I understand that Alpine has a new HU (the CDA-9851) that is "OEM steering remote ready" so you can control the HU through the steering wheel controls. Do any of you have this HU installed and with the steering wheel controls working?
I just installed this HU yesterday. I haven't even read the manual or anything yet. I think you need to buy something else for the steering wheel controls to work though. I'm looking into it.
PAC Audio has a device that interfaces the factory steering wheel controls to the Alpine radios - it's the first device (SWI-ALP) listed on their page here: http://www.pac-audio.com/products/swi.htm
Also note you can purchase the SWI-X and replace the IR LED with a 1/8 mono jack. More details here, question 9:
I just install the NEW SWI-ALP to my IVA-D900 and it's work great! I call Alpine first b4 I order the kit and they told me it will work with any IVA unit when PAC told me it only work on 2005 alpine HU.
Installation was very straight forward and programing it was easer then the SWI-X cause it's use a 1/8 jack instead of the transmitter eye and you don't have to drill a hole and worry where the best place to mount the eye.
the only thing is that when you hook up the SWI-ALP to the 1/8 jack in the back of your alpine HU the remote control that come with the HU doesn't work anymore. oh well the steering wheel control has ever thing I need and use on the remote at my finger tip anyway..