Review on 🚗 Enhance Vehicle Control: Metra Axxess Universal RF Steering Wheel Control Add-On Interface, Standard Packaging by Brian Thuo

Let's get some obvious cons out of the way. Some important details are missing from the included installation guide, such as: B. the image showing the location of the LED and reset button on the RFASWC interface. On the front of the interface, the holes all look the same, and if the LED doesn't light up, it's difficult to tell them apart. Note that the reset button is the hole in the middle under the "X" in "AXXESS". The LED is the hole on the right, under the "S". On the left is the USB port cover. The instructions clearly state that the red wire must be connected to the 12v auxiliary wire and the black wire to ground. However, there is a third wire not mentioned in the instructions, black with a light green stripe - note this is an antenna so just leave it as is. The rubber band is used to attach the RFASWC transmitter to the steering wheel, but in no case does the band hold the transmitter securely in place. Thanks to the rubber band, the transmitter wobbles and moves when you press the button. Also, as another reviewer pointed out, once you cut through the strap, it will be very difficult to reuse the strap when it's time to change the battery, as it's too short to fit through the slot on the back . Channel. The first RFASWC I ordered was out of service - the interface was non-functional. To save time I ordered a second RFASWC before sending the first one back. Returning the first RFASWC through Revain was very easy and free of charge. All I had to do was print out the return label, put the label and the RFASWC in the box, and seal it with tape. In fact UPS picked it up at my house today and gave me a receipt and a tracking number. All that was said, now for professionals. Metra Electronics customer support was helpful. I called and spoke to a representative who kindly explained that the black/green wire was an antenna - he actually had the product in his hands. I sent an email regarding the DOA interface and exchanged 10 emails within a day with a troubleshooting representative. The RFASWC harness was easy to install. There is nothing simpler than the red wire to the 12V accessory and the black wire to ground. My JVC radio had a 3.5mm SWC socket that simply plugged into the 3.5mm plug on the wiring harness. There is a great workaround for a rubber band - use two 7" zip ties, preferably with a smooth finish. on the one hand. You might want to practice first, so buy a pack of zip ties. First remove the screws on the back of the RFASWC transmitter. Remove the board, rubber buttons and rubber band. Here you can lose some lightning. Do not fully connect the two halves of the transmitter. With the smooth side of the zip tie facing out, thread the end of the zip tie through the front half of the transmitter, around the steering wheel, into the slot in the rear half of the transmitter and back through the head of the zip tie, pulling the zip tie end through the hole in the back half of the transmitter, but do not fully tighten the zip tie. Part of this is just practice to see how to thread the zip tie through the transmitter. Now connect the two halves of the transmitter and tighten the cable tie. If you like the result, cut the zip tie and prepare to repeat the process with two zip ties. This time, place the rubber buttons inside the halves of the transmitter and tape them to the outside. I wrapped self-adhesive silicon tape around the handlebars where I was going to mount the transmitter just to protect the skin and provide extra grip. Pull two zip ties forward through the front of the transmitter, around the steering wheel, through the slot on the back of the transmitter, through the zip tie heads and out the back of the transmitter. Place the circuit board back into the transmitter and connect the two halves with the two outer screws. Position the transmitter exactly where you want it on the steering wheel, then tighten the zip ties. Cut the excess length from the zippers and screw on the belt cover. I did, and let me tell you, not only does it look better than the rubber band, but the transmitter doesn't move at all. it's very tight. And when it's time to change the battery, I'll need two more zip ties. If you're comfortable, I highly recommend using zip ties to secure the transmitter to the steering wheel. The RFASWC interface pairs with the JVC radio in seconds. It was very easy to align the buttons on the RFASWC transmitter to connect it to the RFASWC interface. The steering wheel controls work flawlessly for volume, seek and mute. I haven't tried reprogramming any of the buttons. I have a Ford F350 that is raised a foot with leaf springs and runs 385/65R22.5 super singles which makes driving very bumpy on rough roads. JVC KW-NT500HDT retrofit radio with touchscreen. It was difficult to hold the steering wheel with one hand and reach the radio with the other hand, press the touchscreen and press the desired button. I often hit the wrong key in one fell swoop. This steering wheel remote control makes it much easier for me to control the radio while driving. I would give this RFASWC 5 stars if there was a better way to instantly attach the transmitter to the steering wheel. Overall this is still a good product.