bangorango

Found this on ebay and was wondering if anyone has purchased or used this before.

2004-2008 ACURA TL DIRECT IPOD INPUT+ AUX - LEVEL #4

I was interested on buying but before I purchase, it would be great if I could get some feedback if it is a worthy purchase or not.

Also, if anyone has installed it own their own, it will be great if you can tell me if the installation is for beginners or need professional installation.

Thanks!

bango

2008 Acura TL

Don't see iPod text listed.

I'm getting this installed saturday:
http://peripheralelectronics.com/pro...?ProductID=276

blkaspec

there are two main devices people buy, the DICE unit and the USA Spec unit. the picture is of the USA Spec model, but it doesnt say it anywhere on the page so i would pass. plus you can get it for around $120 including shipping so look around. and you want the PA11-HON2y model if you get the USA Spec, not sure about the DICE because i dont have that one. if you do a search for either one of these on this site you will find MANY threads about this topic.


USA Spec - if you know you want XM and want the text from XM

DICE - if you dont want XM or dont care about the text, i think...

2008 Acura TL

Don't know why people here keep pimpin Dice and USA spec. They are old-hat, you have to sacrifice XM to play your iPod? LOL Plus they are not the only game in town. Better options are available, especially if you want to keep XM

ttribe

Such as? I read your link in your previous post and it says that the module you are getting isn't compatible with NAVI. So, are there other "options" for those of us with NAVI?

acura911

this is what i use http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/autopilot#no you don't have to use the headphone jack.you plug one end in to the dock and the aux cable plugs in to the cars aux input and the other end of the aux cable plugs into the cars charger part.so that means you only have one cable running into your ipods dock at the bottom of your ipod.

2008 Acura TL

When I was inquiring about another unit I was originally told by the dealer that this PE unit would work w/nav. Here's a link to the first unit I was going to buy.
http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=10496

The dealer then sent me an email stating:

But after reading both sites I see both units won't work with nav equipped vehicls, so sorry, no other options at this point.

ttribe

That's why most of us talk about using the Dice and USA Spec modules (myself included). Collectively, we've looked around a TON and still keep coming back to these two as being the least "compromised" for our cars.

Whatever, you choose though, the direct rout into the back of the head unit is the way to go - controls from the steering wheel, best sound quality, and recharge of the iPod. Honestly, IMO the aux jack is a bit of a short-cut that sacrifices a lot of features (and let's not even mention FM transmitters ).

mb190

How come nobody talks about the Acura factory Ipod adapter?
Wouldn't this be 100% compatible & most important...you DON'T loose any functionality? Let me know if my assumption is wrong on this, cause this is what I am thinking of getting.

2008 Acura TL

They don't even sell the acura unit anymore. Too many problems I was told.

Mike00

That's odd they mentioned the Acura unit to me when I was at the dealer two weeks ago.

So my understanding then is there is no IPOD hook up that will let you have XM radio and that will plug directly into the back of the head unit?

blkaspec

NO! its not that you cant use XM, its that you dont get ALL the functionality of ALL the devices hooked up. the USA Spec allows you to use both XM and Ipod, it just wont let you see the text from Ipod. and i think the Dice is just the opposite, Ipod text but no XM text, i think. i chose USA Spec because i would rather see what is on XM on the radio and then just look at the Ipod itself to see what it is playing.

bangorango

Thanks so much for your feedback guys.

Just another quick question: USA Spec vs. Dice...which one is better?
Do either of them affect the Navigation system?

Also, if I go to any Best Buy or Circuit City, will they install it for me? Does anyone know the cost? Is it worth the labor cost or should I install it myself?

Mike00

Ahh perfect. I'd end up with USA spec myself then.

However if I have the option of getting the acura version at the dealer is it worth it?

ttribe

Better? Really depends on what you want from the module. I have the USA Spec myself and am pretty happy with it; however, you will find some discussion around here of people having occasional "skipping" problems with the USA Spec (myself included). On the other hand, there are several people that have had "start-up" problems with the Dice unit. Personally, I wanted to keep the XM text and the "skipping" I've had with the USA Spec has been one time about every two days...more of an annoyance than a problem.

