I saw a thread a while ago (last october) that had an example of hardwiring and iPod or any other outside music source into the stock head unit of the TSX. Looks like it would work amazingly well with great sound quality and all, but the price seems a bit steep for a Bus to RCA converter. I tried the iTrip and was highly unimpressed in both the car and my Bose wave radio. Has anyone tried anything else and gotten good results. I'd like to hear anything anyone has to say about the subject.

 

i would like to see the integration done...just like there offering in the new bmw's, where you can plug ur ipod right in..and use the steering wheel controls.

 

there was a bunch of products ive seen. ive seen two that claim they let u use the remotes on the wheel. after looking into this i think i remmeber i found only one that acutally worked with the wheel. ive been waiting to get it for many reasons. recently i see that alpine has made something for thier head units that allows the ipod to work. maybe theyre working on something else? im not too sure id really like to hear what every one else has to say.

personally i think the ipod should be connected and should be able to use the wheel controls and not hafta plug it into the headphone jack. but thats just my two cents.

 

ICE-Link by Denison, a few people on the boards have them and say it works great.

Here's the original thread on it:
http://acura-tsx.com/forums/showthre...hlight=icelink

Then SEARCH for "icelink"

 

http://densionusa.com/merchant/merch..._Code=IA_Honda


yeah for 220 bucks, thats almost as much as the ipod itself!
mann id like to see what apline brings in and what competiton would do to this inflated price

 

Thanks guys. I found that post about the ICE-Link a few minutes after i posted this one actually. I was trying to find stuff that cheaper instead of twice as expensive. I think i'm gonnna print off everything that is written here and some prices from other websites and take it to an Acura dealer around here. There are only 5 to choose from in the ATL area (i'm at GaTech right now even tho i live in JAX). Someone there has to know something useful. I'll let you know how everything is once i get anything done.

 

good, cuz im hoping that price drops with alpines new attention to it. but we shall see.

 

FYI, the icelink includes the Shond adapter that you need to interface with the changer plug on the bottom of the head unit. I just purchased the icelink and it installed in the TSX in about 15 minutes. Part of that is the ease of accessibility to the Aux port on the bottom of the Non Navi head unit but part is just the implementation of the icelink. All plugs, not splicing of wires. Easy, sounds great, charges the ipod while playing it and you can use the controls on your steering wheel to navigate the tracks. You cant do that with just the Shond adapter.

--cris

 

awesome, how much did u pay for it and where did u get it?

 

Looks like the SHOND, the Blitzsafe, and others all work about the same as far as audio inputs.

The Icelink is the best iPod-specific solution.

The audio may be a bit low in volume, and you may need a line driver added - hey, ccoffey, how is your volume relative to regular audio? (I suspect this may have to do with MP3 record levels too...)

 

Ice-link seems to be the best out there, i just cant drop 220$ plus shipping on one...

FYI, used the Itrip for the radio thing, worked allright but the volume sucked, and it would go in and out from time to time, and about a month ago it totally crapped out on me

 

i wouldnt be surpised if there was something that messes with the input volume. the power that comes from the cd changer is much stronger than the radio. i can crank the radio up alot more than the cd player b4 it gets too loud. so im curious to see how the aux port is since its very simliar to the cd port

 

I'll try to answer all the questions directed at icelink since my post. I ordered mine from a guy named Tom at dension. He was extremely helpful and talked with me for about 20 minutes on the phone explaining how it worked and answering my questions. We are lucky because the port is so easily accessible on the TSX headunit, it makes the install a breeze. Since the dension dock gets the volume from the low level output on the bottom of the ipod(not the headphone jack like most setups) it has a constant level just like using the dock that comes with the ipod for your home stereo. Obviously, (like Xstreme mentioned) depending on the source of your mp3s, borrowed, or home ripped, and your settings when ripping, the volume levels of all the songs may be different. Some of my mp3s are about the same level as the normal CD player while some I have to crank up. The Dension dock allows you to get sound, send controls from your steering wheel, and charge the ipod all at the same time. No other system does that without some monkeying around. I have seen the blitzsafe but I dont think it has the ps2 like connector on it needed for the ipod communication. I think the blitzsafe is just the Aux to RCA connector. Not sure on that thought. Anyhow, the price was about 200 and it came with everything you need to hook it up including the shond, dock, and mount. Its pretty sweet. I included a pic of the setup. You can see the dock and what the display looks like when its playing. You can email me at ccoffey2@tampabay.rr.com if you want to see pictures or have any other questions.

--cris

 

very good, im gunna look into this now. finally glad to hear someone actually bought what i was looking at

 

It is very cool. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

If you want to see pics of the install. Also a little about the process in that thread as well:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16619

I love my ICE-link, especially since its NPR pledge drive time... I'll answer any of your questions too.

 

Another new possibility is the iCruze from Monster Cable. Depending how it works, it may be like the adapter and Ice-Link rolled into one.

I do like Monster Cable stuff, so I'd like this one. Plus, it says it can push the info on the iPod screen out to the deck and/or to an auxiliary LCD display....*that's* cool, as you can then hide your iPod away (like in the glovebox or centre-console box) and still have controls and information at your fingertips.

