Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS Installed in 2011 WRX

[foolycooly]

Originally Posted by sketcheroo

The only problem I have with this unit is the slow track changes with the iPod cable and steering wheel controls

Love everything else!

Hmm that's odd--they're quick in BT audio mode.

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[sketcheroo]

Originally Posted by foolycooly

Hmm that's odd--they're quick in BT audio mode.

Yep agreed - probably has something to do with transferring album art data from the phone to the HU as I've noticed the song can begin playing a second or two before the album art pops up.

[spins615]

how is call quality? Im going to be looking for a new HU after i get my car, and thats a big thing for me. I had an aftermarket HU in my last car..and no one on the other end of the phone could hear me that well. I never used it after that. That was a long time ago tho..

[sketcheroo]

Haven't had much success with my bluetooth mic on the steering wheel column. People say there is a lot of background noise and the quality of my voice stinks, but other people have had good success with it so /shrug

[WRXVT]

nice post op!

[limdoug]

Originally Posted by foolycooly

The only minor annoyance is the seek vs. track thing on the steering controls. I left it on BT audio skip since I use that more frequently. I have to manually change radio presets (but I only do that 2-3 times during my morning commute).

I have a App Radio 2 and I believe I have my ASWC programmed where the up and down do the BT skip and then I manually had the "talk" button go to the next preset. Works this way for me....just a suggestion.

[spins615]

Thanks man, you'd think they'd be able to come up with a decent microphone that you could put it. even an aftermarket one that can sense background noise too..

Originally Posted by sketcheroo

Haven't had much success with my bluetooth mic on the steering wheel column. People say there is a lot of background noise and the quality of my voice stinks, but other people have had good success with it so /shrug

[foolycooly]

Originally Posted by limdoug

I have a App Radio 2 and I believe I have my ASWC programmed where the up and down do the BT skip and then I manually had the "talk" button go to the next preset. Works this way for me....just a suggestion.

I was actually thinking about doing this. I have to figure out if it's worth the effort to pull everything apart and reprogram the ASWC.

Originally Posted by spins615

Thanks man, you'd think they'd be able to come up with a decent microphone that you could put it. even an aftermarket one that can sense background noise too..

I've been told I sound very clear with the mic located where I have it. Maybe it's just hit or miss.

[bobbuilder69]

Excellent & informative thread !
Couple of questions: On the pioneer site it seems you can add to your device an app for navi. As anyone tried one of them ?
@FLEX'N WRX, what is you device model ? you also have a pioneer but it looks bigger than the AVH-X5500BHS since you don't seem to have a trim kit.

I have an STI 12, the OEM radio is BT and hand'sfree calling, is the microphone located near the reading lights over the rearview mirror ? there something that looks like a microphone but I am not sure

Thanks, and thumbs-up for the install guide, one of the best !

[evilspoons]

FLEX'N WRX's nav unit is a completely standard double-DIN size, the same as the X5500BHS. He just has this JDM double-DIN radio surround trim piece installed.

[foolycooly]

The microphone is in the maplight cluster. You can remove it by popping off the two plastic light covers with a small flathead and removing the two (if i recall) phillips screws underneath. I am not sure how the microphone itself is attached because I never got that far, but it is on the other side of those slots/holes that I believe you are referring to.

And +1 to evilspoons. The OEM units from Subaru are not standard double-din size--they are actually wider. When you install a double-din like the 5500 in the stock trim you are left with gaps on both sides. These can be filled with a cheap dash kit like mine or you can replace the entire trim piece with the JDM equivalent like FLEX'N has done.

[bobbuilder69]

thanks for the additional info, but could I keep the OEM mic ? Do I really need to replace it ?
Ok, so for the trim kit, any unit will require a trim kit for the subaru ?
+1 to evilspoons for the clarification.

