Hi All,

I have a 2005 SE with Bose, with Sat controls, but no Sat installed.
There is an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and cassette player as well.
I don't know where to look to find out what input connectors are available in this setup.

I want to add an aux input for any stereo 3.5mm headphone jack, or if it's not too expensive, iPod integration with an additional 3.5mm jack. I don't currently own an iPod, but may get one. Other family members do have iPods. I currently plan to store my music on my soon-to-be-bought smartphone.

I'm assuming that iPod integration isn't terribly expensive to add past an aux-in option.
The iPod integration is more for others convenience. If there's an option that allows bluetooth integration with A2DP control (which would allow radio controls to work the phone via bluetooth), I think I'd like that better.

The products I'm currently looking at are:
USA Spec PA15-NIS
http://usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=30
Which seems to keep the CD changer and Sat options available. I thought that I read that it could use the radio/steering wheel controls to control an iPod, but the link doesn't specify this.

iSimple PXAMG
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails....&CategoryID=36
Which seems to take the Sat/Aux channel, and offer iPod integration and options for either aux-in, sat radio or HD radio (any 2 options). It doesn't seem to specify if the car's controls will control an iPod.

PAC-Audio uPAC-NIS1
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails....&CategoryID=22
Which seems to take the Sat/Aux channel, and offer iPod integration and either an Aux-in or HD radio. It states that the radio controls will control the iPod.

Is there anything else to consider or are these the best options?

Any help appreciated.

 

Those are the ones I know about. I've installed mainly the USA-Spec one, not too familiar with the other 2.

 

It looks like there are a couple of other aux-in only options at PAC-Audio

The iSimple PXAUX uses the Sat control to offer 2 aux-ins
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails....&CategoryID=45

The PAC Audio aPAC-NIS1 uses the Sat control to offer 2 aux ins
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails....&CategoryID=24

The PAC Audio AAI-NIS2 uses the CD changer control to offer 2 aux-ins
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails....&CategoryID=24

Is it reasonable to presume that the in-dash CD changer use the CD changer port of the head unit?

For the price difference, I may just go for iPod integration and radio controls.

I guess I can look for bluetooth options in the 6th gen forum as well. The phone can do stereo bluetooth, and I guess I can look for a 3.5mm transmitter for any other device or an iPod specific bluetooth adapter.

Ugh. Too many ways to solve this problem it seems.

 

That's a negative sir. The CD changer 'port' at the back of the HU would be utilized if you had a CD changer in the trunk. The in-dash doesn't need a port, it's already integrated. Since you don't have a CD changer in your trunk, this allows you to use the input for something auxiliary.

 

That's good news, and better than I hoped for! That gives more options.

Thanks!

 

Investigating the bluetooth options, I quickly came to Parrot and looked through their products.

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/b...-free-car-kits

The MKi9200 has a 2.4" color screen, bluetooth, iPod integration, aux-in, and SD card port.
It uses a noise cancelling dual-mic, and the only challenges I see are where to mount the screen and the microphone. Price isn't cheap, but seems reasonable. Somewhere in the $250 range for the unit and maybe another $75 for the appropriate harness for an easy install.
Not much else I could ask for.

I also looked at their RKi8400, which in my mind is essentially a bluetooth/digital music head unit. Very nice, but at $400 or so + $75 for a harness, that's pricey. To be fair, it does seem to have a very convenient layout with the number pads.

With the RKi8400 in mind, I figured why not look at head units in general. I figured that whatever integration to the Bose head unit that the Parrot systems were using could be applied to a 2nd non-Bose head unit.

Is there a relatively painless way to integrate a 2nd head unit to the Bose head unit via that Sat or CD changer input, perhaps with some of the previously mentioned PAC-Audio products?

Looking at head units, I came across head units from a company called Dual
http://www.dualav.com/mobileaudio/receivers.php

They seem to be lumped with the rest of the "junk" brands, but anywhere I can find reviews, at least their head units mainly get great "bang-for-buck" feedback (Amazon, Crutchfield, etc), and their bluetooth add-in module (BMT60) gets good reviews too.

