My Ipod nano finally gave up and I got a new ipod touch for my b-day so, I'm finally pulling the trigger and throwing my cassette tape adapter aside. I've been searching and will either be getting the iSimple or USA Spec. Just wondering what the Aziners have to say about the two, pros and/or cons for either.

 

Have you seen the car toys one? If you haven't, look in this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/momos-audio-upgrade-journey-846952/

 

I'm non-navi so it wouldn't do much for me

 

I have the USA spec Hon2y but I upgraded the wire (for 25$ ) to work with my iphone 4.

I don't like it. This system is really annoying and very touchy. I don't know if its just me or what but whenever I take my center console apart (I keep it under the cupholder), it doesn't work anymore. Sometimes it plays audio, sometimes not. Sometimes it charges my phone, sometimes not. It always takes about 15-20 minutes of wiggling/moving the wires around to get it to work; and then very carefully putting the center console back together WITHOUT moving the USAspec module.

IDK if its just me or what.

ON a side note, having a second aux input is nice. I use it for my PS2.

 

I was told to get the USA SPEC PA15-HON3. I take it that this is the update to the USA SPEC HON2Y that you have.

Does anyone have the HON3 and do you have any of the same problems?

 

Check out Dice Electronics

 

I have the USA SPEC PA15-HON3. The Pros: charges your phone (also charges it up to 30min after you shut off the car which is nice), can use controls on steering wheels, can also manually use ur phone and change songs if you want.
The only con is that once in awhile, the navi resets for no reason. The music is still playing and everything, but the navi just resets itself. It doesn't really bother me much since it only happens once in awhile. But, it would suck if im in a place I don't know and I am depending on my navi and it resets itself in the time of need, but that never happened before (doesn't apply to you since you're non-navi). Overall, I like it! beats the hell out of the FM transmitter I was using before.

 

Was it a first generation nano? If so, you can get a brand new one from apple.

 

Na it was a 3rd Gen

 

I'm not sure what the update to it consists of, but the hon2y I know does NOT charge iPhone 4. I had to purchase the upgraded cord for 25$ directly from USA spec in order to get it to charge my phone...and even now it sometimes says "Charging is not supported by this accessory"

The Hon3y could be better than the 2, but I wouldnt know.

 

I stopped by a local stereo shop today and the guy there highly recommends the iSimple set up over the USA Spec. Can anyone chime in on this

 

I have the USA SPEC PA15-HON3 as well and suits my needs just fine a little touchy though

 

I've heard that a lot about the USA Spec's that they are touchy, even the guys at the shop I went to today.

Has anyone that has the iSimple set up have any problems, I'm starting to lean toward that now.

 

weekend bump.. need help deciding trying to get it done sometime this week

 

I have the USA Spec PA15 AcuXL and I have no issues so far.

 

I have a hon3 and the iPod cable is very finicky. I ordered another one from my local car audio shop and I hope that it works. If not, do you guys think taking a USB iPod cable and soldering the wires together will work?

 

iSimple set up sounds like the way to go. I'm in the same boat as you with no-navi just need a good Ipod hook-up

 

i just installed the isimple today....it was pretty easy install...took maybe an hour with testing/running wires/mounting. So far so good!! pretty easy to navigate playlists etc and sound quality is amazing!!! Sure beats the tape deck adapter i was using!!!

 

Just installed my iSimple too.

Couldn't be happier.

 

I have the same one and same issue, except it also locks the navi up occasionally. I can't even hit the audio button. Once the key is turned off and then on it it ok though. Works well otherwise.

 

I had the isimple installed over Xmas. It takes a few days to 'learn' how to use it w/o being frustrated, now I love it.
I have navi in my car so it helps to 'see' my controls on the screen. For non-navi, your controls on steering column will change song/folders. You would press '6' on your radio station control to choose what you wanted. '5' takes you back to the menu. Oh, before I go on, it will display up in the top console where you see your climate control. It overrides the clock display (i think). So you can see artist/album, etc. from up there. I don't know if your screen would actually display but I don't see why it wouldn't since its display radio/cd info.
'4' is FF a few seconds and '3' is RW a few seconds. Never figured out what 1 and 2 (pause?) do. You use the station dial knob (scroller) to navigate folders and songs.

It also charges my 3GS and my girls 4GS even when the car is off.

I love it, I don't have any experience with any of the other's and Best Buy install is including in price. It's simple to use, once you get the hang of the controls. Switch to XM2 and turn the knob (station dialer) to ipod, and it will always be set when you plug it in. (Actually the frustration was when I first used it I didn't know this secret) It also picks up from wherever the song was when you unplugged it. Oh, there is a slight lag time when scrolling/choosing. So be patient.

I am extremely happy with the purchase. Just not with how they wired my amp & kicker and blew my bluetooth, amp and nav console, oh entire electrical system. Alas, that's another story!

Hope this helps.

 

Which model did you go with? The only one I can find on Best Buy's site is the iSim77 (http://bit.ly/JwUvmR) but I'm not sure if this supports our TL's steering controls.

 

I've had 3 shops now tell me the iSimple is a better choice based on consumer complaints about the USA Spec being glitchy.

 

I put the USA spec in my fiancee's accord...it works, most of the time ,doesn't display anything.

I put the isimple PX0809 in my TL 3 years ago and it works flawlessly. Except for one flaw (contradict yourself much?) ...when it's connected, ipod is fine, aux is fine but when I swap to XM the Headunit freezes up on me and ignores what I am asking. Also, volume seems low on XM, but that's always the case for me, I simple or not.

Thanks to a push from GP, I installed the new firmware and will give this another go this weekend. If I was up against a wall though, Isimple would get my pick, bar none.

 

i have the iSIM73 as well. No complaints except it charges if you have the ipod plugged in when car is off.

 

My '06 w/NAVI came with iSimple installed and the interface cable is in the glovebox. I don't have an iPod though and I'd like to connect my Droid phone via its 3.5MM port. What's my best option for getting an AUX port or a cable that will connect it to the iSimple cable?
Thanks

 

Hmm the isimple comes with both the ipod cable....and a 3.5mm aux cable.....have you checked inside the two little storage compartments under the radio? Maybe inside the center console?

Do you know where the unit is located?? If so.....check to see if there are two cables coming out of it......if it only has the ipod cable coming out of it....then you could just buy the 3.5mm aux cable from the company.

 

Hmmm this mod seems tempting.

 

I woudl go with isimple. it's what I use and besides the occasional hiccup after I reconnect my ipod touch (cant navigate the menus, or play music. It's like the iSimple device caches the playlists/artists, etc first and then displays it on the Nav), once I leave it connected it's problem free. I would recommend leaving the radio on AM/FM for 1 minute before plugging in the ipod or iphone (as stated in the initial setup papers) and switching to XM.

iSimple is continually improving the software on the device as well, and you as the user can update it yourself rather than having to go to a dealer or manufacturer.

 

So I've decided to go with the iSimple setup. Thank you everyone for your inputs. The only problem I have is that I started at Universal Technical Institute 2 weeks ago and funds are a little tight right now.

 

UPDATE:
after the newest firmware update from last year, my isimple works just fine. There is a slight 3 second delay when I'm on XM where the radio is thinking and then linking me to satellite, but nothing I can't live with...worth it to me to be able to rock pandora from my phone...xm, cd, tape, or ipod! I ran the 3.5mm jack up to the clock area inside the console to my phone mount. It's perfect.

J.

 

I'm still really confused as to which model to go with. I was thinking that the iSim73 is the most-used option on AZ, but I don't think it is compatible with the iPhone 4 w/ iOS 5 w/o the updated chip. Which model replaced the iSim73, but remains compatible with our TL controls? My local Best Buy sells/installs the iSim74 for $199, but I can't find anyone on here who is using it.

 

a newer version of it can't be bad, especially if it's compatible with your phone. Don't overthink it...and see if you can find it online and install yourself.

OR pay the 200 bucks and if anything isn't kosher, BAM, return it to best buy since they installed it.

 

I had the iSimple in my civic and it worked great, until it started coming apart at the part where it plugs into your iPod. The plastic housing part broke and the wires started fraying. The sound got static-y unless you held the iPod in a certain position. That was probably more a result of me and others in my car being too rough with the plug than anything else though. I'd like to get another one for my TL.

 

My USA Spec PA11-HON2y is awesome, no problems charging, no touchiness issues, wheel controls work and I can hook up my ipod in addition to my satellite radio...I have it setup so I press disc 6 for sat radio and disc 1-5 are ipod playlists.

 

Thanks for your advice. I looked all around and there was no aux cable or connection there, just the iPod cable that was routed to the glovebox. I'm not anxious to take apart the dash in order to add an Aux cable. I'd rather connect some kind of cable to the iPod cable that will give me an Aux connection (3.5mm pole). Does anyone know of something like that?

 

If you got Pac ISHD571, it should have came with aux cable which plugs into port 2 of the module. Aux cable also splits into 2 rca female connectors, you can plug in another aux cable. You end up with 2-3.5 if you utilize everything.

Installed mine this past weekend...
Works fine.

Had a pie aux module.... Kept freezing the HU/ navi.

This one hasn't done it yet

 

Mine has about a 10 second delay when I turn on the radio and it's set to Satellite (of the 4 options, IPOD, SAT, AUX1, AUX2) and I've noticed in the last few days, sometimes when booting up the XM it'll have "No Info" and wont' change channels unless I change to a different source and go back.

BUT, I can live with that to have all these options...when I didn't have my ipod connected anymore I thought I didn't miss it, but there are days where I think of a song and REALLY want to be able to play it.

 

What is the best place do you think to buy one of these?

 

i got mines from Amazon