[foolycooly]

You cannot use the OEM mic with an aftermarket unit--you will have to run the aftermarket mic somewhere. I left the stock mic alone so that I could easily re-install the stock head unit if I needed to, but you can try to route the aftermarket mic to the stock location.

Yes, almost every aftermarket unit will require a trim kit if you want to get rid of the gaps on the sides.

[bobbuilder69]

I have looked at the JDM that evilspoons pointed out earlier, I think I will go this that rather than a trim kit. Thanks a lot for all the info. it looks OEM, which is what I was look for.

[Not-EWRX]

Have you got all your steering wheel controls working I have all mine except: Pick up, hang up and what ever the other one is that's not on the spoke.

Is there a way to program the pioneer to recognize this correctly?

[1an5anity]

hey man i just installed my Pioneer AppRadio2 on my STi 13. i just wanna ask what did u do with the wire that clips on to your e-brake.

i know it attaches to the sensor and you wouldnt be able to watch videos or not do certain things unless your parked, for safety purposes i know.

any ideas on how to over ride that swith on ur handbrake?

[Not-EWRX]

Buy this. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002KR9GG/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
There's instructions on how to wire it. 2 leads to ground, one to Amp On (blue wire coming out of the HU) and one to your hand brake wire (green I think).

[foolycooly]

Originally Posted by Not-EWRX

Have you got all your steering wheel controls working I have all mine except: Pick up, hang up and what ever the other one is that's not on the spoke.

Is there a way to program the pioneer to recognize this correctly?

Yeah, see my OP. I got the on hook and off hook buttons to work through manual programming. The PTT button does not work (you can assign it to something else).

[pezcore]

Nice writeup!

I've got the I've got the X4500 (same as 5500 minus HD Radio and SiriusXM). I bought that whole mess of cables for the appradio stuff for my iPhone 5 only to find out that Pioneer still has not released the firmware updates for these units to allow it to work. I am anxious to get my navigation and stuff to work on screen but am happy with the radio otherwise.

I want to wire up a switch to be able to choose from USB 1 (iPod) and USB 2 (iPhone 5) so I don't have to unplug stuff. Should be as simple as taking/giving power to the USB plugs but I'll have to look into it some more.

[Not-EWRX]

Do you manually program them through the HU or through the module? I can't find any information on this.

[foolycooly]

Originally Posted by Not-EWRX

Do you manually program them through the HU or through the module? I can't find any information on this.

You manually program them through the ASWC module. By default, the auto-program on the ASWC assigns the phone buttons to track up/track down/mute all. The manual programming instructions are in the instruction manual for the ASWC and on Axxess' website I believe. You just have to manually program all of the buttons in order (including the actual steering wheel buttons). You need to be able to see the light on the unit while you're doing it.

[evilspoons]

Originally Posted by 1an5anity

hey man i just installed my Pioneer AppRadio2 on my STi 13. i just wanna ask what did u do with the wire that clips on to your e-brake.

i know it attaches to the sensor and you wouldnt be able to watch videos or not do certain things unless your parked, for safety purposes i know.

any ideas on how to over ride that swith on ur handbrake?

Hook it up to your handbrake like they ask you to otherwise it will use the GPS and tell you're "cheating" - there is a different override that involves grounding a pin. Check out AVIC411.com for more information.

[asu0912]

hey, does anyone know if the aux input in the arm rest still work with this HU, or is it a dud when you replace the stock HU.

[foolycooly]

Originally Posted by asu0912

hey, does anyone know if the aux input in the arm rest still work with this HU, or is it a dud when you replace the stock HU.

It will no longer work. You would need to modify the stock unit with the usb/aux in the arm rest or completely replace it. Nothing from my installation goes to the center arm rest (I run the USB to the glove box).

[2000gm]

Originally Posted by asu0912

hey, does anyone know if the aux input in the arm rest still work with this HU, or is it a dud when you replace the stock HU.

It can be done. The third item down here explains the options.
http://ae64.com/aftermarket-HU-insta...Impreza-BT.htm