Hey Everyone...

I have an 05 TL (non-NAV) and was wondering....

I am strongly considering switching my iPOD with the new ZUNE 80gig. Does anyone know of a good direct in-car integration for this mp3 player?

Thanks

 

Why would you go from an iPod to a Zune?

 

The iPod is well over rated...for the same price and hard drive space, you are getting so much more with the ZUNE

I also listen to my mp3 player alot, even when I am not in the car...so to be able to hop in the car then plug & play would be great...

 

This might work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PAC-AAI-HON-iPOD...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I have an 05 TL with my Zune integrated with the Nav/Stereo system. It works great, the only thing I dont like is that I have to manualy pause the Zune when I get a phone call or turn the car off.

I have also integrated the video to the Nav Screen, so I can view the Album cover, scroll through my Library and watch DVDs without ever touching (or seeing) my Zune.

My setup consists of:
Soundgate HONZN4 (Controls Zune from Dash + Digital Audio) - $100 on ebay

NavTools - Video Interface Connection with HA20PIN Connector (Displays Zune on Navigation Screen) - $215

$30 installation at Circuit City

 

I have an 05 TL with my Zune integrated with the Nav/Stereo system. It works great, the only thing I dont like is that I have to manualy pause the Zune when I get a phone call or turn the car off.

I have also integrated the video to the Nav Screen, so I can view the Album cover, scroll through my Library and watch DVDs without ever touching (or seeing) my Zune.

My setup consists of:
Soundgate HONZN4 (Controls Zune from Dash + Digital Audio) - $100 on ebay

NavTools - Video Interface Connection with HA20PIN Connector (Displays Zune on Navigation Screen) - $215

$30 installation at Circuit City

 

Dupe!

 

Holy double post Batman!

3 cents on this topic....

- There is no way in hell that the ZUNE would ever find it's way into my life or anyone that I know. It's like Honda -vs- Saturn. Sure the Saturn has OnStar, bounce-back body panels and a slew of other cool features. But, I think you know where I'm going with this.

- Isn't Circuit City closing all of it's stores?

- Double posting and small teal font is teh pupe.

 

The two threads have been merged into one.

SILKO, please continue your discussions about Zune in this thread.

 

Uncald, if u had any tech knowledge whatsoever you would know that a Zune is far superior to an ipod as far as storage and quality is concerned.
The only thing apple has going for it is the i franchise name itself. Everyone I know that has had an ipod hasn't lasted for more than a year. I've had my first gen zune since they launched, and have had no battery life loss, no quality loss, no pixel loss like video ipods, no bad mic plug, no static that constantly gets worse, no read errors, no invalid memory issues, no freeze ups, and no conformist bullcrap (if it has I on it it must be good, right!). Unlike the ipods that arent made to take any kind of beating at all, I could chuck my Zune down the street, walk over, pick it up, and keep listening to my favorite classic rock tunes. lol

Anyone trying to decide between the two-

If you want a VERY VERY good Media Player, and don't care about pointless Apps that you will never use other than to show ur friends because u spent WAY too much money on a piece of crap, Then get a Zune. If you want all the headaches and stupid software then go for the ipod.

Uncald-
Your obviously a Mac fanboy and that's fine that u can't use a real computer. But all i will say is that my upgrades, software, hardware, apps, mods, accessories, and GAMES! will always be cheaper, more prevalent, easier to use, and WAY easier to work on.
And don't give me the virus BS, only idiots who go to porn sites all day get viruses. I bet u have a PS3 too. Still waiting for a good game? How's Resistance?
PC > Mac

Admins- sorry for being so blunt, but this is an age old battle that is just ridiculous and this needs to be said.

 

LOL! tell us how you really feel!

The price b/w the Zune and Ipod is negligible to me... so i'd rather have the increased integration into my TL with the peripheral PXAMG... frankly i don't care one way or another about which is the better media player to chuck down the street and then walk over .. i have the "rare" ipod that seems to have lasted > 12 months ..

 

Busted again. I have absolutely no clue what I'm talking about. Carry on.

 

Who are you to be throwing around insults? Uncald4 is one of the most knowledgeable people I've met when it comes to car audio, and a well-respected member of azine.

If you want to debate the merits of ipods or zunes or macs or pcs or otherwise brag about the size of your e-penis, take it to off-topic or better yet, go elsewhere. This is acurazine, and most of us here want to talk about our acuras.

Save yourself the embarassment and just go back to posting LOLcats.

 

i bet he knows plenty about car audio cinsidering he's a vendor, any vendor should know about what they're selling, but i guess u missed the part where i said ipod and zune not car audio. O and i guess your better qualified to throw around the insults. When i hear a bias opinion on something i'm well versed in it ticks me off, so why should one person get to say "there's no way in hell a zune..." and i can't say they're a piece of crap and express why and what i think about that kind of person? That's cool.

I was actually going to see about getting a system through him still cuz he took my comment well, but mattster you pushed my limit so now forget it. Think before u speak.

 

Hello all,

I'm new to the board and have been looking around to find if someone has already done what I want to do with my TSX and Zune.

I have a 2004 Acura TSX with Navi and 6 Disc in dash changer. I just bought a 120GB Zune (Gears of War limited edition!). I'm looking to be able to play my music in my car. I would like it to be dock style, I want to mount it in the din compartment below the nav if I can control it hands free. Preferrably using the steering wheel controls.

Also not as big of a deal to me, but I wouldn't mind being able to play videos on my Navi from the Zune.

I saw surf1900's post above about the Soundgate HONZN4 (Controls Zune from Dash + Digital Audio). Does anyone know if it just control from the dash only or also the steering wheel?

