I'm wondering if the interface powers the newer iPhones and iPods with the power supplied to the USB pins on the iPod connector?

Here is a link from their website. It says with the new cable, it charges ALL
iPods and iPhones.

http://usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=29 (http://usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=29)

Just an FYI for the iPhone 3G. All previous iPods/iPhone were capable of charging via firewire or USB. The new 3G charges only with USB. So I had to get new car chargers and whatnot for my iPhone 3G.

Actually what happened was that the dock cables used in most car chargers used the Firewire pins because they were further away from the audio signal pins than the USB pins. This was the case with the SIK IMP ( a great device IMHO).

Apple gave all the manufacturers a years notice that future iPod/iPhone devices would only support USB charging. Most auto charger manufacturers ignored this until the iPhone 3G appeared on the market and we all got that nasty alert telling us that the device would play, but not charge.

SIK took almost 6 months to redesign their device (and renamed it the PIMP (hahaha). Unfortunately, the male 12V socket was redesigned. It now slips out after a few road bumps. SIK admits they have a problem on several automobile models and is working on a revision.

What attracts me about the USASPEC is the text output and the steering wheel control. Of course, the fact that it is the HandA special this month helps.

I am also looking into the iSimple and would appreciate some feedback about both devices.

I have the iSimple system for my iPod/iPhone stereo integration. I have been very happy with the system.

Here is the iSimple site.
http://isimplesolutions.com/CES/default.asp

And here is the manufacturer's site.
http://peripheralelectronics.com

They too had the issue of the cable playing but not charging the device when the 3G first came out. However, they were very quick to fix that issue. My system came without the proper cable and they sent me one as soon as they had it for free.

The iSimple has text output. The system will scroll through the text information giving you title, then artist, then back to title. The text does not scroll left to right to show an entire line of text if longer than the screen on the OEM stereo though, at least not on my 08 OEM stereo. There is enough information on the screen that it doesn't matter to me.

You can choose to play music in many ways. You can select by song, artist, album, genre and by playlist.

The iSimple has one feature that I was looking for that I did not see in many of the other popular iPod/iPhone integration systems out there and that is random play. You have the option to randomize songs or albums.

I do not have steering wheel controls so I cannot say anything about that. Although I assume they will work with this system for track selection and volume.

I cannot compare it to the USASPEC system. I removed USASPEC from my consideration list when I first started looking into integration systems because it was not capable of text output at the time. I had just purchased the iSimple system when I found out USASPEC finally had the text output capability.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

I just installed my USA spec, and all I have to say is WOW!!
It comes with the new cable, that charges ALL iPods and
iPhones. It does text on the OEM HU, and I can control it
from the HU, or the steering wheel controls. I can also use
it in Direct Mode, which allows me to control the iPod directly.

I have some teaser pix in this thread:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56033&page=3

I am using it in what USA spec calls Folder Mode + Direct Mode w/text.
I can access Playlists, Albums, Artists, and all songs. Direct mode is just that.
The text info is includes everything you need, Artist, Album, and Title of song.
I took about 45 pix, so as soon as I get time, I'm going to post a DIY thread
and I will link it here. It only took me an hour and 15 minutes to install, but
that includes changing my cabin filters, and stopping to take pix. If I did it
again, I could do it in 30 - 45 minutes easy.

After I post my DIY, its up to you to decide. I am REALLY happy with it!!!

I installed this last night, and during the install, I took a few pictures.
I will post the pictures and go over my install with you. It took me
about 1 hour and 15 minutes. That being said, while I was doing this,
I also changed out my cabin filters, and took pictures. If I do another
one in the same manner, I could probably do it in 30 - 45 minutes.

I purchased the PA15-HON2 from HandA. It is on special this month.
The kit is very simple and you just need to decide where you want
your iPod to sit. I chose the glove box for two reasons. It was
simple, and with the amount of control the interface gives, no reason
to see it all the time. I am not sure if the cable will reach the
center console. I'm guessing if you do it right, it will. This is for the
EX and SC models only. The LX uses a different USA-SPEC interface
and has a completely different stereo. OK, onto the good stuff!!!!

Step 1:

Disconnect your car battery!!! I dont want to hear about it if you dont.
You need to remove the U shaped face plate from around the stock HU.
I used two pieces of blue tape, you can use masking tape, and put them
under the face plate (pic 1). I pulled lightly, and the face plate came right off.
In the instructions, they tell you to use a screwdriver with a cloth around
it, dont do it!! After the face plate is off, just four screws to take off (pic 2).
Unplug all the connectors on the back of the stereo, and remove it.

Pic 1
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0095/579968888_3vszM-XL.jpg

Pic 2
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0096/579968972_GqYMk-XL.jpg

Step 2:

You will need to remove the two bump stops from the glove box, so it
will fold all the way down. I put the interface behind the glove box, and
ran the iPod wire into the glove box. Picture 3 shows the glove box folded
down to the floor and what is behind it before install.

Pic 3
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0098/579969152_KYeP6-XL.jpg

Here is a pic from ramblerdan on the glove box:
http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/e/eoc/glovebox_door_hooks.gif

NOTE: Good time to change your cabin filters at this point!! I have only
10K miles on my E, and they looked nasty!!

Step 3:

You will need to run two wires from behind the OEM HU to behind the glove
box. The HU to interface wire and an orange wire from one of the other
wire bundles. The first cable is black and has a large 8 pin DIN connector
on it. The DIN connector will need to go behind the glove box. I put one hand
in the opening of the OEM HU, and one hand in the glove box opening and to
the left toward the center console. I taped the orange wire from the other
wiring harness to the black wire, so they would both go at the same time.
I wiggled the wire down from the HU opening and caught it with my other
hand. I ran the wire OVER the metal bracket that frames out the glove box.
You can see where the wires ended up in picture 4, top left corner.

Pic 4
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0115/579969948_Y6qzM-XL.jpg

Step 4:

You will now need to connect the OEM wiring harness to the USA-SPEC
wiring harness. Picture 5 will show what it looks like when you are finished.
The instructions say that the OEM wiring harness is a 14 pin male, but it is
a 14 pin FEMALE connector, and it is white. All the other connectors, the
black one, the blue one, the green one, and the grey one all go back to the
OEM HU as they were before. The OEM white 14 pin female connector goes
to the CAS-HXM cable. This is the harness that has the orange wire that I
spoke of earlier. This harness also has a blue wire that will NOT be used. I
put a spot of black tape on the end of the blue cable just in case. The
CAS-HXM 14 pin female connector then goes into the 14 pin male connector
of the CAS-H2Y cable. This is the black cable with the large DIN plug on it
that I spoke of earlier. The 14 pin female connector of the CAS-H2Y cable
will connect to the OEM HU.

Pic 5
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0109/579969422_jrMJP-XL.jpg

Step 5:

Set the dip switches on your USA-SPEC interface. Picture 6 will show how
I set up mine. I set mine up for FOLDER mode.

Pic 6
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0110/579969493_SGmvB-X2.jpg

Step 6:

Connect the black cable with the large 8 pin DIN connector to the interface.
This goes into the connector labeled RADIO on the USA-SPEC. The orange
wire will also need to be connected to the interface into the connector labeled
XM. Once you put the orange wire in, it will NOT come out easy, so make
sure you have the wires where you want them!!! Picture 7 shows how it
should look.

Pic 7
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0113/579969735_eVwGB-XL.jpg

Step 7:

Connect the iPod cable to the interface. This will plug into a connector
on the other side of the USA-SPEC. The connector will be labeled iPod. It is
the smaller 10 pin DIN connector. Picture 8 will show this.

Pic 8
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0111/579969569_PzYWS-XL.jpg

Step 8:

Find a convenient place for the interface behind the glove box. I
found a nice spot to the far right of the opening. It is to the right of the
where the cabin filters go, and just above the OEM stereo amp. Picture 9
will show what it looks like in its new home.

Pic 9
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0114/579969842_LAJZ4-XL.jpg

Step 9:

Run the wires that go from the interface and to the OEM HU so that they
are out of the way of the glove box. I ran them from the interface behind
the black plastic lip at the bottom of the opening and then over some relays.
From here I ran them between some black plastic piece and a large wiring
harness. I stayed away from the far left because those are moving parts
for the heater and A/C. You can see this in picture 10.

Pic 10
http://aztecrol.smugmug.com/Cars/Honda-Element/E-iPod-Install0115/579969948_Y6qzM-XL.jpg

Step 10:

Plug all the wiring harnesses back into the OEM HU, and replace all the
screws and bump stops. When I put the glove box back in, I put the
iPod interface wire in the glove box. The wire will clear the back of the
glove box and will not rub. Re-connect your car battery, and enter in
your radio code.

nice! thanks for the write up!

What are your thoughts on the actual kit now? Worth losing the 1st set of XM presets?

I wonder if its too hard to go through music on the ipod using the radio controls..

Now the rest of the pictures that I have are of the interface on the
OEM HU display. They will show you the folders and what the display looks
like.

AR = Artist folder, where you search by artist
AL = Album folder, where you search by album
PL = Play List folder, where you search by play list

Here is how it works:

XM 1, Preset 1 is the Play List Folders
XM 1, Preset 2 is the Artist Folders
XM 1, Preset 3 is the Album Folders
XM 1, Preset 4 is the All Songs Folders
XM 1, Preset 5 is the iPod Direct setting
XM 1, Preset 6 is the RCA AUX setting

The seek/skip buttons will go to the next FOLDER.
The tuner/folder knob will go to the next TRACK.
The scan button will play some of the song then go to the next song in
the next album. Its weird, so Im not going to use it.
The RPT and A.SEL/RDM buttons do nothing.
The CH button on the steering wheel will go to the next song in the folder.

So far I LOVE this!!!! It is easy to use and figure out once you have it
installed. Hitting the display button will give you what album, artist and song
is playing. Very cool. I do with the OEM HU had the ability to scroll the info
it sees. Oh well. Enjoy the pics below.

More pics. This is an album folder.

More pics. This is an artist folder.

