BSeery
08-15-2006, 02:06 PM
I ordered an auxiliary input converter for my truck and thought I would give a review.
I was installing an aftermarket XM radio (Tao) and have also done this with the Roady2 in my wife's Toyota.
The input converter takes the signal from the XM or any player with a 3.5 MM stereo jack via a splitter cable that splits to two RCA male jacks. The converter then inputs that signal into the factory radio and plays it over the AUX1 / AUX2 option.
My truck is a 2003 with the in-dash 6 cd changer, On-Star and Bose. I used a P.I.E. GM12-AUXV2 that I purchased from Logjam electronics for $ 69.95. You will also need the 3.5 MM stereo to dual male RCA cable, but I already had one. Get one from Radio Shack, it's cheaper than Logjam's cable.
I also mounted this with a bracket made specifically for my truck from Pro-Fit (http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/page1.html) for $39.95. I recommend the VSM Legend which includes a swivel mount. This mounts the XM / MP3 player to the right of the a/c duct that is just to the right of the radio.
To do the install you remove the gage cluster surround / trim. The instructions with the VSM show how to do this and the VSM mounts with 2 screws that are already there from the factory. Just undo them, put the mount in place, and put the bolts back in.
To install the input converter the radio must come out. The directions with the converter are complete and easy to follow. I tucked the converter and all the wires in the dead space between the a/c duct and the top of the dash, there was plenty of room.
Extend the power wires from the input converter and tap them into the constant power and ground for the cigarette lighter with some wire taps. Test and put everything back together. Took 1 hour.
I ran the XM antenna wire from the radio through the gage console to the fuse box on the drivers side. Then I ran it up behind the weather-stripping and followed the seal at the top of the windshield and placed it just in front of my existing On Star antenna. The wire is tucked away very nicely and will never be seen again.
The converter works very nicely. Before I was using a FM modulator and was always getting static, cross signals and always had to hunt for an open channel. Now I just hit the steering wheel mounted button (or the one on the radio) and select AUX1 / AUX2 and my XM / MP3 player comes in loud an clear with a lot more bass than before. Well worth the $70 for the converter and the $40 for the mount. It all looks and works like a high end professional install.
I was installing an aftermarket XM radio (Tao) and have also done this with the Roady2 in my wife's Toyota.
The input converter takes the signal from the XM or any player with a 3.5 MM stereo jack via a splitter cable that splits to two RCA male jacks. The converter then inputs that signal into the factory radio and plays it over the AUX1 / AUX2 option.
My truck is a 2003 with the in-dash 6 cd changer, On-Star and Bose. I used a P.I.E. GM12-AUXV2 that I purchased from Logjam electronics for $ 69.95. You will also need the 3.5 MM stereo to dual male RCA cable, but I already had one. Get one from Radio Shack, it's cheaper than Logjam's cable.
I also mounted this with a bracket made specifically for my truck from Pro-Fit (http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/page1.html) for $39.95. I recommend the VSM Legend which includes a swivel mount. This mounts the XM / MP3 player to the right of the a/c duct that is just to the right of the radio.
To do the install you remove the gage cluster surround / trim. The instructions with the VSM show how to do this and the VSM mounts with 2 screws that are already there from the factory. Just undo them, put the mount in place, and put the bolts back in.
To install the input converter the radio must come out. The directions with the converter are complete and easy to follow. I tucked the converter and all the wires in the dead space between the a/c duct and the top of the dash, there was plenty of room.
Extend the power wires from the input converter and tap them into the constant power and ground for the cigarette lighter with some wire taps. Test and put everything back together. Took 1 hour.
I ran the XM antenna wire from the radio through the gage console to the fuse box on the drivers side. Then I ran it up behind the weather-stripping and followed the seal at the top of the windshield and placed it just in front of my existing On Star antenna. The wire is tucked away very nicely and will never be seen again.
The converter works very nicely. Before I was using a FM modulator and was always getting static, cross signals and always had to hunt for an open channel. Now I just hit the steering wheel mounted button (or the one on the radio) and select AUX1 / AUX2 and my XM / MP3 player comes in loud an clear with a lot more bass than before. Well worth the $70 for the converter and the $40 for the mount. It all looks and works like a high end professional install.