UPDATE: 8/9/10
I have read that the newest batch of PXAMGs now include the IOS4 jumper board installed. If you are looking to purchase an Ipod solution, this is IMO the best device on the market.
I only wish it had scrolling text.
If yours is more than a month or two old...
Unfortunately, the without the ios4 authentication board, a PXAMG connected to *any* device running iOS4, continuously produces the dreaded "accessory not supported" error until it's disconnected.
So... don't update to OS4 until the fix is procured.
You have to purchase an authentication jumper from PAC
Info:
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=276&CategoryID=36
Jumper:
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=1003&CategoryID=22
Install video
[yt]9uo_YNlrfW4[/yt]
This is a review of the PXAMG Media Gateway, aka iSimple Media Gateway
COST: ~$150
RETAIL SOURCE ~ Best Buy and others.
Install difficulty: 2 wrench
(no special tools or knowledge required, some disassembly required)
Tools required: 7mm socket for OEM radio removal
Generic picture:
My Ranking:
Ease of install: 5 stars
Ease of use: 4.8 stars
Full functionality of ipod and iphone: 4.7 stars
Audio Quality: 5 stars
Common Questions:
Compatible with Touch screen NAV (TNR)? YES
Compatible with non touchscreen nav (INR)? YES
Compatible with 6-disc radio? YES
Compatible with Rear Audio? YES (limited- see notes)
Compatible with Steering Wheel Controls? YES
Compatible with OEM XM? YES
Requires OEM XM to work? NO - just has to be xm compatible
Support for SIRIUS? YES - replace AUXIN w/ Sirius SCC1 Tuner + PXAMGSR cable
HD Radio Support? YES Optional module replaces AUX-IN - not tested
Software Upgradeable by end user? YES
Charging Support for Iphone 3g, Touch 2g, and 4g/5g Nano? YES
Support included if recently purchased, new cable available ($20?) to retrofit older models
PLAYLIST LIMITATIONS? NO -UNLIMITED playlists and quantity possible
DISPLAY TYPE? SINGLE TEXT LINE
PAUSES ON KEY/RADIO OFF? YES
LAST TRACK/PLAYLIST MEMORY? YES
FAST FORWARD AND REWIND? YES - But not usefully so.
Install review/tips:
PXAMG (gm5)
I literally installed mine while parked on a sidestreet waiting for my son to get out of school. install time was about 20-30 minutes.
Requires a 7mm socket for OEM radio removal. It helps to have a pick tool if running the cable out of the center console somewhere.
Included in the package are two (2) Fully Plug N Play (PnP) adapters, the GM5 (ours) and the later 07+ adapter harness. Make sure you use the correct one.
Both are true plug n play, the adapter harness goes in between the existing connector and the radio. This means no soldering or scotch-locking wires as with some earlier adapters.
WARNING: PLEASE READ THE DIRECTIONS! THE IPOD CABLE GOES TO A SPECIFIC CONNECTOR.
Tip: I put the bubble wrap back on the module after plugging in the adapter harness, the ipod cable and the aux in cable (terminates in both mini-headphone jack + rca).
I then tucked the module away in the upper left corner of the radio bay, towards and above the gauge cluster. I have experienced no rattles and no 'overheating' of the module.
HOW TO USE: (6 disc - no xm)
Basically you use the band button to shuffle thru radio bands and you will find IPOD appears on screen. You use a combo of the rotary selector to scroll thru slections, preset 3 as the "yes" or "enter" button, and 4 as the "menu" button, while skip forward and back change tracks like a cd.
Example:
I want to listen to a Song by the Band LUSH on my ipod but am listening to CD
BAND (repeat until ipod appears)
(selector -> ipd1)
wait ~1 second, barely audible click as engages and syncs devices
4 ( to access ipod menu)
selector -> artist (or playlist)
3 (enter)
selector -> Lush
3 (enter)
selector -> ALBM: ALL (or ALBM: Ciao)
3 (enter)
selector -> TRK:ALL (or TRK: For Love)
3 (enter)
track begins playing.
Push the button in the middle of the rotary selector to view artist name, song etc while playing.
