After reading the thread entitled "Yet another fantastically difficult project... " (http://empeg.comms.net/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=empeg_general&Number=73262&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=) I started thinking about how having one of these remotes will probably save my life. My g/f has already started smacking me for staring at the empeg for more than 10 seconds at a time, hehe - not a good idea on the 110 freeway heading south into L.A., where would-be speed racers slalom through incredibly narrow lanes at 80 mph (129 kph).

I have read the FAQ section that covers this issue, but I still have a few questions.

1) How do the steering wheel ir devices manage to get their signal over to the car stereo/empeg mounted almost directly to the side of them? Do they output a rf signal which is translated into ir by a remote signal extender, sort of like the X10 RemoteSender (http://www.x10.com/products/x10_pm5900.htm)?

2) Can anyone post a decent list of working steering wheel remotes?

3) Which steering wheel remote is the most recommended? I have no problem with adding ir translations to the config.ini, but I am most curious about price vs. useability issues.

Some steering-wheel IR remotes have the emitter on the body of the remote itself, some of them use a small wire which allows you to place the emitter whereever you like.

I use the Kenwood right now. When my new car comes, I will interface the built-in steering wheel controls with the tuner module. Check out some pics of my Kenwood:
http://spmicro.com/gallery/kca-rc700

EDIT: By the way, no IR translations are needed with the Kenwood remote since the original Empegs understand Kenwood remotes natively. This remote uses an IR transmitter that is on a 3" wire connected to the keypad. This allows you to position the transmitter in the best possible place for your application.

well after using the knenwood for a while and being dissatisfied, i switched to the pioneer, setting it up with the ir hack kernel was easy, i haven't set it up yet with beta 11 and hijack. Speaking fo which what is the homepage for hijack?

You could try the Hijack link at the top of the page there..

bahahahahhahahaha, oh man i feel like a chump

thanks

I use the Pioneer streering wheel remote too...It has a small IR emitter on the base and the only time I have some problems with it is under occasional direct sunlight...I have to rely on the IR hacks for it to work however. I like using it a whole lot more than the kenwood remote... You can find plenty of previous discussion thoughout the site on the Pioneer remote if you do a search for it...

Hey I took a look at your pics of the kenwood remote and it's mighty close to that airbag (you would be surprised at how far out they tear when they deploy). I would hate to have that remote implanted in your torso (or shot into your passengers face) in the event of an accident.

Yes, it is meant to be installed on the back side of the steering wheel, but I put it on the front. There was a discussion about this issue here when I first installed it. I'm a rebel.

I had a friend who was an ER doctor and he claimed that the car accident injuries he saw most often were broken forearms and smashed faces due to people driving one-handed with their arms across the wheel (right hand holding the wheel at 10 o'clock, for example) and the airbag deploying and slamming their arms into their faces. I haven't driven that way since. And I don't even have an airbag.

If you want optimal use of the Kenwood you should use Hijack to redefine its buttons. They're not placed well for use with theplayer, plus they provide functions that you don't want or need in that configuration.

For instance, it uses 4 buttons to do track skipping and track position, instead of 2 (using long press like the Rio remote or face buttons). I found it next to useless without translating the codes.

Putting it on the back of the steering wheel also allows me to use two fingers to operate it (like triggers). On the front it seems like you'd use your thumb or have to fiddle around with your hand to locate and operate it properly. Not to mention not having to have it surgically removed from your skull in the emergency room if you ever got into an accident.

I set up some translations last night and I'll finally "stick" it in place this weekend.

Bruno

care to share your translations with us? i'm thinking of getting one of the kenwoods, and i'd be interested to see how you've chosen to redefine the buttons.

--dan.

I just assigned the basics to the buttons:

[ir_translate]

b9460D.L=popup0 ;FM long
b9460D=artist ;FM

b9460C.L=popup1 ;AM long
b9460C=album ;AM

b94613=shuffle ;src

b9460B.L=Pause.L,null ;NextTrack long
b9460B=top ;NextTrack

b9460A.L=menu.L ;PrevTrack long
b9460A=menu ;PrevTrack

b94616=info ;att

b94614.L=NextTrack.L ;Volume+ long
b94614=NextTrack ;Volume+

b94615.L=PrevTrack.L ;Volume- long
b94615=PrevTrack ;Volume-



The comments are just to indicate the labled button name on the actual remote (for reference only - I should move them above the code for easier reading). The buttons are sorted from left to right on the remote face (because the remote is normally mounted facing away from you, this made sense to keep the lines in logical places while editing).

I'm still working out stuff for popup0 and 1. I'm hoping Mark does a rev on some stuff so I can do 1-click long-presses in there.

Bruno

i am almost done with mine too, which has no tuner config, but a lot of open spots left. so far it is coming along well, i may have it tonight, maybe tomorrow.

I haven't even installed mine in the car yet but I think I'm going to change around the button ordering. I'm thining of putting the Next/Prev both at the top, instead of one under the other. When I'm wide-awake tomorrow I'll think of something.

Bruno

Pioneer CD-SR77 or CD-SR80 > *

You can use hijack to modify the IR translations and customize it to whatever setup you want. Mine can access 100% of the functionality of the empeg that I use (I don't care about searches/etc) from it.

...broken forearms and smashed faces due to people driving one-handed with their arms across the wheel (right hand holding the wheel at 10 o'clock, for example) and the airbag deploying and slamming their arms into their faces.

Yes, the plastic remote is the least of a problem. The thing would be launched so quickly/violently there would be hardly anything left.

Hey I took a look at your pics of the kenwood remote and it's mighty close to that airbag (you would be surprised at how far out they tear when they deploy). I would hate to have that remote implanted in your torso (or shot into your passengers face) in the event of an accident.

Sorry for the bump of a very old post, but you were right. My friend had the remote mounted in the same place on his Thunderbird. He totalled the car tonight (he is OK) and the airbag sent the remote flying.

[public service announcement]
GET THAT KENWOOD STEERING WHEEL REMOTE OFF THE FRONT OF YOUR STEERING WHEEL!
[/public service announcement]