2006 RX330 aftermarket stereo question
#46
Spiral Installations kit in RX330?
Has anyone used this kit or know of anyone that has?
http://www.spiralinstallations.com/c...tion_Kit_Combo
http://www.spiralinstallations.com/c...tion_Kit_Combo
#47
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
Hey GadgetmanN
Although it says Spiral audio as the brand, that looks just like the Metra Kit. I've only found out about it after purchasing the beatsonic kit. On the Beatsonic, you can fade left and right but lose the front to rear fading. On the Metra Kit it claims you retain all fades. The Metra kit you don't have the black edges at the side, kinda loosing the 16:9 movie theater effect.
Although it says Spiral audio as the brand, that looks just like the Metra Kit. I've only found out about it after purchasing the beatsonic kit. On the Beatsonic, you can fade left and right but lose the front to rear fading. On the Metra Kit it claims you retain all fades. The Metra kit you don't have the black edges at the side, kinda loosing the 16:9 movie theater effect.
#48
Hey GadgetmanN
Although it says Spiral audio as the brand, that looks just like the Metra Kit. I've only found out about it after purchasing the beatsonic kit. On the Beatsonic, you can fade left and right but lose the front to rear fading. On the Metra Kit it claims you retain all fades. The Metra kit you don't have the black edges at the side, kinda loosing the 16:9 movie theater effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IESZdK8Wzs
Although it says Spiral audio as the brand, that looks just like the Metra Kit. I've only found out about it after purchasing the beatsonic kit. On the Beatsonic, you can fade left and right but lose the front to rear fading. On the Metra Kit it claims you retain all fades. The Metra kit you don't have the black edges at the side, kinda loosing the 16:9 movie theater effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IESZdK8Wzs
#49
METRA AXXESS ASWC UNIVERSAL STEERING WHEEL CONTROL INTERFACE (on order)
SONY XAV-701HD (on order)
What I think is the Metra 99-8159S (face dash adapter plate and harness) (on order)
Generic back up camera (TBD, feedback appreciated on what one i should get)
#50
Hey GadgetmanN
Although it says Spiral audio as the brand, that looks just like the Metra Kit. I've only found out about it after purchasing the beatsonic kit. On the Beatsonic, you can fade left and right but lose the front to rear fading. On the Metra Kit it claims you retain all fades. The Metra kit you don't have the black edges at the side, kinda loosing the 16:9 movie theater effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IESZdK8Wzs
Although it says Spiral audio as the brand, that looks just like the Metra Kit. I've only found out about it after purchasing the beatsonic kit. On the Beatsonic, you can fade left and right but lose the front to rear fading. On the Metra Kit it claims you retain all fades. The Metra kit you don't have the black edges at the side, kinda loosing the 16:9 movie theater effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IESZdK8Wzs
#51
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
Hey GadgetmanN,
Although this video is for a Toyota Tacoma, it's pretty much the same thing for the Rx.
This helped me out a great deal.
and the part that he mentions at 2:06 you can get that part from Metra as well (METRA 70-8114 TOYOTA ADD STEERING WHEEL CONTRL HARNESS - 8 buck on ebay) so you don't have to cut splice any additional wires. Straight plug and play. I ground the black wire and connected the same red wire to the same power the radio was using. The only additional step I had to do while the device programs itself is hit the phone pick up button on the steering wheel, after the rapid flashing so that it would recognize both buttons so I can answer and receive calls using the steering wheel buttons.
Although this video is for a Toyota Tacoma, it's pretty much the same thing for the Rx.
This helped me out a great deal.
#52
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
The only issue I have is the answer button on the steering wheel does not access the phone book, which the factory unit did. The answer button only picks up a phone call when coming in and the hang up button will disconnect the call. I'm not sure if its because of Axxess or the aftermarket stereo.
So what I went ahead and did was purchase their cable to upgrade the firmware and the unit died on me. I was working with Metra support via email and wind up having to return the defective unit to where I purchase it from, they had to rma it with Metra. Now I'm still waiting for a replacement unit from the where I purchased it from. Soon as it comes all I will have to do is put back in the new box and I'm good. I can't wait.
Overall I think the Metra steering wheel control is pretty good. Take plenty of pics and your overal thoughts of the stereo interface.
So what I went ahead and did was purchase their cable to upgrade the firmware and the unit died on me. I was working with Metra support via email and wind up having to return the defective unit to where I purchase it from, they had to rma it with Metra. Now I'm still waiting for a replacement unit from the where I purchased it from. Soon as it comes all I will have to do is put back in the new box and I'm good. I can't wait.
