DIY: retrofit Hondalink to LX/Sport

kotarou

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Well it's google maps from android auto, not necessary Navi.

Unit's with navi comes with bult-in navigation software.
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NoobDriver

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I see thank for taking the time to answer my questions..i will look into it then deside from there you guys already have alot of info here to thank a bunch to everyone
 

qukquk

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I see thank for taking the time to answer my questions..i will look into it then deside from there you guys already have alot of info here to thank a bunch to everyone
Hi NoobDriver, here to share my experience.

I had kendwood dmx7704s bought during black friday promotion about $350 don't remember well. And my sedan didn't come with 3 point view camera, the seller agent add aftermarket backup camera kit, only 1 view. BTW, my crap radio is facotry 5" display which bother me most is that it can't use Bluetooth to pick up WhatsApp call...

Dmx7704s Pro:
1. Really great sound quality, I am not audiophile, but I can tell the improvement is impressive. I upgrade to aftermarket speakers, the facotry 5" radio can't push out great sound quality.

2. Android auto: I used mostly. And the radio comes extra GPS antrnan, pick up quickly the Google map or Waze.

Dmx7704s con:
1. The touch screen is not responsive, the below $500 aftermarket stereo using new resist touch panel not the same as smartphone, it's ok but having some delay.

2. The touch screen really washed out under sunlight, barely can see it...

3. Installed with aftermarket panel adpator kit, the screen position is a little bit lower than facotry 7" display.

4. The aswc1 adpator kit can't sync up well after first time, after update the firmware, it can maintain most function, but still loss the long press seek function and answer call function.

The facotry 7" radio pro:
1. Good screen position and touch response.

2. More intergrated to interior design.

3. Most remote control function are retianed but loss the change rource function.

4. Android auto: the integration is grest, I like it more than dmx7704s.

5. Will have some extra facotry configuration like auto door lock..etc.

The 7" radio con:
1. It's really really pain of ass to rewiring and find the correct parts. I bought one on eBay about $150, the rest I bought in the junk yard. The radio module rebuild took me most of time.

2. The rewiring rear view camera is painful, I did rewiring everything from back to front.

3. The sound quality is better than 5" but can't compare to dmx7704sb. The factory radio did some awackard bass tuning, you might check the "DSP flat" post on forum, so I add the 8" under seat subwoofer, that make the sound more balance. I can say if dm7704s is 10, 7" is like 7, ad 5" is ike 3. Also thinking about adding small power amp like alpine ktp445u.

4. It doesn't come with HD radio but I am ok with that.

BUT the experience of retrofit it is awesome and appreciate Kotarou's help.

Hope it can give yous someidea about retrofit it.

Santi
 

NoobDriver

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Thank you for sharing what you have experience..yeah even the oem head unit in our 2017 pilot is acting up sometimes wen using carplay maps/google maps and when back up camera or lanewatch is activated and when it’s done with camera feed instead of going back to the maps it goes to the music player then sometimes it dont work when you connect your phone you have to stop and restart the engine. I think i might look into the aftermarket ones just need to wait for a sale to save a bit
 

kotarou

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Another unit Retrofitted fine!
I'm just curious if anyone had the chance to retrofit the steering wheel control on the LX.
 


Sammu8

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Hi everyone – I've successfully retrofitted a Hondalink (ex and above radio) into my LX. It completely changes the driving experience, and it has been working great for the past 2 months or so. IF you are looking for an OEM retrofit, upgraded audio quality, and NO modifications to original wiring, this is for you. Having the Hondalink also allows you to customize the convenience features on the car (locks, lights etc) All in all, I believe I've spent a little over $200 in parts and a further $200 in tools and cables/accessories etc.

IMG_20170805_192914919_zpsupjjyzer.jpg


Following is a brief explanation of what you will need, I think this is best described as a 2 stage process: (i) Bluetooth, Android Auto & Apple Carplay, (ii) Adding AM & FM. Potentially, you can add-on LaneWatch, XM radio, Amp, digital cluster at a reasonable cost.

Worth noting there are variants and sub-models, ie. some equipment have native XM and HD radio, some have Nav,etc . I went for the barebones one, which is what you will see in the pictures below (no XM/HD no Nav/no Amp). I've not yet enabled the rearview camera (there is an extra wire which needs to be connected at the interior Fuse Box (have not yet found in which of the fuse box’s connectors to add).Further, steering wheel controls work perfectly (despite not having up/down function, which is present on the EX+)

As always, any modifications you do to your property is of your own responsibility, this tutorial is for information proposes.

