Finally, a simple solution to retaining the steering wheel controls of a vehicle when installing an aftermarket stereo. Introducing the Axxess ASWC, from Metra Electronics. This universal steering wheel interface is brand new for the 2010 line of Metra Axxess components and is designed to make the installers life much simpler. Unlike other steering wheel interfaces, the ASWC requires no manual programming. After making all the proper connections, this interface will automatically program itself with the new stereo and the vehicle. No more tedious programming of each button. The ASWC has a LED status light that will flash according to the programming and inform you when the sync is done. Its simple. Just plug it in and you are ready to go! Now installations can be faster, easier, and simpler! If you still prefer to do the programing manually, Axxess has left that as an option. No matter what type of vehicle or aftermarket stereo you are planning on installing, the ASWC has you covered! It is fully compatible with Pioneer, Sony, Alpine, Kenwood, Eclipse, JVC, and more. As long as the stereo has a wired steering wheel remote connection, the ASWC will connect and interface with the vehicle. Plus, the Metra ASWC is able to be updated. This means that the interface will never be out dated. For the simplest way to retain the steering wheel control in your car, choose the Axxess ASWC!
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
Metra's ASWC adapter is easy to install (just connect one wire, solder a second, and ground a third), conveniently programs itself automatically, and even lets you remap the buttons manually if you feel like it. It mostly works as advertised, restoring use of the steering wheel buttons that would otherwise become sitting blanks after a stereo upgrade. And according to most user reviews out there, this is the first product on the market that does it right, and reliably.
But one big slip of logic made it through the design process. You know those arrow buttons on your steering wheel? Well, Metra gives you the choice of making those buttons work as 1. a combination of STATION SEEK (in radio mode) and TRACK CHANGE (when playing CDs) or 2. a combination of PRESET CHANGE (radio) and FOLDER CHANGE (CDs). Most people, myself included, prefer the arrow buttons to work as PRESET CHANGE and TRACK CHANGE (which is how they always come from the factory), but that combo's a no-go. As a result, those of us who listen to radio and CDs equally can only use our steering wheel buttons about half the time. Sigh.
In the case of my Mazda, this adapter somehow even messed up control response: the volume button now ignores your first press unless you push HARD. Also, Metra could have done a better job writing instructions, and placed the vehicle-specific wiring info where people can actually find it instead of burying it in some obscure nether-region of their website. Finally, they should have issued a warning that for this device to work, your stereo needs a 3.5mm jack in the back. Lower-end models (under $160 in Pioneer's case) usually don't.
