USA SPEC PA11-VOL iPod to Volvo Factory Radio Interface with Auxiliary Audio input

by USA Spec

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 2 x 8 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000ID4YLK
• Item model number: PA11-VOL
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

Product Description

The PA11 series iPod interfaces provide direct connection for an iPod plus an optional audio source such as satellite radio, DVD, or video game system. Both the iPod and the additional audio source are selected from the factory radio's front panel. The interface adapter connects the iPod to your factory radio as if it were a CD changer, allowing direct selection of iPod playlists through the radio's preset (or disc) buttons and is compatible with iPod models featuring the dock connector, including the iPod nano and 5G iPod video. There are two operating modes available for the interface, Playlist Mode and Direct Mode. Playlist Mode uses the controls on the factory radio to provide basic navigation functions including song up/down, playlist up/down, repeat, shuffle, scan, and FF/REW functions. Direct Mode uses the iPod's click wheel to navigate through the iPod's menus and select songs, artists, playlists, etc. and the radio buttons are used only for volume, bass and treble. Both modes still charge the iPod while connected, and stops one hour after the iPod is paused to prevent over-charging. Note: Display of artist and song title information, track search by artist, song title, album or genre are NOT supported. Only the Playlist and track numbers are displayed. Volvo Applications:S60 - 2001-2005S70 - 2001-2005V70 - 2001-2005S80 - 2001-2005S40 - 2001-2004V40 - 2001-2004

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It works; and it's not hard to install, April 14, 2007

By 

Andrew (Hood River, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: USA SPEC PA11-VOL iPod to Volvo Factory Radio Interface with Auxiliary Audio input (Electronics)

Purchased this after a long search and many visits to Car Toys and other auto accessory stores. The product took me only 90 minutes to install; most of this time was spent pulling out the stereo head unit (an HU-605 in my 2006 Volvo S80).

It works very well with the IPod; the only complaints:

1) Sometimes when you start the car; the system skips around and the stereo displays "CD Changer Load Discs". It takes about 5 seconds and then it works fine.

2) If you try and quickly change the "CD" (which changes the playlist) the unit can become confused, and it takes a few seconds to recover its mind.

Other than that, it works well and I'm happily listening to my ipod; and my sirius radio through the AUX input on the unit.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre audio quality, February 19, 2009

By 

John Klatt "GreenTeaGod" (Round Rock, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: USA SPEC PA11-VOL iPod to Volvo Factory Radio Interface with Auxiliary Audio input (Electronics)

I purchased this looking for a connectivity solution for my iPod and my 2001 V70. The audio quality is passable at best. The filter does not do a good job at eliminating electrical interference and there is a clear static hiss while the unit is charging.

I contacted them and they said there was a problem with some of their filters, they provided me with a new one and the results were only slightly better.

My previous setup using the same iPod used an audio cassette adapter and the iPod's headphone jack. The quality was crystal clear. I'd rate the clarity of this just barely above a FM modulator.

Overpriced for the quality of sound you get out of it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, July 13, 2009

By 

Doylez - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: USA SPEC PA11-VOL iPod to Volvo Factory Radio Interface with Auxiliary Audio input (Electronics)

The install was pretty easy and the unit works great! The sound quality can be anywhere from 7-9 out of 10 but I think it depends on what I'm listening to. If I'm listening to my iPod, the sound quality is about 8-9 out of 10 with a little bit of hissing sometimes (Note: I tapped into power and ground on my factory stereo harness - that alone should give me the best sound so I'm not sure why there's a little hissing sometimes). Other times if I'm listening to online radio (I use an iPhone) the hissing gets a little louder but never enough to really bother me. Let's just say it'll always still sound better than AM radio.

I like how it gives you the option to choose between playlist mode (i.e. you can only play playlists from the iPod but you can control the iPod from your stereo) or manual mode (i.e. you play whatever you want but you have to control it from the iPod). I use manual mode because I love listening to online radio, especially now that the iPhone has a Sirius/XM app (I don't have an XM unit). I used to HATE using an FM transmitter to listen to online radio. The sound quality would be horrendous!

One thing I don't like is how it automatically starts playing from your playlists as soon as you plug it in. Wonder if there's a way to stop that? Sometimes I'd like to just listen to online radio but it'll automatically start playing from the iPod. No big deal. I've gotten used to stopping the playback before selecting my online radio apps. No big deal.

I also have my Garmin GPS plugged into the RCA jacks so I can hear the audio through my car speakers. That works great as well! Wish I had built-in navigation in my car so I'd be able to watch video from my iPhone through the screen.

Great product at a very reasonable price