You are correct. Save the money and time. I'll leave mine installed as a selling point at trade in time (that's if any iPod works with it by then).

 

It's actually something that Apple did. They changed the charging interface on the newer ipods and iphones (without telling anybody, natch). So no one with an older cable and a newer ipod can get a charge anymore. You have to buy an adapter. I'm just trying to make sure there's one that works with the factory stereo and PAL cause some of them are funky and the PAL is such a piece of crap to begin with I can only imagine how badly it will work with an adapter.

 

I almost had to beat this out of the dealership. This isn't about the charging, but about using the mp3/audio functionality from iPhone to USB.

There are three different manufacturers of the stock radio console I got in my SS. The manufacturer of the radio/cd player is not disclosed in the build documents, and the only way they can tell which manufacturer did the radio is by trying to update the firmware on it. In addition, of these three, only one is even remotely consistently using the correct firmware update before installation. This particular firmware update is the only one that even remotely allows you to use your iPhone as an iPod via the USB.

Guess what?

They don't check this at the dealership before purchase. So unless you check your phone before you drive it off the lot, you're going to get stuck, as they immediately point out to you that "not all USB devices function."

This is actually a deal-breaker on the car. I'll be letting them have one last chance to fix this in a couple days, and if it doesn't fly I am getting rid of it. I love my sweet little SS, but my music is paramount.

-Tony

 

Anyone have instructions as to how to get rid of the GM PAL. I have had it with this useless ripoff. GM should go to Ford and look at SYNC.

 

I had a Peripheral adaptor in my Colorado, it worked great, fast, and the sound was clear, and my ipod stayed charged, the only thing I did not like about it, was that my ipod, would always go to repeat play when I disconnectd it from the cable, and it would not display the artist info on my head unit, but the previous model did. I also tried a Harmon Kardon drive and play, (fancy FM modulator) worked great to, and had the ability to be hard wired in, just did not like the way the unit itself mounted in the truck.
I have considerd the Peripheral unit for my HHR, but after reading this stuff about the pal, (they look the same) I may just find me a factory usb head unit, or go with a nice aftermarket one.

 

So is it confirmed that the PAL does not charge 6th gen iPod classics? I have a 160gb classic. debating on getting PAL or not, im reading mixed reviews.

 

might just be the pal, but I have an ipod connected through the bottom jack in my focus and the volume on the ipod definitely effects the stereo volume... (pioneer head unit)

 

I have an iPod Touch - the USB interface on the car has never worked right (2009 LT), but the aux. interface works fine. I bought a closeout of a Kensington charger and Aux input ($90 for $30) and my wife and I love it. Fate has decreed, we've been driving 100 miles one way each week and have NEEDED those audio books.

The volume on the radio has to be cranked up almost all the way, though.

 

By the way what is PAL?

Thanks

 

I have just purchased the new 10 HHR LT2 and it was supposed to have the premium Pioneer sound system but i have not been able to really check that out it doent seem premium to me. But any way i have a pal and tried to plug it in and it wont work any ideas i was originally told that i had to have the premium sound supposedly have that and still no go i own a very nice high end sound system from pioneer touch face and all but was really trying to stay factory anybody have any ideas??? p.s this site is great i love it check it daily and really wish their were more hhr lovers in colorado and especially colorado springs :)