More pics. This is a play list folder.

More play list folders.

Last pics. This is iPod direct mode and AUX mode.

Let me know what you think. If you have any questions, let me know.
I am more than happy to answer them. If I don't know the answer, I
will go out and test the iPod and see what it does. :D

What are you using to mount your iPod to your dash? Probably not necessary since the HU displays text, but I had a iPod cradle by dice electronics in my last car and it was great.

What are you using to mount your iPod to your dash? Probably not necessary since the HU displays text, but I had a iPod cradle by dice electronics in my last car and it was great.

Right now it sits in the glove box, or in the center console. Dont really
need to mount it now!!

I use the ProClip.

This is a great writeup, Aztec. I just now noticed you placed your interface box behind the glovebox. That's a great idea.

Mine is behind the environmental controls under the HU. There is a lot of space back there but is hard to secure things down. I like your placement. I think I'll copy that.

Hi,

Sorry if this is a silly question, I am completely new to this and have never installed/removed a head unit. How did you remove that panel surrounding the head unit without damaging it. I was taking a peek at my dashboard and didn't even know where to begin.

Hi,

Sorry if this is a silly question, I am completely new to this and have never installed/removed a head unit. How did you remove that panel surrounding the head unit without damaging it. I was taking a peek at my dashboard and didn't even know where to begin.

WOW, I have SOOO much ammo here!!! :shock:
OK, BREATHE, BREATHE!!!:oops:

OK, I'm better now. Brishop, go to page 1 of this post. Scroll down to post
#7. I go into GREAT detail on how I got the U shaped plate off. The first
picture in post #7 is a visual aide!! Let me know if you need anything else.

This is a great writeup, Aztec. I just now noticed you placed your interface box behind the glovebox. That's a great idea.

Mine is behind the environmental controls under the HU. There is a lot of space back there but is hard to secure things down. I like your placement. I think I'll copy that.

THANKS!!! Let me know how it works out. It doesnt move as far as I know,
and I dont hear it rattling around at all. It seems very stable.

Aztec, XM presets disappear with this? If it does then I will return it. :-( Would have been nice if the description said this. I think it is easier to scroll through an Ipod than manually scroll through XM channels, and I listen to XM more anyway. Good write up.

You have two sets of XM presets, it only gets rid of one of the sets.

John

Aztec, XM presets disappear with this? If it does then I will return it. :-( Would have been nice if the description said this. I think it is easier to scroll through an Ipod than manually scroll through XM channels, and I listen to XM more anyway. Good write up.

aztecrol, excellent writeup!

aztecrol, excellent writeup!


Thank you!!! :D

I wanted to add this as well, its from another thread:

Yes, you lose the first 6 XM presets. XM is the only part of the OEM radio
that will read all the info from the iPod. I honestly found it to be no problem
at all. I have all my XM stations at my finger tips with only the 6 presets.
For me, it was well worth losing the 6 presets. It may not be for you.

Here were my presets pre iPod dock:

XM 1 - 1 - 80 .....XM 2 - 1 - 08
XM 1 - 2 - 81 .....XM 2 - 2 - 09
XM 1 - 3 - 84 .....XM 2 - 3 - 41
XM 1 - 4 - 64 .....XM 2 - 4 - 42
XM 1 - 5 - 65 .....XM 2 - 5 - 140
XM 1 - 6 - 44 .....XM 2 - 6 - 221

Here are my presets now:

XM 2 - 1 - 80
XM 2 - 2 - 64
XM 2 - 3 - 41
XM 2 - 4 - 08
XM 2 - 5 - 140
XM 2 - 6 - 221

I can easily get to all the stations by simply scrolling up from the first
3 presets. I actually like it better, because now I dont have to change
between XM 1 and XM 2 to get all my stations. I dont know, Im just efficient
that way. :D

First off, excellent write-up.

Secondly, I know the unit itself integrates with the iPhone 3G seamlessly for iPod mode, but I wanted to know if various applications such as Pandora or AOL Radio would also play through this unit.

So far it seems as if most of the reviews are coming from iPod users.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

**REVISED**
So I took it upon myself to do a little digging (called USA Spec directly) and I found out that the iPhone 3G will absolutely work with various music applications such as Pandora and AOL Radio. The only thing that needs to be changed is the unit needs to go into "DIRECT" mode which supposedly is as easy as hitting an extra button. Additionally, they've tested the device with the new OS 3.0 and it works fine. Lastly, they are actively working on updating their software to be compliant with the iPhone 3GS.

Hopefully this information helps others.

First off, excellent write-up.

Secondly, I know the unit itself integrates with the iPhone 3G seamlessly for iPod mode, but I wanted to know if various applications such as Pandora or AOL Radio would also play through this unit.

So far it seems as if most of the reviews are coming from iPod users.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

**REVISED**
So I took it upon myself to do a little digging (called USA Spec directly) and I found out that the iPhone 3G will absolutely work with various music applications such as Pandora and AOL Radio. The only thing that needs to be changed is the unit needs to go into "DIRECT" mode which supposedly is as easy as hitting an extra button. Additionally, they've tested the device with the new OS 3.0 and it works fine. Lastly, they are actively working on updating their software to be compliant with the iPhone 3GS.

