steering wheel controls & 'Aux' input compatibility.

[FRIbiza2007]

I would like to install a new headunit (currently Alana) in my Ibiza but dont want to lose functionality in my steering wheel controls or 'Aux' input (next to the handbrake lever). could anyone recommend a setup which will allow me to change the headunit without losing these factory installed controls.

Iv already tried posting in the 'ICE' section with no luck.

Please Help!

 

[mhill]

The wheal mount controls are easily sorted but im not sure on the aux situation, does this appear to the head unit as a c.d. changer?

 

[Nath.]

check this out, BTW it can illuminate red too >>>>http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...1516_crumb_31265-31371_parentcategoryrn_31516

Also don't bother with the aux in as this HU has proper ipod compatability as in it powers on/off, navigates and charges it from the HU
then it comes with a steering wheel lead as well

check out the pics of it in a mk4

 

[victory2007]

check this out, BTW it can illuminate red too >>>>http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...1516_crumb_31265-31371_parentcategoryrn_31516

Also don't bother with the aux in as this HU has proper ipod compatability as in it powers on/off, navigates and charges it from the HU
then it comes with a steering wheel lead as well

check out the pics of it in a mk4

did you buy that from halfords mate, as it doesnt state if the steering wheel control interface comes with?

 

[mhill]

That looks rather smart, is it me or are Alpine units all designed for the left hand drive market?

is that a Sony Ericssson Bluetooth car kit on the left of the center console?

 

[Nath.]

yup

 

[Nath.]

did you buy that from halfords mate, as it doesnt state if the steering wheel control interface comes with?

no not halfrauds but yes it did come with it in the box

 

[mhill]

yup

Any good, whats fitting like?

 

[Nath.]

Any good, whats fitting like?

the kit is top notch IMO works faultlessly and the control pad is very small and neat, as you can see in the pic

fitting is well easy just permanent live, earth then an ignition switched live (I took all of this from the head unit wiring)

then pair your phone and off you go

you can pair up to 6 phones to it and swap between them with the press of 1 button
also you can choose any colour led you want to represent your phone and even tune the colour to match your dash illumination of your car exactly

sound quality both ways is high quality even on the motorway

a very very good hands free kit for £50, maybe even cheaper on ebay

 

[pg glasgow]

you can buy steering wheel control interfaces for most of the popular makes,pioneer, sony ect.
i just fitted an alpine unit with steering wheel controls.they come in two parts and cost around £40 and work fine. if you are buying a new head unit then chances are it will have an aux in or as mentioned ipod compatibility you just need an additional lead to plug them in these cost around £15

 

[mhill]

the kit is top notch IMO works faultlessly and the control pad is very small and neat, as you can see in the pic

fitting is well easy just permanent live, earth then an ignition switched live (I took all of this from the head unit wiring)

then pair your phone and off you go

you can pair up to 6 phones to it and swap between them with the press of 1 button
also you can choose any colour led you want to represent your phone and even tune the colour to match your dash illumination of your car exactly

sound quality both ways is high quality even on the motorway

a very very good hands free kit for £50, maybe even cheaper on ebay

is it the 300 or 400, does it use the car audio for the sound output and where did you put the microphone? (sorry for the 21 questions)

 

[Nath.]

is it the 300 or 400, does it use the car audio for the sound output and where did you put the microphone? (sorry for the 21 questions)

it is the HCB-400 and I put the mic next to the interior light


with regard to using the car audio, IMO "DON'T"

the speaker that comes in the kit is tuned for voices and does'nt sound muffled like car audio systems seem to as they designed for bass and stuff

ever wondered why the traffic reports on the radio are deliberatly set to a spoken word EQ setting ??

also with car audio systems you may get the volume too loud and the person you are talking too will get an echo of their own voice through your mic

just use the speaker that comes in the kit and make sure the speaker direction is away from your mic (down in the footwell works fine for me)

 

[mhill]

any ideas on the difference between the 300 & 400?

 

[Nath.]

any ideas on the difference between the 300 & 400?

400 is quicker to connect or swap phones and is compatable with more phones than the 300

 

[FRIbiza2007]

thanks for that nathwarr, that headunit looks 'the tits' Its payday today aswell so deffo thinking of making a purchase! is the alana headunit easy to remove? and also, will i need a fascia adapter or wiring adapter for it?

 

[mhill]

thanks for that nathwarr, that headunit looks 'the tits' Its payday today aswell so deffo thinking of making a purchase! is the alana headunit easy to remove? and also, will i need a fascia adapter or wiring adapter for it?

No wiring adapter is needed but you may need to swap the red and yellow live wires around and no facia adaptor is needed, the Alana unit should come out with some cut up strips of credit card or your dealer should remove it for free!

 

[Mr_Dave]

How does the AUX input work? Is it effectively just a jack plug with a pair of phonos on the other end? Or is it some kind of special adapter for the beeza headunit? Only ask as the brain for my Alpine has a phono Aux-In and it'd be nice to link the car up to the unit directly!