Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Besides the problem I had this week with the iPod software update to 1.2 introducing incompatibility errors I've found it a nice feature to have the iPod controllable through the stereo buttons.
It certainly lets me keep my hands closer to the wheel than if I were trying to navigate my iPod while driving.
I have no complaints about sound quality.
Would I recommend it? Yes, if you have the patience and time to do some trial-and-error while getting used to the text-to-speech interface and making sure everything is compatible. And if you have nimble fingers for making menu selections while driving.
I'm slightly worried about future compatibility, given that
a) who knows how long iPods will use the dock connector
b) the text-to-speech software manufacturer is a completely separate company (ZappTek) than Apple and Honda, which means that in troubleshooting you have to determine whether it's a software or hardware problem before you can approach a vendor for the appropriate help.
Others have been disappointed with the product, but I'm glad I chose to have it installed. Considering the number of times I've used it on road trips and around town, it's certainly already been worth what I paid for it.
I just wish it were possible to see one installed and see how it works.
I'm not planning to change my ipod anytime soon - I have the ipod photo (grrrrr, got it just before the video came out).
thanks again for the response
The pictures which show an iPod plugged into the stereo, show the iPod sitting in the glovebox, with the plug being routed from (what looks like) the back of the radio, and over to the glovebox.
However, the close up pictures of the gear shift selector on the Sport model, appear to show an access plug, just to the left of it.
So ... is is it that the iPod connector is a totally separate and proprietary iPod connection, which integrates the iPod controls into the stereo head unit, and the MP3 connection is essentially an input for the headphone jack? If not, then I'm not sure what I'm seeing in the pictures.
The SRP is $200 but some dealers are trying to get over $300 and most dealers are charging at least close to $200 to install. That can't be right can it?
You can go to estore.honda.com and it will let to see what different dealers in your area are charging for this and other accessories.
Some of the installed prices for things like floor mats are ridiculous. How much labor to "install" a floor mat?
This Honda Music Link was designed for Hondas and Acuras. SHould only be a matter of plugging in things and running conduits to the glove box, if the conduits already don't exist.
This is the first car I've had with a "rubber" antenna, FWIW.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Steve
Of course, whichever satellite radio you choose, you'll still experience moments of no reception, caused by trees, buildings, etc., blocking the signal.
what si thisdela with the headlights that i'm hearing about it not being position at a correct angle? my headlight doesn't seem to be a direct beam.. kinda weak... but as long as others can see any light i figured i'm ok...
As for installation of the Harmon Kardon Drive + Play, I want it very clean with no cables, which will definitely require some drilling. BestBuy claims they'll do it for $60, but I don't know if they have in mind what I do. It could end up being a DIY.
Thanks for the info!
GROOVE - Emphasizes the low and high ends of the entire spectrum for a powerful sound.
SMOOTH - Emphasizes the high end of the sound spectrum.
VOCAL - Emphasizes the middle end of the sound spectrum.
BEATS - Emphasizes the low end of the sound spectrum.
NORMAL - The sound spectrum is leveled out for most types of music and general listening preferences.
If you think of it like an equalizer with slide bars, then it would look something like this:
GROOVE - The bars would be in a "U" shape, with the far left and right being higher than the middle
SMOOTH - The bars would be lower on the left, and gradually increase towards the right, with the far right being the highest
VOCAL - The bars would be like a hill, with the middle section being the highest, and the far left and right being the lowest (inverted groove)
BEATS - The bars would be highest on the left, and gradually decrease towards the right, with the far right being the lowest (reversed smooth)
NORMAL - The bars would be generally flat across the middle, or in a slight "U" formation.
Whatever your choice, the bass and treble settings can help you tweak the equalizer setting, to best fit your particular listening preferences.
It works by using text-to-speech (TTS) software on your computer to record all the information on your iPod into a digitized voice. To find particular playlists, songs, etc., the MusicLink "reads" them all to you in a computer voice.
I have not had the (dis?)pleasure of using it myself, but the customer reviews are generally awful, and it sounds pretty awful to me. I've heard it takes forever for the software to digitize all the stuff, and that it's slow and painful to listen to. I would definitely not pay $200 for it, plus my dealer charges another $140-ish to install it (I don't know if that's the norm?).
In short, AFAIK, no system exists that will integrate with the Honda factory display. I bought the Harmon Kardon Drive + Play for $149 (MSRP $199, should be able to find it for $150 online though) and got it installed for another $65. It has its own display and control knob, and I'm very happy with it.
That said, there are certainly a few other iPod integration systems that are cheaper and most definitely have better interfaces than the MusicLink, although still no text display.
In short, I wouldn't recommend buying the HON98-AUX unless can verify this guy was wrong and it does work.