It sounds complex in writing, but is no different than drilling down thru the menus on a regular ipod to get to a specific song.
Since it has unlimited playlist support, I generally set up playlists by band or category (90's hits A-B, 80's top 100, Jamiroquai, Rap OG, etc) with 50-60 songs, then choose artist: all and album: all
It does remember what song you were on IF YOUR IPOD IS NOT PLAYING SOMETHING WHEN YOU PLUG IT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE... if you are it continues playing what you were listening to.
REAR AUDIO SUPPORTED (sort of)
And I just discovered yesterday that I CAN access the ipod/aux in on the headphone jacks in the rear.
I was playing around today with my 3 year old, who is a BIG fan of 'Boom Boom POW" by B.E.P., and had two sets of head phones on hand... long story short as I was changing rear modes to turn the CD on for him while I listened to ipod up front, I stumbled across the Ipod audio on the headsets, though the REAR display still showed the last radio station tuned.
ie 104.3 came up TWICE, once with Ipod audio and Ipod skip forward/back control, and once as Fm radio.
it shows up as a radio station but the audio IS Ipod or aux (which ever the head unit left it on).
USER NOTES:
You can not Use Aux in the rear and Ipod up front simultaneously.
You can not select playlists etc from the rear controls, but the main radio can set them for the rear passenger, exit ipod mode, and then rear passengers can skip tracks within a playlist themselves.
You can still use the iPhone for apps, calls, etc. it only locks out the 'iPod' app on the phone. However, audio on other apps and the ringer will mute the ipod music.
MY THOUGHTS ON ACCESSORY MODULES FOR SIRIUS AND HD RADIO:
You can Add either HD radio, OR Sirius to the OEM radio with additional modules, but not both at once. they both have text support so you get artist title etc.
EITHER MODULE requires giving up the aux-in.
I have not tested ether one, so i have no idea how/if they would show up on the rear controls, My guess is the same as the ipod, no display W/ skip ahead tuning.
HD radio is a separate tuner, and thus you have to relocate the OEM antenna to it, which means you lose the regular FM radio for for the main radio and rear passengers... unless you install a second Antenna to keep normal FM working.
I have read that the newest batch of PXAMGs now include the IOS4 jumper board installed. If you are looking to purchase an Ipod solution, this is IMO the best device on the market.
I only wish it had scrolling text.
If yours is more than a month or two old...
Unfortunately, the without the ios4 authentication board, a PXAMG connected to *any* device running iOS4, continuously produces the dreaded "accessory not supported" error until it's disconnected.
So... don't update to OS4 until the fix is procured.
You have to purchase an authentication jumper from PAC
Info:
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=276&CategoryID=36
Jumper:
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=1003&CategoryID=22
Install video
[yt]9uo_YNlrfW4[/yt]
This is a review of the PXAMG Media Gateway, aka iSimple Media Gateway
COST: ~$150
RETAIL SOURCE ~ Best Buy and others.
Install difficulty: 2 wrench
(no special tools or knowledge required, some disassembly required)
Tools required: 7mm socket for OEM radio removal
Generic picture:
My Ranking:
Ease of install: 5 stars
Ease of use: 4.8 stars
Full functionality of ipod and iphone: 4.7 stars
Audio Quality: 5 stars
Common Questions:
Compatible with Touch screen NAV (TNR)? YES
Compatible with non touchscreen nav (INR)? YES
Compatible with 6-disc radio? YES
Compatible with Rear Audio? YES (limited- see notes)
Compatible with Steering Wheel Controls? YES
Compatible with OEM XM? YES
Requires OEM XM to work? NO - just has to be xm compatible
Support for SIRIUS? YES - replace AUXIN w/ Sirius SCC1 Tuner + PXAMGSR cable
HD Radio Support? YES Optional module replaces AUX-IN - not tested
Software Upgradeable by end user? YES
Charging Support for Iphone 3g, Touch 2g, and 4g/5g Nano? YES
Support included if recently purchased, new cable available ($20?) to retrofit older models
PLAYLIST LIMITATIONS? NO -UNLIMITED playlists and quantity possible
DISPLAY TYPE? SINGLE TEXT LINE
PAUSES ON KEY/RADIO OFF? YES
LAST TRACK/PLAYLIST MEMORY? YES
FAST FORWARD AND REWIND? YES - But not usefully so.
