| sigmachi96 |
I finally tried a couple solutions to getting my Ipod working in my 05 Touring/Navi (no res).
I purchased the HON03-F/MM and HON03/PC-SON
I also purchased a standard 3.5-RCA 6mm 3.5 headphone Jack to RCA Adapter Cable and the Belkin Auto Charger for the iPod
This setup allows the HON03/PC-SON to be used as an auxiliary input to the iPod via the headphone jack. Also, rather than removing the entire Navi/Radio console and possibly damaging vents, plood or breaking clips, the easier way to get to the back of the radio console is to go thru the "not an ashtray" area.
- Remove Not an Ashtray
- Remove 5 screws holding Not an Ashtray (one screw is under the 12V power adaptor)
- Pull the trim out
- Using a small pocket mirror, find the white plug in the back of the radio console.
- Plug this plug into the Y adaptor and plug the Y adaptor into the back of the radio
- Plug the PIE unit into the other Y plug and connect the RCA cables.
- Turn on the radio and verify it is working
***I ran the RCA cable to the center console so that my setup was hidden and I connected it to the Belkin auto adaptor.
Everything works great but remember that this interfers with XM radio. If you plan to listen to XM, you need to disconnect the PIE unit. I have the unit by the acceleration pedal and can unplug it prior to driving if I plan to listen to XM rather than the iPod.
Prior to this setup, I tried the Icelink but couldn't get it to work. It would work for a couple of seconds but I think the XM frequency was shutting the unit down. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
| Nice! How's the sound? I'm sure this will help a lot of people out. |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
Nice! How's the sound? I'm sure this will help a lot of people out.
Sounds great! It is definitely CD like quality. My only issue is that if you want to listen to XM you have to unplug the unit. Too bad PIE couldn't build an on/off switch to know when to turn it off if no signal is coming from the iPod. |
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| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by sigmachi96
I finally tried a couple solutions to getting my Ipod working in my 05 Touring/Navi (no res).
I purchased the HON03-F/MM and HON03/PC-SON
I also purchased a standard 3.5-RCA 6mm 3.5 headphone Jack to RCA Adapter Cable and the Belkin Auto Charger for the iPod
This setup allows the HON03/PC-SON to be used as an auxiliary input to the iPod via the headphone jack. Also, rather than removing the entire Navi/Radio console and possibly damaging vents, plood or breaking clips, the easier way to get to the back of the radio console is to go thru the "not an ashtray" area.
- Remove Not an Ashtray
- Remove 5 screws holding Not an Ashtray (one screw is under the 12V power adaptor)
- Pull the trim out
- Using a small pocket mirror, find the white plug in the back of the radio console.
- Plug this plug into the Y adaptor and plug the Y adaptor into the back of the radio
- Plug the PIE unit into the other Y plug and connect the RCA cables.
- Turn on the radio and verify it is working
***I ran the RCA cable to the center console so that my setup was hidden and I connected it to the Belkin auto adaptor.
Everything works great but remember that this interfers with XM radio. If you plan to listen to XM, you need to disconnect the PIE unit. I have the unit by the acceleration pedal and can unplug it prior to driving if I plan to listen to XM rather than the iPod.
Prior to this setup, I tried the Icelink but couldn't get it to work. It would work for a couple of seconds but I think the XM frequency was shutting the unit down.
Sounds very interesting, and easy. I'm a visual kind of guy, so do you have any pics? I'm looking for an easy way to make my iPod come through the car speakers. I tried the iTrip and at best it is inconsistent.
Slange! |
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| sigmachi96 |
I'll post some pictures of the final installation today. I just followed this great write-up for the most part...
I am still researching with PIE to determine if there is a way to keep XM w/o having to unplug the PIE unit. Otherwise it is a perfect solution to listen to CD quality music from an iPod. |
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| papahemi |
I just bought an '05 w/ Nav no RES last Sat. (love it), and am very interested in an iPod solution.
You think Blitzsafe will ever produce an XM-compatible answer? |
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| sigmachi96 |
| I'm sure someone will figure this out eventually. Hopefully PIE will have an answer for me soon. For now, I am living with unplugging the PIE unit when I want to listen to XM. |
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| Feik |
| Quite interesting. Will this work with a 2005 Touring/no navi? From the sounds of it, it just feeds into the XM input and might work. |
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| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by sigmachi96
I'll post some pictures of the final installation today. I just followed this great write-up for the most part...
