So I have an '08 LT with the regular 6 disc non-bose stereo. I just got done installing the iSimple Connect ISGM651 and am super happy with it.
I was considering a Bluestar but this system was cheaper and works well enough. Bluestar does have some neat features like turning down the AC during calls but the iSimple still switches over to the phone no matter what's going on with the radio.
Here's what I have installed:
-Smoothtalker iPhone 5 cradle with antenna and Lightning pass-thru -connection https://www.smoothtalker.com/products/cell-phone-charging-holders-and-cradles/apple-iphone-5/
-Fakra to FME adapter cable from ebay to connect cradle antenna feed to Onstar antenna (don't use Onstar)
-Auvio 6' Lightning USB cable from Radio Shack (Black with a braided casing, I mostly got it because it's one of the few black Lightning cables you can find)
-iSimple Connect http://www.isimplesolutions.com/product.aspx?zpid=544
What's not pictured is the Panavise bracket and Smoothtalker cradle that I already installed:
The system has a USB input and includes a USB cord and face plate to mount the USB plug somewhere accessible. I wanted everything hidden so I just ran the lightning USB cable straight to the box. I ran the microphone for the bluetooth right next to the Onstar microphone. I thought about splicing in to the Onstar mic and using it for the bluetooth system but figured I'd try the included mic to see how well it worked. So far so good.
The USB and antenna cable that go to the cradle had to go through the dash. There's a spot right at the upper corner of the glove box that worked perfect. The way the plastics were designed though meant I had to drill a 1/2" hole up there to get the cables from one cavity to the other. This is where:
You have to remove a panel cap that goes all the way across the top of the glove box. You can't see the drilled hole when everything is back together so even if you took the cables out to sell your truck you wouldn't notice the hole.
The iSimple box is mounted up under the center console with double stick tape. I don't have a subwoofer so there's plenty of room in there. If I pop one of the forward console panels I can access the box if needed.
And here's the finished product:
Now the easiest way to use the system is just to use the blutetooth iPod audio option rather than the USB iPod option. The iPhone only allows one pairing at a time so if you have it connected through the USB it will give you an error when the Bluetooth tries to sync. Once a call comes in it automatically switches and syncs with the bluetooth, and switches back to USB when the call is completed, but if you undock the phone for any reason and try to dock it back then the phone gives an error. The only way to fix it is to shut off the bluetooth then re-sync the phone over USB and then turn Bluetooth back on.
What's neat about the system is you can chage tracks or play a particular playlist from the steering wheel. Also it will play your Pandora but you have to change tracks from the phone (If you hit forward it will start playing your phone's stored music). Also it displays song info on the radio whether it's stored music or Pandora.
More on how the iSimple works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydUpVdihCdw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e34vLcLH40
I was considering a Bluestar but this system was cheaper and works well enough. Bluestar does have some neat features like turning down the AC during calls but the iSimple still switches over to the phone no matter what's going on with the radio.
Here's what I have installed:
-Smoothtalker iPhone 5 cradle with antenna and Lightning pass-thru -connection https://www.smoothtalker.com/products/cell-phone-charging-holders-and-cradles/apple-iphone-5/
-Fakra to FME adapter cable from ebay to connect cradle antenna feed to Onstar antenna (don't use Onstar)
-Auvio 6' Lightning USB cable from Radio Shack (Black with a braided casing, I mostly got it because it's one of the few black Lightning cables you can find)
-iSimple Connect http://www.isimplesolutions.com/product.aspx?zpid=544
What's not pictured is the Panavise bracket and Smoothtalker cradle that I already installed:
The system has a USB input and includes a USB cord and face plate to mount the USB plug somewhere accessible. I wanted everything hidden so I just ran the lightning USB cable straight to the box. I ran the microphone for the bluetooth right next to the Onstar microphone. I thought about splicing in to the Onstar mic and using it for the bluetooth system but figured I'd try the included mic to see how well it worked. So far so good.
The USB and antenna cable that go to the cradle had to go through the dash. There's a spot right at the upper corner of the glove box that worked perfect. The way the plastics were designed though meant I had to drill a 1/2" hole up there to get the cables from one cavity to the other. This is where:
You have to remove a panel cap that goes all the way across the top of the glove box. You can't see the drilled hole when everything is back together so even if you took the cables out to sell your truck you wouldn't notice the hole.
The iSimple box is mounted up under the center console with double stick tape. I don't have a subwoofer so there's plenty of room in there. If I pop one of the forward console panels I can access the box if needed.
And here's the finished product:
Now the easiest way to use the system is just to use the blutetooth iPod audio option rather than the USB iPod option. The iPhone only allows one pairing at a time so if you have it connected through the USB it will give you an error when the Bluetooth tries to sync. Once a call comes in it automatically switches and syncs with the bluetooth, and switches back to USB when the call is completed, but if you undock the phone for any reason and try to dock it back then the phone gives an error. The only way to fix it is to shut off the bluetooth then re-sync the phone over USB and then turn Bluetooth back on.
What's neat about the system is you can chage tracks or play a particular playlist from the steering wheel. Also it will play your Pandora but you have to change tracks from the phone (If you hit forward it will start playing your phone's stored music). Also it displays song info on the radio whether it's stored music or Pandora.
More on how the iSimple works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydUpVdihCdw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e34vLcLH40
