Spent the better part of the evening messing with the CoastElectronics iPod harness. I guess some of you guys, who say it's easy, are better surgeons than i am! Getting that pin out of the XM tuner was a real bitch, just too tight for my large hands. After about an hour I was able to do it from the trunk, as Cubby suggested. At least in my 2005, it would not have been possible from the console. But -- it doesn't work! I think I've done everything by the book -- I set the box with the first and last switches in down position before hooking it up, tried resetting it a couple of times. The nav screen simply does not see my iPod, tried XM1, XM2, and just about everything else, rebooting the Pod, etc. The Pod screen has the LockPick logo, and a message "ok to disconnect" but is otherwise frozen. Anyone else have this problem? Something I'm missing? I'll try calling Coastal in the morning.

aerobat

Yes, I remember the challenge of taking the connector out of the XM tuner. :eek I unlocked the connector off the XM tuner from the opening above the tuner when the roof is partially up. Then finished the job from the trunk. :) I cut a small hole through the top of the storage compartment for the wires to the iPod which I stored in the compartment.

They say that you must disconnect the unit when you change the dip switches setting. Check that the switches are fully in the up or down postion according to the settings. You may try to disconnect and reconnect the unit. I've had the same situation the very first time I turn it on but I did the same thing as you, disconnected the iPod, reset and reconnect while the iPod if OFF and the car radio is OFF, then everything fell into place.

You have to hold the P6 button while in XM1/2 to get your radio to switch to iPod mode. XM1 will get your iPod and XM2 will show AUX which is probably the other audio connection on the Coastal module.

I hope this helps, good luck.

SilverX

Yes, I remember the challenge of taking the connector out of the XM tuner. :eek I unlocked the connector off the XM tuner from the opening above the tuner when the roof is partially up. Then finished the job from the trunk. :) I cut a small hole through the top of the storage compartment for the wires to the iPod which I stored in the compartment.

They say that you must disconnect the unit when you change the dip switches setting. Check that the switches are fully in the up or down postion according to the settings. You may try to disconnect and reconnect the unit. I've had the same situation the very first time I turn it on but I did the same thing as you, disconnected the iPod, reset and reconnect while the iPod if OFF and the car radio is OFF, then everything fell into place.

You have to hold the P6 button while in XM1/2 to get your radio to switch to iPod mode. XM1 will get your iPod and XM2 will show AUX which is probably the other audio connection on the Coastal module.

I hope this helps, good luck.

SilverX

That is exactly right. After you hook everythin up press and hold the P6 button and it will switch to yor ipod. It should start playing, I have mine ipod set to shuffle. You can also scroll through playlists that you have set up--I believe it is with the P1 button when you are in the ipod mode. Hope this helps.:yesnod

Cubby558:cool

Here is what I found on another forum tread about how to operate the Coastal module iPod function.

Preset 6 = Press and hold to go to/from XM (XM1-iPod, XM2-AUX)
Preset 1 = Previous Song
Preset 2 = Next Song


The Category (CAT) buttons on the bottom of the screen will scroll thru your playlists on the Navigation screen. When you see the one you want, you press SEEK UP. Then you are playing songs in that playlist.
(note: once you use "SEEK UP" to select your playlist, the INFO and CAT buttons are no longer available. You get them back by switching back to FM and to XM again. A bit anoying :skep but it works.)

The volume controls on the steering wheel work fine. :yesnod

The preset jump buttons on the steering wheel are inactive. :(

Song Artist and Title are displayed on the Navigation Screen. :) (Not the HUD)

The iPod volume is near identical to the FM volume. (Not really low like the XM).

Good luck. :cool

SilverX

That is exactly right. After you hook everythin up press and hold the P6 button and it will switch to yor ipod. It should start playing, I have mine ipod set to shuffle. You can also scroll through playlists that you have set up--I believe it is with the P1 button when you are in the ipod mode. Hope this helps.:yesnod

Cubby558:cool

Thanks, guys, for all the info. I didn't know about holding the P6 button down for a while, I thought just touching it was enough. I'm eager to get home to try your suggestions.

I have been trying to call Coastal all day, and just get an answering service with no return phone calls. If your ideas don't work, I plan to stop credit card payment and let them try to contact me.

RF

Coastal called me back the next day when I sent them an email.

