adding a MP3/iPod player to a Monsoon radio?

[FormerUser]

so heres a question that I'm sure has been answered numerous times, but for the life me and the help of the search function I can't find it. Looking to add a MP3 player to my factory Nav radio and I don't want to use a "FM" modulator. Anyone have suggestions for a truly plug and play unit(no soldering or splicing of wires either). Ideally should have a line in jack that I can use any type of MP3 player with. I am iPod/iPhone/Apple guy and the g/f is a misguided pc/droid girl, hence my dilemma.
I know the H3 GM PAL is #19202101, but appears iPod only? Suggestions? Thanks as always!

 

[05Mudiak]

I can't remember where I seen it. I think it was on ebay. but there is one out there that plugs into the xm radio port on the back of the radio and it give you a touch screen display I think it is Ipod only though can't remember. i know my wife said no she likes her xm too much

 

[FormerUser]

ok - thats a good starting point. I actually use XM exclusively, so the MP3 player for me is when I want to listen to a whole album. Adding the functionality of a line input to a stock Nav radian is what I'm really going after.

 

[M22KLARS]

How abut an iSimple unit?!

 

[JonBishop]

What's the xm hook up thingy called? I wanna put one in

 

[theJARRETconcept]

How abut an iSimple unit?!

I have one of those in my T with the monsoon system.
For the most part it is pretty good. Good quality from a sound standpoint.
Every now and then I will get an XM error and I cannot use the iPod connection or xm at that time. It happens as soon as I start my truck, so I know right away if I want to fix it or not. The only way I know how to fix it is to completely restart the truck.
I don't have the box in front of my but I think you also have the option to use a headphone jack with it as well. have to look that up on there website.
I would recommend it if you want to keep the stock radio.

 

[Ron46]

If you call xm, they have a unit that you can buy from xm that is meant for an ipod, I believe its 150 and i think there is an option for an aux cable to but I do not remember 100%

 

[Hans3T]

Check out Pac Audio as well. I have one of their units so I can use my Zune.

 

[FormerUser]

Fantastic - thanks a bunch. this gives me a great place to start from. yes I want to keep the stock nav, yes to keeping XM(can't tell you the last time I actually listened to AM/FM). really just want to be able to jack in her Android. Will let you know what I come up with

 

[JonBishop]

which one of these will work for the XM thingy

http://www.pac-audio.com/productSea...=39&Model=H3&ModelId=1543&Year=2006&YearId=17

 

[MUTAINT]

PAC Audio: Many options, just make sure the unit you choose works with the Monsoon system.
I have the PAC-GMC2 with my Moonsoon system. Has both Apple input and standard RCA or headphone jack.
Give them a call, they have great customer service!

http://www.pac-audio.com
Technical Support:
866-931-8021 (toll free) Mon-Fri 9am-8pm e.s.t.
Customers Outside of the U.S.: 727-572-9255 ext.230

 

[davidh3]

:corn: well.. Just get the GM PAL installed. I use GM PAL everyday. The sound quality is great with Monsoon. GM PAL play songs from iPod,iPhone. dont worry, GM PAL is designed for iPods and iPhones.

And, installing GM PAL at HUMMER dealer costed me $37.50.

 

[PacNWAg98]

Do you know which Pac Audio product specifically you've got? I'm a Zune guy as well and would love to get it in there. I've got he Monsoon package also.

thanks!
DAVE

Check out Pac Audio as well. I have one of their units so I can use my Zune.

 

[Hans3T]

Do you know which Pac Audio product specifically you've got? I'm a Zune guy as well and would love to get it in there. I've got he Monsoon package also.

thanks!
DAVE

Hey Dave, I believe it was called the GM-PAC 2 or something to that extent. I emailed them directly and the gave me the exact item when I bought it last year.

