Tyzing

I was just about to order this for my 05 RL but am getting mixed results on the web. Some sites say it's only for the 06-08 RL (which wouldnt make sense to me) and some say that it's for the 05 as well.


Does anyone have this for their 05 and will it show text as well?


Thanks guys!

Tyzing

Anyone? I'm really itching to order this sucker and get it installed!

RickL

I'm in the same boat, trying to find out if the PA15-HON2 will display text on the nav screen of my 2005 MDX. Keep getting conflicting info.

Chas2

Go to USA Spec to find out for sure. Call them or email them

http://www.usaspec.com/ipod.html

USA Spec own literature indicates PA15-HON2 will work with 05 RL. Looks like they have overcome the old problem which required disconnecting the XM unit.

Let us know how it works. Also looks like a new cable is needed for certain iPods.

Treblig

For anyone familiar with these units, is there a big difference between the USA Spec PA15-HON2 and the Neo ProLink PODHONR3V215?

Chas2

Good question. The speculation has always been, especially on the RDX forum, that the Neo is simply a rebranded USA Spec.

Let us know what you find out. If the PA15 and the PODHONR3 do all the previous units do, PLUS display iPod text instead of extension, it would be a nifty little upgrade, not quite the same functionality as the 2009 USB port, but given the age of the head unit design, not bad.

Tyzing

Email has been sent...I will post the results

Chas2

Here is an answer I received from Neo with respect to their new unit. Sounds like the USASpec may be more capable, or not. We need more detail. Since I am happy with the older unit, I was not going to pursue it much more, but if someone does, it will be good data for the future.

The new PODHONR3V215 does allow for text display while in XM mode, but its not set just yet to work with navigation screens. We should have a new firmware for that in about 2 months. The user interface is also a little different. Direct mode can be accessed from the radio and the new kit adds folder browsing.



Chase VanderJagt
619.704.0704
www.neocaraudio.com

Tyzing

Does this answer to if it will work with my 2005 RL make sense?




yes it will work, if the vehicle has NAV it will not display text, if no nav then it will display text

You do not lose XM or any other function

Thanks
Jon

bnaritomi

I have the PA15 Hon2 installed in an '05 and it works great. The NAV screen displays "Extension" and the upper smaller screen displays CD-C and the disc/song number.

RickL

But if connected to CD player input, will only display disc number and track on nav screen, not text like XM does on nav screen, correct?

bnaritomi

With my installation, the disc number and track number display on the "upper slot" screen, not the Navigation screen.

2005RLalaska

Are there any worries about this install voiding nav warranty or other electronics? original 4/48,000 or UCC extended platinum?

Treblig

Has anyone installed this unit on an '06? If so, does the Nav screen display "Extension" too??

sammyt

Most likely its the exact same but rebranded- check out their other black box adapters- looks exactly the same as the Dice stuff also- only difference is the price- shady?

sammyt

Should not void it- its plug and play so you can always take it out before taking it to dealer so they don't have something to question and point at.

From what I'm aware- works with 2005 but only in regular cdc mode like the PA11-Hon2y works- the pa15-hon3 is suppose to come out and be fully compatible soon but not sure when

dwboston

The USA Spec unit never required disconnecting the XM. It had a pass-through cable which allowed both XM and iPod/MP3 connectivity. I installed it myself in my old 05 RL.

dwboston

Yes. The Nav screen still displays "Extension".

Tyzing

the pa15-hon3 is suppose to come out and be fully compatible soon but not sure when

What do you mean? So I can see text with PA15-Hon2 right?

Chas2

Yes, you are correct, I was unclear.

At the time I was doing this, if you wanted iPod text to be displayed on the Nav screen, similar to the way XM text is displayed on the Nav screen, there were units that claimed to be able to do this. The kicker was that you had to disconnect the XM receiver so the iPod could use that nav screen text mode...this came from the tech at Neo. Neo subsequently had problems with their unit and pulled that off the market for some time.

I did not want to lose the XM, so I just went with the Neo version of the USASpec unit that was available in early 2007.

I guess what we are all still trying to determine is whether the new USA Spec and the new Neo are capable of displaying XM text in the Nav screen as well as iPod text in the Nav screen.

I am still not clear if any unit can do that for the 2005-2006 RLs. I suspect that these direct connect units may be better than the interface in 2007-08 RLs which just use the earphone jack because you are using line level input and you get charging, and avoid the amplification circuits of the earphone jacks.

Using the Neo or USA units, the direct connect appears to have a cleaner sounding signal than when plugging the iPod into the Neo/USA earphone jack.

Chas2

There may be some track info the narrow LCD display above the Nav screen, but I believe there is no text in the Nav screen besides the word Extension.