I am still researching with PIE to determine if there is a way to keep XM w/o having to unplug the PIE unit. Otherwise it is a perfect solution to listen to CD quality music from an iPod.
Thanks for the fast response.
I have an '02 X w/Nav, no RES or XM to worry about, but your aproach sounds great for me. |
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| ipod user |
Glad to hear this works! I did quite a bit of research, and spoke to PIE tech support; they also recommended the HON 03 PC SON for those who don't mind giving up XM. The other part you mention seems to pertain to the nav system, which I do not have in my 2005 base model.
PIE did suggest an alternative that would allow you to keep XM; something called the X3 along with the X3 HON 03. This is essentially a dash mounted A/B switch - clumsy looking but would work.
There is one other product called Wire-Tunes by Axxess. The manufacturer claims it will work with the 05 and that you can keep XM. This one allows you to control everything from the car's audio controls; the downside is that you lose the ipod interface, and are limited to 6 playlists. Would make it hard to find anything specific.
Has anyone else had luck with the HON 03 PC SON? |
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| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by ipod user
Glad to hear this works! . . .
Hi ipod user, from your screen name I assume you know a lot about this Ipod world we live in. I have an iPOd 20G Photo model, am buying a nano for the wife. I'm hoping she can she access the same library from my iTunes?
TIA :D |
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| Chiefton |
| Yes, she can use the same library from the same computer. I do this for my wife also. The first time you plug the new one in, it asks you if you want to sync it automatically or manually. It works great. |
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| ipod user |
I'm hoping she can she access the same library from my iTunes?
Yes - my wife and I share a library. You (or she) can also create unique playlists for her, which you can copy (drop and drag) to her ipod.
But we are on the wrong message board for sharing ipod tips. :) |
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| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by ipod user
. . . Yes - my wife and I share a library. You (or she) can also create unique playlists for her, which you can copy (drop and drag) to her ipod.
But we are on the wrong message board for sharing ipod tips. :)
ipod user and Chiefton,
Thanks for the reply on ipod tunes sharing.
Looks like I better find an ipod user message board so as not to take up valuable X room here.
Slange! |
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| ipod user |
Sigmachi 96,
Delighted to hear that this works. I am curious to know the following:
Where did you mount the 3 button aux source switchbox?
And it looks like you ran a wire to the center console armrest/storage compartment, so you can plug the ipod in there; the installer I use plans to put it up front, just below the "ashtray". How did you run the wire? Does it terminate in the storage compartment?
Finally, it looks like you are using the Belkin charger?
If you could post photos of any of these, it would be great.
I was planning to use the HON03/PC-SON and sacrifice XM (which I'm not sure I want anyway) largely because I don't want an ugly switch box around, but it looks like you managed to place it somewhere unobtrusive.
Any help (and esp photos) would be really appreciated.
Thanks!
P.S. How is the sound quality? Is it really better using the line out feature on the Belkin than w/ the headphone jack? |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by ipod user
Sigmachi 96,
Delighted to hear that this works. I am curious to know the following:
Where did you mount the 3 button aux source switchbox?
And it looks like you ran a wire to the center console armrest/storage compartment, so you can plug the ipod in there; the installer I use plans to put it up front, just below the "ashtray". How did you run the wire? Does it terminate in the storage compartment?
Finally, it looks like you are using the Belkin charger?
If you could post photos of any of these, it would be great.
I was planning to use the HON03/PC-SON and sacrifice XM (which I'm not sure I want anyway) largely because I don't want an ugly switch box around, but it looks like you managed to place it somewhere unobtrusive.
Any help (and esp photos) would be really appreciated.
Thanks!
P.S. How is the sound quality? Is it really better using the line out feature on the Belkin than w/ the headphone jack?
The box is under the center console tucked in the back to the right of the accelerator. I opened the center console and cup holder to wire the RCA jacks to the center console. I then plugged the 3.5M connector to the Belkin unit. Not sure how much you are paying an installer but this is a easy job to do on your own. The hardest part was to pull the RCA line to the center console, especially if you don't have small hands.
The sound quality is great! You definitely don't lose anything either from XM or from the iPod. Sounds exactly like a CD. I used the Belkin unit since I wanted to keep my iPod charged while driving and have the sound also go thru the same standard iPod jack. |
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| ipod user |
Thanks!
So you have to reach down near the accelerator to switch from ipod/CD? Or is this not as awkward as it sounds?
I will show your photos to the installer and see if he can get back to the console - much nicer than having all the clutter (Belkin charger, ipod, 3.5mm plug) beneath the radio. And if not, maybe I'll attempt.... |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by ipod user
Thanks!