And while this sounds like what I want, NavTools - Video Interface Connection with HA20PIN Connector (Displays Zune on Navigation Screen), I can not find this anywhere. Also does anyone know if there is the option to turn off the video so I can use my Nav while driving? And how exactly would this work?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

I didn't realize people actually bought the F'n zunes... LOL hahaa.

 

I just installed the Soundgate HONZN4 in my 06 TL lastnight. I have total control of my zune from the steering wheel controls. My handsfree system works normal. It seems like the volume is alot lower compared to cd player and radio. I'm going to see if there is a gain control pot on the Soundgate switch board to make the adjustment. Also it seems to take a extra minute for the radio to turn on or should I say to recognize all the modes. I will try to explain this later..I'm tired as hell. Holla!

By the way I have a Non-Nav TL.

 

Not only are people buying them, but they're also enjoying them more than ipods and saving about half the money.

 

Here is the deal with the Soundgate HONZN4 so far. Everything works as advertised and it charges your Zune. The steering wheel controls do in fact control the Zune. The Zune is seen as a 2nd Cd Changer...so you will not lose your XM as some have noted. My hands free still works as it should. The only issue that I have is that the volume level output is not linear as compared with the factory radio. It is a lot lower which can be annoying being that you will max at 40 every time you use it. The connection from the Zune to the harness module is analog so I think that is part of the low volume ordeal that I’m having with this set-up. From the harness to the back of the radio is your standard y-splt connection. There is no gain adjustment at all and I have emailed tech support earlier today. I will search the threads to see if this is the same with IPods’. I want digital CD quality not sure if this option is the best but it damn sure works for now. If I have to buy my IPod back and join the majority then I’m game. I’m all about quality. I will keep you posted.

 

Any word on the soundgate's quality? I'm looking at a zune for my 2006 TL, I want it to charge, be controlled by the head unit / steering wheel controls, and sound great video thru the nav is a bounus.

 

Yup. Zunes just recently hit 2 million sold I think. iPod is well over 100 million. Oh yeah, people are buying them alright... LOL

Whether or not it is a better product is up to the consumer however with such a poor market share there aren't going to be as many cool do-dads to add to it like full integration into factory car stereos. You will sometimes pay the price for not going with the flow/trends and looks like those people who love their Zunes can love them all the way til they have to hit pause to take a phone call.

 

Control from the wheel, eh? Nice. Sucks about the sound, though.

As for the Zune v iPod argument, the Zune is by far the superior music player. iPod is by far the superior integration standard. It's a damn shame Apple doesn't know how to build a worthwhile remote or dock.

30GB Zune
16GB 3G iPhone
8GB 3G Nano
1GB 2G Shuffle

 

Well as I previously posted the HONZN4 is by far a great integration for current Zune owners. The only issues that it has is no on screen display and output volume is too low; it is very audible but need more gain. You will need to add a line driver to get a better output (according with Soundgate Tech)which will run you another $60 bucks... which sucks after paying $110 for the harness. So I decided that I will join the majority and go with the Ipod set-up. I bought the Isimple kit from BestBuy and will purchase the 120GB Ipod Classic (along with a MacBook). This way I will max my integration options in my TL. The factory sound system is good enough for me...so this new install will be a real bonus. Burning CDs is so yesterday.

 

I think at that point I'd just use my dock and remote and a 3rd party video/audio in solution. If I didn't switch to an iPod too.

 

I by no means follow the crowd, rather am usually against the grain - hence why I do have a Zune (30GB)

Technically, the Zune has a stronger audio/video output than the iPod.

I have personally installed and completed the audio and video integration and it's been in my car for about 2+ years. I can pick up phone calls too, however, yeah - I have to manually pause the song to stop it from continually playing if I want to listen to where I left off after the phone call.

See below:

 

What did you use for your integration? It looks smooth with the interface on the nav. Do you have control from the wheel?

 

What you see is the video out. Unfortunately, control is still via the Zune pad. No steering wheel or touch screen, but it is much easier than looking down and getting in an accident.

 

Why is that when someone asks a question about the Zune all the IPod lovers have to question why someone would buy a zune. I guess they do not realize that people may have resons for purchasing a zune over an Ipod.

 

Excel - Your screen appears to be glossy. Am I seeing that accurately? If so, why?

 

It looks like he has a protective film over it.

 

I currently have a Dice setup in my car. I have an SS 05 TL Navi. I have a 60gb ipod and when i get a phone call, the ipod mutes but keeps on playing just like people are saying with the zune. Anyway, I want to ditch the IPOD and get a new Zune, I already a unit from NAVTV for the video that I hope will work and need to get the interface for my soon to be new Zune but I do not want to deal with low sound. Is there anything better out there I can use.

As far as why I am switching from IPOD to ZUNE! I like the fact that for $15 a month I can download all the music I want. Apple charges way to much for everything. I have an 4gb Nano/w screen and 16gb touch and 60 video. The nano and video has locked up so much, it makes me sick on the stomach.Also teh video battery is shot. I cant fly from N.C. to L.A.X. withouth it going dead. The touch I have not even taken out of the plastic, i was thinking about trading for a zune or selling it. Every other week there is a new ipod or iphone. and guess what "theirs and app for that", lol they should tell u that u have to pay for most of those apps.

Anyway enough with my rant, I just want a good interface from CD-C to Zune with great sound. also I guess I need an adpter or cradle like i have for the ipod so i can get sound and video at the same time.

 

I still like my setup. Audio is not low with my Zune 30. Pie X3 and Doms Nav conversion unit.

 

^^^ I doubt that you can control the zune with the Touch Screen Nav... or am I wrong?

 

NVM I'm an ideot and didn't read I see you answered this question already.

 

Right.