Ok, I know how Honda has the new music link but thats WAY too expensive. Well I found a product that my friend has used to hook up his ipod to his 02 Civic SI. What it does it plug into the back of the stock radio, then you buy a Monster cable that has a left and right input, and the other end is the part that you plug into the headphone jack of the ipod.

Here is the link:

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=458


The white part connects to the back of the black box, while the blue plug goes into the back of your stock stereo. The website says it works for 98-05 Hondas, but in the drop down menu, it says 00-03 S2000's. If you look just below the pics, they show the 14-pin connector you need to have so you can plug it in. I assume they don't have the same plugs on the 04+ S2000's so I looked down a little further and saw this:

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=287

In that drop down menu, they show 03-06 S2K's. When looking down at the info for that one, it shows the same 14-Pin connector.

The first link is only $47, plus the cable to hook up to your ipod which is ~$15

The second link is $92 plus the cable.

Do you guys really see a difference? I don't know why Honda would change the back of their radios. Does anyone happen to have a pic of the back of an 04+ S2K stock radio? That would help tremendously!

Let me know your input on this subject b/c I think its a cheaper way to go then the other options. I guess the only downside is that it doesn't charge your Ipod while you drive, but I can get over that. My nano has ~12hr continuous play.

 

anyone?

 

HON03/PC-SON is the product PIE suggests for the 04+ S2000's in their application guide found at their website. http://www.pie.net/index-3.cfm

 

thanks for the input,

anyone else happen to have a pic of the back of an 04+ stock stereo?

 

The headunit is definitely different in the '04-06 models due to the addition of satellite radio capability. That probably changed the connectors in the back. I just installed a HON-98 from PIE for my XM satellite radio in my '02 and it works great! Could easily hood an iPod or other MP3 player into the system using that same box. (Cost was closer to the $96 due to the box also integrating the power converter for the Satellite radio.)

For an iPod specific install, (and iPod owners out there correct me if I'm wrong) I would look for something that hooked to the iPod through the port on the bottom of the iPod and also gave you recharging capability. I doubt the cost would be that much higher and the sound would be a lot better than through the headphone jack.

 

thanks for the input

i think the cheapest way to charge is with the icelink, but thats still pretty expensive if you ask me

 

I have the PIE Hon-98 for sale if you want it. I bought it and then decided I was too deaf for the stock head unit and robbed the Kenwood out of my truck that has Aux-in.

I think with shipping it was $65. It was used for 2 days and is in perfect condition. If you are in SoCal, I will install it also.

As far as charging goes, I plug the iPod into my computer every other day (or so) and have a backup charger in the car. I just can't charge my phone and iPod at the same time (so F*** the phone, why would I want to talk to someone when I am driving the S?)

 

This is a great auxiliary interface. My girlfriend has it in her '00 Si for her iPod and her XM radio. Works great!

However, I'm 100% confident that this will not work for the OEM HU on 2004+ S2000s (original poster has a 2005 NFR ).

The PIE HON03/PC-SON should work with the 04+ S2000 (the information at discountcarstereo.com is incorrect in stating 03-06 S2000; it should be 04-06).

Actually, there are a couple great ways to charge the iPod.

One way is to purchase a iPod specific interface, such as the icelink (expensive). Blitzsafe is working on one right now, but currently is still not quite working (I am/was waiting on this one).

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=363123

However, if you were to go with an auxiliarly interface (such as the PIE HON03/PC-SON) a great way to power the iPod is with the 'Belkin Auto Kit with Dock Connector.'
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Belkin-Auto...roductDetail.do

Advantages:
- Plugs right into the 12v outlet.
- Powers/charges the iPod when the outlet is powered (only when the key is in in the S2000).
- Offers a direct 'line out' which can then be used with a cheap 1/8" stereo plug to RCA cable (Radio Shack ~$5.99 - Monster Cable is a waste in this application, IMHO) to connect to the auxiliary interface.
- Sounds great (this is what my GF uses in her Si, works great)

Disadvantages:
- Not convenient in the S2000 given the location of the 12v outlet. Although, one option is to mount a second power outlet behind the dash (I will be doing this soon in my GFs car) and simply wire it to the fuse box so that it only has power when the key is in.
- Starting to get expensive just to connect an iPod (~$100 for the auxiliary interface, ~$40 for the Belkin adapter, ~$7 for the stereo-to-RCA cable, and ~$8 for a second power outlet for a total of $155 plus shipping/tax). Isn't the icelink ~$200 and not as cumbersome?

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Certainly, this is my opinion, but $150+ for an iPod interface is getting expensive, especially for a low quality OEM system (especially if you are planning to upgrade later).

I've been waiting for the Blitzsafe iPod interface because at ~$80 it should power and play the iPod through the line out connection with a single item. EASY!!! But it doesn't work yet, and who knows if and when it will?

With other solutions being at least $150 and often involve several components (as in the example above), I'm now leaning heavily toward just upgrading the HU. For example, the new Apline 9856 (~$200) and the wire to connect the iPod (KCE-422i, ~$30) offers direct line in connection, power, AND control. In addition, it'll be a decent upgrade to the overall system, even with stock speakers. Speakers, amps, etc. can then be easily upgraded later.

For another $90, you can pick up the Modifry DCI and retain your stock dash controls, which will in turn will control the iPod.

So for only ~$130 more than the icelink, I've got a better stereo system, more control over the iPod, and more ability to upgrade later. Sounds like a solid consideration .

Of course, it all depends on what it is you're interested in doing in the long run. If all one wants is iPod connectivity, $300+ is not ideal to be changing out HUs and adding DCIs. As you can see, I've done the research, but I haven't finallized my own decision yet .

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BTW, kfar09, nice car!

 

I dont think you can plug the charger in with a Blitzsafe type interface, as they both plug into the bottom of the iPod. I want to say that my G/F's Blitzsafe for her 04 civic also charges.....I will have to check.

Only way charging AND interfacing is possible is if the charge / interface are run through the same cable (like ICELINK), or if the audio out to the HU is through the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPod. Cant plug two things into 1 slot.

IMO, I would just drop $199 on the new Alpine 9856 and another $30 on the Alpine FullSpeed cable. You will get MUCH MUCH MUCH better sound than with the OEM HU, there will be NO delay when accessing the iPod, the iPod will CHARGE, and you will be able to access the iPod via the HU / dash controls (with the DCI). With a PIE type interface, you cannot charge the iPod, you must use the iPod to select the songs, there is a little delay from when you play the song to when it actually starts playing (minor, but still there), and there is no display of song information on the HU.

Check out NFRs2000NYC's thread on the 9856. He JUST installed it this week, and he LOVES it.

John

 

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