This thing isn't released yet, but will be coming out towards the end of November, according to the press release:

iCruze Info

 

wonder how much thatll cost

 

ahhh, iPod talk. this has been one of the building blocks to my system. if you want to maybe drop a little more $$, which i doubt youd wanna, you could do what im doing. I bought an alpine head unit and an Ai-net to RCA adapter for my iPod to connect into. i thought about getting the alpine thing that would put the information on the h.u. screen, charge the iPod, and allow steering wheel control, but the interface is just too much to have to deal with. its just like using an mp3 cd player with lots of folders and what not. plus, i love the interface of iPod soo much better, and its easier to pass around to passengers too. so i also bought a belkin car charger and a GLI to take care of engine noise. but since the Ai-net to RCA adapter doesnt allow steering wheel control, i bought a PAC SWI-X adapter. granted, i wont have steering wheel controls to control the iPod, but ill have all the other controls for radio and cd player and what not.
this was just the last addition to my system, im running two 8s and alpine type r components, possibly type s 6x9s too. so its not like i just did all that head unit stuff by itself. cant wait to get it all installed, hopefully this weekend.

 

that works, but I had been using the Itrip for a while and not having the wheel drove me nuts, and wasnt safe for me to be looking around when driving... Anyway how's the head look, cause the non Navi Stereo head is a hard one to match in shape and appearence

 

I ordered the Ice-link yesterday, but after reading about the iCruze I cancelled my order to see if this one will be any better. I hope the iCruze will be even better then Ice-link!!

 

the head unit looks great. i plan to put in the bin under the stock head unit so that the door can close in front of it for 100% stealth.

 

ok this is my luck. i spend months debating if i should hook the ipod to the car bc i wasnt crazy about the available methods, and NOW this icruze thing comes out! I will be getting this, no doubt. I will be selling my blitzsafe (navi version) and 7' icable as of today if anyone is interested; PM me. I paid (with shipping) approx $140 for the blitzsafe and the icable was about $30. Ive owned them both for less then 2 weeks, so will consider selling for $160 if anyone is interested (incl. shipping). I am the threadjacking KING today, man.

 

I have my I-POD hardwired into my accord.............sorta.

i have a switcher from Radio Shack that is pluged into the SHOND ADAPTOR.

from my radio i have a honda Y connector that goes to XM and the SHOND adaptor. from the shond i have the switcher pluged in. in the swither i have dvd in 1 side and the Ipod in the other, all connected with rca cables so i have PERFECT sound quality.

just thought i would share. let me know if you have any questions.

 

i wonder how much this icruz is gunna cost, hopefully less than whats out there. 200 bucks to put in an already 200 buck ipod? i have the ipod but im not too crazy about spending that much cash, plus since i wanna try n put a handsfree blue tooth adapter into the car...grr why cant the TSX come with this or grow money?!?!

 

iCruz will retail for $199.95
http://www.monstercable.com/press/pr..._11_icruze.asp

 

wonderful lol i want discounts cuz im cheap!

 

I'll take a discount still, but this is something im probibly gonna have to invest in

 

group buy! or coupons, lol

 

i just completely removed my blitzsafe adapter and icable i had installed. i wasnt too impressed with the volumes etc from the headphone jack. Im just going to splurge for this icruze when it comes out as its only 40 dollars or so more then what i paid for all this other stuff. do you think ill need to keep this blitsafe navi adapter or does it sound like this will connect into the regular port thats already there?

Also - quick question. The aux port at the bottom of the unit that the blitsafe goes into... what is that plug that you have to unplug from it and replug into the adapter? is that a hardwire running to the trunk for a possibly external cd changer?

 

i think it is. because ive read somewhere its for like a sony cd changer or something

 

How difficult will it be to install the icruze?

 

id like to know how big it is... that picture makes it look AMP sized. Anyone interested in buying my blitzsafe yet?

 

does anyone know if it will be able to display track info/text our the navi screen? the press release claims that it can on certail vehicles. also, if msrp is $199, do you think some places would be cheaper? this sounds soooo good! i want one!

 

anyone know where to get an icruze? best buy/circuit city or is it internet?

 

Put it up in Blackmarket section. It will go fast.

 

i think i need something like this. i have an xm roady already hardwired in my car. i'm running the head unit --->SNHOND3 ---> GLI ---> line amp ---> GLI ---> roady.
my bf bought me an ipod and i want to hook it up also. any suggestions on how to get me up and running? what do i need to add or change? any help would ROCK!!!


a girl with an acura who wants more stuff in it!

 

You need to get some type of audio switcher that lets you select between the Roady and the Ipod.

It will be like this:
head unit --->SNHOND3 ---> GLI ---> line amp ---> GLI ---> audio switcher --> roady & Ipod.

The Roady & Ipod will both be hooked to audio switcher. The audio switcher is then hooked to the GLI --> Line AMP --> GLI --> SNHOND3 --> Factory HU

And you will be able to choose which source you want to listen to by flipping a swtich on the "audio switcher".

I hope this makes sense. PM me or post if you have more Q's.

 

i hope they get this to work.....according to their webiste, it won't work with indash cd changers....

 

I think you have too many GLIs.