 

[FormerUser]

:corn: well.. Just get the GM PAL installed. I use GM PAL everyday. The sound quality is great with Monsoon. GM PAL play songs from iPod,iPhone. dont worry, GM PAL is designed for iPods and iPhones.

And, installing GM PAL at HUMMER dealer costed me $37.50.

Will the GM PAL allow you to use other forms of media players, or is it limited to the the iPod format?

 

[JR3T]

There seem to be a few options:
1) H3 GM PAL
2) USA-SPEC PA15-GM
3) PAC-GMC2 (site states discontinued and replaced by iSimple ISGM535).
4) ISGM535 (replaces item 3, but does not appear to have any iPhone/iPod harness/connector.
5) I see ISGM575 has RCA, Audio Jack, and iPhone/iPod harnesses come with it. Also says it is compatible with H3. Although, none of the PAC-GMC2, ISGM535, and ISGM575 say they are compatible with Monsoon system or signal sensing system. So, that might be why some have issues with iSimple on startup.

Amazon does have the iSimple ISGM575 for $95 delivered, though. Looks like it has everything you need, just slightly questionable compatibility issues with options 3,4, and 5. Might be worth a try.

Here's link to ISGM575 on pac audio site:
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=907&CategoryID=36

 

[Hans3T]

I've been doing some more snooping and I found this item as well. I'm in the process of reading about it, but it appears to be a really unique (and useful) product. Allows AUX, DVDs, Bluetooth, etc etc etc...

GM Lockpick

 

[Ron46]

I had the PA15 and liked that a lot. You can either control the ipod thru the head unit, or the ipod, and it had an option for an aux cable

 

[H32NV]

Usa-spec

Ive owned two of these units in the past, IMO the USA-SPEC is the best. I have a 2007 H3 with the Monsoon 6 disc system, and this was an all plug-in part that works very well. Very low noise if any and allows for either ipod control or stereo control. To use it, you hit "BAND" until the XM comes up, it see's the iPod and the screen changes to iPod, at this point, the iPod is controlled by the stereo, Seek and playlist buttons all work. If you want to control from the ipod, hit Disc 5 button, and now the iPod is in control and the stereo only responds to volume and audio adjustments. I have ran it with my iPhone 4, various generation iPods, they all seem to work just fine. I had an iSimple that stopped working after a year. The USA-SPEC model was $110 and has been great.

 

[Hans3T]

Do they make a Zune version?

 

[FormerUser]

After chatting with Brian Miller from PAC - he suggested the ISGM575 as it would be a direct plug and play, offering both iPod connectivity and a aux port for my better half's htc droid. since the aux port is basically a line in - it could be used for other types of MP3 players as well. Hypothetically I suppose a Zune would work - but I've never seen one of those in the wild - so I can't really comment on it. I will let you all know what happens after arrival/install. Incidentally, it was $92.41 on Amazon with free 3 day shipping.


Here's link to ISGM575 on pac audio site:
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=907&CategoryID=36[/QUOTE]

 

[Hans3T]

That one says that it does not work with Monsoon either... Let us know how it goes.

 

[MUTAINT]

After chatting with Brian Miller from PAC - he suggested the ISGM575 as it would be a direct plug and play, offering both iPod connectivity and a aux port for my better half's htc droid.
Here's link to ISGM575 on pac audio site:
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=907&CategoryID=36

[/QUOTE]

Yep, that is the same setup that I have and at the time of purchase it was a PAC not the ISG. Their website said that it was not compatable with the Monsoon system but after calling ans talking to a "tech" at PAC he said it would. By the way that is an outstanding price! Just make sure it comes with ALL of the plug-n-play connectors.

 

[Bigunit]

Let us know how it works for you. Like hans, I really want to get something ijn my T so that I can play my Zune tunes.

 

[JR3T]

Received the ISGM575 from Amazon yesterday. Came with all the input cables and plug-n-play harness as shown on PAC Audio website. I do like having the three input options that this one offers. Will let you know how it works after I get a chance to put it in.