They have a number of units that offer HD Radio, iTunes tagging, iPod integration, USB port, aux-in, and bluetooth integration (built-in or via additional module), and with another module (PAC-Audio SWI-PS) steering wheel control integration(!).

I think that pretty much wipes out the wish-list.

High-end costs are about $125-$150 for the head unit, $50 for the bluetooth module for the 2 that need it, $50 for the SWI-PS, $50-$100 for an interface to the Bose unit, and $20 for a Nissan harness from PAC. That's about $370 on the high end, but probably under $300 with some shopping.

The thing I like about the Parrot RKi8400 and head unit option is that the screen ends up in the center console instead of standing out somewhere else.

Is this a feasible approach, and are Dual products even worth considering?

 

Wow.

1st, stay away from dual.

Second, for $350, why not just get an aftermarket HU that has BT built in? Everything will interface better, you'll get rid of your crap Bose HU, the install will be less convoluted & cleaner, you'll get iPod and aux, and you'll be paying the same amount of money.

 

Hey look, a Pioneer double din HU with bluetooth, aux in, iPod, and the works - for $250.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-FH-P80.../dp/B001411BZ2

 

I forgot to consider that replacing the Bose HU was an option because of the amplified speakers... But once a certain amount of money's being spent, why not?

Thanks for the save!
(and the Pioneer recommendation)

Guilty of not searching yet, but is there a FAQ related to adapters for standard HUs with Bose speakers, or what size speakers would replace 6th gen Bose?

 

You don't need to replace the Bose speakers. This unit has 4v preouts which means you can use a Metra 70-7551 amp interface harness. The HU will work with your factory system fine. The wire harness should cost you about $9-10. You also need an antenna adapter, also $9-$10. Lastly, you'll need a dash kit. The Metra one for a 6th gen is about $35. That's about all you need for installation.

This auction has everything for $35. I'd ask them if they can swap the regular harness for the 70-7551.
http://cgi.ebay.com/METRA-99-7404-NI...item1c0e8239e3


If you don't know what you're doing, I suggest you take it to a professional for installation. I'm not too far from Philly - about an hour.

 

Thanks again for the save from the cliff's edge.
I'm looking in to how badly I want HD radio today as opposed to adding it later, than making a choice on the head unit.

 

I don't think there are many HU's out there with HD radio already built in. Most (like this Pioneer) are still modularized - an add on module (that you buy separately) that interfaces with your deck that is 'HD Radio Ready'

 

you may have a hard time finding a dashkit iirc to change out the headunit.

peripheral/isimple has a simple aux connection that runs through your antenna which allows you to create an AUX 3.5mm jack to be placed anywhere on the dash or use the ipod hook cables which can all be bought at best buy. uses a direct fm modulator for clear sound.
i install these all the time and work great. so much better than the whole ipod aux thing for the factory headunits, and waaay cheaper than replacing the whole dash.

 

Metra makes a kit.

 

www.metraonline.com

Single DIN = 99-7404

Double DIN = 95-7404S

Both available on amazon

 

Wow, $29.99 + free shipping from Amazon. That's the best deal I've seen thus far.

 

After poking around Pioneers site and reading about the FH-P8000BT/FH-P800BT, I looked at the DEH-P7100BT/DEH-P710BT.
They're roughly the same price, single DIN, and offer iTunes tagging, for what that's worth. They use the newer HD radio tuner GEX-P20HD, which seems to offer a couple of features over the older GEX-P10HD which is used with the FH-P8* HUs.

I ended up checking out crutchfield, and and advisor recommended the JVC KD-A805 from JVC's Arsenal line. The recommendation was mainly based on the lower price point and TI/Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC, which they said would make a improvement in sound. I'm not sure that my ear is blessed/cursed enough to hear the difference, but it does cost less. Any opinions on JVC head units?

