Anyone installed aftermarket head unit & the adaptors for using your steering wheel control? I want a new alpine head for the ipod and they are "compatable" with steering wheel controls but it seems like you have to use a 3rd party box, I looked at a few and you have to put in in-line resistors and lots of wiring...seems like a huge hassle. Comments?

Mahalo...

 

I don't know about steering wheel control of aftermarket head unit, if you are making changes "for the ipod" why not just add a conector for that?

 

I have a dice adaptor and it is kind of lame with the 04 HK head, no playlists, can't scroll around. I am going aftermarket all around. Did that in my tundra w/ focal speakers, alpine head and a big amp and subs and can't live with the limited functions and stock speakers in such a cool car.

 

Are you sure the PAC SWI-RACK requires resistors?

 

I was looking at the PAC one too. Doesnt look like there is alot of complicated anything in there but i can see how it could be intimidating to someone who doesnt understand electronics.
Have you considered buying one and having it installed professionally?

 

i have bought one and had it professionally installed with a pioneer deh-p5000dvd and it works great. its not terribly accurate at all times (press vol up/down once and it goes up 2-3 times on the headunit) or very rarely would it would act weird altogether (button commands gets screwed up altogether requiring you to turn off the car and start it up minutes later). otherwise im very happy with it and problems have been few and far between. on another note, you cant hold and fast forward like the stock units but it suits me just fine.

 

Sounds like you have a faulty connection. Could be a defective PAC or head unit. I wouldn't take your testimony as typical results of an install. You should bring it back to the guy that installed it and have him look at it.

 

PAC seems to have a good customer service - I got answers to all my questions.
I intend to use the SWI-V product that allow the original MFSW functionality as well (meaning both are controlled).

 

well the problems only occurred on the first week when i got it, which was about april and its been fine ever since. no actual error with it ever since. im happy and satisfied. if it starts acting up again, i still got 10 months to bring it back

 

I'm replacing my factory radio with a JVC Arsenal KD-AHD39 HD Radio/CD Receiver. The receiver installation looks to be relatively simple, as does the iPod adaptor installation. However, I got the SWI-JACK steering wheel control interface. The problem is that I cannot identify which wire from the steering wheel to use. All the wires to my factory radio (including the steering wheel wire for the radio) are wrapped together in a common umbilical cord.

Has anyone out there successfully completed a SWI-JACK installation on a MINI with a multi-function steering wheel? If so, which wire do I use? Thanks.

 

I had a Alpine unt installed with the Sirius and the steering wheel controls on my o4 MCS. All the functions work well, sometimes a little slow to respond. Only issue is the FM Stations come in weak at times, so I am going to have a FM booster installed this week. I did not do the install for this, but the shop that did only took about 2 hours and it came out looking great.

 

New Mini Stuff, one of our vendors has some great products
http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...products&cat=3
I had a Kenwood unit installed and purchased the MFSW adapter for that unit and brought it to the installer. The installer was very impressed and said it was a very easy install compared to what was available in the USA. I am not totally up on this stuff but aparently their is some type of setup with some of the available units out there and this one was a snap. It is over a year old and continues to work flawlessly.
Steve

 

Which Alpine head unit?

What fm booster?

I've been down on all of the aftermarket h/u makers, Alpine included, for neglecting the needs of FM-heads like me.

Please let us know how it works out. Thanks.

 

I had the Alpine CDA 9883 installed with a Sirius kit all working off the head unit. The steering wheel controls on the left control functions and on the right they control Volume. Everything works great. I did have some problems with FM reception, but after setting the Radio to DX Seek and having a Booster Antenna installed it plays great. I am not crazy about the location of the booster Antenna as it is on the Passenger side of the front windsheild up along the top of the glass. But I can live with that as long as I get good reception.

 

JRoca

did you have to use an adapter for your MFSW? What kind? I'm using the PAC-SWI-Jack and its lousy. It doesn't work at all. I can't remember my Kenwood model, but I know it's compatible with my unit. I've just checked it again the other day.

 

I do remember them telling me about some kit they had to use so the steering wheel functions would work. I do not know what kit that was, but next time I speak with those guys I will ask.I will for sure see them in a week or 2 as I want to put a small amp in the car. It was actually scheduled for today, but the right rear suspension broke yesterday and both wish bones had to be replaced today at a cost of 700.00 So the amp will have to wait a week or 2

 

I finally got the PAC-SWI-JACK to work but I don't like it too much. The led has to have a clear line of sight to the HU for it to work. If the passenger is in the car and they happen to have their legs to the left, their leg would block the signal from reaching the HU. I would like a hardwire solution or something better, I prefer to stay away from the led solution as it is not reliable all the time. any recommendations would be nice.

JRoca
sorry to hear that you're going through so much. I hope you'll be able to get your car running again. How did you manage to break the suspension?

 

I want to keep my factory head unit, but want to replace the speakers (in the factory mounts) with infinity brand. my question is, what is a good brand AMP? i usually just listen to the sound of the exhaust but want to bump it up occassionally.

 

I too would like to know.

 

Check the following:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/ar...c/87095-1.html