As was popular back in the day when iPods were ubiquitous I decided to add (as the title says) an iPod interface which I did. After a lot of research the make and model I choose was the USA Spec PA11-HON12y which was compatible with my TSX.
The unit worked reliably as described and for about 12 years and I was happy. But within the last year I began noticing some issues with background noise and a alternator whine which weren't there previously. I suspected after more than 11 relentless hot summers and time the components were getting fried.
I contacted USA Spec and spoke with a technical support specialist named Victor. In fact we spoke on several occasions and he was always helpful and courteous. So this year when the wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday I actually had an answer. My choice was to replace this ageing piece of tech with a new one and at the same time add another device that would provide Bluetooth as well.
I called Victor again and discussed what I wanted to accomplish and he patiently explained how I could replace my current iPod interface and simultaneously piggy back their BT-45 Bluetooth adapter to it.
This would provide me with the best of both worlds. I could continue to have an iPod interface with a direct audio connection to my factory head unit as well as a Bluetooth interface that would allow me to wirelessly connect my Android phone for calls and streaming. The only caveats were I would need to manually switch between the two devices since they would be wired in series and not parallel. Also while the Bluetooth device would play through the speakers and adjust through the factory volume controls it would have its own wireless control puck which was about the size of a half dollar. Not ideal but a livable compromise.
In the real world the biggest inconvenience would be if a call came in while I was listening to my iPod I would need hit a button on the head unit and change from Disc 5 to Disc 6. The phone would initially ring only through it's own speaker but after switching over to it the audio would redirect through the head unit and play through the car speakers. If I was already connected via Bluetooth and streaming from the phone then it would continue to seamlessly play through the audio system with no manual switching needed.
I soon ordered the devices and they arrived within a few days. The first thing I noticed was the new iPod interface was a different color, configuration and model. Though the manual specifically stated this newer model was not compatible with my 04 TSX Navi (without XM) I installed it anyway just to see what would happen. The two issues I encountered were the head unit settings did not display correctly and the volume was reduced by about half.
Immediately I contacted Victor and we discussed the problem and spent some time troubleshooting. He believed the unit might be defective and agreed to send another replacement. A few days later the same model arrived and after installing it the same issues existed. Only this time the maximum volume was lower than before I'd say by about 3/4 this time instead of half so obviously things were worse.
We spoke again and Victor said something completely unexpected... he told me since this was a birthday gift and because I was so patient USA Spec would send me a prepaid shipping label to return the two incompatible iPod interfaces and asked for me to include my original PA11-HON2y unit too. USA Spec was generously offering to fully refurbish my old unit!
About 3 days passed after I returned all the requested items when another package was delivered. I anxiously opened the box and was blown away by what I saw... In the box was not only my old unit now fully updated with new case, components and cables but another item that completely surprised me. It was another brand new PA11-HON2y along with this letter...
These days we hear too often about people getting scammed, disappointed with archaic store/company policies or just dealing with rude and deceitful business practices. But this experience may just put to rest my long held contempt for all those businesses who bait and switch, misrepresent facts and clearly just lie about great customer service when all they really care about is separating you from your money...
In my experience there have been only a handful of companies that have risen above my expectations. Fewer still that have achieved exemplary... but this has to be the first to truly blow me away with INCREDIBLE customer service.
Here's a few shots of the iPod interface install which conveniently fits in the tail end of the console:
The unit worked reliably as described and for about 12 years and I was happy. But within the last year I began noticing some issues with background noise and a alternator whine which weren't there previously. I suspected after more than 11 relentless hot summers and time the components were getting fried.
I contacted USA Spec and spoke with a technical support specialist named Victor. In fact we spoke on several occasions and he was always helpful and courteous. So this year when the wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday I actually had an answer. My choice was to replace this ageing piece of tech with a new one and at the same time add another device that would provide Bluetooth as well.
I called Victor again and discussed what I wanted to accomplish and he patiently explained how I could replace my current iPod interface and simultaneously piggy back their BT-45 Bluetooth adapter to it.
This would provide me with the best of both worlds. I could continue to have an iPod interface with a direct audio connection to my factory head unit as well as a Bluetooth interface that would allow me to wirelessly connect my Android phone for calls and streaming. The only caveats were I would need to manually switch between the two devices since they would be wired in series and not parallel. Also while the Bluetooth device would play through the speakers and adjust through the factory volume controls it would have its own wireless control puck which was about the size of a half dollar. Not ideal but a livable compromise.
In the real world the biggest inconvenience would be if a call came in while I was listening to my iPod I would need hit a button on the head unit and change from Disc 5 to Disc 6. The phone would initially ring only through it's own speaker but after switching over to it the audio would redirect through the head unit and play through the car speakers. If I was already connected via Bluetooth and streaming from the phone then it would continue to seamlessly play through the audio system with no manual switching needed.
I soon ordered the devices and they arrived within a few days. The first thing I noticed was the new iPod interface was a different color, configuration and model. Though the manual specifically stated this newer model was not compatible with my 04 TSX Navi (without XM) I installed it anyway just to see what would happen. The two issues I encountered were the head unit settings did not display correctly and the volume was reduced by about half.
Immediately I contacted Victor and we discussed the problem and spent some time troubleshooting. He believed the unit might be defective and agreed to send another replacement. A few days later the same model arrived and after installing it the same issues existed. Only this time the maximum volume was lower than before I'd say by about 3/4 this time instead of half so obviously things were worse.
We spoke again and Victor said something completely unexpected... he told me since this was a birthday gift and because I was so patient USA Spec would send me a prepaid shipping label to return the two incompatible iPod interfaces and asked for me to include my original PA11-HON2y unit too. USA Spec was generously offering to fully refurbish my old unit!
About 3 days passed after I returned all the requested items when another package was delivered. I anxiously opened the box and was blown away by what I saw... In the box was not only my old unit now fully updated with new case, components and cables but another item that completely surprised me. It was another brand new PA11-HON2y along with this letter...
These days we hear too often about people getting scammed, disappointed with archaic store/company policies or just dealing with rude and deceitful business practices. But this experience may just put to rest my long held contempt for all those businesses who bait and switch, misrepresent facts and clearly just lie about great customer service when all they really care about is separating you from your money...
In my experience there have been only a handful of companies that have risen above my expectations. Fewer still that have achieved exemplary... but this has to be the first to truly blow me away with INCREDIBLE customer service.
Here's a few shots of the iPod interface install which conveniently fits in the tail end of the console:
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