Don't know if Best Buy or CC will do the install for you. I did mine myself. Here's a link to thread where I tried to consolidate some installation information: LINK

Best of luck!

ttribe

Honestly, I have not heard a whole lot of good feedback around here about the Acura iPod option. For starters it is SUBSTANTIALLY overpriced (around $300 last time I checked...I got my USA Spec for $110). Also, I have heard a lot about people losing functionality on the periodic iTunes upgrades. I've been through two iTunes upgrades, and an iTouch upgrade, since I installed my USA Spec and haven't had any problems. I'm pretty sure one of the moderators, Neuronbob, has had some experience with the Acura iPod module. You might want to search some of his posts or PM him for some additional information.

DjDangermouse

Any news on your install?

2008 Acura TL

Yup. Installed this past saturday and it works like a charm. Complete control of the iPod from either the steering wheel (channel up/down), the radio, or the iPod. Full text display on the radio, artist, song name, and so on. It charges the iPod as well. I had the installer run the cable into the center console, same area as the aux jack.

You can search by genre, artist, album, playlist, song, etc. Once you hit the sat/aux button, you use the tune wheel on the radio to select either the iPod, Sat, aux1, aux2.

2008 Acura TL

It's funny, even though the website says it doesn't work with nav, the instructions that came with the unit say different.

DjDangermouse

So you get the text for both XM and your iPod, or just the iPod?

Also, do you get HD radio as well?

voidtrance

Do you have navi in your car?

It would be great if it worked with navi since this unit appears to allow text from everything

gt1

I have an USA Spec adapter for over a year now, and it has some problems. The worst one is that sometimes the right channel volume goes down, and the engine wine is heard. It also sometimes messes up the display on top of the central stack.

2008 Acura TL

I get text for both XM and iPod. I didn't get the HD add-on, but I may at a later date.

This iPod adapter is really, really great.

2008 Acura TL

No navi in my TL. But for some reason it states the operating instructions for TL's with nav.

voidtrance

Here is the reply that I got from Peripheral Electronics about my question of whether it will work with navi equiped cars:

"The reason we show Acura nav units as not compatible is because we haven’t been able to physically test one yet. We do know that they are compatible with Hondas that have nav. If you want to try it feel free, but we cannot guarantee you that it will work."

tragic22

Ok which adapter did you have installed in your TL? I see you mentioned 3 different adapters so I'm a little lost. Also how much did it cost and how much was the install?

2008 Acura TL

This one here:
http://peripheralelectronics.com/pro...?ProductID=276

It's solid. In other words it feels well made. It's plug and play. The cost was $150, install cost me $50. Just cause I'm too busy to mess around installing stuff. Anyone who has the time and some basic knowledge could do it no problem.

YanN1ck

I just have one quick question. Will this unit pause your iPod if you are making/receiving calls? I read that Dice does not pause the playback and I am used to it from my Acura MusicLink in MDX. Thx.

2008 Acura TL

I believe it does, but I'll check on my way into work this morning.

2008 Acura TL

checked this morning and yes it does pause the iPod when using HFL

YanN1ck

Great, thanks for letting me know. I just listen to audiobooks and auto-pause is all I care about

2008 Acura TL

It has a few neat navigation features to move the track back ever so slightly depending on how many times you hit a specific button on the radio.

voidtrance

Now, if they can only certify it on an Acura with Navi, I'd be pretty happy!

YanN1ck

So who is gonna try it on Nav unit?

2008 Acura TL

I don't understand why there's a problem. Get your local audio place to order it for you like I did. If it don't work with nav, send it back.

voidtrance

Hmm, I just checked the site again and it appears that they have removed the "Not compatible with factory Navigation system" for Acura's. I'll have to email them to make sure.

YanN1ck

Let us know what they say. I wonder if getting the HD Radio addon is worth it. Install sounds quite easy, but I am not sure where would be the best place to place the unit in case it needs to be accessed easy.

2008 Acura TL

I had mine installed under the dash so it's easy to access.

murkedout-typeS

I am ordering this unit on monday hopeful i can get it in next weekend

ProblemChild514

i orderd this

hope its good lol
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWN:IT&ih=008