Anibody knows if an aftermarket alpine stereo can be controleds with the controls on the stering wheel.

 

You need to get the PAC.
I have an Alpine and installed the PAC.
It doesn't work that well. I think the PAC LED just isn't
as powerfull as the factory remote.

Good luck!

 

Minimac, I have an Alpine 7998 and had my installer add the PAC and it works great. In fact I had it set up so that all of the buttons on my wheel are functioning.
Luifer, I think the location of your PAC senser might mot be in an optimal location.

Gotta Motor

PS. The only situation in which the multifunction wheel does not work as well is when the sun is beaming directly on my receiver with the sunroof open.

 

You might want to contact Mike at www.newministuff.co.uk. He carry MFSW adapters for most head units and there may be a plug and play adapter for Alpine, rather than the PAC type unit. I got one for a Sony HU, and I know they're available for other units - there may be a list on their site.

 

I got a mfsw infra red control unit from Mike. It worked for a short while, but not anymore. i think the installer did not put it in the best location. Where should the ir unit go for best results?

Thanks.

memojo

 

The senser on my wheel is 1 o'clock from the screw on the right side of the steering column about .5 inches up. I can post a pix if needed.

 

According to Mike's site they do carry a plug and play unit for Alpine - they have a list if you want to check the particular model. I think I paid about $60 including shipping for mine.

 

Thanks, Bonz. i'll check to see where mine is. I noticed that when it did work, it worked best when I was turning left. Seems that my light is probably at the bottom of the steering column. If I need the pic you offered to post, I'll let you know. Again, thanks heaps.

memojo

 

The hard-wired adapter will only work for the European versions of the Alpine head units.... ones with an 'R' at the end of the model number. Those have a wired remote instead of an infra-red (wireless) remote - so on those you can unplug the suplied wired remote and plug in the adapter. The US versions don't have this ability (as far as I know - I don't own an Alpine head unit to check).

 

I have the same head unit as Bonz (CDA-7998) and after experimenting with different emitter locations, I found the best results with it mounted in the triangular section between the cupholders and the gear shift:



It made no sense to me but I couldn't argue with the results. Like Bonz said, the only time it doesn't respond well is if the head unit is in direct sunlight, which is pretty infrequent. I'm very happy with the PAC SWI-X. My button assignments:

Left
Top: Next Track/Channel Up
Middle: Source (CD/Radio/Changer)
Bottom: Previous Track/Channel Down

Right
Top: Volume Up
Middle: Mute
Bottom: Volume Down

 

That is exactly where I mounted mine...and it only works if I deflect the signal with my hand.
If I tilt the face unit all the way out so it is flat, it reflects off the ceiling and it works about 85% of the time.
It seems that most are having the best luck by mounting it in the steering column.

 

Well the first thing I did was decide which faceplate position I liked best, so I could then determine the most effective location for the emitter. I decided that I like the faceplate out and tilted to the max (closest to horizontal). Then I tried some different locations for the emitter - the side of the steering column, sticking out of the dash above the head unit, and so on.

I was very surprised to discover that the spot pictured above worked the best, as it seemed like it was directly below the tilted faceplate and actually aimed at it's backside.

I would estimate the success rate at greater than 95% - as I said it's only when bright sunlight is shining directly on the faceplate that it falters.

 

I have the Alpine 9831 and an IR control that works off the MFSW. If the eye is placed on the steering column, it will not work properly unless your hand is in the correct position on the wheel to deflect the pulse to the head unit. The best place to put the eye if you have a sunroof is in the dead spot where the headliner starts at the back side of the sunroof. That gives it a direct shot to the head unit and doesn't depend on a reflection off your hand.

 

A good place to mount IR transmitters is in the clock in roof lining firing down at the radio

 

Has anybody tried to import a European-spec Alpine (with 'R' in the model number) so they could hard-wire the MFSW controls?

Also, has anybody compared the parametric EQ in the upper-end Alpines (I'm specifically looking at the CDA-9835[R] with the H/K option? I like the Alpine idea 'cause the iPod integration will be much better, but I've heard the H/K and the Boost unit and the H/K is indeed a much nicer package.

 

The radio frequency steps on euro decks work differently than US decks. If AM/FM is unimportant to you, then I guess it would work.

 

We thoroughly beat that dead horse on another forum. AM probably won't work, but the FM range is the same, just divided into smaller segments (100Khz instead of 200Khz like we have here).

 

Cool. I've learned something new today. :smile: