I'm a very happy camper now. The Kensington Auto/Air Power Inverter worked. I was nervous at first because when plugging into it's USB connections, it was actually much more noisy, but when plugging into it's standard plug, it is dead silent. Now I have no noise with playing music, can charge my phone, have easy access with my fingers and can just use Hey Siri (being it's plugged in) and control everything handsfree. I am using one of it's USB connections for an additional charging cable so I can keep the ashtray closed.

As for non-power cables, I'm using the Apple Composite AV Cable to go from RCA to the old style 30pin iPod connection, then having that connect to the .2 meter Lightning to 30-pin Adapter. Using that Lightning "cable" rather than the small adapter without the cable allows me to fit through any case I use on the phone.

 

Where you able to see what the iphone shows onto your screen of the g ?

 

No, the Lightning to 30 pin adapter will pass audio but not video. Considering where the iPhone sits though, I have no real want for anything to show up on the G's screen. I can see the iPhone perfectly and easily touch it to skip tracks and such with one finger while my hand rests on the shifter. And though it would have been nice to be able to install USB to control it from the steering wheel, it's actually easier to not touch anything at all (including my iPhone) and simply say, "Hey, Siri, shuffle my Rock playlist" rather than drilling down through menus. That's the main reason I wanted to be able to charge my iPhone at the same time (without noise), because Hey Siri only works when charging.

 

Which option should I go with, the GROM or Audiovox(Dice) MediaBridge?

I am looking for the one that offers good Bluetooth, Steering wheel controls, hands free calling, and Android compatibility. Both the Grom and Audiovox seem to offer these but I would like to know what the members here felt was the best option. Also I notice that some of these seem to work with Siri on Apple devices. Do they also work with Google Now on Android devices? Thanks!

 

Just wanted to say thanks for the 'stop worrying and just do it'. Dash came apart just like the video, and although it did take a bit more force than it appears in the vid, a spatula and philips screwdriver were all I needed. The ports on the back of the radio were nothing like the photocopied instructions Grom included in the box but I got lucky finding the 12V constant source wire first time around (the only fat yellow wire) and installed the posi-tap without incident. First test worked - plugged the audio cable into my Moto X, played some tunes, and pressed the radio button until it showed XM1 and got loud, clean sound (XM2 works also, I don't have satellite radio installed). I drilled a 5/8" hole in the bottom of the storage compartment above the radio and pulled the 3.5mm audio cable up through the hole. This gives me a place to store the cable when not in use, and there's only a 8-10" run to plug into the phone when it's mounted on the windshield with my RAM aluminum mount (amazing mount btw) - the compartment lid shuts nicely over the cable without leaving a gap. I mounted the very small Grom box at the bottom of the radio compartment with some Scotch outdoor double-sided foam tape, and was suspicious at how easily all the trim went back together in less than five minutes but a quick drive around didn't reveal any rattling or buzzing. If I was going to improve the setup I'd solder a USB charger to the back of the ashtray cigarette lighter and run the USB cable up through the compartment also - using the armrest lighter is a bit messy with the cables. But since I'm not draining the phone battery using Bluetooth for audio there isn't a need to charge the phone during normal commuting use.

While the Grom G-AUX1 unit didn't work for my intended trunk SAT cable installation, I do have a tidier solution in the dash that meets my needs, cost less than $100 and took an hour to install. And if this 57K 2006 car lasts for as long as I hope it will, I won't worry too much about replacing the radio myself when the time comes!

 

Are these compatible with factory navi

 

Yes. Unless you've got a 2007+ Sedan or 2008+ coupe w/navigation.

 

Wrather, thanks for this useful thread and for sticking with it to address everyone's questions!

I have one more for you - I have a '06 sedan with no Nav or Sat and am interested in just getting a 3.5mm aux input installed. Option B appeals to me due to the low cost and simplicity, but from perusing the thread it seems that I need a "satellite adapter" to utilize this option. Can you please explain how I can determine if I have one in my car already, and if not what I would need to order?

I see you posted the wire colors and pinout already, I'm comfortable with splicing wires if that's all that is required. Thanks!

 

You need a satellite adapter. If you don't have a satellite radio puck on the top of your car, you definitely don't have it.

If you have to order parts for option B, just pick up one of the real adapters, unless you really want to add satellite radio to your factory radio, hoping your factory radio doesn't die and make it useless.

 

Wrathernaut, just signed up for this site to thank you for answering all of these questions.

I just installed the GROM BT3 unit in my 07 G35 coupe. It works great, no problems thanks to the excellent write ups on this forum. Check out good instructions specifically for the GROM here and this Only recommendation is be sure to invest in a trim remover kit, as the dash is very delicate and prone to crack/scratch.

 

I spliced a Bluetooth adapter into the satellite's analog signal wires at the back of the head unit following the wiring guidance provided for Option B. Awesome information! It works great, as long as the satellite receiver has satellite reception. If I'm in the garage, car wash, etc where it loses satellite signal the head unit displays "No Signal" and it stops playing the music coming from the Bluetooth adapter.

Has anyone else ran into this? Is there another wire from the satellite receiver to the head unit I need to circumvent somehow as obviously having satellite signal isn't important when the audio source is actually coming from the Bluetooth adapter.

2005 G35x Std Non-Bose

 

I just read this whole thread. I have an 04 coupe and I'm looking to be able to control my iPod through the radio and steering wheel controls including browsing through artists, songs, playlists, skipping songs etc with the display showing the song and artist name. For the past 6 years I've been using a tap adapter to connect my iPod but I would like it to all work through the radio, if possible. I have the Bose stereo with the SAT button but haven't checked the trunk yet. What should I go with and how would I install it? Thanks!

 

You should have just stuck with the first post to avoid confusion.

Go with the PA15-NIS. Installs to the back of the radio. There's resources on removing the factory radio in the thread linked in the first post.

 

Is there an easier option like through the trunk or something? I didn't really want to get involved with removing the dash. If that's the only way I'd rather update my radio but can't find a dd that has dual climate button..
Thanks

 

Check the trunk for the harness and go with the PA15-INFI if you've got one, but depending where you want to route your iPod connector, you're going to be taking apart some of the interior anyway.