PA15-HON2 Ipod hookup question
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
PA15-HON2 Ipod hookup question
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!
Does anyone have this for their 05 and will it show text as well?
Thanks guys!
#4
Safety Car
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.
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.
#5
Drifting
For anyone familiar with these units, is there a big difference between the USA Spec PA15-HON2 and the Neo ProLink PODHONR3V215?
#6
Safety Car
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.
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#8
Safety Car
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
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
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
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
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
#10
Intermediate
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern California
Age: 61
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I have the PA15 Hon2 installed in an '05
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!
Does anyone have this for their 05 and will it show text as well?
Thanks guys!
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.
#12
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#14
Drifting
#15
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.
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.
#16
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
#17
Burning Brakes
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.
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.
#18
Burning Brakes
#20
Safety Car
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.
#21
Safety Car
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.
#22
Drifting
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.
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.
#23
Safety Car
#24
Drifting
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.
#25
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.
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.
#26
Racer
iTrader: (1)
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.
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.
#27
Senior Moderator
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.
#29
Drifting
#30
Senior Moderator
Thanks. THIS is worth tearing my dash apart for.
#32
USA-Spec PA15-HON2 Works well in 2006 MDX
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
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
#33
MDX 2006 pa15-hon2 installation video
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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyOOdQ7a4GM
#34
Senior Moderator
Any word on the HON3?
I am ready to buy this puppy.
I am ready to buy this puppy.
#35
Drifting
#37
Senior Moderator
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.
#38
Drifting
#39
Senior Moderator
Thanks for the update.