My understanding so far is that the PIE HON98-AUX will not work because it uses an older style 14-pin connector that is not compatible with the Fit and other newer Hondas. Here is a PDF that compares the two connector styles. The USA Spec PA11-HON2 uses the newer style, but make sure you get the -HON2 part number - I think the -HON version uses the older connector.
Does that sound about right elkington, mattschechter?
I am trying to find out if the PIE HON03/PC-SON would do the trick. It has both auxiliary input and Sony CD changer interface funtionaltiy, I would just be looking for the AUX. Any thoughts?
I may end up with the USA Spec option. I look forward to seeing your install write-up on Fitfreak, Matt.
Thanks!
Cheap and excellent sound. Rock on
of the radio
2)What are the wires i use or where i can find a wiring diagram for the stereo's rear channel speakers
I'm trying to add a subwoofer and need to install the adapter but don't wanna tear into it without any sort of clue what i need to do.
Or if anyone out there know if there is a dash kit to install an aftermarker stereo that would be great.
Thanks
Why won't my I-pod charger work in my Fit? It's an I-trip from Griffin and worked fine in my Saturn.
What do I need to get so I can charge my I-pod in my Fit?
Sorry if these questions have already been answered before on the Forum....
Thanks so much and I LOVE my new Fit!!
Suzecruise in TN :confuse:
I'm not sure if this one belongs here or under Security System, but I've notice a red light in the lower right corner of the audio control panel, just to the right of preset button #6, that is labelled "Anti Theft." It blinks constantly when the electrical system is turned off, and goes out as soon as the key is turned to the Accessory (I) position. I can find no mention of it in the owner's manual, although it is depicted in every drawing of the audio control panel.
I hope that it is simply telling me that the audio unit's anti theft system is functioning normally, but it would make just as much sense if it meant that there is a problem! Does anyone know anything about this light?
I've had my Fit for about 2 weeks....so I'm still getting to know it. I tried the charger again, and it does seem to work. Don't know what I did the first time to make it not work, anyway, thanks for your help.
Suze
This thing has a mini-jack line output right on the charger’s dock connector and when I ran the cable from this connector to the Aux port, all the volume issues disappeared and the sound quality is noticeably better. You can buy these things for less than $30 and it is a great alternative to the Honda solution.
The iPod dock connector can provide the line out audio from the iPod. I recommend a charger that takes advantage of this, as Dave mentioned. Other options besides Monster include chargers from Belkin and Griffin Technologies (check for models specifically with line out jack). Dr. Bott's also makes a PocketDock with line out that is small and provides a FireWire port and line out in place of the dock connector (this is not a charger, but is also useful for using you iPod as a portable hard drive).
If you are in a situation where you must go directly from headphone to sterero, I'd set the iPod volume at around 75% and make further volume adjustment with the stereo.
After purchasing the correct 3.5mm wire, could I listen to sattelite radio through the Fit's AUX jack? I realize I would have to control the sat radio through the unit's own controls, and not on the Fit's head unit.
Also, if you can get a line out, it will be happier. The mini jack OUT on an ipod puts out a low signal. I either have the pod at 85% volume ( draining batteries quick) or have the Fit's volume at 30. But the fit does remember the volume level for each different input (cd, fm, aux) which is nice.
"When the iPod is connected, you will have full control on ipod from the iPod itself, your iPod and screen will NOT be disabled when connected. You will be able to access and use the menu, click wheel, track and play/pause buttons. There is no special playlists that need to be setup, and you are not limited in anyway. You will have access to your entire music collection from playlists, artists, albums, songs and genres. This adapter also has an AUX port on it so that you can connect a DVD, SAT, or any audio device of your choice."
$169. The site contains an on-line installation video as well.
Neo ProLink PODHONR3V2Yk
A review
Should the little red light in the lower right corner of the stereo constantly flash when not driving the car?
I had a Belkin adapter that I had used in my previous car, so I connected that to the Aux jack. Since the Belkin adapter connects through the docking port rather than the earphone jack, sound was very good, but I found it very difficult (and dangerous) to use the iPod controls while driving, so when Honda's Music Link web page announced that the product was again available, I decided to take a chance on it.
The bottom line is that I am pretty pleased with it. No, it doesn't display any of the normal iPod screen info on the head unit screen, but I found it no more difficult to learn to use the TTS controls than it was to intially learn to use the iPod click wheel. I suspect that the TTS voice chosen may make a difference; Honda recommends using the Microsoft Mary voice, while only Microsoft Sam is standard with Windows XP. The faux-female voice is a lot easier to understand than the deep faux-male voice, especially over road noise.
One of the main features I was looking for was better control for selecting podcasts, which is a major use of the iPod for me. By setting up playlists for each program that I subscribe to, it's easy to select the show title and then move the particular podcast that I want.