The wording is ambiguous, but you could interpret the web sites to mean that tne newer Hon3 version is supposed to allow some kind of text in the Nav screen.

No one has taken the time to call USA Spec and Neo and ask the discerning questions.

Let us know the result if you do.

Treblig

I just got off of the phone with USASPEC and they are saying that they are working on a unit that will work with the RL Nav screen to display text. The timing they relayed to me was 30-60 days.

Chas2

That is so funny. Similar answer from Neo!

See Post # 8

Treblig

Well, i guess we'll just have to keep checking. When I spend my money I want to make sure I'm gonna be happy.

EGEG

Wait for the PA15-HON3. It will display IPOD info on the Navigation Screen. Company says it should be out sometime in February 09.

This excerpt below is from the installation manual of the PA15-HON2. The XM control configuration is the only way to get IPOD text on the Nav Screen.

ACURA navigation radios are not supported to use XM control configuration.

PA15-HON3 should be used for ACURA navigation systems.

Sal's Type S

iTrader: (1)

I have a HON2 hoping it would work, and the manual says the same thing to use the HON3..

neuronbob

I will definitely rip out my crappy Acura MusicLink for that if I can keep XM as well. Been waiting for this forever, but the currently available Dice unit requires you to give up XM in return for viewing what's on the iPod, and I'm not willing.

media_mogul

Is there any way to broadcast an announcement when the HON3 is available? I am dying to have this.

Treblig

I gave them my e-mail addy and they said they would alert me when available. So as soon as I know I will let you all know.

neuronbob

Thanks. THIS is worth tearing my dash apart for.

media_mogul

Couldn't agree more Bob!

mgrsac

Recently installed this in 2006 MDX, purchased at Crutchfiled for $149 (after coupon)

It works perfectly, with text display on Nav screen, nothing disabled. The 2006 MDX comes XM ready.

The installation required:
1) removing the woodgrain radio surround. I used the "coathanger hook method" which was easier than I expected even though I had to reseat a couple of the vent vanes because I dislodged them.
2) removing the radio (6 screws and 3 plugs/sockets) and then inserting the PA15-HON2 kit in the XM radio connection. An included Y-cable harness allows the XM radio to be reconnected.

"The not an ashtray" method is not recommended since there are 3 plugs in the back of the radio and no open socket - it is too hard to figure out what you are doing just by touch.

3) I also ran the cables to the center console, which was pretty easy.
- Had to pop out the cupholder
- Pull off the gearshift "metal" trim
- Pull off the woodgrain gearshift surround
- Drilled one hole (unseen) to get the cable routed to the cupholder area
- Removed the CD holder tray by pulling up
- Enlarged (by drill & cutter) the cup holder to center console passage so the cable end would pass through
- Drilled a hole in the center of the CD holder bottom front for the cable to pass through
4) Put the PA15-HON2 in the center console and used 2-sided tape to secure it to the front vertical face, outlet facing up. That way if you want to change the dip switch settings later you don't have to tear the radio apart again.

The PA15-HON2 works fine, displaying text on the NAV display for all radio settings as well as the iPod/iPhone. One has to push and hold the tuning button to get the radio display up on the NAV. XM1 has the iPod control, XM2 XM radio.

One can scan playlists, artists and albums on the NAV screen, as well as put the iPod (or iPhone 3G) in Direct control by pressing one of the preset buttons.

This does everything I wanted the Neo Prolink to do on my previous 2004 MDX, and did not, but especially text on the Nav screen.

I was told that the 2007-2009 MDX cars may not support text because they have a navigation (road conditions) feature included as part of the radio. That is where the HON3 comes into play - I was told this by a tech at USA-Spec who said they had a really hard time getting their hands on the HON3.

I don't think that Neo has this level of unit yet. Just looking at thier pictures, they don't show the Y-Cable harness kit.

iPhone 3G charges

Juno67

Thanks mgrsac for the step by step installation. For those of you interested in additional installation tips, I found a youtube video of the MDX 2006 USA Spec PA15-Hon2 installation . The audio of the installer is not great but the video is still useful .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyOOdQ7a4GM

neuronbob

Any word on the HON3?

I am ready to buy this puppy.

Treblig

So am I, but no word yet

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

Count me in as well, should fit the Iphone 3G also?

neuronbob

It should. Even the HON first gen works for my 3G iPhone other than charging, I run that in my S2000, so I'm quite sure the HON3 will work properly.

Treblig

The new availabilty date is "End of March" per my call to USA Spec.

neuronbob

Thanks for the update.

T-jay

I just ordered the usa spec ipod interface from crutchfield this morning. paid for next day air, cause im impatient gonna install tommorrow.