Overall I think the Metra steering wheel control is pretty good. Take plenty of pics and your overal thoughts of the stereo interface.
#53
Hey GadgetmanN,
Although this video is for a Toyota Tacoma, it's pretty much the same thing for the Rx.
This helped me out a great deal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sas1jTJ-gw and the part that he mentions at 2:06 you can get that part from Metra as well (METRA 70-8114 TOYOTA ADD STEERING WHEEL CONTRL HARNESS - 8 buck on ebay) so you don't have to cut splice any additional wires. Straight plug and play. I ground the black wire and connected the same red wire to the same power the radio was using. The only additional step I had to do while the device programs itself is hit the phone pick up button on the steering wheel, after the rapid flashing so that it would recognize both buttons so I can answer and receive calls using the steering wheel buttons.
Although this video is for a Toyota Tacoma, it's pretty much the same thing for the Rx.
This helped me out a great deal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sas1jTJ-gw and the part that he mentions at 2:06 you can get that part from Metra as well (METRA 70-8114 TOYOTA ADD STEERING WHEEL CONTRL HARNESS - 8 buck on ebay) so you don't have to cut splice any additional wires. Straight plug and play. I ground the black wire and connected the same red wire to the same power the radio was using. The only additional step I had to do while the device programs itself is hit the phone pick up button on the steering wheel, after the rapid flashing so that it would recognize both buttons so I can answer and receive calls using the steering wheel buttons.
#54
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
Congrats on your radio conversion. You remind me of the old Toyota commercial when they would jump up in the air and freeze frame it and say oh what a feeling. lol. Now you're not only your driving a high end luxury vehicle you have the entertainment system to match it. That mirror link technology sounds cool. The best part is that you can have your passenger operate the navigation while the vehicle is in motion. Congrats again and happy to read that it was a smooth install and everything working well.
We're anxiously awaiting photos.
We're anxiously awaiting photos.
#55
Congrats on your radio conversion. You remind me of the old Toyota commercial when they would jump up in the air and freeze frame it and say oh what a feeling. lol. Now you're not only your driving a high end luxury vehicle you have the entertainment system to match it. That mirror link technology sounds cool. The best part is that you can have your passenger operate the navigation while the vehicle is in motion. Congrats again and happy to read that it was a smooth install and everything working well.
We're anxiously awaiting photos.
We're anxiously awaiting photos.
#56
Congrats on your radio conversion. You remind me of the old Toyota commercial when they would jump up in the air and freeze frame it and say oh what a feeling. lol. Now you're not only your driving a high end luxury vehicle you have the entertainment system to match it. That mirror link technology sounds cool. The best part is that you can have your passenger operate the navigation while the vehicle is in motion. Congrats again and happy to read that it was a smooth install and everything working well.
We're anxiously awaiting photos.
We're anxiously awaiting photos.
#57
New pictures
Ok, new pictures of the install. The backup cam came today so that will go in tomorrow. I also got a 16GB micro thumb for music/movies and it works great in the USB port I installed in the 12vt outlet hole.
#59
Great! I like to do original things The USB port is pictured above. I got it off eBay and it is basically a USB extension cord with a round end that is made to press into a 3/4" hole or the included mounting bracket. Basically used for car stereo installation I believe. I took the OEM 12v socket out (if you press a small tab inside the steel sleeve, the sleeve slides out) and placed the round USB end in the hole. I had to wrap some electrical tape around it to make a tight fit. The other end just plugs into one of the stereo USB ports. So now it can be used to charge a phone with a USB cable, or a direct input to the stereo for MirrorLink or USB thumb drive. I also installed the Metra interface for the steering wheel buttons, and ran the video cable to the back for the backup camera ( just need to hook up the camera and plug it into the video cable) which will be installed tomorrow. Almost done...
#60
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
Looking good.
Like Carver, I like the usb setup. Is that the PAC 6' USB Cable with Mounting Bracket? I seen it on Amazon but not if it's the same one you purchased on Ebay. Looks very clean and almost like a factory setup. The Metra face plate looks like a good match with the factory system.
Also how did you make out with the steering wheel access control? Did you get all of your buttons to work?
Like Carver, I like the usb setup. Is that the PAC 6' USB Cable with Mounting Bracket? I seen it on Amazon but not if it's the same one you purchased on Ebay. Looks very clean and almost like a factory setup. The Metra face plate looks like a good match with the factory system.
Also how did you make out with the steering wheel access control? Did you get all of your buttons to work?
Last edited by 1koolfella; 01-14-13 at 10:16 AM.