[evolvingpowercat]

I purchased and installed the Peripheral Technology iSimple Automotive Media Gateway on my Eos. The model is PXAMG.

It is compatible with the 2006-2008 non-navigation VW OEM Factory Stereos with SAT button.

I purchased with the VW wiring adapter, PGHVW1.

I like it, here is what it does:

1. With radio in SAT mode, one presses TUNE button twice to enable selecting SAT, AUX, and iPOD modes using the CAT/FLDR button. I have Sirius and it works exactly the same as before when the PXAMG is switched to normal SAT mode.

2. Provides iPod input with dock connector that supports all iPhone 3G, all iPod Touch, iPod Nano Gen 3 and 4, and Video iPods, that have current Apple firmware. The current version charges them all including the new models that require 5 Volts. When iPod is attached here, the song and artist is displayed similar to how XM and Sirius displays on the VW radio display. The radio and steering wheel can control:

- next/previous track from steering wheel or by turning tune dial
- can go to browse mode by pressing OK on steering wheel or Preset 2 on radio and then browse by Playlist, Artist, Genre, or Composer
- use CAT FLDR or steering wheel up down buttons to move up down browse lists
- tune knob is pushed in or OK on steering wheel is pressed when you get the one on the list you want
- Preset 1 goes back one browsing type when in browse mode
- Preset 2 enters browse mode
- Preset 3 exits browse mode
- Preset 4 toggles the iPod random modes
- Preset 5 first press rewinds song next press returns to normal play
- Preset 6 first press fast forwards song next press returns to normal play

3. Provides AUX input that you can play "anything" through your stereo with. I also use this with my iPod Touch so I can direct control the iPOD touch for listening to audio books controlling directly with the iPod touch controls, this way I can go back to the exact spot in the audiobook I left off each time.

4. Could provide HD Radio but I have not tried this myself. It would be a pain to tee the antenna feeds to the HD radio module. The optional HD radio tuner sold separately, they don't now sell 'y' cable for the VW antenna wire.

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Installation: The PGHVW1 is plug and play it goes in series with the square connector on the back of the radio and then has a "side" cable that plugs into the PXAMG. The PGHVW1 harness puts it in series with some of the wires that lead to the sat tuner module under the passenger seat. The PXAMG is small and all plastic so can't short anything around it out. It fits behind the radio and AC controls just fine.

The only "trick" is getting the DIP switch set to match who made your VW stereo. Panasonic made some and Delphi made some they look exactly the same from the front. The manual tells you how to figure out which kind you have. The other "trick" is that the need to push the TUNE button twice to switch the modes between SAT and iPOD. That fact is kind of hidden in the manual it threw me for a curve for a while.

It draws near zero power when the car is off, I have had for 2 months now and have had no issues with it draining the battery with the car off. Eos has sat for 2 weeks un-driven while I was on vacation after I installed this and I had no issues with battery drain on return.

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I LIKE IT. For me it was worth the $130. I installed myself in 1 hour, so for me installation was free.

 

[mnanda]

Thanks!!!

This was just the info I was looking for!

 

[mnanda]

I installed this myself and saved a chunk of cash over what pro installer wanted. It was a minor drag to do it, but now it's done and I'm very happy with it. I really just run my iPod through the AUX and don't use the special built in controls, but it works for me. Also happy to have the charge cable hooked up and I ran an extra USB cable which I'm using to power my phone.

Thanks again.

 

[evolvingpowercat]

FYI since my original review they introduced support for iPhone 4 and Gen 4 Ipod Touch.

Existing units like mine needed a $30 hardware upgrade and a firmware update, hardware update consists of a new daughter circuit board that plugs into the main board, took me about 1 hour to do the whole upgrade.

 

[Carefree Ray]

Anyone want to share the steps to get to the back of the radio?

I have the iPod kit and would like to install it but haven't figured out the sequence of getting the dash apart.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MrGadget]

I purchased a similar setup except I disconnected the Ipod and installed Bluetooth and HD Radio modules though the same interface. Same issues with the two different manufacturers on the radio, unfortunately one works better and I got the worse one. Emailed the adapter manufacture and they were amazed I got the bluetooth to work (it's not designed for our car). I've had the cables slip out a couple of times, wire ties help, but sometimes you have to go back in and disconnect to get the adapter to see both the Bluetooth and HD radio, there is a specific order of hooking up the connections, but the instructions are pretty good.

I have decided that the HD radio module is now going bye bye, not because HD Radio is bad; it's outstanding, very clear signal, but the damn radio station I bought this for changed formats AND started playing commercials, and I'm not a fan of the crappy music they now play. I'm removing the HD radio module and installing a used Ipod so I no longer have to listen to commercials (another reason I liked HD Radio). Not sure if the Ipod adapter in the EOS (09) or the one that came with this setup is better, I will experiment to see which works better with the Sat radio I have.

As for installing, get a plastic removal tool, pop off the faceplate, underneath there are 4 torx screws, and the connecting cables in back that have plastic jacks with quick relases, (be careful of the antenna jacks, they are tricky and not long enough for the radio to rest anywhere while your working on it).

UPDATE: I ended up using the new ipod cable, it puts the information on the current song up on the factory radio, the factory ipod connector (in the console) does not. My bluetooth still works.