SilverX

Thanks, guys, for all the info. I didn't know about holding the P6 button down for a while, I thought just touching it was enough. I'm eager to get home to try your suggestions.

I have been trying to call Coastal all day, and just get an answering service with no return phone calls. If your ideas don't work, I plan to stop credit card payment and let them try to contact me.

RF

Coastal called me back the next day when I sent them an email.

SilverX

Thanks, your suggestions worked. I reconnected things with everything off, then by holding down P6 i got it to recognize the iPod. I'm not happy with the Coastal unit at all, their website is misleading. Navigation is pathetic, since I have about 100 playlists, it's a real pain to scroll -- especially since you can't hold the cat button down, you have to hit it discretely for each change. Then, when you choose a song, of course, cat buttons grey out, you have to toggle back to FM. To make matters worse, each time you start up, the playlist defaults to the first, so it takes me forever to even get through the "B's." I had had the impression that I would actually see at least some of my playlists, albums, etc. on the screen. Instead, all I get are a word or two, usually useless.

Before I condemn Coastal totally (if for no other reason, crappy customer service), I will try a later iPod. I just bought a new nano to see -- the pisspoor nav possibilities may be due to the fact that I have a fairly old photo iPod, i don't know exactly what generation.

One trick I learned today is that if you detach your Pod, scroll it to the play list you want, it will kick off from there when you put it back and fire up the car. Does anyone have any other secret key strokes combs or other tricks to make the coastal unit more user friendly. Right now, I have to make a big effort to divide my attention if I try to use it while driving.

All the above notwithstanding, i'll probably end up keeping it, because i suspect that all of the boxes out there are basically the same -- but if anyone has one that really gives on screen navigation, please let me know.

aerobat

I believe the limitation has to do with the age or generation of the radio itself. What you described is what it is. Someone on here said it's acceptable if you have maybe 10 to 15 playlist but if you think about browsing through 100s of items, it's not very pretty. As far as the artist and song name, it's no different than what you see when the radio is set to XM.

I used mine today for several hours and I agree with you, the module functions are really basic, I am still happy that I can play my iPOD in the car with an acceptable quality level.

SilverX :cool

I believe the limitation has to do with the age or generation of the radio itself. What you described is what it is. Someone on here said it's acceptable if you have maybe 10 to 15 playlist but if you think about browsing through 100s of items, it's not very pretty. As far as the artist and song name, it's no different than what you see when the radio is set to XM.

I used mine today for several hours and I agree with you, the module functions are really basic, I am still happy that I can play my iPOD in the car with an acceptable quality level.

SilverX :cool

i agree, it's definitely better than the iPod FM transmitters.

R

I believe the limitation has to do with the age or generation of the radio itself. What you described is what it is. Someone on here said it's acceptable if you have maybe 10 to 15 playlist but if you think about browsing through 100s of items, it's not very pretty. As far as the artist and song name, it's no different than what you see when the radio is set to XM.

I used mine today for several hours and I agree with you, the module functions are really basic, I am still happy that I can play my iPOD in the car with an acceptable quality level.

SilverX :cool

:iagree I'd have to agree with JP totally on this. We were together today for the Fall ride in Southern Indiana and both came to the same conclusion--that the limitations are probably due to the XLR's radio itself. The ipod wasn't even invented when the XLR came out! Other than that I believe the sound quality is better than the XM!

Cubby558:cool

:iagree I'd have to agree with JP totally on this. We were together today for the Fall ride in Southern Indiana and both came to the same conclusion--that the limitations are probably due to the XLR's radio itself. The ipod wasn't even invented when the XLR came out! Other than that I believe the sound quality is better than the XM!

Cubby558:cool

True enough, but for me the Coastal box would have been unusable until I found a work-around today. Most of my itunes library is classical -- and iTunes itself is not great for that, unless you organize things yourself very carefully into folders and then playlists. otherwise, it has no idea whether "andante" is a composer, an artist, an album. Since I have several thousand tracks, many of which are 'andante,' for example, it can get chaotic. There is no way i could reduce my playlists to 10 or so for the car, and it was dangerous trying to scroll through as many as I have, and even then, not really knowing where I was in the list because of such limited info.

