Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

lnferno

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 19, 2008
407
0
So I received the ProClip holder for the iPhone4 (w/bumper) today. Installation was straight forward -- took just a few minutes. I like that I can control the "firmness" of the swivel. I decided to mount it on the right side because I felt selfish and didn't want to give up my center vent. My wife is always too cold or too hot so she won't miss that center vent on her side. :p I was worried about giving up the angle by having it more towards the passenger side, but it adjusts perfectly towards me. I'll have to test it out a bit more and will provide additional feedback after a few days of "real life" driving experience.

I also installed a USASpec iPhone adapter. What's cool about this adapter is that it DOES support playlists through my factory NAV-DVD head unit and it costs less than just about most other comparable adapters that I checked out. It works beautifully. I can control the volume as well as playlists through my factory head unit. It supports Direct Mode vs. Hybrid mode, meaning if I want to control the iPhone4 directly, I can. Also, it does charge the iPhone4. Despite what the manual does you do NOT need the extra dock. The manual says so, but it is dated. My iPhone4 charges just fine. What you want to look for is the blue and yellow cable -- if it has that, then that's a pretty good indicator that it will charge the iPhone4.

I freakin' love this setup. I tested a few of my audio applications and they work/integrate beautifully with my factory speakers. As previously mentioned, iPod works great (with playlists), I can stream Pandora through my factory audio system, 5-0 Radio, and the Navigon voice plays through my factory system even if I have my iPod or Pandora playing. This is more a feature of the iPhone4, but it does a great job transitioning between Navigon and whatever other audio system I have playing when the Navigon voice kicks in. No choppy in and out -- it gently decreases the volume of the music when Navigon voice comes on and then gently transitions back to the music.

Anyways, here are a couple pics. Not the best pics because I took these in my garage in pretty low light. And yes, there are fingerprints everywhere -- that's what happens when you take pics right after an installation. :p

holder2.jpg


holder1.jpg
 
How do you switch between your iPhone audio and your "regualr" radio audio? I'm using a P.I.E. interface (AUX-IN only) in my 07 Trailblazer and switching is annoying. You have to hit CHANNEL UP 2X then CHANNEL DOWN 2X and half the time it doesn't work.

Did it include the iPhone cable?
 
How do you switch between your iPhone audio and your "regualr" radio audio? I'm using a P.I.E. interface (AUX-IN only) in my 07 Trailblazer and switching is annoying. You have to hit CHANNEL UP 2X then CHANNEL DOWN 2X and half the time it doesn't work.

Did it include the iPhone cable?

I basically gave up my CD changer for the use of the adapter (I never listen to CDs). So to change between the radio and the iPhone/iPod I just simply select either the FM button or the CD button for it to go to my iPhone4.

The USASpec adapter came with the cable. I did, however, have to cut out my bumper a little bit where the adapter plugs in with an exacto knife. If you get the ProClip without the holder for the bumper, then that's a moot point.
 
I posted on this a few days ago asking if anyone has had any experience with the USA Spec unit or the Neo Pro Link and didn't get any replies.
Thank you for taking the time to post your review on the USA Spec unit. It's just what I was hoping to hear. I just wasn't sure how well they worked with the iOS4 system.
I am going to order one up for my 04 Toyota Tundra. For anyone else that might also be interested, these units are vehicle specific and are available at Car Toys retailers but you can get them a little cheaper by looking around on line. They come with everything you need (all cables included) to install it in your vehicle.

Once again I thank you for your awesome review.
 
Cool -- glad that info helped. So far, no complaints at all with this setup. I'd definitely recommend the USA Spec adapter and the pro-clip holder
 
i have the usa spec in 2 cars. it works ok, sometimes has trouble making itself available to the radio.

the problem i did have was connecting it to the iphone 4 after installation of the apple bumper. the cable was too big. had to return bumper. looking for some type of female to male iphone/ipod adapter that is slim.
 
so does the usaspec adapter fit into the iphone 4 when there is a bumper on the iphone 4?
 
so does the usaspec adapter fit into the iphone 4 when there is a bumper on the iphone 4?

I had to cut my a little bit with an exacto knife to make it fit. Your best bet is to get the proclip for the iPhone without the bumper for this setup.
 
is your proclip adjustable? i used them and love them for my 3g and the one for my 3g is adjustable to fit pretty much all the cases i have. I see proclip this time around has offer 3 option, w bumper, nake or skin/thin cases

how much adjustment can you make with the proclip?
 
is your proclip adjustable? i used them and love them for my 3g and the one for my 3g is adjustable to fit pretty much all the cases i have. I see proclip this time around has offer 3 option, w bumper, nake or skin/thin cases

how much adjustment can you make with the proclip?

There are different versions depending on whether your phone is naked, has a bumper, or 3rd party case.
 
I had to cut my a little bit with an exacto knife to make it fit. Your best bet is to get the proclip for the iPhone without the bumper for this setup.

Hey thanks for the quick reply inferno, any chance you could take a close up pic of the exacto work you had to do? I am set on using my iphone 4 with bumper, so I would just like to see how it looks!

Cheers my friend
 
How do you switch between your iPhone audio and your "regualr" radio audio? I'm using a P.I.E. interface (AUX-IN only) in my 07 Trailblazer and switching is annoying. You have to hit CHANNEL UP 2X then CHANNEL DOWN 2X and half the time it doesn't work.

Did it include the iPhone cable?

I basically gave up my CD changer for the use of the adapter (I never listen to CDs). So to change between the radio and the iPhone/iPod I just simply select either the FM button or the CD button for it to go to my iPhone4.

The USASpec adapter came with the cable. I did, however, have to cut out my bumper a little bit where the adapter plugs in with an exacto knife. If you get the ProClip without the holder for the bumper, then that's a moot point.

I have USA Spec adapter for 2007 Honda with Bracketron vent mount, iPhone 3G previously and now iPhone 4 with case. No need to cut bumper for adapter plugs.

For iPhone audio, I use CD6 button from factory 6-disc CD changer (CD1 to CD5 buttons for CD playing...other buttons such as Sat radio, AM/FM are still functional) so I can also change tracks on the steering wheel controls for iPod function of iPhone 3G/iPhone 4.
 
Semi related: I just installed a ProClip #516165 which is the "Adjustable Holder with Tilt Swivel and Pass-Through Connector for Cable Attachment Apple iPhone 4" and it works perfectly with my Pioneer car stereo and my Incipio NGP case.

The holder is engineered very well, as stated above you can tighten the swivel so once you get it in place you can lock it down. The phone fits nice and snug and the pass-thru connection allows you to connect any normal dock connector for power and audio. The only problem is the adjustable nature of this holder means the small finger adjustment knobs limit the tilt motion somewhat as they hit the mounting plate screws behind.

I'm putting the same mount in two different vehicles ('02 Dodge Dakota & '00 VW Passat) so if anyone is interested I'll attach some photos of the install. Just need to find a black cable so it blends in better with the mount and dash.
 
male to female slim adapter for bumper

i have the usa spec in 2 cars. it works ok, sometimes has trouble making itself available to the radio.

the problem i did have was connecting it to the iphone 4 after installation of the apple bumper. the cable was too big. had to return bumper. looking for some type of female to male iphone/ipod adapter that is slim.

:eek: I hear you! I actually cut my hand when I tried to cut the 30-pin out on the Bumper. I finally found a female to male adapter at GadgetBoost.com that does the trick. Hope this helps! :D
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.