Check out this story on an iPod interface from Alpine. Works with head units with an Ai-Net system bus.

Is that what we've got in the TSX?

Anyhow, looks pretty cool. I guess it's like the thing that's in the new BMWs.

 

i belive our headunit is Panasonic/Matsushita i dont see how it would work.

plus i think this i a lot cooler than the BMW interface...it will display trackname,artist, etc.

 

Actually Honda/Acura only use AI-NET Support. Have been for years. When i find the link, they sell the adapter for it im pretty sure you can get one from honda but i will post it. I am at work and have the link at home.

 

if what you say is true, i stand corrected and more importantly I cant wait!

 

Now I'm in a quandry -- what should I do? (1) Buy an FM adapter like the iTrip, (2) get the SNHOND3 adapter for $99, or (3) wait for the $100 Alpine unit? I can think of advantages to each of these options, but would like to hear other opinions.

 

i would definately get the snhond3 over the itrip....but i dont know whether to hold off for the alpine unit if it works.

 

For my money, I'd wait for the Alpine unit. Being able to use the steering wheel controls makes it the primo choice. (He says, not even owning an iPod yet...)

 

Cough :: IceLink :: Cough

 

icelink

my friend uses the iTrip on his car and the sound quality is pretty bad.

 

I used an iTrip with my old iPod and it worked about as good as you'd expect -- sometimes there'd be interference but most of the time the sound quality was okay, just okay! The biggest advantage is that the iPod is truly portable to other cars and home systems without more adapters, etc.

I've heard an iPod on an RSX that uses an adapter with an aftermarket Sony headunit and it sounds better than CDs, but there's no steering wheel control

I can wait for the Alpine adapter, but I think I'll get the iTrip for now.

 

I'm in exactly the same fork in the road: I just bought the new 4th generation iPod over the weekend, and I am trying to track down the best solution to incorporate it into the TSX stereo system. I saw an FM transmitter connector at Circuit City today for about $40, but thought a direct wired solution might give better quality sound. The news of the Alpine unit is new to me and sounds promising.

 

the alpine unit is 100 dollars on top of an actual ai-net compatible alpine head unit. The cheapest one they offer with it is 200. That is 300 dollars right there. It would be cheaper and more efficient to go via either the icelink or just the schond3. However for 300 dollars (not including install prices) you can get your mp3 text to show up on the alpine head unit.

I like the stock look of the interior and got the icelink b/c i did not want to alter my center console to fit a head unit. just depends on your preference.

 

I guess if you have the Navi then the only choice is either the iTrip or the SNHOND3, right?

PS Can anyone tell me how much a SNHOND3 would cost to get professionally installed on a TSX w/Navi?

 

i bet the snhond3 install would cost about $30 if you brought the adapter to them... when i tell you it takes 5 minutes or LESS to put in the car and 10 minutes to solder im not kidding... do it yourself... youll punch yourself in the head if you pay for it and then find out how easy it is.

 

yea simple solder or splice job. takes about 5 minutes and the rest is plug and play

 

I now have the SNHOND3 in my TSX and the iTrip for the iPod mini in my other car. I like them both. The sound quality of the iTrip is fantastic, but you can get a little static once a while, something that never happens with the direct wired snhond3. I like the 'no wires' look and convenience of the iTrip, but the single wire needed for the snhond3 fits nicely under the plastic console piece along the floor and then comes up near the seat belt so it's not very noticeable. The alpine solution would be nice because of the added integration of the iPod to the headunit, but might not offer much more than a little 'wow' for a lot of $$$.