Today it occurred to me that it might work better if I could use the coastal just as a point of entry, bypassing it's lousy attempts to interact with the navscreen. Sure enough, I ran a jack from the ipod earphone output to the double rca jack inputs on the coastal, just as i connect my ipod to a small bose unit in my kitchen. The coastal box recognizes the ipod immediately as an ext device on XM2-- the beauty of it is that it does not freeze the ipod screen, allowing me to scroll through my usual playlists, with all the info i need painted on the ipod screen. the only minor downsides are that the audio quality may not be as good, but i'm not sure about this, and it does not charge. that's not a problem, because you can leave the dedicated ipod docking jack connected to the coastal box, and plug that into the ipod whenever you don't need to scroll, and thus get charged up if you want to leave your pod in the car.

also, i ran the wires underneath the back storage box, right along the drivers seat and into the hinge of the middle console, there is maybe less than one inch of wire, barely visible. the other ends can come out of the center console, right near the latch, next to the top operation switch, so you can just lie your ipod right on the area behind the shift lever. the inch or two of wire is rigid enough so that the ipod doesnt slide around, and you have great visibility and access.

aerobat

Aerobat, Thanks for sharing the trick of selecting the playlist on the iPod while it is disconnected. I tried it today and it works great. :thumbs

SilverX

Aerobat, Thanks for sharing the trick of selecting the playlist on the iPod while it is disconnected. I tried it today and it works great. :thumbs

SilverX

Glad it's helpful, but you really might want to try the auxillary jacks. That way you can use your ipod scroll wheel and go directly to whatever list or song you want, with all the info on the ipod screen. aside from the other difficulties i mentioned with the coastal box, even if i did attempt to scroll with it, it was just slow and clunky, and seemed to respond inconsistently. with the ipod earphone output to the coastal rca jacks, the steering well volume control still works. you use the p6 to toggle from ext device to your xm presets, and you still have the option of going the XM1 route with the dedicated ipod plug if you know what you are going to listen to, and you want it to charge meanwhile. you just can't have both jacks occupied at the same time.

Rob
aerobat

All -

Sorry to bring this up yet again! I know where the search button is and I did use it - and I KNOW I saw this posted and I went through all the threads and could not find the answer. So here it goes...

Does anyone with an 04 or 05 model non-XM have the PA-11 from USA Spec Integrated to the back of the head unit?

I could have sworn that I read that someone did this, so I got the unit and my installer said there are NO matching plugs for the harness that was provided.

He called USA SPEC Technical support and they say that is has not been tested on the 05 XLR, yet it clearly states in on their website.

Help Please?

Sully:banghead

What do the plugs you have look like?

See are the pics. The first is of the actual harness which plugs into a long black cable to which will connect to the main USASPEC unit.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2080905142_79c60e0fa2.jpg


The second picture is of the connector on the harness. There is a male and female version like it is suppose to basically fit in between another connection. It is a 16 pin connector.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2080905174_19257cb62f.jpg

Thanks

Sully

The 16 pin connector is the one that normally connects to the XM Tuner. If the car has a connector like that, it's located behind the upper storage compartment in between the car seats. You can get to this location by climbing in the trunk or by taking of the storage compartment out removing the 4 torx screws. I am not 100% sure but in 2004 I believe that all XLRs got the harness but the XM Tuner was an option.
I hope this helps. SilverX

See are the pics. The first is of the actual harness which plugs into a long black cable to which will connect to the main USASPEC unit.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2080905142_79c60e0fa2.jpg


The second picture is of the connector on the harness. There is a male and female version like it is suppose to basically fit in between another connection. It is a 16 pin connector.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2080905174_19257cb62f.jpg

Thanks

Sully

Sliver - Thanks I knew that harness existed but I could not find it the first time around. I actually got in the trunk and not just leaning in and I found the harness tucked in behind the roll bar support.

Hooked it up via the directions and voila everything worked as advertised!

Thanks for giving me the insight to look for that harness again!

Sully

Fantastic...! Enjoy your new toy.. :)

Leaning in the trunk just doesn't do it. You got to be in all the way..:eek It's not that bad... :)

SilverX


Sliver - Thanks I knew that harness existed but I could not find it the first time around. I actually got in the trunk and not just leaning in and I found the harness tucked in behind the roll bar support.

Hooked it up via the directions and voila everything worked as advertised!

