OK, i've been reading a lot on how people are connecting their iPods, and see there is genuine need for Acura to come up with a real, navi-screen optimized iPod solution. Sadly that doesn't appear to exist.

So, for $11 shipped off eBay, I located myself this seemingly rare Belkin iPod accessory: its part # F8V7058 and is incredibly useful. I'm using it in my Benz for now until I move to the 06 TSX w/ center armrest AUX audio input, and its great. It has an Apple feel, just 1 dock connector on a 2ft white cable back to the 12v accessory plug. The audio line-out jack is located on the 12v accessory plug itself, so if you've got the accessory jack and aux inside the armrest (like on the new TSX, I don't know which other models have this), you can use this along with a 1ft shielded audio cable from radio shack ($5) and have a great iPod integration solution. The only wire coming out of the bottom is the dock connector. Its got plenty of room for the driver and passenger to move it around and play. The back seat people might have to lean forward a bit to reach (the cable could have been longer) but I guess that's their fault for sitting in the back seat.

Your iPod will charge, full on-iPod regular controls, and line-out quality audio. It is WAY better than, say, a cassette adapter to the headphone jack. Or even an aux coming from the headphone jack for that matter. Its as functional as a BlitzSafe (not that I have one, but i've read) and no switches required. Hope this is useful for someone.

 

This sounds like a good solution, but have you actually tested this on an 06 TSX? I understand that you are currently using it on a Benz, just curious if it's been tested on TSX. Does the Benz have a AUX port like the 06 TSX or are you using an FM transmitter with this?

Also, there seem to be a lot of these on ebay, yet none of them seem to be new or in the original packaging. Is this normal or are they being sold used because they don't work well? Can you tell me who you bought it from on ebay? The prices seem to be all over the place and I didn't see any for $11 with shipping.

 

I added a line-in to my E320, and I use it on that now. So no, I haven't tested it on the TSX, but there is a noticeable increase in quality using the dock connector's line-out vs. the headphone jack (which i used to do). I'm assuming the audio quality available from the TSX's aux-in is as good as can be on the factory setup.

This offers a concealed, all in the armrest solution, so that only 1 white wire to the dock connector has to come out of the hole. This beats many if not all of the other non-integrated soultions, IMO. Its just a good cheap device to get a line-out from the iPod without multiple cables.

re: the eBay issue, I bought mine secondhand 'like new' off eBay from the cheapest available vendor and have no problems with it. If you want new, Overstock has them new for $19.99, click here.

 

I use that too and love it. Have used it for about 6 months. I added an Aux-In in the center console of my '05 (similar to the stock one in the '06). and am running just as you say you are. couldn't be happier with it.

 

At least you don't have engine noise. Do you?

 

Engine noise? No, none what so ever. Used CJams instructions to tap into the XM wires to add an aux and used the Soundgate Aux-3 (i think) selector to toggle between the XM and Ipod. Bought the Honda audio harness so I didn't have to cut stock wires and could solder on my workbench instead of in the car.

 

Thanks for the info. Just grabbed one on ebay for $13 shipped.