Additionally, for every head unit I played with at Crutchfield, the web site recommended using the PAC OEM-2 interface module, even if the head unit had decent voltage pre outs (Pioneer 4v, JVC 5v). They hid the costs a bit by offering the OEM-2 at a discounted $15 price, and including what looks like the Metra single DIN kit, antenna adapter, and wiring harness for "free", along with Crutchfield diagrams and tech support.

p.s. - Does anyone know why manufacturers make separate products with minor feature changes, then put it under a different line and model number? The Pioneer Premier line and the JVC Arsenal line offered what I would call very minor differences to their non-premium counterparts, and had MSRPs not even 10% different. (IMHO - for both companies, just get the premium alternative for a few $ more if there's a difference at all).

 

From my experience JVC has had less than great build quality, but this Arsenal line could be different, I'm not really sure. Burr Brown DAC's are definitely a plus though.

Regarding the PAC OEM part vs Metra 70-7551, it's simply because Crutchfield does not know any better. We know the nuances of our cars which is why we can say that for those decks with higher preouts can use the 70-7551. But Crutchfield can upsell their product and simplify their process by suggesting the PAC OEM part for everyone. Considering the part is normally $40, I'd get it if it is only $15. You may change your HU in the future so there's no harm in having the device installed.

Regarding the premium line, my guess is that it's a manuf's way to get a product out there that they can claim is 'different' and 'better' than their current products, while charging a premium for it.

 

That's a good point about the PAC OEM being useful for whatever comes next.
The harness they include looks like it may be the 70-7550, without the RCA jacks, but I don't know for sure.

Even with them "hiding" the costs by including "discounted/free" stuff, the prices are pretty competitive compared to Amazon, ebay and shopping.google.com

 

Yes, 70-7550 is the 'standard' wire-only harness.

So then go for it

And, this is a shot in the dark, but I do have a perfect condition Eclipse CD3000 for sale if you're interested. It's HD ready, iPod ready, I'll include aux-in cable, and it has 5v preouts. Sound quality is great. All original manuals/packaging/box included. Significantly cheaper than what you're about to pay. I can include an antenna adapter with it. Just a thought...

 

Thanks for the offer on the Eclipse, but I'll have to pass since one of the goals was to stream bluetooth music from my soon-to-be-gotten phone, and allow the iPod-owning members of the house to use the stereo as well.

Does the unit have a GPS inside? I like the idea of downloading relevant maps as needed.

The HD radio criteria looks like it's about to fall by the wayside. I bought a portable unit today to hear what stations are available nearby and to test the quality of the signal. There are only 2 new stations I'd like to get, and an AM station I'd like to get on HD, but they are all on HD2, and can't fall back to FM when the signal's weak, which so far on one day of testing, seems to be a lot. It could be a function of the portable unit, but that seems to be a common complaint among HD Radio users. I may revisit it when either new stations arrive or receivers get a little more capable.

 

One thing I didn't think about:

With the PAC SWI-PS, I should be able to use the steering wheel controls for the head unit.

What about the center console controls such as the presets, mode, etc. Are the also part of the wired remote system to the Bose head unit, or will the go "dead" with the aftermarket head unit?

 

If you're talking about the buttons just below the info screen, the audio related buttons will go dead.

 

Back on the case after getting crushed at work for a bit...

ebay gave a good find: I managed to win a pulled KD-R900 (functionally identical, different faceplate) + HD Radio tuner + Sirius tuner + interface.
I doubt I'll use it all, but selling the castoffs used will help subsidize the cost

Back to the OEM-2 vs 70-7551, Crutchfield still has the best price on the OEM-2, even if not discounted, but I think I'll make use of the 5v pre-amp outputs instead of tweaking voltages on the OEM-2. Besides, not that my ears can hear the difference, but the freq response of the head unit goes down to 5hz, while the OEM-2 goes down to 20hz.

I think that's it for this one.

djfrestyl, thanks a lot for all the help!

 

After getting crushed at work again, I finally broke down and gave up on trying to find a weekend afternoon to try this myself. I ended up getting robbed by Best Buy to install the JVC KD-R900, HD Radio unit and steering wheel controls. I supplied the Metra kit and harnesses.

Short summary: Aftermarket head units can give much better sound quality than the Bose head unit using the same Bose amps/speakers. This from a person that wasn't dissatisfied with the Bose, but simply wanted additional functionality (bluetooth, aux-in/ipod control).
Just be sure that you consider potential drawbacks and get the best head unit for your case.

