Comments on: Aftermarket stereos in GPs

By: GP0203

GP0203 — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 02:49:56 +0000

The XM kit on Crutchfield seems to show a generic receiver and an Alpine-specific interface - not sure how that would fit with your existing equipment, Paul.

By: paul

paul — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 02:24:28 +0000

nice looking radio – I see that it is XM Ready, does that mean I could hook up my existing XM direct to this unit and get a decent XM display on the HU? Being able to have XM and the iPod (and decent sound for that matter) would be great.

I don’t have the steering wheel controls so don’t have to worry about that.

By: GP0203

GP0203 — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:10:53 +0000

Rich,
I hope to video the iPod functionality and post it (to GBMINI) soon …

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:38:54 +0000

I tried it today and it didn’t work. It must be a new feature. How is the delay on the track skip? I would love to see them side-by-side or maybe time them.

By: GP0203

GP0203 — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:18:35 +0000

Art, No - I had a connector that mates with the factory harness. You can get them from Crutchfield (although mine came from MikeyTheMINI) Rich, I hope the button trick works for you too - funny, I thought it was you told me about it!

By: Rich Hall

Rich Hall — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 12:36:44 +0000

Glad you like the Alpine. I didn’t even know about the 1-6 buttons leading you to different stages in the catalog. I’m going to try that out today.

Now it’s time to get some subs!

By: art

art — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:08:39 +0000

To make the new wiring harness, did you have to carve up the old head unit?

By: GP0203

GP0203 — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:50:48 +0000

Thanks – interesting read.
The thing is, I *don’t* much like the iPod interface; I always “overshoot” when spinning round that wheel, and I’d much prefer to click up and down but up=menu and down=play.
But sometimes down doesn’t equal play, it equals pause – for example if I’ve “wheeled” to an artist then to an album, I expect to click play to hear that album, but no – instead it pauses/un-pauses what you’re currently listening to!

After the Panasonic, I loved the fact that the volume knob is “taken over” to navigate the iPod music … but then I still use MSDOS sometimes

By: lavardera

lavardera — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:33:35 +0000

That sounds like a worthwhile option. I know I’ve become completely addicted to controling my radio for the wheel. A friend of mine got the Alpine and reviewed it here:
http://www.powerpage.org/2006/05/post_5.html

He found it was not perfect but the best option available.

By: GP0203

GP0203 — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 23:56:29 +0000

I haven't done the steering wheel controls yet but I will. There are two options: PAC SWI-ALP but programming is complex and you have to CUT the wire from the steering wheel to connect it to the interface! MikeyTheMINIs interface which is plug-and-play ... I plan to order this, it just means my handmade wiring harness will be replaced!