kman1666
01-12-2008, 02:18 PM
I started out by ordering a USAspec ipod adapter from crutchfield. I liked this solution the best because:
1) It let me use my stock head unit
2) Charged and played through the dock connector
3) Let me still use the iPhone while playback in going on
4) Let me use my steering wheel controls
5) Has option aux input for another device
After ordering the unit I hooked it up and everything worked fine. Now, to figure out where to put it. Installation was easy. Only one cord going into the cd changer plug on the back of the stereo. I put the control box for the USAspec in the arm rest compartment. Luckily there was a hole already from a in-car phone I removed.
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/usaspc.jpg
I ran the wires underneath by the shifter. Now I just needed a dock. In my last car I used a pro-clip ipod holder to mount my ipod. While this was a great solution I wanted something more hidden. I decided I wanted to put the iPod in the ash tray (bottom left)
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/closed.jpg
So the easy solution was to put my iPhone dock that came with it, plug the USAspec cord into the back of the dock, and be done. But unfortunately this option does not work. The problem is that none of the ipod docks output audio from the dock connector on the back, they only output audio from the 3.5m jack on the back. Turns out, no docks offer a "pass-through" connection (I found one dock online that might do it from Pioneer, but it was very expensive). So it looked like I had to make my own.
I started with the $9 iPhone adapter for the universal dock from the Apple store. I then cut a place for it into a plastic piece that was on the back of the ash tray. I also cut some holes for the chords in the back of the ash tray and the console.
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/fab.jpg
After that I used epoxy to hold it all together and spray painted it black
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/fab2.jpg
I used rubber bands and tape to hold down the pins on the dock connector so I can easily put it on and take it off. Then hot glued the dock connector up from the bottom. I did have to cut the hole on the $9 ipod adapter larger to fit.
Then I installed it all and YAY it worked!
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/open.jpg
The nice thing about it is that I can keep my stock look, and have a great solution for my iPods and my iPhone.
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/final1.jpg
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/closeup.jpg
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/nano.jpg
The only thing so far I dislike is the fact that there is no way to swivel the iPhone for videos. My passengers sometimes like to watch movies and this solution does not allow for easy viewing. My solution may just be to buy an extra USAspec dock cord and leave it in the car and plug it into the box in the arm rest when we need to watch a movie. Also, since using this set up I found out how bad my car speakers are. I need to upgrade :)
So let me know what you think and feel free to ask any questions!
1) It let me use my stock head unit
2) Charged and played through the dock connector
3) Let me still use the iPhone while playback in going on
4) Let me use my steering wheel controls
5) Has option aux input for another device
After ordering the unit I hooked it up and everything worked fine. Now, to figure out where to put it. Installation was easy. Only one cord going into the cd changer plug on the back of the stereo. I put the control box for the USAspec in the arm rest compartment. Luckily there was a hole already from a in-car phone I removed.
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/usaspc.jpg
I ran the wires underneath by the shifter. Now I just needed a dock. In my last car I used a pro-clip ipod holder to mount my ipod. While this was a great solution I wanted something more hidden. I decided I wanted to put the iPod in the ash tray (bottom left)
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/closed.jpg
So the easy solution was to put my iPhone dock that came with it, plug the USAspec cord into the back of the dock, and be done. But unfortunately this option does not work. The problem is that none of the ipod docks output audio from the dock connector on the back, they only output audio from the 3.5m jack on the back. Turns out, no docks offer a "pass-through" connection (I found one dock online that might do it from Pioneer, but it was very expensive). So it looked like I had to make my own.
I started with the $9 iPhone adapter for the universal dock from the Apple store. I then cut a place for it into a plastic piece that was on the back of the ash tray. I also cut some holes for the chords in the back of the ash tray and the console.
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/fab.jpg
After that I used epoxy to hold it all together and spray painted it black
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/fab2.jpg
I used rubber bands and tape to hold down the pins on the dock connector so I can easily put it on and take it off. Then hot glued the dock connector up from the bottom. I did have to cut the hole on the $9 ipod adapter larger to fit.
Then I installed it all and YAY it worked!
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/open.jpg
The nice thing about it is that I can keep my stock look, and have a great solution for my iPods and my iPhone.
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/final1.jpg
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/closeup.jpg
http://lookatthemonkeys.com/misc/acura/nano.jpg
The only thing so far I dislike is the fact that there is no way to swivel the iPhone for videos. My passengers sometimes like to watch movies and this solution does not allow for easy viewing. My solution may just be to buy an extra USAspec dock cord and leave it in the car and plug it into the box in the arm rest when we need to watch a movie. Also, since using this set up I found out how bad my car speakers are. I need to upgrade :)
So let me know what you think and feel free to ask any questions!