The gory details:
I was in a rush after the install and just jumped in and tried to fiddle with the controls

Compared to the Bose, radio reception is atrocious. You can hear the HD to FM transition. When HD is working, it sounds pretty good, but that's not all the time. AM is hissy. This looks like a deal-breaker. Volume from the radio is very low. I wondered at first if he actually wired it correctly.

Setting up bluetooth was fairly easy, but the 1st test call to my work voicemail was very poor. I powered the radio and phone down, and re-paired them, and every call since has been pretty clear, and people say that they can hear me clearly. The microphone's on the A-pillar instead of running up to the top of the the windshield and to the visor. I'm not sure if I want to gripe to them to relocate it or not. I didn't think about placement before the install. I don't know all the information/capabilities of bluetooth, but it automatically pairs when I get into the car, mutes and pauses music when a call starts, shows caller ID, shows battery strength of the phone, can voice dial, etc, etc. This is a pretty good blutooth integration as far as I can tell. I'm very satisfied with this functionality.

I don't like the look of the install. The Metra kit is not quite a match for the Maxima dash. It's close, and most people won't notice, but you as the owner of the car and maxima.org member will, but that's not really a problem. The cubby is black, and that's probably OK, but the face of the head unit is glossy black. It's a pretty sharp contrast to what you're used to seeing (gray/faux brushed aluminum). Additionally the head unit's not quite flush (I will gripe to them about that one). The head unit's ability to change the color of the buttons and display to match other lights/screens in the car was actually worthwile in my opinion.
Another issue is that with the single DIN unit below the cubby, when my hand is resting on the stick shift, it blocks the display. In retrospect, if the head unit was over the cubby instead of under it, it would be an improvement, IMHO. I found that I was willing to try the before-rarely-used steering wheel controls. Fortunately they seemed to work as expected. I haven't used them much before. I'll specifically test them later.

The head unit's controls (and display) are understandably much smaller than those of the Bose. My age is showing as I'm starting to see the appeal of large buttoned double-din head units. A JVC KW-XR810, double din Metra kit and a PAC audio kit to run from speaker level output might have been an interesting alternative.

I was wondering about the wisdom of whole deal until I found a CD that was in my Bose changer and put it in the player. Wow! This is a notable improvement over the Bose using the same speakers. Volume is much higher than the radio. I have to ask JVC about this one. Copying .WAV files to a USB flash drive produced the same impressive results. MP3 files sounded good too, but you could tell the difference between WAV and lower quality MP3s.

I don't own an iPod/iPhone, but I'll be testing control of the iPods in the house and the aux-in function in the very near future.

Using 20/20 hindsight with products and information available today as opposed to January, I could have gotten iPod integration + HD radio + bluetooth (for iphones only?!?) using an iSimple PXAMG + HD Radio tuner + bluetooth kit.
It would have cost me more, and the bluetooth would have been useless (I don't have an iPhone), and I'd still have the Bose head unit. On the plus side, the look would be stock, and the changer's still present, though for me the point of USB/iPod integration is to stop using the CD player one way or another.

I can get past the looks of the glossy black head unit, but the radio reception is really bad.
I use AM radio a lot for traffic reports, and sometimes I just want to listen to the radio, which is painful now. Hopefully JVC can offer some suggestions, or maybe when I upgrade to a smartphone, traffic reports over the web and Pandora may be enough to get me past this, but that's unlikely.

 

Poor radio reception: This is expected and known. Nissan/Bose uses a two-pole diversity antenna. Since aftermarket can only take one antenna input, the radio adapters converge two poles into one, which thereby reduce signal quality. One thing to check - power antenna lead is wired correctly. It's a solid blue wire coming out of the aftermarket HU. Some people add in an auxiliary powered antenna, which marginal results. The reception as-is shouldn't be TERRIBLE, but definitely noticeable.

Look of the install: This is also expected, especially when changing the HU. Nothing you can really do about this. Post a picture of the HU and how far protruded it is. If it looks the way I think it does, it's normal. About 1/2" protrusion off the dash kit.

