The kit was installed yesterday by a technician on 2004 Acura TL with NAV. I thought that I did not have enough tools and time to do it myself but only after I saw him installing did I realize that it can be done by anyone with the help from here!
I purchased the ROM USB/iPod/AUX interface car kit from Autotoys (product link below)
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_a...interface.html

Initial Review: Autotoys seemed to have shipped mine with a different version of F/W (non-Navi/XM type) as it was initially recognizing only the CD-Changer mode and was playing the songs from my IPod or USB with a very low volume and lot of hiss. I then tried to upgrade the F/W from GROM's support site (through USB) and it now seems to work in XM mode as mentioned.

However there are 3 issues now:
1> Text does not display on the screen when playing through IPod or USB as advertised! Instead the XM station info is being displayed.
2> Steering wheel controls does not function either as advertised with their latest F/W
3> Most annoying: XM still plays in the background with a very low volume though. But when you crank up the volume you can clearly feel it playing in the background.

But it does deserve a mention for the quality of the sound. I have listened to iSimple in my friend's TL and GROM seemed to be equivalent or in fact a bit better.If they can fix the above issues it would make an excellent integration product for the TL. USB is what attracted me towards it and would definitely keep it if they fix the issues for me. I emailed their support a while ago and hope to hear something positive.

Cheers!!!

 

OK! I got a response form Autotoys mentioning that I have to disconnect the XM for it to work in text mode and without the bleed. Makes sense, but what exactly do I have to remove now. By searching the forums from I understand that it can be done behind the head unit or from the trunk. Can someone please point out the cable (description or a pic) that I need to get rid of for inline installation of the IPod adapter?

 

try disconnecting the mic. i think that will clear the hissing

 

I disconnected the Antenna from the trunk unit, this removed the hiss and the XM bleed but I now get a message "check antenna" and still no text! Is there any other possible way of disabling the XM. I have only two connections in the trunk unit:- 1> the antenna 2> a white harness. Is it OK to remove the white harness from the trunk unit or not plug the XM harness behind the headunit?

 

Getting some help from GROM support as well as Autotoy's support!
Update: The XM tuner is completely disconnected in the trunk now. It is just that the hon3 cable that came with the GROM is still connected behind the headunit to the XM harness coming from the trunk (this harness is unplugged at the trunk end from the unit). Please check my diagram for better explanation. I just would like to know if it is OK to leave this cable in there (near headunit), does it really matter with the cable plugged in to the harness but the other end of the harness unplugged from the unit?

Any one out there who had such an issue with any other device or anyone who has successfully installed a GROM in 3G TL.



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is there are reason you purchased this over an iSimple?

because I have an iSimple and it works fine for me! I have an 04 with navi also..

 

USB is what attracted me towards it and it has some nice reviews in Lexus forums. May be Acura doesn't like it as much . I removed it yesterday by myself and would return it probably! Probably I will do a little more research and get the iSimple!

 

I looked at autoToys website and it seemes that its for 2nd gen and not 3rd
also with this you lose xm right? Isimple lets u retain isimple

 

No, it is listed for 3G TL too if you read the description and the one I purchased is from Autotoys. Any ways I will be requesting an RMA for this and go with ISimple. Also I don't use XM, hence it din't matter for me. I just took a chance and get this installed but the audio quality was definitely a match though at least for my ears!