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Don't do it |
October 12, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
Mike
from Nevada
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I agree with the previous review. The install was fairly easy as it is a plug and play affair. The unit does not perform as I would have expected. If I take out my ipod I must reconnect the unit and turn off my car and restart for it to identify the unit. That is a problem if you want to switch the unit with your kids or friends while driving. I also get an engine whistle or hum through the stereo now.
I called technical support for the unit and he seemed nice but I still have no idea what he was saying. His suggestion, I think, was to take out the unit and disconnect it with the car off and then reinstall it.
I would definately return the unit if would have kept the boxes.
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When it Works, It's Great! |
July 10, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
Bob
from Flanders, NJ
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I was VERY hopeful when I purchased this unit to play my iPod Classic through the factory system in my 2003 Taurus [with 6-disc external CD Changer]. I took it to a local installer and it was done within an hour.
My problem [and the reason I may be returning this product] is that the radio either takes a very long time to "recognize" the iPod OR doesn't recognize it at all.
Per directions, I make sure the radio is on...connect the iPod and when the iPod screen says, "OK to Disconnect" I keep hitting the "CD" button....sometimes it will recognize after 12 or more hits....sometimes I have to disconnect and re-connect 3-5 times [20+ hits each]...one day it wouldn't work at all.
Sitting in the driveway for 15 minutes trying to get this to work isn't my idea of fun.
When it works, it's great though. [small consolation]
Trying for a couple more days and the Crutchfield tech said to be the installers disconnected the CD changer when installing and I have to have them check that. If it was installed correctly, it will be returned.
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Excellent Product |
May 24, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
Dave
from St. Peters, MO
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This is an excellent product that was easy to install and sounds great. I even used the manufacturers tech support and they were helpful and accessible. I installed this in my 2000 Lincoln LS and it was a snap. I highly recommend this product if you want to use your MP3 player with your manufacturers head unit.
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March 25, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
tbonifie
from Portland, OR
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I had really high hopes for this thing, installation was simple as advertised in my 1999 Ford Expedition. But I have one major and three minor problems with it:
Major: After installing it, I turned on the electricals in my car (didn't start the engine), plugged in my iPhone, and played a few samples. At some point, I decided to start the engine and the iPhone just died. I played with the iPhone for a long time, finally managed to boot it up, but it just kept crashing and was electrically dead this morning. Fortunately, I went to the Apple store and they replaced it under warranty today without asking too many questions.
Minor 1: Volume too low - has already been stated so I won't stress the point.
Minor 2: Seems to lose the link with my wife's iPod every 10-15 minutes, which leaves the radio blasting at full volume due to "Minor 1" above...
Minor 3: when I first plugged in the iPhone yesterday, it was charging fine, but no longer charges my wife's ipod now.
New method (until I send it back, unfortunately) is to make sure the ipod is plugged in AFTER the car is started and radio is on, and then to make sure to unplug the iPod before turning off either the car or the radio.
You'd think they would've put some type of surge protection in this unit to keep it from frying the iPod... I can imagine several cases where you might (intentionally or not) start the engine while the iPod is connected.
Sadly, I'll be returning this and still looking for a better alternative...
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Better than FM Transmitter |
March 22, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
Tony
from Middleton, WI
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I've use a few different FM transmitters over the past 5 years and became frustrated with their flaky operation and poor sound quality. I put this USA-Spec product in my 2002 Ford Escape about 2 weeks ago. I have the 6-disc in-dash head unit (without MACH). I consider myself technically inclined (wired my home with ethernet), but I've never done any work on cars. The instructions and tools included by Crutchfield made installation ridiculously easy. Probably took me an hour at most, double-checking my work. I decided to put the USA-Spec in the glove box. I have the cable going to the iPod taped on the side of the passenger-side of the center console and my iPod nano in one of the cubby holes.
Operationally, the sound quality beats any of my previous FM transmitters hands-down. My particular unit has the "Playlist" and "Direct" modes (not "Hybrid"). That was somewhat disappointing. I have not been able to get "Playlist" mode to work properly and I prefer to use the controls of my 1st gen iPod Nano to select playlists anyway. Even in "Direct" mode, I am able to use the head unit control to fast-forward and reverse (handy in podcasts) and also to skip forward and back tracks. One quirk I quickly realized is that the iPod cannot be asleep before starting my Escape, otherwise it is not recognized ("Magazine not found"). Similarly, if my Escape is already running I cannot connect the iPod and have it recognized without turning off the ignition and restarting.
Pros: Easy installation. Excellent sound quality. Allows you to keep the "factory look."
Cons: Expensive for what you get. "Playlist" mode does not work properly.
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