Although I purchased a CD player at the time I bought my Passport Elite in February 2019 and the both the dealership and the Honda site in February 2019 said a Honda factory CD could be installed. But it can't be installed. The Honda factory CD will work in all the lower trims (Touring, EX-L and Sport), but not the Elite. Honda has since updated their build website and they did refund money for the CD, but I felt mislead as this was what was bargained for. There is certainly a spot specifically for the CD player, but again it does not work. The Honda Tech followed the instructions but said there was no way to plug the CD player in. I'm not even sure an after market CD player will work either.
2019 Passport Elite....CD Player Can't Be Installed
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I appreciate the sound quality of a CD, too. CD players are going the way of 8-track and cassette tapes. Rip CD's at 256Kbps. Sound quality is not baldy compromise for in-vehicle listening? 32GB, 64GB or 128GB USB flash drive at 256Kbps will hold a lot music.
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Does the Passport have the My Honda Music app that the Pilot does? If so, you can rip your CD's onto a USB, Ipod, etc and then have the music downloaded onto the HDD (hard disc drive) that is in the car. You then have your CD's music library, but don't have to carry the CD's around in the car.
There is a limit of how much you can store on the car, but I doubt you would fill it up soon. You can also delete and add music so you could rotate what you want.
As for the Elite not being able to have a CD player installed, does the Elite have wireless phone charging? If so, that circuit might be dedicated to the charger and not available for the CD. Just a thought
There is a limit of how much you can store on the car, but I doubt you would fill it up soon. You can also delete and add music so you could rotate what you want.
As for the Elite not being able to have a CD player installed, does the Elite have wireless phone charging? If so, that circuit might be dedicated to the charger and not available for the CD. Just a thought
I had the CD deck installed in my Touring model. More work than the dealer expected - it took them over a day to complete the install. Sound is awesome though - well worth the cost. Best factory sound system I've ever experienced. Don't know why it would not work in the Elite - interference with the rain sensing wiper system?
On second thought, I think the non-capability problem with the installation of a CD deck in the Elite has to do with the charging station installed on the front of the center console in the Elite for applicable smart phones. The surface charger is located right below the location for the CD deck and may interfere with it. (more likely than the rain sensing wiper system)
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As an Elite PP owner of a certain age, I have several hundred CD's and I, too, was considering installing the Honda available CD player in my PP. However, with what is being reported above, looks like my only path is CD conversion to an iPod or similar unit or just keep scanning my presets on the Sirius XM satellite radio.
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Have you checked into using the My Honda Music that is included in your audio system? I mentioned earlier that you can copy your music to the hard drive and then not have to use CD's, plug in an iPod or USB, etc.
The tech that tried to install the CD player (it took them 2 days trying) said there was no plug for the CD player. My car was the guiena pig and after they called Honda Coprporation trying to get reasons why it could not be installed, they then updated their web site taking the CD accessary build away. from the Elite.
Do you have the wireless phone charger? My dealer said I cannot have both, although Hondacars.com do not object to both selections when I tried to build my car.
Very frustrating, so if you have both, I would very much appreciate your confirmation and perhaps the name of your dealership to look for advise for installation.
Thank you!
I was disappointed that I couldn’t get the CD player on my 2021 Elite because of the phone charger. Then I found out about My Honda Music, I downloaded all my favorite CD’s on to a USB flash drive and it’s awesome. No more cds cluttering up the car. I have all my favorites and can browse them through the app. The CD player is unnecessary and in my opinion actually less convenient.
Do you mind sharing what software you use to download the CDs to the USB flash drive? I would like to avoid failure by not having the right compatibility. Thank you.
If you have an iPhone you can use Apple music if you are running a Mac or iTunes if you are running Windows to rip CD's. From there it is just a drag and drop if you rip your the music to MP3s.
I have a old Mac that I had all my cds on and I used a cheap USB flash drive from Staples. I took a while to transfer everything to the flash drive from the computer and from the drive to my Passport but was worth it. I have over 50 cds loaded and I still have room on the drive in the Passport. So much more convenient and a lot safer than trying to find a CD and and putting it in while driving. Some people have stated here that the had trouble downloading to My Honda Music but it worked great for me.
Using a CD player in an Elite simply requires unplugging the wireless charger plug from the back of the head unit. CD's have SUCH better sound quality - due to the compression factor.... If sound QUALITY is your thing, installing the CD player is the way to go.
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As an Elite PP owner, I too was greatly grieved to learn that a cell phone charger was more important than a CD player! Question: Have any Elite owners removed their cell charge and installed a CD player? If so, please share the cost of doing so. Thanks. Ken
Doing it yourself makes the cost ZERO. Of course, it takes a while to disassemble everything to get to the point where you can actually install the CD player...
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