So I got my isgm655 iSimple Connect by PAC-Audio.com http://www.amazon.com/iSimple-Premi...1&keywords=isimple+connect+car+kit+gm+isgm655
Instruction MUST be downloaded here: http://pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=1160&CategoryID=36 No instructions are included with unit. I guess that is the new norm.
I installed it Friday night. It took quite a bit longer than the 30 min i saw someone claim it took them to install. Took me a few hours. But then I wanted to figure out best place to install the USB jack and what not.
Once all plugged in, It was displaying the iphone information, but the music was still coming out of the XM receiver. Frustrated, I gave up and called it a night.
I tried calling them the next day and get this... PAC-Audio is open until 7pm on Saturdays for tech support. Their customer service is AMAZING. They are very friendly, helpful, and patient. They also really know there stuff; a huge plus especially when you have had to deal with some of the crappier tech support that think nothing of wasting your time with apprentices at the 'Level 1' level support. When you call them, you give them your phone number, and they actually take notes so you don't have to explain your dilemmas when you call back.
So there were TWO plugs you have to bypass in the harness. I had not really looked at the smaller plug, assuming it was for a different model or the harness was for multiple vehicles. No, it is a GM harness, specific to that vehicle. Essentially, the smaller plug is for the sound.
Once all assembled, it worked beautifully.
A few things to consider. you are suppose to secure it somehow. But the harness is not very long so it makes this a near impossible task. Plus, you got to shove all that back into the dash, with the HU, with little room to spare. I did not attach since it was pretty much impossible, but I did try to keep away from sharp metal (there are a few areas under there that could damage wires over time.)
A valuable tip... get a cardboard box and sit it on the drink holder. Box should be just below the bottom of Head unit. This will allow you to sit the HU comfortably without having to balance it with one hand while fiddling with wiring with your other. That thing is heavy! This also avoids you damaging dash when balancing radio.
Another complaint is the USB and AUX 1/2 connectors do not have any way of locking them in place. so they kept coming off when pushing everything back in. Bit of a PITA. Hopefully they won't come off after a while.
The USB outlet is super nice to have, but mine was REALLY hard to plug USB in and out of, to the point that it pulls the whole thing out when i pull the plug out. I will call them about this. It would be nice if they replaced this with an all in one outlet that has USB and mini jack. I have seen these on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNUFGN6...UTF8&colid=1JEP9VQIZ99B6&coliid=IG6H5TACMYTSD You would need to modify since the mini jack coming of iSimple is a male plug.
Figuring out best location for USB plug took a while. I ended up putting it in the pen holder (near drink holders). It fits nicely there. Only downside is cables remain apparent and parking in cities, you want to avoid anything that will draw attention to avoid break ins.
I routed the audio mini jack on the right. There is a 1/8" gap between dash and console molding that allows this cable to be tucked away neatly, but can be pulled out when needed.
I am still testing out operation, but essentially, it works like this:
You essentially have a bunch of input modes. You need to hit the Band button a few times to get to XM, then immediately turn the channel knob to scroll through the option you want SAT (for XM), BT (Bluetooth), USB, IPODUSB, IPODBT, Aux1, Aux2. Then hit 6 on the preset buttons to lock it there. It is a bit of work going through all this but assume you lock it into an input mode for a while. But when you get a call, i assume you need to go through these actions to connect the phone, plus, turn on bluetooth on your phone and allow it to connect if it is not already on.
The USB jack of course is automatically powered, so it charges your phone. You can also charge your phone if your are listening to another input like FM or XM. Nice
PLAYING MUSIC:
You can either connect your iphone through either bluetooth or USB (with your own cable). Not all phones work with full integration so you need to check for compatibility. Either way you connect, you can control your iphone music player through the head unit (HU), or through the steering wheel controls.
Alternatively, if you have an older or non compatible device, you can use Aux 1 and 2 as an input. They provide a connector that gives you a mini jack (head phone jack) connector with two RCA female plugs. RCA plugs come out about 6 inches off unit, so you will need an extension cord if you plan to use these in the future without taking everything apart. The audio mini male plug has a long cord (about 6feet or more) so there is plenty of flexibility as to where to locate.
HANDS FREE PHONE OPERATION:
Hands free works through Bluetooth only i believe. The hands free works well. I tried a few call but still need to test it more to find out. One nice feature, you can control the phone (answer, hang up calls and more) with the HU. This is a nice feature to keep from looking at the phone and keep attention on the road.
I did not try the USB plug with a flash drive.
All in all, this is a great set up. PAC audio provides great support that makes install a breeze (relatively). I would REALLY recommend that you do the install while customer service is open. Once you get into the install, you essentially have your dashboard completely taken apart. I pulled the center console apart in order to figure out where to put USB plug.