Hopefully this information helps others.

Sorry I didnt answer earlier, but yes, it will work with any music ap you have on the iPhone. XM/Sirius just launched their player for the iPhone as well. If you look at my pictures, I show Direct Mode. This is Preset 5. If you look at my pictures, you will see in post #15 that I have the OEM HU set to XM 1 preset 5 and the next picture shows IPOD DIRECT. The next pic shows my iPod next to the HU so you can see it is showing video. If the iPod were in any of the other modes, you would see the white HONDA, OK TO DISCONNECT screen. Im sure you got all your answers from USA-SPEC, but I just wanted to make sure it was clear.

I hate to dig up old posts, but I've got a question for AztecRol (or anybody who knows the answer).

How well does the USA spec work on a 5G iPod with Rockbox installed? Rockbox is an open source alternative to the Apple OS on the iPod... more information here:http://www.rockbox.org

I assume that the text will probably not display properly on the HU, but I am curious about basic functionality. Will the music play through the HU? Can I FF through songs using the steering wheel controls?

I had a peripheral iPod adapter in my Jetta and that adapter worked fairly seamlessly with Rockbox... but I hate to buy the USA Spec for my new E and have to switch back to the Apple OS.

I hate to dig up old posts, but I've got a question for AztecRol (or anybody who knows the answer).

How well does the USA spec work on a 5G iPod with Rockbox installed? Rockbox is an open source alternative to the Apple OS on the iPod... more information here:http://www.rockbox.org

I assume that the text will probably not display properly on the HU, but I am curious about basic functionality. Will the music play through the HU? Can I FF through songs using the steering wheel controls?

I had a peripheral iPod adapter in my Jetta and that adapter worked fairly seamlessly with Rockbox... but I hate to buy the USA Spec for my new E and have to switch back to the Apple OS.

I have never seen that Rockbox before. Looks cool. I have NO idea if it will
work with the USA Spec adapter. I wish you lived closer to me, I would love
to see if it would work!!! If you know anybody in the Bay Area of Nor Cal, that
has this on their iPod, let me know, I will happy to try it out!!

Is this something that you can load onto your iPod, and put the original OS
back on with ease??? Do you still use iTunes to put your music on your
iPod??? Let me know. You can PM me if you would like.

You need to remove the U shaped face plate from around the stock HU.
I used two pieces of blue tape, you can use masking tape, and put them
under the face plate (pic 1). I pulled lightly, and the face plate came right off.
In the instructions, they tell you to use a screwdriver with a cloth around
it, dont do it!!

Brilliant!! I wish I had found this little tip before all my previous attempts to take the faceplate off from around my radio. Using the factory recommended screwdriver with a towel tip is just asking for trouble. First it doesn't work very well, unless you have a hooked instrument, and it damages the plastic. Even with a hooked instrument it mars the extremely soft plastic. I should know as I've scuffed, scratched, and mutilated more than my fair share of these face plates and the surrounding plastics trying to get that off. This little tip is just to slick and easy to be true. Just wish I had discovered this years ago.

Thanks for the awesome tip.

Step 8:
Find a convenient place for the interface behind the glove box. I
found a nice spot to the far right of the opening. It is to the right of the
where the cabin filters go, and just above the OEM stereo amp.

Great location! Wish I had thought of that one. I finally ended up placing my USA SPEC PA11 - HON on a bracket underneath the dash on the drivers side to the left of the steering wheel. It actually turned out to be a pretty good location as it's out of the way but fairly easy to get to. All you have to do is just remove the fuse panel and reach up under the dash to access. The only problem was that putting it here, and having the iPod in the glove, put the two items to far apart for the iPod cable to reach. Fortunately USA SPEC made an extension cable but it would have been nice not to have the extra expense.

I like your hiding space so much better than mine for a few reason. One, it just fits there so well and it doesn't look like you needed to strap it down. It's close to the iPod so you don't need any extension cables to run it. It's nicely hidden but still easily accessible, not that most people will ever have to. Looks like it still has enough room to run coolly which is good. Finally, if you do need to mess with it for some reason, you don't have to worry about the steering wheel getting in your way.

I'm thinking about upgrading my USA SPEC device to the newer PA15 - HON2 so I have track and artist info on the head unit and when I do I'm definitely going to relocate it behind the glove.

Thanks for the excellent and through tutorial. I would have certainly done things differently if I had found this one when I did my install.

Brilliant!! I wish I had found this little tip before all my previous attempts to take the faceplate off from around my radio. Using the factory recommended screwdriver with a towel tip is just asking for trouble. First it doesn't work very well, unless you have a hooked instrument, and it damages the plastic. Even with a hooked instrument it mars the extremely soft plastic. I should know as I've scuffed, scratched, and mutilated more than my fair share of these face plates and the surrounding plastics trying to get that off. This little tip is just to slick and easy to be true. Just wish I had discovered this years ago.

Thanks for the awesome tip.

