"My question above I have asked a few times before, now change the waiting time to 11 months... It does not seem like this is either a priority or something you will be able to get working, correct?"

Hmmm... you seem to have side-stepped his last questions. So I'll ask them more clearly:

1) Is getting this issue fixed a priority with you?

2) Have you been working on the fix daily and have still not been able to come up with a fix?

I too have been waiting almost a year. And along with purchasing the HD-Dice, I bought an upgraded 05 Head Unit from you for the specific purpose of having iPod text on my radio display. (And you knew I had factory nav when I bought it...)

Where's the hold up? You? Dice? Someone else?

-Scott

 

Simply put - it hasn't been easy and it is up there on the priority list. It's something that is under development and a fix can be discovered in 30 days or possibly not at all. Since we do not know the cause of the issue, there's no way we can predict the solution or an ETA.

Patience is key here and we're not going to leave you in the cold. Again, the minute the issue is discovered, you can guarantee it will be posted immediately.

 

And I think we have all been incredibly patient. Partly because up until now there hasn't been another good option for iPod control that gives control from the MFSW.

But now the Intravee II has been released. It's got a slicker interface and much better control over the iPod from the Nav Menu.

Drawbacks? iPod is locked during use. But this is largely overcome with the better interface. No HDRadio. Which, given the pain of the Dice tuning controls, I never use. And it's more expensive.

However it appears to work. Now.

I don't really want to rip out my HDDice and start over, but it's at least an option. Ideally, we'd get a fix for the Dice, reflash the box, and be good to go.

But now I have a choice...
-Scott

 

That's true, but we'll proceed with development into the issue and notify the thread when a solution is presented.

 

Just as an FYI... The Intravee does indeed support HD radio (via the Alpine TUA-T500HD tuner unit).

 

That's true, but it requires additional equipment (almost double the cost) in order to do so.

Let's please keep the thread HD DICE related for support and/or questions on features.

 

That's true, but I just wanted folks to know the facts (i.e. it does have a HD radio option) just as you do with the DICE units. I know you try hard Tom, but you guys have been talking about support for nav equipped MINIs for months and months now and it just doesn't appear that it will ever happen.

Personally, I don't think you should lead your customers on like that. If there's a better solution out there for them, then you should turn them onto it even if it's not your product. Selling them your product with a glimmer of hope that proper support for the MINI's nav system MAY come in the future is just poor business practices IMHO (as is prompting that your product works with nav equipped MINIs when it really doesn't - well it does I guess if you never want to use your nav system for its intended purpose).

I feel sorry for mrskippy seeing as he spent big bucks to upgrade his radio so that it would be able to display song info (BTW, you need to add that into his DICE cost and based on the LARGE price of the new radio on your web site that makes your solution more expensive than the IV). I got suckered in the same way I'm afraid. I too purchased a new radio for my MINI hoping that I could get a DICE system setup and working properly with my nav equipped MINI. While I didn't buy my radio from you, I still spent the money unnecessarily seeing as the DICE system still doesn't work properly with the MINI's nav system (and probably never will). If I had just gone with the IV in the first place, then I wouldn't of had any reason whatsoever to replace my head unit. Not your fault I know, but your promotion of the DICE on these forums led me to believe that support for the nav system would be possible and so I took the plunge and bought the new radio.

BTW, I've got nothing against you or the DICE system. I think it's a GREAT product as long as you don't have a MINI with a factory nav system. I always tell folks "if you're looking for an iPod adapter for your MINI, and you don't have nav, then get the DICE".

 

I'm kindly asking again to please keep the thread DICE related for support and/or questions on features. This does not concern other kits.

 

So, back to Dice then...

What is a hard date for when the Dice will provide iPod Text support for a Nav-equipped Mini?

And if I have to move to an alternate system (like the one I won't mention), given that I purchased an upgraded head unit from you for the specific purpose of using the Dice with my iPod, (you knew I had Nav at the time), will you accept the head unit back as a return and refund the purchase price? (It is still in perfect condition and I can quickly put my old HU back in...) How about for the Dice unit itself?

I'm not asking a lot. And I really don't relish swapping gear in the middle of winter... I just want the gear you sold me to work like you said it would.

-Scott

 

Scott,

It's impossible to give an accurate ETA if we do not know what is causing the problem. All I can say is that we are looking for a solution.

We cannot offer a refund on the HU since its been used, but we'll keep the forum updated on progress as promised. We would like to get to the bottom of this as much as you would.

Thanks again for your patience and for hanging in there.

 

Tom,

I believe the DICE's #1 issue with Nav support is that (unless I'm mistaken) you're using the phone call feature to transmit the text to the screen. This will always "take over" the Nav screen because it behaves the same as if you were receiving a phone call from the OEM Bluetooth. When the phone's ringing, it needs to alert the driver as to who is calling, right?

