I thought I'd share my experience with the Blitzsafe installation I had a Best Buy last week. First of all, they work on a first come, first served basis. So, I showed up when the store opened at 10am on Tuesday. I was third in line, so the installer guy told me to come back around 1pm and he'd do my install. I walked home and waited.

Around 5pm, I figured it was time to call and see what's going on. The guy who answered said he didn't know how to install it and his boss just left, leaving him nothing. I told him I left the instructions from the box, but he didn't feel "comfortable" doing it. I was miffed, but figured oh well, leave it there. The guy said mine would be first in the morning.

So, the next day arrives. I was already home for the day, so I wasn't in much of a rush. I finally got a call around 3pm. The tech told me it doesn't work. He tried everything and even called Blitzsafe. They told him this unit doesn't work in my car! I told the guy to put the car back together and I'd come and pick it up. I was miffed and began searching this board again to make sure I didn't screw up myself.

About five minutes later, I got another call say it works! The guy said he found some bent pins inside the connector. No idea why it took the guy all day to figure that out. Anyway, I went over and got the car, all is good.

Now, for the Blitzsafe. I definitely need to up the volume when using it. I have to put the iPod at almost 100% volume to get even good sound at the 15-20 volume level on the TL. Even after all the hassle, it was well worth it. I highly recommend the Blitzsafe unit for any TL. The other funny thing is that when I push the XM button, the display still shows XM stuff, it's kinda funny.

Any questions? Shoot...

Joe

 

What did Best But charge you for their expert help?

The bent pins didn't come from Blitsafe, the Best Buy guy mangled it.

 

A couple of things:

I assume you are using the Blitzsafe universal iPod adapter? If so, it is connected via the dock connector, which means the volume control on the iPod shoud not make a difference since it only controls the volume of the headphone jack on the top of the iPod.

Your volume level problem is probably because the installer cut the audio wires from the XM and connected the Blitz to those wires. Unfortunately, the XM has a higher than normal audio output voltage. The blitz does not. This is why you will see that others have used a radio shack in-line headphone amplifier when doing this kind of mod.

The reason you still see the xm data is again because of the the way the installer wired the blitz. He just hi-jacked the audio portion of the xm connection, but left the data bus wires connected so the head unit still thinks the xm is active. This is ok.

If you can live with the reduced volume, then you are ok. If not, you will have to install the rat shack amp or equivalent.

jjh1234

 

errr

buying stuff from best buy is bad enough - but letting a best buy "tech" (if thats what they call themselves) install anything in a car worth more than 5000 is just stupid

 

They charged like $50, so I couldn't complain too much.

Joe

 

No, it's not the iPod adapter, it's the aux input adapter. I didn't feel like spending more to add on the Blitzsafe iPod adapter. The RCA to mini-jack connection was fine with me.

Joe

 

 

Even though some of the techs at Best Buy are certified, I would never let any of those labrats touch my car...They did a good number on my friend's accord. Best to ask around. I go to a car stereo specific shop and pic the lead tech's brain (he's my friend) until I feel satisfied with the solution he offers me.

 

ok, kind of off topic but...

if you still use XM, and want the blitzsafe for iPod or DVD or anything of that nature, where would you route the sound then?

 

use an adaptor that does not piggyback sound but uses the CD changer input

 

I agree completely about not using BB, but they would usually be cheaper than a shop = you get what you pay for. I used to install in a private shop (a long time ago...), and even then, it really depended on who you got as to how good the install was. Definitely know your installer before hand.

 

awesome!! I didnt even know we had a changer input. Im assuming its on the back of the HU?

 

The only input on the back of the HU is the 14 pin XM connector. The music link uses a 14 pin Y cable on this port and emulates an external cd changer, allowing you to switch between the XM and Music Link on the same port. I don't know of any aftermarket device that does this.

jjh1234