Great location! Wish I had thought of that one. I finally ended up placing my USA SPEC PA11 - HON on a bracket underneath the dash on the drivers side to the left of the steering wheel. It actually turned out to be a pretty good location as it's out of the way but fairly easy to get to. All you have to do is just remove the fuse panel and reach up under the dash to access. The only problem was that putting it here, and having the iPod in the glove, put the two items to far apart for the iPod cable to reach. Fortunately USA SPEC made an extension cable but it would have been nice not to have the extra expense.

I like your hiding space so much better than mine for a few reason. One, it just fits there so well and it doesn't look like you needed to strap it down. It's close to the iPod so you don't need any extension cables to run it. It's nicely hidden but still easily accessible, not that most people will ever have to. Looks like it still has enough room to run coolly which is good. Finally, if you do need to mess with it for some reason, you don't have to worry about the steering wheel getting in your way.

I'm thinking about upgrading my USA SPEC device to the newer PA15 - HON2 so I have track and artist info on the head unit and when I do I'm definitely going to relocate it behind the glove.

Thanks for the excellent and through tutorial. I would have certainly done things differently if I had found this one when I did my install.

You also could have PMed me!!! Im in the bay area as well, in the Fremont area. I could have given you advice while you were doing the install in person. I could even have yelled at you while you were working!!! Let me know if you have any other questions. Im really glad this is helping people out.

So I am a little confused....

Do any of these work with the 2005 EX OEM stereo?

I would love to have integration with my OEM stereo but I don't want to purchase it if it doesn't work.

So I am a little confused....

Do any of these work with the 2005 EX OEM stereo?

I would love to have integration with my OEM stereo but I don't want to purchase it if it doesn't work.

Yes it will. Here is a link to the website:

PA15-HON2 - Click Here for Detailed Information (http://www.usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=29)

It will work with or without XM radio. If you have an XM tuner in your OEM stereo, you will get full text read outs like the ones I posted. It will work if
you dont have XM, but you wont get any text info. Here is a link to the owners manual. This should help you decide:

http://www.usaspec.com/userfiles/editor/file/581PA15HON.pdf

Thanks for this post guys!!!
I didn't need anything elaborate, but when I got an iPhone 3g it simply wouldn't charge in my 2003 Element.
Because of this thread, I found a simple adaptor.
A passport scosche.
Super thankful.
here's the link on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Scosche-IFWA-passPORT-Charging-Adapter-for-iPhone-3G_W0QQitemZ330379892369QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_M P3_Player_Accessories?hash=item4cec2d1691

Elements Owners Club is an amazing thing!!!
Much Love.
Adam.

The next pic shows my iPod next to the HU so you can see it is showing video. If the iPod were in any of the other modes, you would see the white HONDA, OK TO DISCONNECT screen. Im sure you got all your answers from USA-SPEC, but I just wanted to make sure it was clear.

First off - thanks for your post and pics. I followed the instructions diligently but have a couple questions.

1. How did you thread the larger cable down behind the radio to behind the glove box? I couldn't find a pass-thru that allowed the larger cable to go past the rear of the radio compartment.

2. I'm trying to use the USA Spec (PA15) with an iPhone 3G S. No matter which combination of dip switches I used, my iPhone would always say "This accessory is not made to be used with this device" when I plugged it in, and then the iPhone would read "accessory in use" and have zero iPod functionality. All I want is to be able to use it in Direct Mode and scroll/select music on my phone. I don't care about using the radio to control it. I seriously doubt it would affect things, but my iPhone is jailbroken.

3. How did you threat out the iPhone cable? I will connect it to my ProClip. Do you just notch the piece surrounding the radio?

Many thanks!

----
2008 Element SC

First off - thanks for your post and pics. I followed the instructions diligently but have a couple questions.

1. How did you thread the larger cable down behind the radio to behind the glove box? I couldn't find a pass-thru that allowed the larger cable to go past the rear of the radio compartment.

2. I'm trying to use the USA Spec (PA15) with an iPhone 3G S. No matter which combination of dip switches I used, my iPhone would always say "This accessory is not made to be used with this device" when I plugged it in, and then the iPhone would read "accessory in use" and have zero iPod functionality. All I want is to be able to use it in Direct Mode and scroll/select music on my phone. I don't care about using the radio to control it. I seriously doubt it would affect things, but my iPhone is jailbroken.

3. How did you threat out the iPhone cable? I will connect it to my ProClip. Do you just notch the piece surrounding the radio?

Many thanks!

----
2008 Element SC

1. There is a pass thru, you really have to dig to find it. If you have the radio out, its to the right, and down just a bit. I could put my hand in thru the glove box side, left and up, and touch my hand on the radio side. In the glove box, you will see a big metal bar that goes across, its just under that.

2. Im not sure if you have the wrong cable, or what the problem is. This is a question for USA Spec. I know that the first cable they came out with, did NOT work with the iPhone, they released a new cable that was supposed to work with all iPhones and all iPods.

3. My iPod cable comes out of the glove box. I just leave the iPod in the glove box when Im using it. If I want to take it out, there is enough space above the glove box for the cable to come out and still close it. If your ProClip is on the passenger side of the radio, this will work perfect.