1. Materials:
1.1- Basic Set-up (only native Bluetooth, USB connection, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay):
• 1 - “Tablet” - ~$700 New;~30 to 100 Ebay; part no 39710-TBA-305
• 2- Head UnitBrains - ~1200 New ~150 to 250 Ebay; part nos 39101-TBA-A21 (barebones No HD/XM and no Nav), 39101-TBA-A31 (HD/XM), 39101-TBC-A71 (Fully Loaded)
• 3- GPS Antenna - $15 - part no 39835-TBA-A01 (alternative google Honda GPS antenna)
• 4 (Optional)- Secondary USB - $30 - part no 39114-TBA-305
• 5 - Blue connector-Harness from “tablet to Brain” (often is included when you buy either #1 or #2) - $25 - part no39725-TBA-A01

1.2-Adding AM/FM module Set-up:
• 1 - Tuner - $80 - part no 39800-TBA-A11(AM/FM) or 39800-TBA-A21 (AM/FM/XM radio)
• 2 -Small Male Antenna Connector x2 - $10 - part no Mobilistics adapter for 2016 Civic
• 3 -Single Male Antenna Connector - $10 - part no39835-TBA-A01
• 4 - Double Male Antenna Connector - $10 - part no METRA 40-HD22
• 5 - Motorola-style M-M Connector x2 - $5

1.3-Additional parts, tools, and connectors:
- $10 per day to access the Honda diagrams and specifications https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.aspx

- On ebay, buy connectors and harnesses for Hondas (anything from 2010 onwards are reasonably similar, independent of the model, as the specifications are very similar). This will allow you to customize the connectors and have a solid mechanical OEM Fit. Also, this will serve to re-use OEM-quality cables and terminals.

- On amazon, buy a 635 pcs Dupont Connector, M-M, M-F and F-F Dupont (same as used for Arduino). This kit comes with wiring, solderless male and female terminals and different housings b/w 1 and 10 pins. These are sufficient caliber to conduct the amperage and have a decent grip to the connectors.

2. Bench Procedure:
This portion will be all about creating the additional wiring harness, which basically consists of 3: (i) back of the radio 16 pin connector (aka E connector) (Required) (ii) tablet straight 5 pin connector (Required) (iii) AMFM module straight 10 pin (optional). Below are the diagrams:

2.1 16 pin E connector
upload%2016%20pin_zps69ijebxc.jpg

2.2 Tablet Connector
uploadtabletconnector_zpsnbk6xeex.jpg

2.3 10 Pin AMFM module connector
upload%2010%20pin_zpsbxcwn8g8.jpg


Hey Guys!! Thanks for this amazing DIY! I am pretty new to this, and I was actually trying to do the swap by myself but I find myself in some trouble since I don't know how to do some wiring..

Basically I literally just unplugged the LX connectors and plugged into the EX radio, I thought I'd work since they are compatible and basically have the same shape.. I didn't do any extra stuff and the radio is well, not turning on or working at all.. I know that I need to do some wiring, specially on the 16 pin one, but It's just that I don't know which wire will go to which. I dont need the FM radio, I'm sticking with the basic configuration

I need your help, if anyone can tell me how to do some basic wiring to get the radio on, I'd really appreciate that.

Thanks again!!
 

kotarou

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Just to turn on the Unit, you'll need to pay attention on the display wiring, I think it's a 4 or 5 pin connector.
There is a important signal there, if you don't have the unit won't turn on.
 

jdmsleepr

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Just successfully completed this swap in my 2016 LX for $330 all said and done. Thank you to everyone on this thread. All your research and knowledge made it possible. Very happy with the end result.
 

skshrews

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Just successfully completed this swap in my 2016 LX for $330 all said and done. Thank you to everyone on this thread. All your research and knowledge made it possible. Very happy with the end result.
Where did you get the parts? Ebay? Junkyard?
 


Chris Nait

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This es great, thank you very mucho, I will try this, for now I have a question, I will still have steering wheel controls??
 

Chris Nait

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I have another question, what about the gps antenna? I didnt buy it because according to the seller the head unit doesnt have gps, so there is no problem, right? mine is a 39101-tba-x11-m1. thank you in advance.
 

jdmsleepr

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I have another question, what about the gps antenna? I didnt buy it because according to the seller the head unit doesnt have gps, so there is no problem, right? mine is a 39101-tba-x11-m1. thank you in advance.
I'm not sure what radio that model code is. Can you post a picture of it and the back where the connectors are?
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