HK Enabler Users Feedback

[MadisonMini]

I am considering an Alpine headunit to replace my HK headunit. I will need to get the HK enabler from Mikey. I have a 2005 MCSC with 3 spoke MFSW.

How are people's experiences out there with the HK enabler? Easy to install yourself? Happy with the results after install? Do you also have to get a MFSW adapter to control the aftermarket headunit?

After installing the Alpine Ipod interface in my other car, I must have this now in my Mini. All the hassle and hoping things work with the Dension are a joke compared to how well the Alpine works and how easy the install.

Anyway, anyone with HK enabler experiences, let me know. Thanks.

[GBMINI]

Does my experience count?


Mikey joins the HKenabler to a harness adaptor - which you need anyway to make aftermarket install easy. So the install consists of attaching harness adaptor to new stereo, removing the old stereo (downtube removal), and fitting the new one. The harness adaptor plugs straight onto the connector that originally went into the factory stereo.
You will also need a fascia adaptor, and an antenna adaptor!

If you got a European head unit, it will probably have connectors on it that Mikeys adaptor plugs straight into, otherwise you have to cut off the European plug and join the wires to the wires coming out of your (USA) head unit.
Mikey can also provide a wired MFSW for many European head units - benefit! Otherwise the PAC-SWIX will do conversion of MFSW to IR signals (see my weblog entry)


For GBMINI#3 I bought everything from Mikey - UK head unit and all adaptors (see here) - GBMINI#3 does not have HK but you could do the same type of purchase, though the $ exchange rate is not too favourable at the moment.