Instruction MUST be downloaded here: http://pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=1160&CategoryID=36 No instructions are included with unit. I guess that is the new norm.
I installed it Friday night. It took quite a bit longer than the 30 min i saw someone claim it took them to install. Took me a few hours. But then I wanted to figure out best place to install the USB jack and what not.
Once all plugged in, It was displaying the iphone information, but the music was still coming out of the XM receiver. Frustrated, I gave up and called it a night.
I tried calling them the next day and get this... PAC-Audio is open until 7pm on Saturdays for tech support. Their customer service is AMAZING. They are very friendly, helpful, and patient. They also really know there stuff; a huge plus especially when you have had to deal with some of the crappier tech support that think nothing of wasting your time with apprentices at the 'Level 1' level support. When you call them, you give them your phone number, and they actually take notes so you don't have to explain your dilemmas when you call back.
So there were TWO plugs you have to bypass in the harness. I had not really looked at the smaller plug, assuming it was for a different model or the harness was for multiple vehicles. No, it is a GM harness, specific to that vehicle. Essentially, the smaller plug is for the sound.
Once all assembled, it worked beautifully.
A few things to consider. you are suppose to secure it somehow. But the harness is not very long so it makes this a near impossible task. Plus, you got to shove all that back into the dash, with the HU, with little room to spare. I did not attach since it was pretty much impossible, but I did try to keep away from sharp metal (there are a few areas under there that could damage wires over time.)
A valuable tip... get a cardboard box and sit it on the drink holder. Box should be just below the bottom of Head unit. This will allow you to sit the HU comfortably without having to balance it with one hand while fiddling with wiring with your other. That thing is heavy! This also avoids you damaging dash when balancing radio.
Another complaint is the USB and AUX 1/2 connectors do not have any way of locking them in place. so they kept coming off when pushing everything back in. Bit of a PITA. Hopefully they won't come off after a while.
The USB outlet is super nice to have, but mine was REALLY hard to plug USB in and out of, to the point that it pulls the whole thing out when i pull the plug out. I will call them about this. It would be nice if they replaced this with an all in one outlet that has USB and mini jack. I have seen these on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNUFGN6...UTF8&colid=1JEP9VQIZ99B6&coliid=IG6H5TACMYTSD You would need to modify since the mini jack coming of iSimple is a male plug.
Figuring out best location for USB plug took a while. I ended up putting it in the pen holder (near drink holders). It fits nicely there. Only downside is cables remain apparent and parking in cities, you want to avoid anything that will draw attention to avoid break ins.
I routed the audio mini jack on the right. There is a 1/8" gap between dash and console molding that allows this cable to be tucked away neatly, but can be pulled out when needed.
I am still testing out operation, but essentially, it works like this:
You essentially have a bunch of input modes. You need to hit the Band button a few times to get to XM, then immediately turn the channel knob to scroll through the option you want SAT (for XM), BT (Bluetooth), USB, IPODUSB, IPODBT, Aux1, Aux2. Then hit 6 on the preset buttons to lock it there. It is a bit of work going through all this but assume you lock it into an input mode for a while. But when you get a call, i assume you need to go through these actions to connect the phone, plus, turn on bluetooth on your phone and allow it to connect if it is not already on.
The USB jack of course is automatically powered, so it charges your phone. You can also charge your phone if your are listening to another input like FM or XM. Nice
PLAYING MUSIC:
You can either connect your iphone through either bluetooth or USB (with your own cable). Not all phones work with full integration so you need to check for compatibility. Either way you connect, you can control your iphone music player through the head unit (HU), or through the steering wheel controls.
Alternatively, if you have an older or non compatible device, you can use Aux 1 and 2 as an input. They provide a connector that gives you a mini jack (head phone jack) connector with two RCA female plugs. RCA plugs come out about 6 inches off unit, so you will need an extension cord if you plan to use these in the future without taking everything apart. The audio mini male plug has a long cord (about 6feet or more) so there is plenty of flexibility as to where to locate.
HANDS FREE PHONE OPERATION:
Hands free works through Bluetooth only i believe. The hands free works well. I tried a few call but still need to test it more to find out. One nice feature, you can control the phone (answer, hang up calls and more) with the HU. This is a nice feature to keep from looking at the phone and keep attention on the road.
I did not try the USB plug with a flash drive.
All in all, this is a great set up. PAC audio provides great support that makes install a breeze (relatively). I would REALLY recommend that you do the install while customer service is open. Once you get into the install, you essentially have your dashboard completely taken apart. I pulled the center console apart in order to figure out where to put USB plug.
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