iPhone, headunits, and VX commodore

[diskiller]

So I recently got an iPhone 3G, which is also an iPod. It works just as an iPod over the usb connector to various headunits, etc.

So I got a Pioneer DEH-P6050UB headunit pretty cheap from JBHifi. It works perfectly fine with the iPhone, it'll charge it, and do all that.

I haven't installed the unit yet, though, and am wondering if I should take it back for a different headunit.

I ideally want a headunit that will integrate with the steering wheel controls on the VX, as well as work with the iPhone. Ideally i'd like to not have to buy anything if I could just somehow aux-in to the eurovox headunit that comes with the VX, but I know thats not possible.

So, what is the ultimate VX Commodore - iPod/iPhone solution at the moment?

Should I quit whining and just install the headunit I got and forget about the now useless steering wheel controls?

[diskiller]

Also i'm in Adelaide, so if there's somewhere I can go that can just install and set up the proper ultimate ipod solution for my car, that would work too I'm also no stranger to buying stuff on ebay.

The guy at JB hifi said its possible to get some kind of "module" that would let me connect the VX steeringwheel controls to my headunit, but I don't know anything about that or if he was just talking crap.

[Tasmaniak]

Stick with the Pioneer unit you have..it works and it's still a step-up from the Eurovox. There are systems out there that get your steering wheels controls to intergrate with your new deck, the guy was correct PAC, Directed Electronics and another company called Peripheral make a unit.

[diskiller]

Well I did some google searches and found a few things, but most seem related to US cars. I believe the VX uses a single wire for the steering wheel controls by just changing the resistance based on which button was pressed.

Can anybody link to an appropriate module that would work with the VX and the pioneer headunit? Or whom I could call or talk to?

[vrollin]

Mate I have the exact head unit you have in my VX, I went out and bought an adaptor for the steering wheel controls from Autobarn, they are made by a company called Quasi Technologies and it works an absolute treat. Very simple to connect and set up. Best thing is these are a little cheaper than the CAT brand units and the bloke who makes these worked in conjunction with holden to get them working.

[diskiller]

Mate I have the exact head unit you have in my VX, I went out and bought an adaptor for the steering wheel controls from Autobarn, they are made by a company called Quasi Technologies and it works an absolute treat. Very simple to connect and set up. Best thing is these are a little cheaper than the CAT brand units and the bloke who makes these worked in conjunction with holden to get them working.

Thanks for the reply man I might give 'em a call on monday and see if they know what i'm talking about, hehe.

[Chris The Slayer]

hey mate, i got a vx and an iphone aswell, i might have too look into the adapter for steering wheel controls, cos i got iphone few months back, n it plugs straight into my fusion headunit, but obviously i cant use the steering wheel controls, which i was bummered about from the start... but heres a pic of my setup..... tell me wat ya think

[diskiller]

Mate I have the exact head unit you have in my VX, I went out and bought an adaptor for the steering wheel controls from Autobarn, they are made by a company called Quasi Technologies and it works an absolute treat. Very simple to connect and set up. Best thing is these are a little cheaper than the CAT brand units and the bloke who makes these worked in conjunction with holden to get them working.

I gave autobarn a call, and they didn't have anything from quasi technologies but said they got something from scosche for $289 that will do the trick. Seems kind of pricey? They also suggested calling holden?

[klaw81]

Can anybody link to an appropriate module that would work with the VX and the pioneer headunit? Or whom I could call or talk to?

Autobarn should be able to get you one of these: THE CAT
which is supposed to work with VX and Pioneer units, they are about $200. Easy to install yourself if you have half a clue about wiring.

PAC in the US sells a similar product which is supposed to be universal - you "teach" it the infra-red signals it sends when you press a particular button. From memory you can get one for about $100 US, and plenty of Commodore owners use them.

As for iPhone connectivity, there are a few different "levels" of connection available. The most basic is Aux-In - which just connects your head unit like headphones. The next level up is what you're describing - where your iPhone is being accessed as a USB mass storage device. The ultimate connection is full control of all iPod features via your headunit, which required a brand-specific adaptor cable that typically costs around $100. Connectivity between iPod models (Touch, Phone etc) differs so a cable may be required for your specific model - not sure how good iPhone support is as yet.

[diskiller]

hey mate, i got a vx and an iphone aswell, i might have too look into the adapter for steering wheel controls, cos i got iphone few months back, n it plugs straight into my fusion headunit, but obviously i cant use the steering wheel controls, which i was bummered about from the start... but heres a pic of my setup..... tell me wat ya think

That looks cool, i'll post a pic of my setup once its done.

What cradle did you get? I've been looking online, but most specific iphone cradles are for the original iphone not the iphone 3g which is a slightly different shape, grr.

I think I wanted it mounted where you have yours btw, not where the phone mount thingy goes to the left of the transmission.

[vrollin]

I gave autobarn a call, and they didn't have anything from quasi technologies but said they got something from scosche for $289 that will do the trick. Seems kind of pricey? They also suggested calling holden?

Bummer! If you cant get the Quasi then definately look into a CAT system instead. Holden will have nothing so I wouldnt bother. Dont limit yourself to Autobarn if looking for a cat sytem, any good audio shop should be able to hook you up with one

[scoMale]

I've ordered a CAT10 system from JB-HIFI which cost me $266. I'm still waiting (3 weeks now) to get it - they are ***** useless at JB - can't even order in stuff in a timely fashion. I wouldn't recommend giving them business - especially since they just order it in anyway. Maybe contact Stinger direct: Stinger Electronics :: Find Products, or apparently the PAC devices described by Klaw are cheaper and you can probably get them quicker...

[vsquest]

thats an awesome setup chris....do you use that as a gps to?

[0081]

there is a guy that does a full converstion on the VT VX head units to allows full control of your ipod and i think the iphone also
pm me if you want more info

[diskiller]

Should note... i've had the headunit installed for some time and it works great Still never did anything about the steering wheel controls though

One thing that bugs me, though, is that everytime I start the car the antenna goes up. Can I somehow disconnect it since I never listen to the radio anyway? (I have all my music on my iPhone). Whatever is the easiest way so I can reconnect it again if ever needed would be great.

[Luke0011]

you should only be paying 150 for a cat 10. 289 and your getting ripped off

[danja]

Big Valven's Holden VX Commodore - JL, Orion, Custom Integration - DIY Mobile Audio - Now with Violent Bass Air!!

[abclarke]

you should only be paying 150 for a cat 10. 289 and your getting ripped off

Where abouts is that from mate? If i was paying that much id just use the difference and get someone else to install it for me. Save myself the hassle.