Install review/tips:
PXAMG (gm5)
I literally installed mine while parked on a sidestreet waiting for my son to get out of school. install time was about 20-30 minutes.
Requires a 7mm socket for OEM radio removal. It helps to have a pick tool if running the cable out of the center console somewhere.
Included in the package are two (2) Fully Plug N Play (PnP) adapters, the GM5 (ours) and the later 07+ adapter harness. Make sure you use the correct one.
Both are true plug n play, the adapter harness goes in between the existing connector and the radio. This means no soldering or scotch-locking wires as with some earlier adapters.
WARNING: PLEASE READ THE DIRECTIONS! THE IPOD CABLE GOES TO A SPECIFIC CONNECTOR.
Tip: I put the bubble wrap back on the module after plugging in the adapter harness, the ipod cable and the aux in cable (terminates in both mini-headphone jack + rca).
I then tucked the module away in the upper left corner of the radio bay, towards and above the gauge cluster. I have experienced no rattles and no 'overheating' of the module.
HOW TO USE: (6 disc - no xm)
Basically you use the band button to shuffle thru radio bands and you will find IPOD appears on screen. You use a combo of the rotary selector to scroll thru slections, preset 3 as the "yes" or "enter" button, and 4 as the "menu" button, while skip forward and back change tracks like a cd.
Example:
I want to listen to a Song by the Band LUSH on my ipod but am listening to CD
BAND (repeat until ipod appears)
(selector -> ipd1)
wait ~1 second, barely audible click as engages and syncs devices
4 ( to access ipod menu)
selector -> artist (or playlist)
3 (enter)
selector -> Lush
3 (enter)
selector -> ALBM: ALL (or ALBM: Ciao)
3 (enter)
selector -> TRK:ALL (or TRK: For Love)
3 (enter)
track begins playing.
Push the button in the middle of the rotary selector to view artist name, song etc while playing.
It sounds complex in writing, but is no different than drilling down thru the menus on a regular ipod to get to a specific song.
Since it has unlimited playlist support, I generally set up playlists by band or category (90's hits A-B, 80's top 100, Jamiroquai, Rap OG, etc) with 50-60 songs, then choose artist: all and album: all
It does remember what song you were on IF YOUR IPOD IS NOT PLAYING SOMETHING WHEN YOU PLUG IT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE... if you are it continues playing what you were listening to.
REAR AUDIO SUPPORTED (sort of)
And I just discovered yesterday that I CAN access the ipod/aux in on the headphone jacks in the rear.
I was playing around today with my 3 year old, who is a BIG fan of 'Boom Boom POW" by B.E.P., and had two sets of head phones on hand... long story short as I was changing rear modes to turn the CD on for him while I listened to ipod up front, I stumbled across the Ipod audio on the headsets, though the REAR display still showed the last radio station tuned.
ie 104.3 came up TWICE, once with Ipod audio and Ipod skip forward/back control, and once as Fm radio.
it shows up as a radio station but the audio IS Ipod or aux (which ever the head unit left it on).
USER NOTES:
You can not Use Aux in the rear and Ipod up front simultaneously.
You can not select playlists etc from the rear controls, but the main radio can set them for the rear passenger, exit ipod mode, and then rear passengers can skip tracks within a playlist themselves.
You can still use the iPhone for apps, calls, etc. it only locks out the 'iPod' app on the phone. However, audio on other apps and the ringer will mute the ipod music.
MY THOUGHTS ON ACCESSORY MODULES FOR SIRIUS AND HD RADIO:
You can Add either HD radio, OR Sirius to the OEM radio with additional modules, but not both at once. they both have text support so you get artist title etc.
EITHER MODULE requires giving up the aux-in.
I have not tested ether one, so i have no idea how/if they would show up on the rear controls, My guess is the same as the ipod, no display W/ skip ahead tuning.
HD radio is a separate tuner, and thus you have to relocate the OEM antenna to it, which means you lose the regular FM radio for for the main radio and rear passengers... unless you install a second Antenna to keep normal FM working.
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