Let me know if you have any other questions. You should update your profile, let us know what area you are in. If you are local, I would be happy to help you.

1. There is a pass thru, you really have to dig to find it. If you have the radio out, its to the right, and down just a bit. I could put my hand in thru the glove box side, left and up, and touch my hand on the radio side. In the glove box, you will see a big metal bar that goes across, its just under that.

2. Im not sure if you have the wrong cable, or what the problem is. This is a question for USA Spec. I know that the first cable they came out with, did NOT work with the iPhone, they released a new cable that was supposed to work with all iPhones and all iPods.

3. My iPod cable comes out of the glove box. I just leave the iPod in the glove box when Im using it. If I want to take it out, there is enough space above the glove box for the cable to come out and still close it. If your ProClip is on the passenger side of the radio, this will work perfect.

Let me know if you have any other questions. You should update your profile, let us know what area you are in. If you are local, I would be happy to help you.

Thanks for replying! Updated the profile a bit, not sure how to add pics and whatnot.

I'll search for the reach-thru to the glove box - I was trying this at night and using a flashlight in my teeth and obviously it wasn't going very well.

I just bought this from a stereo store in Woodland Hills, and it's supposed to be the most current version of the USA-Spec PA15, but you never know. I'll try the whole process again this weekend and see how far I get. The whole point was to have the ProClip on the driver's side, where it is now, iPhone mounted and ready to scroll thru for music. Not much into using the factory radio to browse playlists and whatnot. Switching it to XM1 should just put it into Direct Mode, yes?

Thanks again.

Thanks for replying! Updated the profile a bit, not sure how to add pics and whatnot.

I'll search for the reach-thru to the glove box - I was trying this at night and using a flashlight in my teeth and obviously it wasn't going very well.

I just bought this from a stereo store in Woodland Hills, and it's supposed to be the most current version of the USA-Spec PA15, but you never know. I'll try the whole process again this weekend and see how far I get. The whole point was to have the ProClip on the driver's side, where it is now, iPhone mounted and ready to scroll thru for music. Not much into using the factory radio to browse playlists and whatnot. Switching it to XM1 should just put it into Direct Mode, yes?

Thanks again.

Here is a tip, when you have the radio out, and the glove box out, shine a flashlight from the radio side toward the glove box side. Stick your head in the glove box, and you will see the light. If you dont see the light, move it around, this will show you the path. And from I remember, when you first turn on your ipod, it puts it into ALL SONGS mode, that is preset 4 on the radio. You have to put it on preset 5 to get direct mode. This is the default from USA-Spec. Every time you turn on the iPod, it goes to preset 4 first. It can not be changed.


Make sure your dip switches are set as follows:
Dip #1 - On for aux port on the USA spec active, Off for inactive
Dip #2 - Off
Dip #3 - On
Dip #4 - On

This will give you Playlist Mode and Direct Mode.
I have had my best friends iPhone hooked to my system, and I dont remember how it acted. I do know that it did charge his phone, and that we were listening to Pandora with it in Direct Mode. Hope this helps. Good luck this weekend.

Thanks Rolie, Great writeup, Just installed mine this morning, Works great, Thanks again

Thanks Rolie, Great writeup, Just installed mine this morning, Works great, Thanks again

Your welcome, glad I could help!!

:035:

I own Honda CR-V 2009 2.2 ES

I got PA14-HON2 USA-Spec device for Ipod.Iphone,

My problem is following:

I installed the device without the problem but I can't access Iphone 3g nor Ipod touch, the device is charging both devices without the problem. My OEM factory radio do not have XM receiver nor Cd charger installed.
Picture of my OEM radio is below,

DIP swich set on PA15-HON2 are off/on/on/on (settings for radios without XM or Sat Botton)

in manual says to access Ipod press CD or AUX (witch in my case is same button), also says use DISk + or DISk - buttons to access playlist Direct mode and RCA but I tryed everything and nothing happens.

I mounted the PA15 device on back od the OEM CD/Radio, 14 pin connector which was empty.

to conclude: the charging is working , but I can't access iphone 3g nor ipod (I created music folders as in manual)

Thanks

OK I manage do get something on the screen,
when Ipod or I phone is connected it shows CDC disk is shown my DIP #1 is OFF, after some time , after turning station and swiching back to cd , the disk cdc is changing, but can start any music, if I play directly from Ipod or Iphone and put volume to max on ipod and OEM radio, I faintly hear music in speakers.

Will play more and see what is going on

Any ideas pls write

can't take control over iphone nor ipod 2nd gen
pls can someone confirm which apple firmware are supported by PA15-HON2
my Iphone is 3.1.3 ipod touch 2nd gen 3.0


thx

It should work,I just went over the owners manual. I did notice that since you
do NOT have an XM/SAT button, you will NOT get any display on your OEM
radio. I also noticed that there is a warning about making sure you eject ALL
CDs before installation. Not sure what else to say. I know that I have had
my buddies iPhone hooked to my system on several occasions, and it has
worked every time. Do you have any playlists on your iPod?