So you have to reach down near the accelerator to switch from ipod/CD? Or is this not as awkward as it sounds?
I will show your photos to the installer and see if he can get back to the console - much nicer than having all the clutter (Belkin charger, ipod, 3.5mm plug) beneath the radio. And if not, maybe I'll attempt....
Exactly. It is out of site and it is pretty easy to reach. I could have mounted it higher but I didn't want it to be seen. |
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| maohaohan |
| So, after that, do you hit the cd/aux button to listen to the Ipod? |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by maohaohan
So, after that, do you hit the cd/aux button to listen to the Ipod?
Since the X3 utilizing the XM output you don't even need to use the AUX button. You keep the radio on XM and use the X3 buttons to control what you want to listen to (XM, Aux1, Aux2 or Aux3). |
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| ipod user |
| But you are using only Aux 1 - yes? |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by ipod user
But you are using only Aux 1 - yes?
Yes, I am only using Aux 1. If I decided to add an aftermarket DVD player I can plug it into Aux 2 or 3. |
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| maohaohan |
I am still in the planning stage, how did you hook it up exactaly, I looked at the diagram from the products page, not very clear, did you unplug the XM connector and hook the xm connector to one the cable connector?
which one to unplug in the back of radio?
Thanks for your help. |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by maohaohan
I am still in the planning stage, how did you hook it up exactaly, I looked at the diagram from the products page, not very clear, did you unplug the XM connector and hook the xm connector to one the cable connector?
which one to unplug in the back of radio?
Thanks for your help.
The X3 harness has a male and female plug. The male plug goes into the middle connector on the back of the Navi/Radio unit. The male plug that used to be connected to the Navi/Radio unit connects to the female plug of the X3 harness. The red power wire connects to the 12V cigarette plug. |
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| wilkie1683 |
hello all ... First I want to tell you about my little experience. I paid my money on getting my 2005 MDX, but for some reason, the dealer can't locate the car that was suppose to arrive 2 weeks ago which I did a pre contract already. so they end up giving me a 2006 for the same price. ( I add 1000 to get them to throw in the DVD). so how I have DVD in the back ... I have a few questions in trying to hook up the ipod to my car.
1. there is a DVD/AUX botton on the car do i still need the X3 and X3-HON03 from PIE to hook it up? or is there a much simpler way to do so ?
2. If i were to put a NAV TV on my Nav in front .. can I use the same DVD player that came with the car ? or do I have to get another one. ( the reason I got the stock dvd in the frist place, was cos it looks much cleaner than either under the seat or finding a place to put it. ) it will be great if that is possible . |
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| papahemi |
| Wow. Thanks for the explanation and the pics. I spoke with the parts guy at my local dealer, and he said that the upcoming factory ipod connectivity will definitely not be able to work with pre '06 mdx's. Not sure how much he knows about the subject, but I am certainly going to try sigmachi's mp3 method. Great work. Any more pics would be welcome. |
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| ipod user |
Just had the X3 plus X3 HON 03 combo put in - it works great!! I ordered them from Discount Car Stereo, dropped them off at a local car audio shop, and showed the installer your photos. Great idea to run the cable back to the armrest, and plug into the Belkin charger (also your suggestion). The one thing they did differently is that instead of surface mounting the A/B switch, they cut it in (flush mounted). It's located near the accelerator, as in your installation, but is cut into the side wall carpeted area just below the console.
The sound quality is amazing - the cassette adaptor we use in our Honda is awfully flat by comparison. Couldn't wait to return that worthless FM transmitter the dealer installed for us! It took a lot of research to find this solution, but was well worth it.
Thank you! |
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| sigmachi96 |
ipod user, glad to hear that it worked for you as well! The last thing that would make this perfect is the ability to control the iPod from the steering wheel controls and have it display on the OEM radio. Wishful thinking. I would love to see a picture of how they made the switch flush into the console on your install.
I guess we'll have to wait and see what else comes onto the market. |
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| papahemi |
| Siggy, you definitely are the man. I just ordered mine, I'll be installing myself. |
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| ipod user |
quote:
Originally posted by sigmachi96
ipod user, glad to hear that it worked for you as well! The last thing that would make this perfect is the ability to control the iPod from the steering wheel controls and have it display on the OEM radio. Wishful thinking. I would love to see a picture of how they made the switch flush into the console on your install.
I guess we'll have to wait and see what else comes onto the market.