Thanks for giving me the insight to look for that harness again!

Sully

I have the Coastal Etech installed in my car, and it works now. The limitations are significant, and Coastal ETech was the worst company to get support from!

In the 2004, you can't change anything other than scroll the songs. No menu capability at all. Changing to artist or genre, etc., you have to disconnect the cable, make your selection, then plug it back in.

I am sure there are other better interfaces out there, perhaps something that was put out on display at CES. Coastal Etech sent me the wrong cable, and it took about 3-4 weeks to get a replacement sent!

My installer couldn't figure out why he couldn't get it to work, and called them while on-site. He never got a call back.

I finally noticed the cable problem, and getting them to get back to me was like pulling teeth.

If you are considering an Ipod interface, I would look elsewhere!

Bill Muirhead

Few questions:

1) Does the coastal unit, allow it to work with the touch screen nav, and steering wheel controls?

2) How does this unit compare to the USA-SPEC PA11-VETTE ?

Touch screen controls:
Preset 6 = Press and hold to go to/from XM (XM1-iPod, XM2-AUX)
Preset 1 = Previous Song
Preset 2 = Next Song

The Category (CAT) buttons on the bottom of the screen will scroll thru your playlists on the Navigation screen. (Hopefully you only have a few). When you see the one you want, you press SEEK UP. Then you are playing songs in that playlist.
(note: once you use "SEEK UP" to select your playlist, the INFO and CAT buttons are no longer available. You get them back by switching back to FM and to XM again. A bit anoying :skep but it works.)

The volume controls on the steering wheel work fine. :yesnod

The preset jump buttons on the steering wheel are inactive. :(

Song Artist and Title are displayed on the Navigation Screen. :) (Not the HUD)

The iPod volume is about the same as the FM volume. (Not really low like the XM).

The unit has the iPod hook-up and an AUX input. It's very basic functionality. No bells and whisle here.

I am not familiar with the USA-SPEC PA11-VETTE.

Good luck. :cool

SilverX

Few questions:

1) Does the coastal unit, allow it to work with the touch screen nav, and steering wheel controls?

2) How does this unit compare to the USA-SPEC PA11-VETTE ?

My Coastal unit arrived this week - I'm stuck in China right now, but when I get back to California I'll install it and take lots of good pictures.

Good luck. :)



My Coastal unit arrived this week - I'm stuck in China right now, but when I get back to California I'll install it and take lots of good pictures.

It's installed and works - but not very well. This thing is not what I was hoping for. Maybe it's time to roll my own...

That said, maybe it's easier to just replace the whole dash nav unit and get something a little more up-to-date. Anyone know about dash removal, audio system replacement, etc?

No doubt, it's basic functionality, nothing fancy here. :skep

SilverX

It's installed and works - but not very well. This thing is not what I was hoping for. Maybe it's time to roll my own...

I've had the lock pick since October. I first found out about it on this board. It sounds great, but DOES NOT work as specified. Apparently, it was designed for similar Corvette radios, and not specifically for XLR's. There are some issues with scrolling and you have to turn the radio on then off quickly to regain functionality after selecting playlists in order to choose songs. There are some other "bugs" that don't come to mind at the moment. I called Coastal when I got the unit and was told they weren't sure about the XLR and would look into it. I am now trading my 06 XLR for an 08 V and called again to see if upgrades/updates were available..."not at this time". I have to admit it sounds better than any other option, but I'm not completely thrilled.

STARBLACK225

Once you select a playlist, the buttons dissapear, not allowing to select another playlist. I found out that switching to FM and then XM again will restore the playlist select function. That sounds better than turning the radio off.

SilverX


I've had the lock pick since October. I first found out about it on this board. It sounds great, but DOES NOT work as specified. Apparently, it was designed for similar Corvette radios, and not specifically for XLR's. There are some issues with scrolling and you have to turn the radio on then off quickly to regain functionality after selecting playlists in order to choose songs. There are some other "bugs" that don't come to mind at the moment. I called Coastal when I got the unit and was told they weren't sure about the XLR and would look into it. I am now trading my 06 XLR for an 08 V and called again to see if upgrades/updates were available..."not at this time". I have to admit it sounds better than any other option, but I'm not completely thrilled.

To kind of change the subject, I own the ZEN Vision:M made by Creative.

