Radio Upgrade Help

[edldrummer]

I'm gonna swap my stock deck out my '01 LS. It's the Alpine with 6 disk changer in the glove box and "subs" in the trunk.

The good people at Sonic Electrnix told me all the parts I'll need. But I'm worried about 2 things:

-Will using an aftermarket deck affect the use of the LS's external amps?
-How do I separate the climate control module from the radio so it's still usable?

If you're interested in the new deck, check it out!
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item...-Stereo-Controlled-by-iPhone-3G-3GS-4-4S.html

 

[LS4me]

I'm gonna swap my stock deck out my '01 LS. It's the Alpine with 6 disk changer in the glove box and "subs" in the trunk.

The good people at Sonic Electrnix told me all the parts I'll need. But I'm worried about 2 things:

-Will using an aftermarket deck affect the use of the LS's external amps?
-How do I separate the climate control module from the radio so it's still usable?

If you're interested in the new deck, check it out!
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item...-Stereo-Controlled-by-iPhone-3G-3GS-4-4S.html

That's an awful lot of money for something that needs an iPhone to work! You will also lose your steering wheel controls. Seems like a step (or 100) backwards as you need to manually change "stations".

 

[edldrummer]

That's an awful lot of money for something that needs an iPhone to work! You will also lose your steering wheel controls. Seems like a step (or 100) backwards as you need to manually change "stations".

Steering wheel controls are kept. In fact that was the selling point for me on this over another deck that looks nicer.

I really like the idea of using my phone as navigation actually on the center console and the app that runs the deck has super customizable EQ which is a big plus for me. Also, taking calls should be a better experience all around.

Any answers to either of my questions?

Oh yeah, I failed to mention that the left output of my stock deck is going out too.

 

[blwnbyu]

Steering wheel controls are kept. In fact that was the selling point for me on this over another deck that looks nicer.

I really like the idea of using my phone as navigation actually on the center console and the app that runs the deck has super customizable EQ which is a big plus for me. Also, taking calls should be a better experience all around.

Any answers to either of my questions?

Oh yeah, I failed to mention that the left output of my stock deck is going out too.

You will need the steering wheel controls adapter to retain your factory steering controls.

I used the PAC SWIC IIRC

 

[BlackLS06]

Honestly that's too much for an iPhone only deck. Kenwood and pioneer decks will allow you to run the navigation from your phone on them and you won't be restricted to just iPhone.

 

[joegr]

...-Will using an aftermarket deck affect the use of the LS's external amps?
-How do I separate the climate control module from the radio so it's still usable?
...

If you are changing out the subs, you should probably change out the amp too.

You pull the stock radio and climate control out as one piece. Once you have them out, you can easily separate the two (it looks like a one piece faceplate, but it is really two pieces).

 

[1LoudLS]

as mentioned, you will need an adapter to retain the steering wheel controls for radios that support it (most radios about the cheapest models should support them)

-Will using an aftermarket deck affect the use of the LS's external amps?

no, you just need to use the extra plug for the subs (aka get the right harness)

-How do I separate the climate control module from the radio so it's still usable?

by unscrewing them.



not trying to be a stereo snob here, but that deck is trash. for that kind of money you can buy a really nice stereos with great features, that will actually sound great and last. get a good radio that has BT and usb and you will have no problem getting you iphone to work great with it. hell a lot with even bigger and better screens.

but most important, you dont want to get locked in to HAVING to use a certian model of phone, heavens forbid that apple go and do something crazy like make a small change to any of their models that make any and all accessories you have for the device, completely useless... oh wait...

 

[blwnbyu]

as mentioned, you will need an adapter to retain the steering wheel controls for radios that support it (most radios about the cheapest models should support them)
no, you just need to use the extra plug for the subs (aka get the right harness)


by unscrewing them.



not trying to be a stereo snob here, but that deck is trash. for that kind of money you can buy a really nice stereos with great features, that will actually sound great and last. get a good radio that has BT and usb and you will have no problem getting you iphone to work great with it. hell a lot with even bigger and better screens.

but most important, you dont want to get locked in to HAVING to use a certian model of phone, heavens forbid that apple go and do something crazy like make a small change to any of their models that make any and all accessories you have for the device, completely useless... oh wait...

+1 You can get a nice Kenwood, Alpine, or Pioneer for the same price with iphone/ipod/usb connectivity. I would definitely stay away from that one.

 

[reaper76]

++++++1000 that deck is not quality at all? I can say this because I have a friend/coworker that tried it! It feels very cheap. Also his had issues with locking up as well,causing him to have to pull the iphone and redock it. Just a pain in the butt if you ask me. I agree with the majority here in saying buy a name brand!

 

[edldrummer]

++++++1000 that deck is not quality at all? I can say this because I have a friend/coworker that tried it! It feels very cheap. Also his had issues with locking up as well,causing him to have to pull the iphone and redock it. Just a pain in the butt if you ask me. I agree with the majority here in saying buy a name brand!

Thanks for the info. I contacted the company, they had amazing customer service, BUT, if it has been proven to be a poor product I'd stay away from it. Any suggestions to a specific deck with either iPod connectivity and retains navigation from the iPhone?

 

[edldrummer]

Thanks for everybody's input!
So what is a good deck for under $300 that has iPhone integration, including phone, navigation, and capable of the steering wheel controls (with adapter obviously) to control music?

 

[prophaci]

Heres what I'm getting my hands on... and it does everything you need in this car short of wipe your arse with gold toilet paper...

http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DDX41...TF8&colid=2TEBQYRJPFFXD&coliid=I2AE3IS1CY18TN