Installed the USA Spec PA11-HON2 and install went fine, all seemed to work fine.
Setting on USA Spec is set for direct play.
That evening I was playing around with the iPod itself. Next day hook the iPod up to my 05 TL and it plays music, but I lost steering wheel functionality, dash as well.
Hard reset the iPod, read numerous posts here and still can't can't control the iPod from my Acura. The songs play and I can change them via iPod but nothing else works, e.g. yesterday if I changed the TL mode to DVD the iPod would pause.
Not today?
Are there setting's on the iPod that need to be set a certain way. Anyone have any ideas on what the problem may be?

Thanks

John

 

Talked with rep. at discount stereo and he doesn't know why my iPod quit working with my TL. Most likely a defeative box. The real kicker is they don't warranty the device because its on a Canadian vehicle. What a crock of BS, so much for the good service at DISCOUNT STEREO.

John

 

That is a load of crap. Can't you RMA the PA11-HON2 still and claim its defective? Its shouldn't matter if your car is Canadian. Its the PA11-HON2 that is defective, not your car.

Hopefully you can get this resolved. waacow might be able to help you, but unfortunately he is out of town until another week. Good luck with it!

 

Thanks for the reply dartman !

Boy is it ever a load of crap! The Canadian and U.S. cars are built in the same factory in the U.S.A !! So I don't get it?
I don't now waacow, but I hope he can help.
The car is outside in the rain now with the battery disconnected. Thought I would try and reset the Stereo and Navi to see if that might help.
Now where did I put those install numbers for the radio/navi LOL

John

 

I just had the Neo Ion Aux 41125 (exactly the same product as the USA Spec pa11 hon2) installed in my 2005 TL. I too find that the steeringwheel and dash track controls do not work with the iPod. I called mp3yourcar.com (from whom I bought it), and they sent a second unit. I had it installed, and it has the same problem. Furthermore, the AUX input does not work unless the iPod input is first initialized, so you have to have an iPod to attach to the iPod input before you can use the AUX. That's pretty bogus. The iPod also does not pause when switching to another mode. It does pause when the ignition is turned off.

I will say that the sound is great, and both my NAV and XM appear to be working. But there are a lot of features claimed for this unit that do not work as advertised. I'll keep the unit because I want the great sound without messing up the NAV. But I think Neo Ion and/or USA Spec owe us something yet.

I would be interested in knowing if others with an '05 TL are having similar problems.

 

Mine worked as advertised, the first day only. Now it's acting just as you stated.

Lox

 

So I'm playing around arranging my iPod last night. Deleted everything and copied over about 6 thousand songs.
I take the iPod to my TL plug it in and it works? Still a flaky setup as it locks up the headset, doesn't display volume on the console sometimes as well as other little quirks around plugging it in and disconnecting it.
Doesn't work as indicated in the manual. But when it does work the sound is good.
So what caused everything to start working again? But right now I don't think this is a good solid enough product for my car. It's a hack job, plan and simple.

John

 

John: what do you mean, "it works"? It gives sound? (that was never an issue), or the controls now work as well?

 

Very interesting since I am "on the fence" with respect to this unit or the the Blitzsafe - HON/M-Link1 V.2X (Seems better for keeping XM). The Blitzsafe doesn't have all the steering wheel and radio button control. That's what I like about the USASPEC...if it works.

Please keep us up-to-date as to if this is a defective unit or a real problem

 

Adobeman: it is not a defective unit. I have tried two now, and they both behave exactly the same. The chap I talked to at Neo Ion, after I told him it was a problem with all three iPods I tried, and two adapter units, indicated that it had to be a compatibility issue. If you look in the USA-Spec PA11-HON2 user guide, it indicates on the last page that there is "reduced application" for the Acura. It appears this is so, despite what the peddlers are saying.

However, for the record, the sound is fantastic, and, with the Y, both NAV and XM continue working. I just wish they'd get their act together and provide a unit that does what they claim.

 

The USA Spec adapter is very particular to when/how the ipod is plugged in. Some ways confuse the unit and the controls will not respond.

I'll have to double check the procedure when I get a chance, but try this:
1. Unplug the ipod
2. Turn off the ipod
3. Set the radio to am/fm mode
4. Turn off the radio
5. plug back in the ipod

The radio should automatically switch to CDC and start playing the ipod if done correctly. The controls should be functional.

 

tejesh83: Well, I gave that a try. The iPod does crank right up and gives sound, but the controls still do not work. But thanks for the idea. Any other thoughts?

