Another USA-Spec installation completed

jcalabria · Jun 20, 2005

Nothing vastly different to report from other posts except that my CCM popped right out using a 1" putty knife to fairly gently pry on each side of CCM near the top. I had none of the struggle many others have reported. Entire installation (iPod in glove box, adapter velcro'd into "fuse box" cavity at right end of dash) took less than 20 minutes start to finish.

Overall, I am very pleased. Everything functions pretty much as expected. Sounds great.

I do have some disappointment with the following:

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My biggest issue is that the iPod battery drains when car is off unless iPod is unplugged - seems that adapter should be able to shut down iPod when car and/or audio system is shut down.

•

During manual track changes (or in random play), low level hard disk "chirps" can be heard through speakers as next track is located on drive - may be an iPod issue but sounds are not heard in headphone out. Has anybody else observed this?

•

Curiosity... If factory changer is 10 disc, why does the emulation of that changer only allow 6 discs/playlists?

mgasin · Jun 20, 2005

I apologize for "hijacking your thread", but I have a somewhat related question.

If I do not want to be stuck with 5 playlists, can I change some switch and control the selection of playlists/songs directly from my iPod? How will the controls on the steering wheel work then?
Thank you.

jcalabria · Jun 20, 2005

Re: (mgasin)

No problem on the "hijacking"... it is related.

Yes, I believe you can change the switch settings and use the iPod playlists, but you lose the control (other than volume) from the head unit or steering wheel.

Personally, if I had been OK with that I would have bought something other than an iPod and just used the aux in on the USA-SPEC adapter. I went to the "Dark Side" and bought the iPod just to keep all the controls functioning.

Again, the playlist limitation is a minor curiosity, not a major source of discontent.

hastighet · Jun 20, 2005

Re: (jcalabria)

I was under the impression that in direct mode, the adapter would function as usual on CD's 1-4, play all on CD 5 and have a direct mode on CD 6. I have not found this to be the case.

When I change the PA11 to "direct" I have only that option available. No other playlists are available with the radio controls. However, once I've selected either a playlist or an artist/album/genre as you would manually on the iPod, I can navigate through that playlist or artist as normal (same as you would with the PA11 not in direct mode). That is to say the steering wheel controls work for volume and FF and Rewind within that playlist or category. But to change playlist, you need to do it directly with the iPod.

For now, I've elected not to use direct mode.

matamoris · Jun 28, 2005

Re: Another USA-Spec installation completed (jcalabria)

Jcalabria,

Can you be more specific about how you pulled out the CCM so easily? I'm gonna try the install in the next day or two, and I'm concerned about getting that puppy out.

Thanks,
Matt
Austin, tX

jcalabria · Jun 28, 2005

After removing the pen holder and two lower screws, I inserted a 1" wide putty knife into the space between the right side of the CCM and the console padding, just below the top of the CCM. I inserted the knife blade about 3/8" deep, and gently pried (pushing handle outward, blade pushing in and lifting the CCM. The CCM popped out about 1/4" on that side. I then repeated on the left side. With both sides popped off the clips, I just lifted the whole assembly out.

The clips were not damaged by this procedure and the CCM fit securely back in its place afterwards.

I don't know if I was just lucky, but it worked very easily for me this way. There was also no evidence that the CCM had ever been removed previously, either.

smolvar · Jun 28, 2005

Re: Another USA-Spec installation completed (jcalabria)

Quote »

My biggest issue is that the iPod battery drains when car is off unless iPod is unplugged - seems that adapter should be able to shut down iPod when car and/or audio system is shut down.

The PA11 manual says the ipod stops charging 1hr after its paused.

jcalabria · Jun 28, 2005

The issue isn't that it stops charging - its that the ipod never shuts off.

iPod stays on + charging shuts off = dead iPod battery

gglockner · Jun 28, 2005

Re: Another USA-Spec installation completed (jcalabria)

Quote, originally posted by jcalabria »

•

During manual track changes (or in random play), low level hard disk "chirps" can be heard through speakers as next track is located on drive - may be an iPod issue but sounds are not heard in headphone out. Has anybody else observed this?

Hop over to the forums on ipodlounge.com. IIRC, this was a known problem with some older iPods that seems to be fixed in the latest generation.

jcalabria · Jun 29, 2005

Thanks, I'll look for it. Not sure if it would apply... mine is a brand new 30Gb Photo.

matamoris · Jun 30, 2005

Re: (jcalabria)

Jcalabria,

That's perfect. Thanks for the reply. I'll report back how it went.

Matt

Another USA-Spec installation completed

jcalabria

mgasin

jcalabria

hastighet

matamoris

jcalabria

smolvar

jcalabria

gglockner

jcalabria

matamoris

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