I would imagine that trying to determine other ways to send and display song text info to the Nav screen without resorting to the phone functions would be the first place to start. There must be other ways...

That's just my take. I don't really understand the full complexity of what you're trying to do... however I've always been a bit troubled by the DICE's apparent use of the phone caller ID mechanism.

 

There are and we're looking into it, the NAV screen is intercepting the commands we are sending over to the radio.

 

Hmmm... My HU was used when you sold it to me. I bought one of the units you used to originally develop and test the Nav Bluetooth interface, remember?

Let me just make sure I have this straight (for myself and the home audience)... you are perfectly willing to sell me a used Head Unit, but you won't provide a refund for the same reason?

Interesting business practice.

-Scott

 

Scott,

I'll have to check your order to verify, please follow up within email, PM or by phone as this (again) is a Q/A thread for the HD DICE.

 

I believe that an excellent question related to the HD-Dice is "does the vendor live up to their promises?" So I'll just keep it here for a bit longer...

Please confirm that you sold me one of the units you used to develop the Mini Nav Bluetooth module then send me an RMA number or however you handle refunds.

I'll keep the thread posted on how the transaction progresses. (Because I'm sure quite a few folks are watching and waiting to see how it is ultimately handled.)

-Scott

 

Scott,

We are living up to our promise in searching for a solution, but not up to your expectations for a fix as the problem has not been discovered yet. If the source has not been discovered - it's impossible to give an ETA.

Your request to do with HD DICE technical support - if you have a specific question regarding your system or your previous order, contact me directly via email or telephone - not on the forums.

 

Scott,

We just spoke on the phone, now that I have your full name - I am able to look up your order details.

Please note that you were given a generous $200 discount on this radio (that you accepted) as well before. I'm sorry you feel the way we do, but we are trying to do everything in our power to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible. We have been providing updates in this thread, rather than saying "Call DICE - it's not our problem" like some other retailers would do.

Calling me with a "this phone call is recorded" and demanding a refund for a kit that was purchased over 10 months ago does not solve the issue or speed up the process.

We do everything in our power to make our customers happy, you might be the exception in this rule. I would suggest selling the kit if you are not happy or take a minute and understand our position and wait for a solution when it is presented.

Good luck.

 

RESULT:
Okay. I've called and spoken directly with Tom. (Had to do it from my cellphone because he wouldn't talk on my company line which is recorded...)

No refund for the HD Dice unit because it was a "known issue". I sure didn't know it at the time or I wouldn't have purchased it. But apparently it was going on in the forums somewhere prior to my purchase...

So, my advice boys and girls, is to never accept "we're working on the problem". Install it and if it doesn't work on day one, pack it up and return it. Immediately.

As to Tom's decision to not accept a return on the Dice. It's his call and he's completely within his rights. I'm just not sure I'd do the same thing in his place.

Hmmmmm...

-Scott

(And by the way, I'm keeping my upgraded HU because it's required to use the Bluetooth which is, by the way, pretty nice.)

 

I have the OEM SIRIUS unit. Will the Ipod work with it. As a "passthrough"? I still want to keep my SIRIUS and have my iPod.

 

Yes, you will need the Sirius-specific kit to utilize both devices:

DICE iPod Integration Kit for Mini Cooper with Sirius
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=315

Each will come up as separate modes on your MINI radio.

 

I recently purchased a case for my nano. The case has a opening at the bottom for the headphone and the dock connector. Both fits just fine.

But the connector for the Dice is too big making the case useless. Is there some sort of a adapter around?

 

We have a smaller, more streamlined connector now:



This is the same dimensions as the original iPod connector. We have these on the site also:

DICE BlackOut iPod Dock Connector Cable
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=232

 

I need a little clarification. My wife went to the Mini Dealer today to buy me an IPod adaptor for my 06 MC. They gave her a real song and dance. They needed the vin number of the car, and said there was no way I could install it because it had to be programmed to work with my steering wheel. By the way, my head unit is the stock, non HK.

Am I right in assuming that the Dice is an afermarket unit and is significantly different from the unit my Mini Dealer is trying to sell me. He told my wife it would take between 2-3 hours of there shop time at $100/hr to install it.

From what I've read above the DICE is a snap to install. Right???

 

Looks like your dealer really gave you the song and dance. The Dice is far superior to the factory adapter no question.

The two main advantage the Dice have is full scrolling text display and full access to your own playlists. With the factory adapter, you only have access to 5 playlists.

The install is not exactly a snap. First I had to plug in the wiring harness to the CD changer plug in the passenger side cubby in the boot. Then route the wire to the front of the car. I tucked mine first under the rear seat then under the side trim along the passenger side door. Then the main module was zip tied under the dash. Then the ipod dock wire was routed to the area under the toggle switches.

 

Ok so I need a Dice unit. How do I know that my 2006 Mini Cooper with the basic stereo is pre wired for a factory CD changer?