I am losing my mind,

When I connect ipod touch ,tap aux , on radio display show CDC disk 9
PA15-HON2 dip#1 is OFF, when I use combination of key(presing once Disk - (+) Seek button) I can circle modes,(1-8 cdc disk) , Ipod touch showing that is connected to USA SPEC)

I tryed everying but cannot start music, I have playlist on Ipod, folder are HONDA1, HONDA2 and HONDA3.

I tried to put on CDC 8 direct control and start music manually on ipod touch, I hear faintly music in background.

this thing i s killing me

I just bought one of these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W7F69G/ref=oss_product)...didn't know which thread to post this in but this one seemed appropriate.

80's music

80's music

When the video for Take On Me came out, it was the best music video
EVAR!!!! Its still one of my favorite music videos of all time!!!

I hope someone can give me a suggestion on this. I just bought a 2011 EX and was looking to integrate my iPhone/iPod into the stereo system so that I can control it through my steering wheel. It would also be an added bonus if I was able to see song information ie. title, artist, album, etc. but not necessary. I have seen the one on this page (http://www.handa-accessories.com/elementelect.html) but I am not sure if that will work with my car. I have heard mixed reviews. It is new so I don't want to be butchering it up. Are there any alternatives?

I hope someone can give me a suggestion on this. I just bought a 2011 EX and was looking to integrate my iPhone/iPod into the stereo system so that I can control it through my steering wheel. It would also be an added bonus if I was able to see song information ie. title, artist, album, etc. but not necessary. I have seen the one on this page (http://www.handa-accessories.com/elementelect.html) but I am not sure if that will work with my car. I have heard mixed reviews. It is new so I don't want to be butchering it up. Are there any alternatives?

Moved into here. Any questions about the USA Spec are in here. There are
a couple of alternatives, just do a search!! As far as I know, this is the only
one that uses the steering wheel controls and gives the data. I love it!!!

Moved into here. Any questions about the USA Spec are in here. There are
a couple of alternatives, just do a search!! As far as I know, this is the only
one that uses the steering wheel controls and gives the data. I love it!!!

Thanks AztecRol.

There are a couple out there that will do what it sounds like you are trying to do, but the only ones I know of that will retain the factory SAT tuner also are the USA spec piece and DICE. Others that will allow your ipod/iphone to work with the radio and SWC are PAC, GROM audio, Axxess (if you can still find one floating around out there), but you will lose SAT. If you see one you'd rather know if works post it up and we can tell you if it will work for you.

It's good to know that there is a unit out there for iPod integration. I plan on getting the USA Spec set up later down the road when I get some more funds, but I'm just using the jack for now.

On that note...is there a way to charge an iPod while it's hooked up to the AUX jack in the 2011 EX? I know it won't charge through the AV plug, but is there a way to charge it through the power outlet? I tried plugging my iPod cable in while it was playing but it won't charge (not sure if it's my iPod, the AUX port, or it's just not meant to work like that). I'm not exactly tech savvy, so I wanted to see what set ups others are running right now.

On my '09 I have the factory Navi unit and it comes with a USB plug in the glove that I can hook up to play and charge my iPod/iPhone. It displays track names, playlists, and controls the iPod/iPhone on the display of the radio so I can just keep everything in the glove locked away and out of sight. The controls on the steering wheel will only let me control the volume with the iPod.

I have a 2011 EX and am able to charge my iPhone 4 in the "cigarette lighter" when I am playing music through the AUX jack. I have seen mods where people rip out the cigarette lighter and just add a 3-prong plug which is why I specified "cigarette lighter"

I have a 2011 EX and am able to charge my iPhone 4 in the "cigarette lighter" when I am playing music through the AUX jack. I have seen mods where people rip out the cigarette lighter and just add a 3-prong plug which is why I specified "cigarette lighter"

That's what I've been trying and no such luck. I can charge my phone with the cigarette lighter outlet, so maybe I just need a new USB cable or USB plug in port. Thanks for the input!

I usually dont do this stuff myself because I have the worst luck on the planet. So against my normal thinking I went and bought this and installed it myself in order to save some money. The instructions were great (expect for the blue tape trick. The tape would just come off when I pulled so I had to use the screw driver)

So after pulling all the wires through and hooking everything up I fired the element up and tested it out. Ipod touch played and sounded great. I was stunned there wasnt a problem. Figured out all the settings and once I was sure it all worked I proceeded to put the adapter in the back of the glove box. As soon as I started tucking it away the sound in the right speakers died. Left speakers work fine.

When I switch to fm radio or XM all the speakers work. All the connections in the back of the radio are tight as are the wires in the ipod adapter. I dont know what to do. I can try to exchange the unit but im worried about getting that orange xm wire out. It doesnt look like it can be taken out without ruining the orange wire.

Also when the car is turned off the ipod still shows as charging. Will that drain my battery?

Anyone else have this problem? Or can anyone give some advise?

First, once the car is off, disconnect your iPod. Even though it says it charging,
it is not.

Second, when you say you tested it out and it sounded great, were all the speakers
working then?? Did the right speakers only stop working after you started tucking
it away?? If so, then the problem is with the wiring. I doubt moving it around would kill
the sound. It might have it there was a loose connection/solder inside the unit. I would
pull it out and make sure all is good and tight, and make sure the aux input is not
shorting out on anything.

Also, the blue tape trick works better if you put one hand on the bottom of the tape
and the bottom of the faceplate while pulling with the other. Do one side at a time.

Keep us posted. I hope its something simple.

First, once the car is off, disconnect your iPod. Even though it says it charging,
it is not.

Second, when you say you tested it out and it sounded great, were all the speakers
working then?? Did the right speakers only stop working after you started tucking
it away?? If so, then the problem is with the wiring. I doubt moving it around would kill
the sound. It might have it there was a loose connection/solder inside the unit. I would
pull it out and make sure all is good and tight, and make sure the aux input is not
shorting out on anything.

Also, the blue tape trick works better if you put one hand on the bottom of the tape
and the bottom of the faceplate while pulling with the other. Do one side at a time.

Keep us posted. I hope its something simple.

Speakers worked fine when I first hooked it up and played it. It was playing as I started to put it in the back of the glove compartment. Thats when the right speakers went out.

So I have an update.

I was thinking about how I could locate the exact problem so i hooked up the red and white audio cables and tried the ipod through that to see if it was the actual adapter or maybe it was a faulty wire. The ipod played fine through the red/white audio cables. So I hooked the ipod back up to the ipod cable and now it seems to play through all the speakers. Maybe hooking it up through the red/white cables switched something loose in the adapter. Who knows. Right now it seems to be playing fine so I carefully put it in the back of the glove compartment and put the stop plugs back in and its still working fine.

Weird what happened but at least its working now. Im hoping I dont run into the problem again and have a faulty unit.

As for unplugging the ipod, all Ill use it for is music in the car so I dont care if the battery drains. The battery in it is shot as it is and doesnt last long when its unplugged anyway. I was hoping to slide the ipod in back of the glove compartment as well to avoid theft. If the ipod completely drains will it start back up once the car is turned on?

I was hoping to slide the ipod in back of the glove compartment as well to avoid theft. If the ipod completely drains will it start back up once the car is turned on?

Im not sure about the touch, but my when my iPod has a fully drained battery,
does NOT start up right away. It takes a while for the battery to charge enough
to work. Then the iPod goes through its start up as if it were just reset. It takes
quite a while to get it to play if it goes completely dead.

I understand why you want to hide it. Do thieves in your area break into cars
all the time?? Do they break into cars where they dont see anything to take.
If the iPod is in the glove box, and there is nothing else to take, will they make
the effort to break into your E??

Try leaving your iPod plugged in over night, and see how long it takes to get
music from it in the morning.

Im not sure about the touch, but my when my iPod has a fully drained battery,
does NOT start up right away. It takes a while for the battery to charge enough
to work. Then the iPod goes through its start up as if it were just reset. It takes
quite a while to get it to play if it goes completely dead.

I understand why you want to hide it. Do thieves in your area break into cars
all the time?? Do they break into cars where they dont see anything to take.
If the iPod is in the glove box, and there is nothing else to take, will they make
the effort to break into your E??

Try leaving your iPod plugged in over night, and see how long it takes to get
music from it in the morning.

I dont think I live in that bad an area (except today I found out some guy got beat down real bad by a gang of people on my street last Saturday, but no cars were broken into) I just like to be careful. So Ill probably just unplug it and take it with me.

Thanks for all the advice.

P.S. I live in Salem Ma and I heard that the people who are witch fans and and people who are zombie fans are getting into real life arguments and fights in the streets. October is a strange month here. But again, the cars are left alone so im fine with it.

Another question.

So the right speakers keep cutting out as I drive so I sent in for a replacement. Im going to try and swap parts to see what is wrong. First I want to swap the white box everything connects to. What im worried about is how to get the orange xm wire out. Is there a trick to it or something I could use to pop that plug out? I feel if I tug the wire it will come off while the white plug is still in the box.

Im trying to troubleshoot as much as I can before taking the radio out again.

Did you ever change out the speakers??

Honestly, if XM, radio, and CD all play normally and all the speakers work
I would say the problem is either the white box or the wiring to and from.

Do you have another iPod that you can try?? Maybe one of your friends
has one you can borrow for 10 minutes??

As for the orange wire, I will take a look and see what if I can give you
a better answer.

Didnt change the speakers b/c when right speakers are out I switch to other sources and the right speakers work. Tried another ipod with the same results so it isnt that. Also I tried the red white audio plugs again and they were failing out of the right speaker as well so its not the wires connecting the audio devices.

Honestly I think its a loose wire in the connectors that came with the adapter. I tried moving the wires around in the back of the radio when i first heard it and the radio wasnt screwed in but nothing changed. Its strange that i cant pinpoint where its coming from when its mostly triggered by motion and bumps.

Its probably a bad solder joint inside the white box itself.

I hope so, it would make changing it out easy. Ill try that first.

nice im going to try this soon