I just picked up an OEM HONDA ipod interface and it works amazing. It is definitely quite a bit better then the soundgate adapter I used to have and is obviously better then the blitzsafe and usaspec ones out there. Can't go wrong with oem honda quality and a one year honda warranty. No need to splice any wires and comes with the 'y' adapter for vehicles with nav.

Oh ya, you can control your ipod from the steering wheel!

 

oh ya, i paid 230 tax in at acura woodbine which is a steal of a deal considering the price of aftermarket products

 

Can you elaborate on what makes this one better than the USA Spec? The USA Spec allows you to also control your iPod through the steering wheel, allows for "full use" or "playlist use", is plug and play (no wire splicing needed), and also gives you an additional auxiliary input... and all for <$150. At $230, I'm looking for you to justify the extra $80 you paid. Does it do anything different such as show text on the nav screen, etc?

 

The USA spec operates pretty much the same as the OEM Honda - with a few more options.
Disc 1

Search Playlists*

Disc 2

Search Artists*

Disc 3

Search Albums*

Disc 4

Search Genres*

Disc 5

Shuffle All Albums

Disc 6

Shuffle All Songs

*To use these play categories, customers must first install and run the Honda TTS included on the Honda Music Link CD.

However, like the USA Spec it does lockout the iPod. And there is no AUX jack on it.

Currently the only kit that will do text on the headunit display is the DICE kit, which is also around $150

 

It is an OEM honda piece. I justify the 80 more for the satisfaction of knowing I can exhange it and get any warranty service without problems. It is a full pnp kit and works even for vehicles with nav.

 

Where can I get the I-HONDA-R3 Gen2 for $150? I'm currently using the Blitzsafe adapter which works great but TEXT is a feature worth an extra hundred bucks.

 

I understand your reasoning, but that means that if I needed to to get my USA Spec repaired, I'd still have to spend at least $80 before I equal the cost of the OEM Honda piece that doesn't give me an add'l input. I guess I'll stick with what I have... or possibly look into the DICE (although I already have the DICE Video iPod cradle).

 

Nick - do you mean by "lockout the iPod", as in, you can't independently operate it when it's hooked into the system? I don't think I've ever had a problem with that...

I have the DICE video iPod cradle in conjunction w/ a USA Spec adapter hooked up in my vehicle --- would I just be able to run my connection into the DICE unit for integration and exclude the USA Spec? And does the DICE kit include an aux?

 

For an OEM product, I think it's a great piece. It's not as powerful as some aftermarket pieces, but it is better than alot of aftermarket pieces as well and far superior than what the other manufactures have made available (toyota, etc)

 

yes, that's correct. You can't control the iPod at all while it's plugged in while still keeping headunit control or text display with other kits - (which I guess it's a mute point since I think we are the only one's with text anyway) but anyway, usually when you send out data the iPod locks itself, but we can get around that.

The DICE kit would plug into the cradle, yes. Keep in mind that you're not going to get video on your OEM navigation screen - we don't sell a product that inputs the video for legal reasons. Yes, the DICE kit has a 3.5mm AUX connection.

 

Sadly, you can't get text on your year car. It doesn't have the input for it. Honda added that to their cars in a few 03's and most 04's, then the rest in 05.

Sorry about that.

 

I was actually talking about my 2007 Accord. C'mon bro.... I've lost some good brain cells to fiberglass resin in the last few days, but I'm not that dumb.

On another note....

Thank you very much for contributing all this good info to our forums. We all appreciate your experience with factory iPod integration.

 

Doh! You can slap me if you want.
Anyway, you don't have navi or XM right? Then the R3 kit is spot-on and you can get it here: http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...I_HONDA_3.html

Other places have em' too but we like enfig - they're website is wacky and wrong about the text display but they're pretty good people.

 

enfig is good people, but a little 'wacky' for sure. I ordered a unit from them and they sent me the wrong model. it took over a month and an extra erroneous credit card charge for them to fix it. Fix it they did, but not in a manner becoming a retail website.

Oh, and they never answered their damn phone (service #) and don't return emails / messages.

 

Thanks Nick.

 

Well... dammit and shitballz. I forgot that it didn't work with XM. But Logjam says that it works with navi. As long as you have the Y harness. Which I do.

My Accord has everything.... And I am not willing to nix navi or XM. I had another 2007 Accord that would have worked great for the DICE adapter.... BUT......




I had a bad experience.......


And that was the last BLACK 2007 Accord Sedan V6 6speed. Until this month!!

 

Wait... does that mean you're on your 3rd 2007 accord?

 

Wow, and you didn't even get the plate on there yet..... I take it everyone is alright?!

It will work with XM! But you won't have text! That's the only limitation with XM, everything else will work. But you wanted text

 

Yeah... Airbags are a lifesaver! The car was 13 days old. 13 days off the assembly line. Special ordered. Black on Black. First of the 6 speed manual V6 on a sedan.

TOTALLED. I saved the paper plate with the tape holding all the glass shards from what was the rear window.

 

Hmmm... interesting. I've always wanted text display for my iPod, but I do really like the RCA jacks aux input feature of the USA Spec. I think I'll look into the DICE and get more info...

I do want to clear one thing up though... the USA Spec adapter does not lockout the iPod. You can control the unit from the steering wheel OR the iPod itself without issue...

 

You can just as easily pick up a 3.5mm to RCA cable and do the same thing.

As for the lockout, o'rly? That's new. I noticed that they still have the playlist and song limitations.

 

^^^Nick... this is from the USASpec site:

• Playlist Mode - Create up to 5 favorite mobile playlist then use the radio’s CD changer controls to access and control your playlist.
• Direct Mode - Gives user complete control of their iPod while it is connected to the factory radio. iPod is not locked out while connected to the radio and user is able to manually access their complete iPod content. Radio still can adjust song up/down random or shuffle play but user can manually control their iPod and select any playlist, genre or Artist of their choice.
• New Hybrid Mode! - Combines best features of Direct Mode and Playlist Mode. Create and access your favorite mobile playlist or directly access all your iPod content manually on your iPod. iPod displays song title information and iPod is not locked, so the iPod can be operated manually at all times.

 

ya rly. some dip switches on the unit toggle which mode you use. Its the same on yours, no?

 

I haven't seen that in a while.

 

Nope, there are no modes. You can disable features if you really wanted to, but there's no need.

 

Took them long enough. But still no text display. And it costs more :o

 

<---- Long time OT member

 

Does the OEM Honda piece even work on the 04 tsx's?

Nobody has mentioned any reason why either of the other options are better than the usa spec. I just installed my friends Kenwood Ipod adapter & he's pissed that it locks the I pod & likes my set up better.

Ill give the Ipod to pretty much anybody in the car & tell them to go nutts & pick what ever song they want, without having to scroll through the 12345 on the head unit.

Unless they can add the Ipods text through my nav screen I can't imagine a better set up than my USA spec. Had it for 8 months no problems.

 

The USA Spec does not do text. But the DICE one does.

 

What about the 2nd gen TL S w/ NAVI? It's got the tape/6 disc in dash changer...what are my choices/options there?