 

Can you unplug the USA Spec then replug it? Does it still have the same problem? And does, everyone experience the IPOD dependency to use the additional aux input?

 

My unit is inaccessible behind the radio. But I have had two installed, and once with several reinstalls, and the same problem occurred in each instance.

I don't know if your question about the iPod dependency for the AUX input was addressed to me or whether you were asking it in relation to your own experience. In any event, I certainly find this problem. Do you too?

 

i have the same problem...enfig sent me a replacement and i still have the same problem..i want to just return it...im sick of this stupid unit

 

Can everyone lists what year TL they have as well?

Jmark has an '05.

 

I still think it has something to do when/how the ipod was plugged in, as I've had my control stop responding once as well. I don't remember what specifically I did, but after undocking and redocking the ipod, it started working again.

Here is another a few steps you can try.

1. Unplug the ipod
2. Turn off the ipod
3. Set the radio to am/fm mode
4. Turn off the radio
5. Turn off the car.
6. plug back in the ipod
7. Turn on the car.
8. Switch to CDC mode

If the controls are still not working

9. Hit the Disc+ button once or twice

Try a few variations of the above steps. Also, you may want to try disconnecting the battery to get the unit to reset.

 

Nope, that doesn't do the trick either. The process you describe does get the iPod going and playing, but the control buttons, either dash or steeringwheel, don't work.

I have an 05, by the way.

 

i have an 05 Nav w/o Y Adapter

 

Same things happening with my Canadian '05 w/Navi. The sound usually comes through but the dash indications usually don't work regardless of when I plug the iPod into it. And the head unit locks up occasionally.
This unit is NOT ready for prime time in a '05 TL!
I noticed from another post that Discount Stereo no longer lists this unit as compatible with the '05 TL, so it would appear we are all in the same boat.
Hopefully US Spec will come out with a fix in the near future.
John

 

Just throwing in my experience (with my 06 TL no nav, XM with Y cable):

I installed mmy PA11-HON2 on the weekend and have some limited success. I can generally get the ipod to play, my steering wheel controls work, but the display on the stereo usually freezes up but still works. By freezes up, it will generally show the previous mode (i.e. still show the FM station it was on, etc). Very rarely (and randomly?) it will show CDC for the CD changer. If I have the ipod connected and switch to another mode and try to get back to the ipod it will usually freeze the display, the ipod will start to play but no sound out. The most reliable way I've found to get the ipod working is to unplug it and replug it in, and it will eventually work. It takes about 20 seconds for everything to get into the right state, and still with the wrong mode displayed. But the steering wheel controls always work and I've never had to restart the car or power cycle the stereo or anything.

Just my experience, for what it's worth. Overally I'm happy with it, but am watching for any firmware updates (the "box" is under the seat and very accessible if I can exchange the unit).

thanks for the info that got me to this point,
Jason.

 

I have not have any problem with my USASpec unit in direct mode, a few time I did notice where my steer control command was not responsive (like next track), so I kept pressing it, then after 5 or 10 seconds, I see that it started to send those next track command to ipod. Seems like it was a backlog on processing command from steering control. Jmarks: Sorry I can't be any more help. Did you ever get it working again? Were you able to RMA the unit?

 

mine sucks. i am returning it, but just been lazy. It doesn't work with my xm...but if u dont' care for xm...its awesome...who wants to buy it

 

USA SPEC told me thier current unit is NOT certified in the 2006 model line. Folks seem to be making them work, but are experiencing problems. They asked me to call back in a few weeks when the software update was ready... perhaps this is the source of your problems?

 

2005 w navi it don't work

 

Are you just getting XM bleed over? Where did you get the y cable from to split the input to the head unit?

 

Hey everyone. Ive been looking over the posts here. I really want to integrate my IPOD into my 05 Navi TL but am getting a little nervous of using the USA Spec product. Does the damn thing work or not.

here's what I want to do:

1. Dont care about XM Got SIRIUS installed
2. Want to control the IPOD through the stering wheel controls

I would like to know if the USA SPEC is better, worse, different from the Blitzsafe one.

Appreciate the help. Right now Im using that damn Itrip and it SUCKS

 

This sucks! I just ordered the unit right before looking at this thread. I have a 06 TL. So will the AUX work if I don't have an ipod plugged in? I will be using the AUX port most of the time without the ipod, so the AUX must work!!!!!

Any help?

Which other unit would suit be better if I just need an aux that works all the time and sound great?

 

lookinco,
I too have a 2006. I just returned my Musiclink.

