USA Spec Questions

[sketch1]

If these have already been answered I apologize for asking again. I have searched a few times and not found the answers to my questions.
I keep reading that the way the system works is that you put all your songs into up to 6 playlists and then you can play your playlists but not select by artist/album/genre etc. I understand this, but does that mean that I am only limited to having 6 playlists on my Ipod at a time? As of now I have around 20 or so and I don't want to have to remove the current ones. Second I have an 06 and it includes a mini jack in the console that runs to the stereo, I am assuming the sound quality of this is just as good as it will be with the USA Spec adapter? Does that mean that I am paying 115 dollars just for the ability to use the steering wheel and be able to charge and connect to the stereo through the same cable? Or are there any other benefits? Thanks

 

[sharp4runr]

As far as I understand it, the USASpec unit will only "see" the playlists named Toyota1-Toyota6 so your other play lists can co-exist on the IPOD just not viewable when connected to the USASpec.

Here is something a lot of people probably don't know about. The headphone jack on the IPOD is analog. The connector on the bottom (where you charge the IPOD in a cradle or connect for USB/Firewire) is digital. Guess which sounds better :

I don't have the USA Spec myself, just commenting on what I've heard on the forums before.

 

[sketch1]

Oh ok thanks. I didnt realize that the USA spec allowed for a digital connection. Thanks


Edit: I actually just spoke with a Crutchfield.com Chat agent and she told me that the USA Spec is not a digital connection, she said that the mini jack would have the same quality connection.

 

[szekany]

I understand this, but does that mean that I am only limited to having 6 playlists on my Ipod at a time?

No, you just have to have 6 playlists named things like Toyota1, Toyota2, etc. Your other playlists remain intact.

Second I have an 06 and it includes a mini jack in the console that runs to the stereo, I am assuming the sound quality of this is just as good as it will be with the USA Spec adapter?

In a word, yes. The only difference is that the mini jack will provide an amplified output, while the USA Spec device uses a line level output.

Does that mean that I am paying 115 dollars just for the ability to use the steering wheel and be able to charge and connect to the stereo through the same cable? Or are there any other benefits?

Because the USA Spec uses line level outputs, the volume control on the iPod is irrelevant. This may sound trivial, but it's actually really inconvenient to be trying to get the right volume level on both your iPod and head unit while driving. Not to mention that if you set the iPod too high, you'll get distortion.

Also, you can fast forward and switch tracks from the headunit. The iPod charges automatically, and turns on and off automatically with the ignition and radio power (e.g. turn the car on and the iPod starts playing where it was when you last turned the car off.)

Bottom line, it's all the little things that matter. Personally, I use the USA Spec doggle and I love it. I never got the playlist thing to work, which means I have to manually select tracks and playlists, but I would probably prefer it that way anyway.

 

[sketch1]

Alright, one more question. Is there an Ipod Interface device that anyone has that works better or offers more functionality than the USA Spec? For starters I am reluctant to buy because at some point I would like to get an in Dash Nav system that incorporates Ipod Use in the display, so I dont want to drop 120 bucks if I am going to purchase a nav setup for 1500+ in the next few months.

 

[mit_peid]

yes get an alpine head unit and use their high speed interface. i hear it is currently the best ipod interface.

as for myself, i'm waiting for someone to integrate the video onto a double-din stereo

 

[DarksideSurf]

Alright, one more question. Is there an Ipod Interface device that anyone has that works better or offers more functionality than the USA Spec? For starters I am reluctant to buy because at some point I would like to get an in Dash Nav system that incorporates Ipod Use in the display, so I dont want to drop 120 bucks if I am going to purchase a nav setup for 1500+ in the next few months.

I use a Belkin iPod charger with my USA Spec aux input. The charger has a headphone jack on it, so my iPod gets to have digital connection through the charger/dock on the bottom while at the same time having full control of my iPod.

For the same price of a USA Spec digital iPod input, I think I get more out of my iPod without having to resort to TOYOTA1, 2 etc.

 

[sketch1]

Ive got that Belkin Charger, but it give horrible feedback when using it. Always has a high pitched squeal, had the same problem when I used it in my Mustang. I get the noise any time the charger is plugged into the ipod, whether I use the mini jack port on the charger itself, or just plug the ipod straight into my built in mini jack port. But once I unplug the charger it sounds better.

Right now I have my ipod running into my mini jack port in the console, and I am charger it using the ipod wall wart plugged into an extentsion cord, plugged into my AC convertor, and its just a lot of clutter. That is why I was thinking about the USA spec.

So I am confused a bit, why do you use the USA Spec and the Belkin charger? The USA Spec charges the ipod for you, so I don't really get why you are doing that.

 

[DarksideSurf]

Ive got that Belkin Charger, but it give horrible feedback when using it. Always has a high pitched squeal, had the same problem when I used it in my Mustang. I get the noise any time the charger is plugged into the ipod, whether I use the mini jack port on the charger itself, or just plug the ipod straight into my built in mini jack port. But once I unplug the charger it sounds better.

Right now I have my ipod running into my mini jack port in the console, and I am charger it using the ipod wall wart plugged into an extentsion cord, plugged into my AC convertor, and its just a lot of clutter. That is why I was thinking about the USA spec.

So I am confused a bit, why do you use the USA Spec and the Belkin charger? The USA Spec charges the ipod for you, so I don't really get why you are doing that.

USA Spec has an auxiliary module for Toyotas ($69.99) and a iPod specific module for Toyota headunits ($119.99). I have the aux module without the digital out to the iPod. I already had the Belkin charger from my previous car, and I wanted have control of the iPod myself. I keep it in the cubbyhole in the center console, and it's within easy reach. I connected a 3.5 mini cable from the USA Spec module to the Belkin, and I found that to work just fine for me.

 

[slyangel9]

does the USA Spec allow you to use the steering wheel buttons like the PIE adapter?