Ok guys,
I hinted for a few weeks that I have been waiting for a new ipod kit. I am now testing this for a vendor who plans to make it available to everyone soon. I want to get everyone's comments on a few things.
1. Right now, you would have to make a choice- iPod or XM- there is plans to make the XM and iPod coexist in the car, but that is not available. (for me, i dont care 'cause I dont subscribe to xm)
2. Navigation takes some getting used to. See the image
XM2 band will be the same except that the soft keys on the right control playlists 7-12. If you dont have 12 playlists then the buttons wont do anything. I am trying to figure out how to number/name the playlists now to make it so you know what playlists are at what location.. havent figured this out yet. The playlist names dont show up. They MAY fix this later but they cant do that now.
3. installation is plug and PLAY.. yes, pull the radio (10 mins) plug in the wiring harness, and put it all back together. (if you have xm- which all v owners do, you need to pull the rear deck and disconnect the xm unit in the car now- 30 mins). Total install time with xm is about 45 mins to 1 hour without xm its about 30 mins.
4. The premise here is that you can put the ipod away somewhere and done have to see it. I put mine under the armrest and will mount it there when I am done (havent mounted it yet)
5. Few other things: the ipod is charged/ powered when plugged in, and it automatically shuts off when you turn of the car. Oh, and while you are in the nav screen you can use the seek button to change tracks (VERY COOL). If you have steering wheel control (standard CTS) they will work too!
6. The kit is high quality pieces (apple liscensed connectors and cables)
7. The kit will work on ALL CTSs/ CTS-Vs as follows:
If you have nav and XM(all Vs): Install and disconnect XM
If you have nav and no xm (does this exist?): Just install the kit
If you have a base/bose radio w/ Xm: Install and disconnect XM
If you have base/bose w/o XM (but XM ready- 2004 or later): Just install (MAY need to take to dealer to enable XM band)
If you have base/bose w/o XM (but not xm ready 2003 or before): Install and take to dealer to "enable" xm band
For me this kit is great. I think its about 80% of what the ipod integration should be (until GM shapes up). As many of you know I have had my ipod wired in for a while and I will tell you it is very impossible (nevermind dangerous) to navigate to a song while driving. that said, this kit has the exact functionality I was using before except I dont have a bracket holding the ipod in my field of view. I usually put on a playlist, put it on random and press next when i dont like a song. So, the only limiting factor of this kit that I did have before is that the playlist names are not shown onscreen (yet). I will tell you that it is MUCH safer to be working on the large LCD than on the ipod screen even if it was mounted high on the dash (using my custom mount)
So, with that, anyone have thoughts? I know the lack of XM will automatically exclude some of you from wanting this, but would anyone want it as is?
I should add that this is what I have been waiting for... GM didnt give us ipod integration (and may not- especially since delphi filed chapter 11) but the aftermarket came through and this solution is VERY good. Not perfect, but an excellent option for those of us who want an ipod in their cars.
Reed
I hinted for a few weeks that I have been waiting for a new ipod kit. I am now testing this for a vendor who plans to make it available to everyone soon. I want to get everyone's comments on a few things.
1. Right now, you would have to make a choice- iPod or XM- there is plans to make the XM and iPod coexist in the car, but that is not available. (for me, i dont care 'cause I dont subscribe to xm)
2. Navigation takes some getting used to. See the image

XM2 band will be the same except that the soft keys on the right control playlists 7-12. If you dont have 12 playlists then the buttons wont do anything. I am trying to figure out how to number/name the playlists now to make it so you know what playlists are at what location.. havent figured this out yet. The playlist names dont show up. They MAY fix this later but they cant do that now.
3. installation is plug and PLAY.. yes, pull the radio (10 mins) plug in the wiring harness, and put it all back together. (if you have xm- which all v owners do, you need to pull the rear deck and disconnect the xm unit in the car now- 30 mins). Total install time with xm is about 45 mins to 1 hour without xm its about 30 mins.
4. The premise here is that you can put the ipod away somewhere and done have to see it. I put mine under the armrest and will mount it there when I am done (havent mounted it yet)
5. Few other things: the ipod is charged/ powered when plugged in, and it automatically shuts off when you turn of the car. Oh, and while you are in the nav screen you can use the seek button to change tracks (VERY COOL). If you have steering wheel control (standard CTS) they will work too!
6. The kit is high quality pieces (apple liscensed connectors and cables)
7. The kit will work on ALL CTSs/ CTS-Vs as follows:
If you have nav and XM(all Vs): Install and disconnect XM
If you have nav and no xm (does this exist?): Just install the kit
If you have a base/bose radio w/ Xm: Install and disconnect XM
If you have base/bose w/o XM (but XM ready- 2004 or later): Just install (MAY need to take to dealer to enable XM band)
If you have base/bose w/o XM (but not xm ready 2003 or before): Install and take to dealer to "enable" xm band
For me this kit is great. I think its about 80% of what the ipod integration should be (until GM shapes up). As many of you know I have had my ipod wired in for a while and I will tell you it is very impossible (nevermind dangerous) to navigate to a song while driving. that said, this kit has the exact functionality I was using before except I dont have a bracket holding the ipod in my field of view. I usually put on a playlist, put it on random and press next when i dont like a song. So, the only limiting factor of this kit that I did have before is that the playlist names are not shown onscreen (yet). I will tell you that it is MUCH safer to be working on the large LCD than on the ipod screen even if it was mounted high on the dash (using my custom mount)
So, with that, anyone have thoughts? I know the lack of XM will automatically exclude some of you from wanting this, but would anyone want it as is?
I should add that this is what I have been waiting for... GM didnt give us ipod integration (and may not- especially since delphi filed chapter 11) but the aftermarket came through and this solution is VERY good. Not perfect, but an excellent option for those of us who want an ipod in their cars.
Reed