iPod Interface
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11
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RE: iPod Interface
I had the iConnect installed in my '07 C6 (without the NAV system) last week. It's definitely not ready for prime time - and it may be a mistake for it to be sold only through GM dealers (probably the install guys at Tweeter or Best Buy would have much more of a clue). I had to order it through my local dealer and the fellow who did the installation hadn't much of an idea how to install it, and to make matters worse, SmartPark sent the wrong wiring harness, so the car sat at the dealer's for another night.
Once it was installed, the mechanic didn't think to ask about the second MP3 port that is available on the unit, although I had stressed with the service manager that the MP3 port was more important to me than the iPod connection. SmartPark didn't send an audiocable, so when I got my car back it had only the iPod cable in the glovebox. I wanted the interface primarily so I could use my Garmin Nuvi, without having to use an FM transmitter. So not having the cable meant I had to go to Radio Shack to get the appropriate audio cable and the dealer will have to install that for me.
The iConnect does work with the iPod. That being said, although the sound is fine, there is virtually no control over the iPod. If you have it playing song #122 and you turn the upper radio **** it will jump to song #132. However, #132 won't play. The most you get is a scratchy sound. You have to push and hold button 6 until XM1 comes on, then push it again until song #132 starts to play. If you let it go, it will continue to play songs, although it seems to shuffle them for you. Thus, you may have part of a violin concerto by Mozart, and the next piece playing may be country or a pop song - a bit jarring. You can use the Seek button to move the player to the next song - #133 for example, but it won't play, only the scratchy sound until you go through the pushing button 6 routine again.
I called Roger at SmartPark to try to get some advice on what is going on with the iPod, and hegot pretty snarky when I asked whether my unit needs a firm upgrade. His responsewas that he hadn't heard of any problems with the units controlling iPods. His attempt at an explanation was that the when you jump songs, the iConnect unit has to search and reconnect with the audio stream - or some such garbage. Ten minutes to reconnect - does anyone take that seriously? He said I should make sure my iPod has the latest software. So, today I used my wife's one-week old iPod -the one that only has five albums loaded on it - same result. It's not the iPod, it's the iConnect.
He also seemed to take offense at the idea that the iConnect should have been shipped with an audio cable for the second audioport on the unit. He breezily told me that putting in the audiocable is a five-minute job at most - but, of course, that assumes the mechanic would think ofinstalling something that wasn't supplied, or even ask for something that wasn't included in the package. It also means a second trip back to the dealer and probably another $100 - $150 installation charge. I'm seriously considering having the unit taken out instead and sent back to SmartPark for a refund.
I'm really upset that GM puts out such an expensive and technologically-advanced vehicle without at least asimple MP3 port - such as you will routinely find on the cheapest Korean products (interestingly, the CD button is a "CD/Aux" button, almost as though they were going to do it, and then were distracted by something or other and never completed the design. This piece of crap (the iConnect) is wildly overpriced,at about $500.00, including installation, and there appears to be no support from the vendor. I can't recommend it at this time. Your mileage may vary and I can't speak for how well it works with the navigation system.
Once it was installed, the mechanic didn't think to ask about the second MP3 port that is available on the unit, although I had stressed with the service manager that the MP3 port was more important to me than the iPod connection. SmartPark didn't send an audiocable, so when I got my car back it had only the iPod cable in the glovebox. I wanted the interface primarily so I could use my Garmin Nuvi, without having to use an FM transmitter. So not having the cable meant I had to go to Radio Shack to get the appropriate audio cable and the dealer will have to install that for me.
The iConnect does work with the iPod. That being said, although the sound is fine, there is virtually no control over the iPod. If you have it playing song #122 and you turn the upper radio **** it will jump to song #132. However, #132 won't play. The most you get is a scratchy sound. You have to push and hold button 6 until XM1 comes on, then push it again until song #132 starts to play. If you let it go, it will continue to play songs, although it seems to shuffle them for you. Thus, you may have part of a violin concerto by Mozart, and the next piece playing may be country or a pop song - a bit jarring. You can use the Seek button to move the player to the next song - #133 for example, but it won't play, only the scratchy sound until you go through the pushing button 6 routine again.
I called Roger at SmartPark to try to get some advice on what is going on with the iPod, and hegot pretty snarky when I asked whether my unit needs a firm upgrade. His responsewas that he hadn't heard of any problems with the units controlling iPods. His attempt at an explanation was that the when you jump songs, the iConnect unit has to search and reconnect with the audio stream - or some such garbage. Ten minutes to reconnect - does anyone take that seriously? He said I should make sure my iPod has the latest software. So, today I used my wife's one-week old iPod -the one that only has five albums loaded on it - same result. It's not the iPod, it's the iConnect.
He also seemed to take offense at the idea that the iConnect should have been shipped with an audio cable for the second audioport on the unit. He breezily told me that putting in the audiocable is a five-minute job at most - but, of course, that assumes the mechanic would think ofinstalling something that wasn't supplied, or even ask for something that wasn't included in the package. It also means a second trip back to the dealer and probably another $100 - $150 installation charge. I'm seriously considering having the unit taken out instead and sent back to SmartPark for a refund.
I'm really upset that GM puts out such an expensive and technologically-advanced vehicle without at least asimple MP3 port - such as you will routinely find on the cheapest Korean products (interestingly, the CD button is a "CD/Aux" button, almost as though they were going to do it, and then were distracted by something or other and never completed the design. This piece of crap (the iConnect) is wildly overpriced,at about $500.00, including installation, and there appears to be no support from the vendor. I can't recommend it at this time. Your mileage may vary and I can't speak for how well it works with the navigation system.
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