I was interested in going with an Alpine head unit to replace the existing '01 Acura CL-S Bose radio (I have already previously upgraded with amps (JL Audio) and MB Quart Speakers and sub).

My concern, is that my installer indicated that if I remove the Bose factory radio that I may lose the functionality of the Acura factory Navigation system voice prompts as I am told that they (may) function only with the factory Bose radio. Is this true, or does anyone have an after-market head unit and have the Acura Navi with the voice guides still working?

Last question, with an Alpine head unit, is there any way to maintain the steering wheel controls to control the radio similar to how it works with the factory radio (volume, channels, etc)? ---I really got used to those convenient controls; separate remotes that come with the after-market head units are tough to juggle, especially while driving.

Thanks!

 

if you upgrade your radio more than likely you will lose the navi voice... but you could easily splice the stock navi wiring into the alpine headunit aux input.... as for retaining the steering wheel remotes check this link out.. http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=0&cc=01&avf=N

 

You will loose the voice, and I didn't like that I did at first, but now I don't even miss it. I don't need it to tell me to Turn, when I can just look over.

I haven't seem anyone that was able to splice it into the AUX in Jacks, from what I hear they are passing a High Voltage Signal across the wires, that the Bose Headunit Converts.

If you find otherwise, or a place that can do it, let us know, I would be interested in having the NAVI Voice back.

 

hey nj cls you had yours installed by streeteffectz right... if they were unable to do it then it probably is not possible... i was under the impression that the navi voice was a low level signal and the stereo amplified it and put it out but like i said if streetz cant do it then it probably cant be done..

 

Well I recently talked to Ron about it, and he never looked into it enough to get a definate answer. I never paid him to try and get it done, Maybe I will fund that project for the good of the CL Board. I am having some work done by them on the 19th and 20th, so I will discuss it with them some more. I will keep in touch

 

I was doing some research and was wondering if a possible solution is using with the Alpine head unit on the '01 Acura CLS (w/Nav) the Alpine KCA-410C Ai-Net Mutli-Changer/Versatile Link Adapter that not only adds extra input capabilities but also has an Audio Interrupt Input that Alpine is says is typically used with navigation systems.

Could this be a solution, especially since the Acura Nav unit is an Alpine unit as well ??

I have an appointment for installing an Alpine CDA 9815 head unit on June 21---any feedback? I even bought the KCA-410C from Crutchfield in case this may be the solution. Although, my installer tends to think that this is still not going to be possible.

Any help??

Also just an fyi, Alpine is coming out with a 16 GB hard disk drive player HDA-5460 (similar to the Kenwood Music Keg), I may move towards Alpine versus the Kenwood, any thoughts on this??

Thanks

 

i would choose the alpine over kenwood any day of the week... as for the kca-410c and the navi i dont know... yeah the kca-410 will allow you to have aux input into your alpine headunit but i think the problem is getting the navi voice out of the stock wiring... personally i think it would be easy... if the signal is a low level signal coming from the navi being feed into the radio you would just splice rcas on the wire and plug it into the kca-410c... if the signal is a high level signal then you could use locs and then plug it into the kca-410c or other aux audio input adapter... anything is possible the question is do you want to spend the money to do it...

 

shawhite. thanks for your feedback. I agree with you about the Alpine Digital hard drive, I am going to wait for it to come out shortly (they say July).

I already bought the KCA-410C adapter. This I consider an investment that is worth to me. If I understand you, the issue may be whether the Acura Navi ('01 CLS) is a low or high output. With the adapter I have, would you suspect that the voice can be retained, but would require some slicing/other conversion depending on whether it is low or high?

My challenge is that my installer is hesitant to try anything unless he has seen some scematics or specific instructions on how someone else has done it. They do excellent work, but they prefer not to "experiment". But obviously, I am interested in keeping the Nvi voice and am interested in making the investment,.... anything else you would suggest? Thanks again!

 

After looking over the schematics, I believe this is something I should be able to do, but it may require a small seperate amplifier to boost up the voice signal. I know I can mute the aftermarket headunit when it speaks, that's easy, and I know how to get the voice signals, so all in all, it seems like something I should be able to tackle.

 

the car audio god has spoken.... hey jay cl type-s take your car to streetz if you want to retain the navi voice...

 

Streetz,

did you get my message? I am having work done this Saturday.....

 

The KCA410 probably won't work, but I have another solution. We haven't done this in an Acura yet, but it should be possible. A lot of GM's with Onstar still want to swap out their stereo, and they then lose the speaker interface with their factory stereo so what we do is add a speaker behind the dash, usually down behind the center console and attach that strictly for the Onstar, which you could do for the nav. You may need a small amp, I'm not sure with your car, but it can be made to work.
The problem with the Alpine adapter is that you'll have to turn your stereo to the Changer part of it to hear the voice, because it's a different source as far as the stereos concerned, it doesn't know when it is talking (I don't have a manual infront of me, but I'm pretty sure that is the adapter for the changer port, I could be wrong).

 

The Alpine KCA-410C is the Versatile Adapter component that adds 2 CD changers AND 2 RCA inputs, plus has what Alpine calls an "Audio Interrupt input, used for Navigation systems"--this is the module that is all AI Net ($149 retail). I was hoping this was the solution as when I read the info, it seems like it would provide the "muting". The need for an amp is definitely still a question, and I guess the separate speaker tooa question.

The KCA if it could work seems like a great fit as all components and the Nav could be run through it......all integrated.

My install is this Saturday....anything else I should tell them to try. Just wish someone had actually had success on the Acura with an after market Alpine head unit. My installer is hesitant to "try" things that he does not have specific info/diagrams on. Thx