xcarlink vs grom vs others

[isdf]

Hi,

I am wanting to be able to play mp3s in my 2005 Accord Euro Luxury. Having done a bit of research, there are two ways to do it;

1. installing a head unit below the centre console or
2. an adapter for use with iPod/USB

At this stage, my preferred method is number 2 (easy and quick to remove when returning to stock + cheaper).

The most popular accessory to cater for this on this forum seems to be xcarlink.

Here is a summary of my research of xcarlink below:

xcarlink
+
steering wheel controls work
can play mp3s

-
hissing sound or whining noise
no song titles (and so would be hard to find a song)

I really would not like to 'put up' with the hissing and would rather see if there was something out there that was better.

My question is, has anyone else used alternatives (like grom: http://www.gromaudio.com/usb.html), etc that may out perform the xcarlink?

isdf

[doosra]

of course there's gonna be no song title as the stock head unit is a cd player not mp3, hence will not cater for titles..

the xcarlink is a good product.. i dont really hear much hissing. i find it quite clear..

[crinchi]

u rarely hear the hissing noise unless u dled some heaps dodgey quality mp3 song.. find it funni how the hissing gets louder when u hit the throttle... neone else notice that

[scott1e]

I am also contemplating setting up the xcarlink in my car - surely the ability to charge your iPod/iPhone and play mp3's through the stock system far outweighs any intermittent hissing sounds?

xcarlink does charge the iPod/iPhone right?

[doosra]

my xcarlihnk charges my itouch and the 1st gen iphone (2G), but it didn't charge the 3g iphone..

[euromandeluxe]

my xcarlihnk charges my itouch and the 1st gen iphone (2G), but it didn't charge the 3g iphone..

hmm, on this topic...

are there any products (like the xcarlink) that can function as ipod integration kits AND as bluetooth sets for calls for the iphone 3G?

it'd be awesome if there was a product that plugs into the back of the headunit which could play your music on your iPhone with full steering wheel controls, and then function as a bluetooth system for handfree calls using the car's speaker system and a small microphone.

any such thing?

[scott1e]

my xcarlihnk charges my itouch and the 1st gen iphone (2G), but it didn't charge the 3g iphone..

Mmmm this could be a problem... can anyone else confirm or deny they have this same problem?

[felixd]

just get a mp 3 headunit :D from jb hifi or sumthing

[aaronng]

u rarely hear the hissing noise unless u dled some heaps dodgey quality mp3 song.. find it funni how the hissing gets louder when u hit the throttle... neone else notice that

It's not hissing, it's a whining sound. And it appears worst when you are inbetween songs where there is nothing being played, but the background electronic noise. On mine, it sounds like a supercharger. Noticeable when the volume is set above 10.

[aaronng]

hmm, on this topic...

are there any products (like the xcarlink) that can function as ipod integration kits AND as bluetooth sets for calls for the iphone 3G?

it'd be awesome if there was a product that plugs into the back of the headunit which could play your music on your iPhone with full steering wheel controls, and then function as a bluetooth system for handfree calls using the car's speaker system and a small microphone.

any such thing?

I remember seeing one that had a bluetooth handsfree function and had a microphone input. You had to route the microphone around the trim, but the function was there.

[doosra]

i can't actually hear any hissing on mine..

[huey888]

I don't get any hissing or whining at all with my xcarlink.
However, I've also installed an Alpine PDX4150 amp and they had to fit line-level reducers. From memory there may have been a whining noise detected during installation, but I think line-level reducers may have eliminated this noise as well.

[scott1e]

Mmmm this could be a problem... can anyone else confirm or deny they have this same problem?

I have confirmed that the devices on offer Sydney Installers (http://www.sydneyinstallers.com) WILL charge iPhone 3G.

I have also been assured that having this unit installed will not effect my CD changer.

Harry from Sydney Installers will do the unit plus installation in Sydney for $200 flat (which seems fair to me).

Anyone seen better?

[lilwilliam]

Mmmm this could be a problem... can anyone else confirm or deny they have this same problem?

i have an ipod version of xcarlink, Charges my Iphone 3g no probs. havent tried others though

[euromandeluxe]

i have an ipod version of xcarlink, Charges my Iphone 3g no probs. havent tried others though

so does the iphone behave normally even when its plugged into the xcarlink or does it go into that 'remote device control' mode where you can't use the screen?

what happens if the iphone is attached to the xcarlink and music is playing, and then a call comes through?

does a normal bluetooth handset/visor handsfree bluetooth thing work alright even when plugged into the xcarlink?

21 questions!

[lilwilliam]

Works fine, even if it does go into that Ipod accessory screen u can just press the home button and use it as normal while the music is still playing :thumbsup:

[doosra]

I have confirmed that the devices on offer Sydney Installers (http://www.sydneyinstallers.com) WILL charge iPhone 3G.

I have also been assured that having this unit installed will not effect my CD changer.

Harry from Sydney Installers will do the unit plus installation in Sydney for $200 flat (which seems fair to me).

Anyone seen better?

$200.. it's not worth it.. just buy the product and install it yourself..
it is so easy..even for a novice like me.. only 4 screws.. there is a DIY off youtube which i used.... i can't seem to find the link..

You could seriously do it in 10 minutes..

can anyone locate the link?

[euromandeluxe]

I remember seeing one that had a bluetooth handsfree function and had a microphone input. You had to route the microphone around the trim, but the function was there.

hmm, are you talking about the parrot MKi9000 aaron?

anyone have any feedback on this thing?

[supagrub]

Bought mine xcarlink off ebay no problem either

[Rob_A]

I just got my xcarlink from sydneyinstallers on ebay. Its all in and working apart from the fact I only get sound from the right hand side. Is this supposed to happen ?

Rob

[angus99]

I am also looking to buy one of these. I will be using it for my iphone 3g. I also use the phone ocasionally for satnav using the Navigon app.

My question is that if i switch the car stereo to radio mode, will the sound from any apps such as satnav, revert to the iphone's built in speaker or will all sound be blocked by that fact that it is still plugged into the Xcarlink unit?

also wondered if anyone has tried one of the Gromm Audio units which look similar to the Xcarlink system

[Rob_A]

Sorted my problem. When I put the cupholder bit of the console back it I bumped the ipod plug off the module sligtly. Works fantastic now.

Yeah I have noticed the little bit of interference noise. Its hardly any issue even when I listen to speech podcasts through it.

Rob