 

Radio reception is really pretty bad. I've always been pretty happy with the Bose reception, and looked online to read about the tuners used in the aftermarket stuff, with positive comments about the JVC units. I've read about some cases where the wiring caused problems in various cars and aftermarket head units. I'll go back and ask about that.

Interestingly, I've also read in the manual that when the HD radio tuner is attached, the head unit's tuner is not used. I've contacted JVC to ask for more detail on that one. I may try to disconnect the HD Radio to see if that helps. I can definitely live without HD radio, especially as it is right now. It was effectively "free" since it was included in the ebay auction, but in retrospect, it's costing me.

The install isn't too bad, though I believe he left the bezel off(!). I'll have check the box of leftover parts. I was in too much of a rush to leave the shop to check everything.
I didn't think about how much the black cubby and glossy face of the head unit would stand out on the flat metallic surface of the center stack. Definitely something I could live with if the radio reception was up to par.

 

Did usa spec on my car and love it

 

I looked at this and the iSimple PXAMG to keep the stock look, but I really wanted the bluetooth integration, which this head unit does well. I may need to reconsider and give up the bluetooth if I can't resolve the radio reception.

We're giving the PXAMG the nod in our Honda accord since it has add-ons for HD radio and bluetooth (apparently only for the iPhone?!).

 

After playing with the bluetooth, it's performing much better than I expected. I had turned the mic sensitivity to max, and the poor voice quality people heard was my voice getting clipped, meaning that the mic is much more sensitive that I thought it was. Turning it down solved all problems. I can speak in a normal voice and be heard clearly.

The look of the install has become less of an issue. It's really boiling down to the radio reception. If it worked, this would be a very worthwhile upgrade. As it is, it's coming out if I can't fix the reception. Hopefully that's a relatively easy thing to diagnose.

According to JVC I may be facing a bad install of the antenna. I'll check for it being installed loosely, installed to the head unit instead of the HD radio (which takes over all tuning duties when installed), or if the antenna is attached to a splitter, which weakens the signal.

Probably because of the poor reception, HD Radio is not as desirable as I might have expected.

 

Sorry to ask here, but I cant start new thread and not exactly sure how to reach 15 posts and any help would be greatly appreciated

2005 with PXAMG .. My track info always seems to get stuck on the previous song, is there a way to fix that?
Do I have to go thru the browse menu everytime I turn car back on? cuz it seems to not want to go to the next song unless I do the browse menu.

Again sorry for posting my question here and any help would be great .. thanks again in advance

 

You contribute constructively to other threads until you hit your 15 count mark. THEN you create a new thread.

Sounds like an issue with the radio. Just replace it with aftermarket.

 

Hey djfrestyl, thanks for quick reply. My goodness, I just paid 130 bucks for that part and now it's goign to cost me more Looks like I should've left it the way it was lol.

I have dim switch 2 and 3 on does that hurt in any way?

Thanks again.

 

How to contribute constructively if I'm here to learn and don't have a clue on how to help others? 15 posts seems like a lot to get to. Sorry, I just hate hijacking ppl's threads.

Thanks.

 

There are a ton of ways. Offer advice. Wish a user good luck. Tell someone you like what they did with _xx__ part of their car.

Basically, LEARN and SEARCH before you ASK. Because more often than not, the question has already been answered.

 

Thanks

 

Where would be best place to buy a new radio, since mine isn't working correctly?

Thanks in advnce.

 

Crutchfield is a pretty reliable source. One of the few completely legitimate online retailers.

Out of curiosity, where are you located?

 

Thanks again, djfrestyl.

I'm located in New Orleans,Louisiana.

No chance of a cheaper alternative than replacing this whole monstrosity ? lol

Its terrible how sometimes the thing works correctly all songs display correct tittle and then all of the sudden it stops

 

My pleasure.

Too bad, if you were local I'd help you out with the install.

People have tried opening it up or having it repaired, but its a waste because they're pretty expensive to replace/repair, and because aftermarket head units will make your system sound BETTER than your current HU ever can.

Any further questions, lets take this to PM - I don't want to hijack this thread too much.