Axxess ASWC or Pac SWI-PS Question

Tomboy · 12-29-2011, 09:16 PM

Recieved my package today with my new Pioneer Z130BT, XM Sat. radio unit, Kenwood backup camera, Metra dash kit, and the Pac steering wheel control system. I have read on Crutchfield all the reviews on both Axxess and Pac. . Both have good and bad. I would like to make sure I install the best one. I was sent the Pac kit. My husband is very good at these installs so my question is, which is the best operating kit. I would like the steering wheel controls to work like OEM? Does this also give you phone options to answer and such with the steering wheel controls? My IPhone works great with the HU so would like to have it all work right. Opinions would be greatly apprciated.

Laurie

TreeSemdyZee · 12-29-2011, 10:03 PM

I have used both. IMO, the Metra Axxess is the best of the two. The PAC was extremely slow, the wiring was very thin and it was a major pain in the butt to get working.
The Metra has worked flawlessly for over a year. I think it's easier to program if there is manual programming needed. It has an automatic feature, but sometimes doesn't work with newer units. Even if it doesn't work, it's not a big deal. Only took me 10-15 minutes to set it up manually and most of that time was me reading the instructions.

bigaudiofanat · 12-29-2011, 11:08 PM

Hands down metra very fact response like factory and easier to install.

djpathfinder · 12-30-2011, 12:01 AM

I installed a PAC in my STi recently and manually programmed it. You can download easy to follow instructions from PAC's website that is specific to your vehicle and brand of HU (Pioneer in this case)...walks you through all the hardware connections needed as well as instructions to program...very easy. Once programmed, all the buttons work like OEM...no delays. In terms of wire size...they are the same as the OEM harness wires. Axxess vs. PAC...if you already have a PAC in your possession, I think it's a non issue.

bigaudiofanat · 12-30-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djpathfinder

I installed a PAC in my STi recently and manually programmed it. You can download easy to follow instructions from PAC's website that is specific to your vehicle and brand of HU (Pioneer in this case)...walks you through all the hardware connections needed as well as instructions to program...very easy. Once programmed, all the buttons work like OEM...no delays. In terms of wire size...they are the same as the OEM harness wires. Axxess vs. PAC...if you already have a PAC in your possession, I think it's a non issue.

There may be no delay for your sti but on the z, the pac has a big delay compared to stock and compared to the metra.

roplusbee · 12-30-2011, 08:34 AM

Man......where was this thread when I got my SWI-JACK installed? It does suck in terms of response. Sometimes, I can't even use the steering wheel controls because they are scrambled. Once I get back, I am going to remove it and go with the Metra unit since I have to redo my wiring anyway............

Thanks for the heads up!

MattP725 · 12-30-2011, 09:28 AM

Heard the same thing so I ordered my Axxess last night from Amazon. It will work with the BT controls but you have to do some wiring with the stock bluetooth unit (jump some pins I believe) but Metra has the instructions for this on their website. To me that was a selling point because I hate the idea of buttons that don't function (especially useful ones).

roplusbee · 12-30-2011, 09:50 AM

I am going to try and re-work my SWI-JACK, but I have the Metra unit on my wish list on Crutchfield just in case........

bigaudiofanat · 12-30-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

Heard the same thing so I ordered my Axxess last night from Amazon. It will work with the BT controls but you have to do some wiring with the stock bluetooth unit (jump some pins I believe) but Metra has the instructions for this on their website. To me that was a selling point because I hate the idea of buttons that don't function (especially useful ones).

Link to this.....PLEASE

MattP725 · 12-30-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Link to this.....PLEASE

Must I do everything

http://contentdocs.installernet.com/...icle/12144.pdf

MattP725 · 12-30-2011, 10:45 AM

Here is also the doc to wire the AXXESS to our cars. I haven't verified this yet as I haven't done the install.

http://contentdocs.installernet.com/...icle/12209.pdf

12-29-2011, 09:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tomboy Base Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 18 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	Axxess ASWC or Pac SWI-PS Question Recieved my package today with my new Pioneer Z130BT, XM Sat. radio unit, Kenwood backup camera, Metra dash kit, and the Pac steering wheel control system. I have read on Crutchfield all the reviews on both Axxess and Pac. . Both have good and bad. I would like to make sure I install the best one. I was sent the Pac kit. My husband is very good at these installs so my question is, which is the best operating kit. I would like the steering wheel controls to work like OEM? Does this also give you phone options to answer and such with the steering wheel controls? My IPhone works great with the HU so would like to have it all work right. Opinions would be greatly apprciated. Laurie

12-29-2011, 11:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	Hands down metra very fact response like factory and easier to install. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

12-30-2011, 12:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	I installed a PAC in my STi recently and manually programmed it. You can download easy to follow instructions from PAC's website that is specific to your vehicle and brand of HU (Pioneer in this case)...walks you through all the hardware connections needed as well as instructions to program...very easy. Once programmed, all the buttons work like OEM...no delays. In terms of wire size...they are the same as the OEM harness wires. Axxess vs. PAC...if you already have a PAC in your possession, I think it's a non issue. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

12-30-2011, 08:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 22	Man......where was this thread when I got my SWI-JACK installed? It does suck in terms of response. Sometimes, I can't even use the steering wheel controls because they are scrambled. Once I get back, I am going to remove it and go with the Metra unit since I have to redo my wiring anyway............ Thanks for the heads up! __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

12-30-2011, 09:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 22	I am going to try and re-work my SWI-JACK, but I have the Metra unit on my wish list on Crutchfield just in case........ __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

12-29-2011, 10:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I have used both. IMO, the Metra Axxess is the best of the two. The PAC was extremely slow, the wiring was very thin and it was a major pain in the butt to get working. The Metra has worked flawlessly for over a year. I think it's easier to program if there is manual programming needed. It has an automatic feature, but sometimes doesn't work with newer units. Even if it doesn't work, it's not a big deal. Only took me 10-15 minutes to set it up manually and most of that time was me reading the instructions.

12-30-2011, 09:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Heard the same thing so I ordered my Axxess last night from Amazon. It will work with the BT controls but you have to do some wiring with the stock bluetooth unit (jump some pins I believe) but Metra has the instructions for this on their website. To me that was a selling point because I hate the idea of buttons that don't function (especially useful ones).

12-30-2011, 10:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Here is also the doc to wire the AXXESS to our cars. I haven't verified this yet as I haven't done the install. http://contentdocs.installernet.com/...icle/12209.pdf

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