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FN2 ICE options for iPhone connection

Incubroz

Incubroz

Messages
48
I know I know... there are countless threads about the lack of Aux/iPod connections on earlier FN2s.

I've read a lot of them and seen numerous suggestions for what you can do about but, like many others my decision will come down, largely to cost.

I have an iPhone 6S and want to be able to play music from it in the car. If I can also take calls then that's a bonus but nothing more because I rarely make or receive calls anyway so it's hardly essential. That means I'm open to suggestions, whether it's a replacement head unit, adapter to plug into the back of the existing unit or Bluetooth.

So what I'm asking for is, specifically what options other people have gone for and, crucially the approximate cost.

As things stand, I haven't even got a rough idea of what I would need to pay put so this is very much the starting point, then I'll decide whether it's worth pushing the boat out when deciding between options.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Allen_ said:
Sounds like swapping it out for a complete new head unit would be best.

You'll need this.
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/connects2-ct23hd11-honda-civic-2006-2011-double-din-facia

And something like this. (plenty of options but I like Alpine)
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-ive-w585bt
Click to expand...

Not THAT expensive but I'd probably shy away from replacing it myself so that would bump up the cost.
I've read comments from others that have lost some functionality when swapping the head unit out, whether that's steering wheel controls or (from memory) something to do with the heating / air con display.
Has anyone actually had a double DIN fitted who could advise?

This is what I meant, I've seen lots of suggestions but want to know what others have actually chosen and at what cost.
 
The later ones have the aux/USB in the armrest which works well. I believe a lot have gone down the parrot route also.
 
Im going to get the connects2 unit, its cheaper than the xcarlink, but allows you to plug a usb drive in and retain steering wheel controls for tracks.
Seen them for around £45
 
jimbodeeni said:
Im going to get the connects2 unit, its cheaper than the xcarlink, but allows you to plug a usb drive in and retain steering wheel controls for tracks.
Seen them for around £45
Click to expand...

Great, I'll let you go first and see if it's a ball-ache :lol:
 
It looks easy enough to install, i have done a few ICE builds in the past.
Going to wait til payday first, but ill let you know how it goes once i do
 
jimbodeeni said:
It looks easy enough to install, i have done a few ICE builds in the past.
Going to wait til payday first, but ill let you know how it goes once i do
Click to expand...

Yeah, joking aside I would appreciate the feedback. If it really is a decent solution then that would be pretty cheap and I could, perhaps start looking towards upgrading the crappy door speakers as well.
 
I installed the connects2 to mine about a month ago. Wasnt overly difficult all I would say is be patient with the trim so you dont break any clips and invest in the orange trim removal tools on ebay. They are only a couple of pound but help alot. I wired mine under the centre console and put the whole thing into the armrest. That way its hidden away but can still get at it to change usb or plug aux cables in
 
I have decided to completely replace the head unit with a double din and get the connects2 fascia and leads etc.
I had read a few things about the random function being cancelled every time you skip track.

Plus for the money, I'd rather spend a bit more for an aftermarket head unit like the one in my ep, then there are pre-outs should I decide to go that way with the audio set up
 
T222NDY said:
I installed the connects2 to mine about a month ago. Wasnt overly difficult all I would say is be patient with the trim so you dont break any clips and invest in the orange trim removal tools on ebay. They are only a couple of pound but help alot. I wired mine under the centre console and put the whole thing into the armrest. That way its hidden away but can still get at it to change usb or plug aux cables in
Click to expand...


Sounds good. If I was to go down that route then I'd already decided I was going to route it under the centre console into the armrest as well.
Have you experienced any functionality issues with it yet?
 
Incubroz said:
Sounds good. If I was to go down that route then I'd already decided I was going to route it under the centre console into the armrest as well.
Have you experienced any functionality issues with it yet?
Click to expand...

The very odd time it has stop working with the usb. Music just stops but if I turn the car off for a while and back on it works fine again. Its only done this 2 or 3 times max so im not too concerned about it. I got an extra lead with it as mine has OEM sat nav so I thought it would say track names etc on the screen but it doesnt anyhwere so its hard to scroll through a usb with music as its just numbers. Other than that its great.
 
T222NDY said:
The very odd time it has stop working with the usb. Music just stops but if I turn the car off for a while and back on it works fine again. Its only done this 2 or 3 times max so im not too concerned about it. I got an extra lead with it as mine has OEM sat nav so I thought it would say track names etc on the screen but it doesnt anyhwere so its hard to scroll through a usb with music as its just numbers. Other than that its great.
Click to expand...

Hmm, tempting then, given the cost saving over a replacement head unit.
Displaying track names would be a bonus but I'm not that fussed, I just want to be able to connect my
phone and play music from it.

I'll have to look into the cost of Parrott + install as well for comparison but I'm not keen on the display units, I'd feel like I was in a taxi!
 
Quick update. I bought a Connects2 Aux interface (CTVHOX001) off eBay for around £28, some trim removal tools (£1.80) and a pack of 20 mm blanking plugs from B&Q (£1.50 ish, I think).
I pulled out all of the bits of trim beneath the steering wheel, the centre console and the armrest / cup holder section before dropping the head unit out and fitting the adapter.
Rather than installing the box in the cubby hole beneath the head unit (where my sunglasses go) I wedged and cable-tied it into a space to the right of the gear stick, hidden inside the trim. I then drilled a 20 mm hole in the front wall of the cup holder, drilled a small hole in a blanking plug then ran the aux lead though the holes, giving a nice, neat finish.
I now have an aux connector in the front section of the cup holder, next to the handbrake and I've mounted a phone cradle there. Sorted.

I know some will scoff at me going for an aux connector but, given that the oem ICE is crap anyway I just went for the cheaper option.
No more listening to the junk on the radio with a crackling reception from he 'hidden' aerial!
 
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