I see that many of you preferred the isimple upon installs in 2008. My audio installer highly recommends USA Spec as a higher quality product. Have your opinions on the isimple changed since install? Any kinks to work out. Trying to decide between the two. Thanks.

 

I have a USA Spec in my 06 and it's been perfect- one other option for you is a Grom BT3.

 

erdoc- do you have the skipping issues others have mentioned with your USA Spec? Also does it pause when using HFL and resume once your call is finished? Do you like the sound quality? Thanks for your opinion and recommendations!

 

If all you want is ipod and or aux I'd go USA Spec. If you want USB and or Bluetooth, I'd go iSimple.

I have formed my opinion after installing probably close to 100 of both in various cars over the past 7-8 years.

 

No skipping issues at all, and it does pause the music when I'm on the HFL (on the phone), so in the 2 years I've had it in my TL, it's worked fine (and music does resume after hanging up). The only reason for recommending the Grom is that USA Spec (as far as I know) doesn't have a BT module for audio streaming. What I have is the Belkin Car Audio Connect via the AUX jack. I think you can buy the Grom with a BT module for something like $134 (it all depends on if you want to listen via direct connect or via BT audio).

Sound quality is fine both iPod (4th Gen Nano) which is directly connected by iPod cable to the USA Spec, and BT to the AUX (to me) is equally good.

I'm not anti iSimple, and many here have them and have good success with them, but from what I've read here, they can on occasion be buggy - I have had a very good experience with the USA Spec and am basing the above on my observations. My brother has the Grom unit in his 01 TL and loves it. He didn't get the iPod cable and runs it exclusively via audio streaming.

 

You have one additional option (although older) and that's a Blitzsafe- I believe they will 'slave' the iPod to the unit and can be controlled via the steering wheel controls (on the newer units) and they may be less expensive if that's of concern to you.

 

Do not go with the USA-spec mine stopped working out of the blue and I just did some researching and apparently most guys with our car are also having problems since the newer iPhone software updates. My unit won't play any audio at all now. It just works as a charger.

 

Despite the loss of function if you plug it in (yup, I've had my own issues with iOs and a pair of Pioneer units in other cars and BT function), any chance you could get a BT module, connect it via AUX and then still use your USA Spec? It'll be cheaper than getting a new interface.

 

I have a USA Spec and haven't had any issues with it... I do notice that a lot owners have gone with the iSimple though... (Perhaps I didn't do enough research.)

 

I have the Spec 15 for my car an although the install was probably the hardest part for me it was totally worth it. I had the same system in my 06 accord an loved it. This one gives me no issues at all. I use a 3rd gen 160gb I pod classic with it an when my phone rings (Samsung galaxy s4) the music pauses by itself an I can answer the call from the steering wheel. Once I hang up, the music plays automatically. There's a video on a website that sells it an it's very detailed on how you can use the spec 15. The only I have with it is that I can't change the songs from the steering wheel, only volume...so I have to change the song by hand with the tuning knob. No big deal.

 

 

I purchased an isimple a long while back (ISIM73) and had a lot of really low volume issues. Then eventually it just quit working.

How is the volume on the Spec 15? Is it only for Ipods?

Does the Spec 15 also give you an 1/8 auxiliary plug so that you can connect your phone through the headphone jack?

Thanks!

 

Ok, so after reading the manual, I see it says:

"In addition to iPod, PA15-hon2 also can connect a second audio source to
AUX car radio. Connect the second audio source to the RCA jack labeled
AUX. AUX input is enabled by setting the DIP switch #1 to ON position at the side
of the interface adaptor to ON position."

Can anyone confirm that the Spec 15 comes with a 1/8" headphone jack cable? I need to make sure on this. Thanks.