. Gives you text, and an extra input or HD Radio (or any two of the three, iPod, AUX, and HD Radio).

Zach

Had I known, sure would have!

[e_piph_a_ny]

Originally Posted by zjennings

Gives you text, and an extra input or HD Radio (or any two of the three, iPod, AUX, and HD Radio)

Am I missing something?
I could only see the compatibility list for the following: "PXAMG - Direct control iPod adaptor for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Can bus vehicles"

No Honda, much less RL.

[zjennings]

Originally Posted by e_piph_a_ny

Am I missing something?
I could only see the compatibility list for the following: "PXAMG - Direct control iPod adaptor for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Can bus vehicles"

No Honda, much less RL.

Yes, you are missing something. See my other post:

ipod, HD Radio, AUX (any 2 out of the three, works with NAV)


I got my questions answered directly from Ernie at Peripheral.

z

[grego9877]

Originally Posted by zjennings

Bad choice. You both should have gone with the Peripheral Electronics PXAMG. Gives you text, and an extra input or HD Radio (or any two of the three, iPod, AUX, and HD Radio).

Zach

Interesting --- I had never heard of this one. Where does the text show up? I have (I guess) the standard radio that can take 6 CDs and has two XM channels (which still work) built in. Will the text (I gather you mean the song title, etc.) show up in that radio's window?

[e_piph_a_ny]

Originally Posted by grego9877

Interesting --- I had never heard of this one. Where does the text show up? I have (I guess) the standard radio that can take 6 CDs and has two XM channels (which still work) built in. Will the text (I gather you mean the song title, etc.) show up in that radio's window?

My thoughts exactly. I also have the RTL w/o NAV.

There was a recent flurry of postings about the DICE product, but the displayed text was truncated and did not scroll across the display. I'll monitor this post for updates to see how this one works out.

[McRidgeline]

Same here... I was hoping to move on an iPod interface by now. But, with all the recent discussions about this and other new products (Peripheral Electronics PXAMG, etc.), I'm waiting to see how it all pans out.

[grego9877]

Originally Posted by McRidgeline

Same here... I was hoping to move on an iPod interface by now. But, with all the recent discussions about this and other new products (Peripheral Electronics PXAMG, etc.), I'm waiting to see how it all pans out.

I was in the same boat before I finally pulled the trigger on the USASpec unit, let me tell you!!

By the way, I didn't notice before, but I checked out Zach's other thread on this subject, which he refers to above, and note that he hasn't yet purchased the Periferal Electronics adapter he thinks is best (in a post dated yesterday he says he will be buying one very soon).

That's fine -- we do that all the time here in the interest of sharing information. But, I think it is worth pointing out that I was trying to let folks know how the USASpec unit actually works, as purchased and installed by a know nothing guy like me, as opposed to how it is theoretically supposed to work based on sales pitches, advertising materials, and specs.

Bottom line. I don't know if the USASpec unit is the best. I do know it works.