please help, best aux / mp3 input?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hello all,

i have searched but this search wont allow 3 letter searches so searching for mp3 input finds "input" and same with aux, i did find some things when searching auxiliary but it does not have much on your guys opinions on what is the best one.....

i have an 05 w/o NAV, from what i found, the X3-HON03 will work but they were not clear. they said something about it needs xm radio... our stock radios obviously are xm ready but i cancelled my xm subscription. when they say needs xm, they just mean it needs to be xm ready correct?

also if the X3-HON03 is not the best input, what is in your opinion? and how hard are they to install?

what im looking for is the 3mm input, not specifically for IPOD which i know they make... Thanks!!

Billy

 

Have you looked at the USA SPEC PA11-HON2?

 

according to thier website, it only can do IPOD input, says N/A for aux input....

 

It has an aux as well. Make sure you're looking at the right one, but it provides excellent sound quality, and I've heard people here who have the blitzsafe model switching to the usa spec. Man I should make commission on those deals...

 

http://www.usaspec.com/compatibility/index.html

if you goto that link, its their detailed specs... look at TSX, says for column AUX interface N/A.....
but if you've seen them in action before yourself then ill beleive you, but i just noticed that on their website

 

i just installed one on my tsx last week. just make sure that you get the p.i.e. cable too. here are the links.

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...PA11_HON2.html
http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...ON03_F_MM.html

i ordered mine from them last week. it was delivered in about 2 days.

 

I'm running one in my car, and use the iPod functionality, as well as aux input for my glove-mounted PS2. Works like a charm. Several others are using it as well for iPods. I know its not on their officialy compatibility list.

 

I think the N/A refers to the DF-HON adapter which only does auxiliary input, without an ipod dock connector input. The PA11-HON2 adapter that everyone is talking about here and that has been verified to work with the TSX has both ipod specific and generic RCA line inputs. That would obviously work for you. But it is more expensive than the DF-HON. I have no idea if that would work with the TSX (if that's your car). And it might be nice to have the ipod option (which for the ipod adds charging, dock connector quality output, and skip control from steering wheel/radio) in case you get an ipod in the future.

Edited to add: my suspicion is the DF-HON will not work with the TSX. Note that on the chart you linked, the cars that are listed as compatible with DF-HON are also the ones compatible with PA11-HON. But the cars that are compatible with PA11-HON2 (including the TSX) are not shown as compatible with DF-HON. Suggests they had to do something different to make the PA11-HON2 work with the new radios.

 

ok...
thanks for clearing that up guys... i thought the aux adapter was an addition that was needed to attach to the pa11... i think i will def go for this then, the other ones seem a too pricy... and all i need is 1 aux port, and yes the ipod input will come in handy because i do have an ipod mini, i just dont like it too much but i can def put it to use...

to angapt122 - i "need" the pie cable? whats it for?

 

You'll need the y-cable if you want to keep your XM. Same to keep sounds from navi, but looks like you don't have one. If you've disconnected your XM, then you don't need it.

 

ok. so this my current situation/configuration...

05 TSX No NAV, XM ready NOT subscribed... may subscribe if they offer me the cheap deal like 4.99 a month again, but if i do not use the XM then i will not need the pie cable? but if i get XM again i will need that cable? what/where does that cable go into exactly?

 

oh yea, and where can i find instructions on how to hook this up? or is it complicated and i should take it to a pro?

 

The Blitzsafe (non-iPod version) is cheaper, plus you don't need a separate cable to keep XM. Some of the initial units had problems, but mine's been working fine, except for the low volume. I ended up getting a line amplifier/driver, but that's kind of annoying and takes away a lot of the cost advantage. Does the USA SPEC unit boost the volume?

 

It's easy to connect. Take a look at a couple of the long threads on this adapter and the threads in the A/V FAQs on installing other adapters. But basically you pull the CD storage bin out and plug in the connector from this adapter. I don't have XM but believe if you wanted to use it you'd need the Y cable. If you don't then you don't need.

You also need to figure out how to route the cable going to your ipod/mp3 player. Take a look at the thread for ideas. I drilled a hole in the back of the CD storage bin.