I did find one product in my research that allows you to control the ipod from the steering wheel or dashboard controls, the Wire-Tunes from Axxess.
https://wire-tunes.com/
They say it is compatible with my '05 MDX. While I also originally hoped for this capability, I ultimately decided against it. With the Wire-Tunes (as with most of the other [MDX-incompatible]products on the market) you lose the ipod interface and get a very clumsy way of navigating through your music instead. Wire-Tunes allows you access to six playlists -- the first six in your iTunes Library -- which you access thru CD changer buttons 1-6. Each playlist can hold as many songs as there are XM channels (250 or so? not sure). The problem is that you have to remember which playlist is which -- and where on the playlist the music you want is located. If you want to hear song # 204, for instance, you have to scroll all the way down, using the station dial, I suppose, since there is no way to change stations from the steering wheel, only presets. You also give up the CD changer capability.
So in the end I decided I'd rather have the ability to control my music from the ipod interface. Since most of the time I figure out what I want to listen to before I start driving, it's no big deal; on longer trips, there's ususally someone else in the car anyway. And of course you can still control the volume from the steering wheel.
I spoke to Axxess tech support people and I think they did say the song title would display, but you would have to double check. |
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| ipod user |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sigmachi96
I would love to see a picture of how they made the switch flush into the console on your install.
[QUOTE]
Here you go: |
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| ipod user |
| Sorry, I am new at this - will try again. If the attachment doesn't show up, will someone tell me how to do this? |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by ipod user
Sorry, I am new at this - will try again. If the attachment doesn't show up, will someone tell me how to do this?
Your install shop did a nice job! |
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| wilkie1683 |
| I have install all the ipod and tv2nav on my 2006 MDX... I think I will use THIS BRACKET to install my BLACK 60G ipod on my black on black MDX... what do you guys think? pls advise |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by wilkie1683
I have install all the ipod and tv2nav on my 2006 MDX... I think I will use THIS BRACKET to install my BLACK 60G ipod on my black on black MDX... what do you guys think? pls advise
Sure. I personally went the concealed route and ran my iPod connection to the center console so that it is out of site. |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by wilkie1683
I have install all the ipod and tv2nav on my 2006 MDX... I think I will use THIS BRACKET to install my BLACK 60G ipod on my black on black MDX... what do you guys think? pls advise
I have one of these for my phone and pda and I really like it.:4: |
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| wilkie1683 |
| i just recieved an email from an acura dealer saying that the IPOD unit will be arriving to their dealership in december, and I can call in and make an appointment to have it install in my newly bought MDX. anyone heard about that? |
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| ipod user |
quote:
Originally posted by wilkie1683
i just recieved an email from an acura dealer saying that the IPOD unit will be arriving to their dealership in december, and I can call in and make an appointment to have it install in my newly bought MDX. anyone heard about that?
What year is your MDX? I'd be curious to know what features the Acura unit offers, and the cost. I'm very happy with the solution Sigmachi (and I) have used but am curious to hear how this works, as well as the cost of installing. I have an '05, don't know if it will be compatible with pre 2006 models. |
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| cfarm |
If it's voice activated, as earlier posts suggest, it will take a firmware upgrade to the Navi beyond any hardware added.
I too would like to see what options we have for possible retrofits on older models. |
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| papahemi |
Sigmachi (and anyone else who has installed as pictured)--
I'm about to install mine this weekend and I have two questions:
1) What did you do with the red wire? It looks like it's attached to the cigarette lighter--how? Solder?
2) Exactly how/where did you feed the monster cable (rca-3.5mm) through the center console?
Thanks a lot! |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by papahemi
Sigmachi (and anyone else who has installed as pictured)--
I'm about to install mine this weekend and I have two questions:
1) What did you do with the red wire? It looks like it's attached to the cigarette lighter--how? Solder?
2) Exactly how/where did you feed the monster cable (rca-3.5mm) through the center console?
Thanks a lot!
1 - Yes, mine is attached to the cigarette lighter. I inserted the wire thru the existing connection and taped it with electrical tape.
2 - I opened the center trim to run the wire thru the middle and drilled a small hole in the center console near the CD tray to push the cable thru. |
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| papahemi |
| Thanks. How did you open the center trim? |
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| papahemi |
| Perfect. Thanks. |
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| papahemi |
Sigmachi- I put mine in and it works flawlessly and sounds great, but I have two lingering questions.