The USA SPEC will work fine in your 2006. You will probably experience some steering wheel control issues, an some othe rminor things, but it will work.
I phone USA SPEC about the minor incompatibilites with the 2006, and they ackknowledged these problems. They said and updated firmware release will be available in the next few weeks, and the SW upgrade woudl be free... so...

1) Mount the unit so it;s accessible so you can send it in for flashing, when the upgrade is made available.

2) The aux port will work fine. Do you have a Dom's Nav converter and DVD source yet?

 

I don't have navi and I don't have xm either. i am in canada. The USASPEC unit will still work fine right?

Thanks for the info Kennedy!!

 

Well, you don't have to worry about XM bleed

You'll probably still have some minor steering wheel control issues (only in 2006). I think this is due to an update in the CAN-BUS SW inside the car, thus USA SPEC has to accomodate witha SW upgrade.

You won't need a Y cable, just a direct connection cable, as there's no XM connection.

Other than that, you'll be fine.

Will you be my hero? I want two canadian "parchment" sun visors. You Canucks aren't cursed with stupid warning stickers everywhere. I'd be glad to cover your expenses if you could hook me up.
(Sorry to tak you off topic, PM me if you can help).

 

Stone23: The other day I called USA Spec (who contend indeed that the Neo Ion 21145 is the same as the USA Spec PA11-HON2) and they said these units are not yet compatible with the 2005 TL (and possibly some 2006s). They may work with some individual cars, but not in general. They said they should have a software update available in a couple of weeks or so, and that I should check back. Most people find they can get the iPod sound (and it very good), but a number of people are unable to have dashboard and/or steering wheel controls. So I'd sit on my hands till futher notice.

 

It's terrific. I'm using it in Direct Mode, with the iPod cable in the upper center-dash compartment.

I talked to USA-SPEC before installing, and they are a month away from their update. The only 2 issues that they are aware of are a) when switching to the iPod from another source, the iPod hangs until I hit play on the iPod or disc + on the dash, and b) no track numbers show up on the audio interface. These are very minor problems, and everything else works for me. It's awesome, and it's the best audio source in the car.

I
m very happy. Of course, I'm not Canadian.

Ron

 

I got the USA SPEC, the Blitzsafe unit, and one other unit before that. Had them installed and issues after multiple tries with each.

Blitzsafe is a POS, tried 3 of them and no luck. Unless you like to get screwed, don't get the Blitzsafe unit.

USA SPEC works intermittently but is the best one so far. Main problem is that it doesn't charge/shutoff my 3rd gen iPod correctly, so it dies after 1 day and I have to charge it outside the car. When the iPod's low on power it keep rebooting over and over when plugged in and causes the head unit to switch from CD to CCD at every reboot. When I have the iPod fully charged and unplug/replug it it syncs with USA SPEC and works flawlessly, but what a frickin pain.

So I called the USA SPEC tech today and he's like, "Ummm Acura TL 2004+ isn't supported with this unit, we know it's hosed and we're working on a solution. Maybe 4-6 weeks." as he pulls a number out of the air.

I'm so pissed at iPod + TL. I'm just going to use the USA SPEC Aux-In and get a Belkin car adapter and be done with it. Spent waaaaay too much time and $$$ on this already. Still holding out hope for a TL supported USA SPEC unit that I can swap out, but whatever.

 

Well I have a blitzsafe and it works perfect. maybe you are just one of those people we all say "damn they have bad luck". I have to get rid of my blitzsafe to get my DOM unit to work. Other than that I would never get rid of it. I just hope I will like the USA Spec 1/2 as much as the Blitzsafe So if anyone wants a working blitzsafe check out the blackmarket

 

One of the big problems with this thread is that people are not specifying which year TL they have. The 3rd generation TLs behave differently with respect to these units. With the USA Spec PA11-HON2, it appears the 2004 is not supported at all, the 2005 is only partially supported, and the 2006 may be the best supported, but it's hard to tell with the incomplete information being given.

PLEASE INCLUDE THE YEAR OF YOUR TL IN YOU POSTS.

Thanks,

 

Maybe I've got a different Blitzsafe unit than you. I've got a 2004 TL and the Blitzsafe unit was a HON/AUX DMX V.2 -> UII.

http://logjamelectronics.com/blitzhonauxdmxv2.html
http://logjamelectronics.com/blitzuii.html

 

Nope we are in the same boat I have the same setup and same year. Hopefully the USA Spec I'm getting works........I'll be pretty angry if it doesn't.