Axxess AHDH-CH1

Ipod & HD radio integration

I don't normally write reviews, but I couldn't find any for this product - so here goes. We Integrated Ipod & HD radio interface into 06 Chrysler Pacifica with RAH series head-end unit and steering wheel controls. We wanted to maintain the steering wheel controls with the integration. The vehicle originally has XM satellite which we disconnected and removed after the subscription expired, we didn't find it worthwhile to us, plus it gave us valuable space in the small "trunk" area. Comments are specific to this installation. Products purchased AHDI-D01 (“Brain Box”), AHDT-01 (HD tuner), AHDH-CH1 (Chrysler harness), XIAH-IPC (Ipod cable), IFWA (Charging dongle for I-Phone 3G, 2nd gen. I-touch or 4th gen. Nano), & 40-CR30 (Antenna adapters).

When purchasing the HD radio make sure to order the antenna adapters, these aren't show as an item to purchase when looking up application, either with Sonic or Axxess/Metra's website.
The instructions in the wiring harness state to cut to the jumper (pink # 7 - #17) for the system to emulate a satellite radio, if your head-end is satellite radio ready or to leave it alone to emulate an external CD changer. With the jumper cut, the system emulated the CD changer. My suggestion would be to hook up the equipment temporarily to see how it works before cutting the jumper. I had to splice the jumper back together for satellite emulation. (Please remember these were instructions specific to a Chrysler installation)

Prior to purchase, I talked with Axxess’s tech support they told me the "Interface Box" or “Brain Box” would support hybrid or dual control of the Ipod, meaning through the head-end buttons or the Ipod wheel, by connecting the Ipod, disconnecting it for 10 seconds & then reconnecting it. This feature isn't available at this time (May 2009) on the AHDI- series; it is only available on the XIA- series ,non-HD tuner “Brain Box” (re-checked with Axxess tech support after installation). This isn't a deal breaker since I can control the Ipod via the head-end buttons. Since the Ipod's wheel controls aren't available, it allowed me to hide all of the installation, so even the Ipod cable is hidden in the arm rest. The sound quality of the Ipod is very good through the factory system. It seems to reproduce the sound field very well.

Instructions on Ipod navigation are a little quirky, so here’s my explanation, say you wanted to search via artist; start with Button #2 (enters and exits “Browse” mode), then use Buttons # 1& # 5 to search up or down the Browse to find the word “ARTIST”, then press Button #3 to “Select”, now press Button # 2 again to enter “Browse Artist”, use Buttons # 1 & # 5 to scroll the Artist’s names, find the Artist desired and press # 3 to “Select” the Artist. Button # 4 is for shuffle mode.

The HD radio works well, but has some limitations. The head-end unit has 5 preset buttons & is capable of "SET 2" which doubles the buttons. The HD radio only allows for the top 5 preset buttons to work in total. The only steering wheel control that doesn’t work with the HD radio is the preset scroll button. The sound quality is really good and the sub-channels offer more listening content. To find the sub-channel(s) allow the radio to lock onto the main HD radio station, then you can use the seek button to find the sub-channel(s). You can program a preset button to a sub-channel.
Anytime you interconnect after market products into an existing system there are nuances that aren’t apparent or must be accepted to maintain the factory look.

If you are looking to integrate Ipod and HD radio into a factory system, I would highly recommend this product.

Webmaster note:
This is a review for the following 3 products together, as this item is
commonly sold in a package since it requires all three harnesses:
Metra Axxess AHDI-D01
Metra Axxess AHDT-01
Metra Axxess AHDH-CH1