Where did you secure the interface, exactly? From your pic it looks like it's tucked in behind the radio/nav and in the space just in front of the chrome cooling fins, but to what, exactly, did you stick the velcro (or doublesided tape) too? It's such a cumbersome unit that for now I just jammed it in behind everything, but I'd like some ideas on a clean stick. I don't want that big mess popping out and getting in the way of the gas pedal while I'm driving.
Also, RE: the red wire--I stripped the end, pushed it @ 3/4 of the way through the black connector to the cig lighter unit (so it was touching one of the prongs) and then secured it to the outside of the connector with electrical tape. It seems to work fine but it's only touching one of the two connector prongs. Any risk of a short or battery drain with this thing eternally connected to the juice like so?
Thanks a lot for the help, I really appreciate it. |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by papahemi
Sigmachi- I put mine in and it works flawlessly and sounds great, but I have two lingering questions.
Where did you secure the interface, exactly? From your pic it looks like it's tucked in behind the radio/nav and in the space just in front of the chrome cooling fins, but to what, exactly, did you stick the velcro (or doublesided tape) too? It's such a cumbersome unit that for now I just jammed it in behind everything, but I'd like some ideas on a clean stick. I don't want that big mess popping out and getting in the way of the gas pedal while I'm driving.
Also, RE: the red wire--I stripped the end, pushed it @ 3/4 of the way through the black connector to the cig lighter unit (so it was touching one of the prongs) and then secured it to the outside of the connector with electrical tape. It seems to work fine but it's only touching one of the two connector prongs. Any risk of a short or battery drain with this thing eternally connected to the juice like so?
Thanks a lot for the help, I really appreciate it.
I tucked the unit in the same place you did. I didn't attach it to anything and I am not worried about it coming out.
As for the red wire, there isn't a risk of battery drain since the connection to the 12V outlet only comes on when the key is turned to accessory. If your button to switch from Aux1, Aux2, Aux3, etc. is not lit when you remove your key, you should be fine. |
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| Feik |
Well I took the plunge last week and bought the X3 and harness. The various threads with pictures helped a lot (certainly more than the documentation on the back of the packages).
All worked as planned. I had a similar concern about where to put the X3 (it is kind of bulky) but I think it will be fine.
My only additional feedback is that a mirror is useful to help see the back of the head unit before unplugging connectors and I would allow more than 30 minutes.
I didn't dawdle, but wanted to make sure i didn't scratch things etc. and I spent about two hours.
If I did it again, 45 minutes would be plenty.
Thanks Sigmachi for the help. |
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| mlkeller |
Another successful install - thanks all :)
One thing I did different - was getting frustrated trying to find place to fit X3 and feed wires to it - took a slightly different angle and cut a hole in the top of the trim panel behind the "Not an ashtray". The X3 is sitting in the cubby under the stereo; doesn't look too bad and makes connecting things easy.
I'll try to post some pics |
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| wilkie1683 |
| GUYS ... I read on the news paper again .. the ipod for MDX will be out in december, it will be intergrated with the existing sound system. yes .. although it said it might cost as much as $250 + labor, but I dont' know .. I just think I might give that a shot. ... just my thought. |
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| desertracer |
| I got the Base model with Nav, is the harness the same as the Nav radio? |
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| Edw5 |
sigmachi96,
I have the 05 base model MDX without the NAV system, but I am confused about the PIE X3 into into the headunit. I thought it is plug into the CD changer into, but from what I am seeing you have it plug into the XM radio input?
I have install out of these in my 99 EX HONDA ODYSSEY and I plug it into the CD changer into and than back to the CD changer. |
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| sigmachi96 |
quote:
Originally posted by Edw5
sigmachi96,
I have the 05 base model MDX without the NAV system, but I am confused about the PIE X3 into into the headunit. I thought it is plug into the CD changer into, but from what I am seeing you have it plug into the XM radio input?
I have install out of these in my 99 EX HONDA ODYSSEY and I plug it into the CD changer into and than back to the CD changer.
Not sure about a base unit w/o Navi. I would submit a note in the Pie forum (http://www.pie.net/forum/) to validate that this setup will still work. You could also get access to the back of your radio and use a mirror to see if you have 3 plugs-in at the bottom of the radio. If so, the middle one is the one I used to connect the X3 harness. |
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| Jeffna |
| I plan on purchasing the X3 and X3-HON98 Will this setup work with my 01 Touring with indash 6 disc changer. I have no NAV nor RES? I plan on installing a Sirius satellite radio and an IPOD. |
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