Does anyone know if it can be treated as an iPod, or at least in a similar fashion, and be connected as the iPod? If it is possible I'm sure there would be a wiring harness difference at best.

Thanks,
Floyd

Floyd,

I am assuming that the connection to your player is not the same as an iPod. If you have the Coastal unit or someting like it, you can use the other AUX input. If you do, you will have to use the controls of the player. (IE: The radio buttons won't control your player).

SilverX


To kind of change the subject, I own the ZEN Vision:M made by Creative.

Does anyone know if it can be treated as an iPod, or at least in a similar fashion, and be connected as the iPod? If it is possible I'm sure there would be a wiring harness difference at best.

Thanks,
Floyd

Why not make six discs from your Ipod on your computer. You can choose just the songs you want, then insert them and choose what you want. Hell you can make a lot of discs and that's a lot of songs.To kind of change the subject, I own the ZEN Vision:M made by Creative.

Does anyone know if it can be treated as an iPod, or at least in a similar fashion, and be connected as the iPod? If it is possible I'm sure there would be a wiring harness difference at best.

Thanks,
Floyd

Why not make six discs from your Ipod on your computer. You can choose just the songs you want, then insert them and choose what you want. Hell you can make a lot of discs and that's a lot of songs.

Hey, Bobbbbo, not as silly as it may sound. I'll have to give that some serious thought! At least total control is maintained and CDs are dirt cheap these days!!

Good one!!

Floyd

I get an idea every once in a while, may be good or maybe bad
I have nothing but my favorite songs on two CD's. If you copy the whole I-Pod which may have songs you don't really like you can choose just the songs you want. I love Elvis songs, but not everyone, so I check mark these and just the ones I like go on the CD.
BoboHey, Bobbbbo, not as silly as it may sound. I'll have to give that some serious thought! At least total control is maintained and CDs are dirt cheap these days!!

Good one!!

Floyd

Just got my Alpine White V. Love it!!!! Can't stop smiling. Anyway...pluged in my Coastaletech IPOD adaptor.....GUESS WHAT??? Steering wheel seek controls work!!!!

Dom

Just got my Alpine White V. Love it!!!! Can't stop smiling. Anyway...pluged in my Coastaletech IPOD adaptor.....GUESS WHAT??? Steering wheel seek controls work!!!!

Dom

Good luck with your new love!! :thumbs

Floyd

WOW, that's good news to me..! :yesnod :party

Enjoy your new ride...!

SilverX

Just got my Alpine White V. Love it!!!! Can't stop smiling. Anyway...pluged in my Coastaletech IPOD adaptor.....GUESS WHAT??? Steering wheel seek controls work!!!!

Dom

Hello Dom
I guess your new handle will be Starwhite 443!:party

Just got the Alpine White normal model.... it runs pretty well.... what do you do with all that extra horsepower?????????????

I emailed Coastaletech and they said they did not have anything for the xlr. What item to order and what does it all do? I want to hook up an iphone, add a rear camera and would like to change my nav routes on the go.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jester:jester:

Jester

What you are looking for is listed on this page but I doubt that it will do all the functions you want.

http://www.coastaletech.com/CADILLAC_APPLICATIONS.htm

XLR 2004-2008 is listed at the bottom.

SilverX

STARBLACK225

When did you purchase you Coastal unit? I have a 2008 and my steering controls do not operate the unit. Perhaps Coastal upgraded their units since I bought mine... :skep

SIlverX


Just got my Alpine White V. Love it!!!! Can't stop smiling. Anyway...pluged in my Coastaletech IPOD adaptor.....GUESS WHAT??? Steering wheel seek controls work!!!!

Dom

Hi Silver X, Jester,

Not sure what I'm gonna do with the extra power. Annoying my girlfriend seems to be the short term goal :). I bought my unit in October '06. It still has the same flaws in the '08 as the '06. As for the steering wheel controls on the '08, the volume and seek (left side of wheel) work. Once you select a playlist you can forward or reverse from the seek button. Backup cam??? Iphone??? HAHAHAHA! Sorry. My girlfriend has an IPHONE, she can't control it, but she can play her music through the system and maybe charge it. I'm going to look into a system called NAV TV. I had it in my Escalade and loved it. I'll let you know what I find out.

Dom