Sorry I haven't had a chance to check this out until today:

"Any idea if it can display other languages? Japanese? Chinese?"


Answer is. . . No.

Hyperborea sent me a track with Japanese characters in the track and album title. It displays properly in iTunes and on the iPod, but alas on the RX-8 display it comes out as a series of asterisks (*********).

Interesting.

-Rogman

(slow day at work today. . .)

 

DOH! Forgot the text display pict. I will snag that tomorrow if I get a chance. I had to take some more picts today because the zip ties I used yesterday didn't hold the connection well enough and it fell out again when I hit a bump. POS! Anywho...here you go.





I did try to stuff the Axxess box in the tape/md hole like Rogman did but the cable from the jack to the box was too long.

 

I know the question was asked already, but did anyone try the iPhone yet??????

 

Hey Devilboi... Thanks for the pics. I am now thinking of buying it. Do you think it was worth the money?

 

Well...in my Stealth I got a JVC HU that played mp3's along with an iPod adapter for $120. Aftermarket iPod adapters go for $50 alone, why the ones for stock radios are so high I will never understand. While I had the radio apart again yesterday, I opened up the Axxess box and there is nothing in it really. The design is bad to boot so I don't feel great about it. However, anything is better than listening to one disc at a time.

 

I imagine it's probably just a single chip processor and maybe a few discrete components. The majority of the work would have gone into the software that runs the microprocessor. Do you have any pictures of the insides?

What's bad about the design?

Thanks.

 

I did not snap any. Looked like most of the stuff in there was related to the switching between the devices. One chip, couple resistors, etc.

My main gripe would have to do with the bracket used to keep the board plugged into the tape/md connector. The connection is really not that secure so without anything it would just fall out right away. However, the connection is loose enough for the board to slip past the bracket without issue. Personally, if I were to be redesigning it, I would have had the bracket come down into the well a little lower to press on the card better and maybe even had it slotted so it wouldn't go anywhere. Maybe even included the conversion box into a unit that was designed to fit into the tape/md hole so it could just be bolted/strapped down. Also would help with the "where do I put this stupid thing?" Lastly, I don't know if this is unique to this connetion or not, but the iPod cable has two wires to it that aren't bonded together. So the connection from the Axxess box to the iPod makes a big ole circle. They should either be molded together or included into one cable. </rant>

 

I picked up the one that's XM along with the IPOD controls. It worked fine for the most part. You can't set presets for XM which is a pain but other than that, functionally everything worked.

My axxess box is behind the dash, between the stereo and the glove box if you can visualize that and the XM controller thingy is shoved up behind the ash tray. As far as the module that plugs into the stereo, I used a couple pieces of the same double sided sticky foam tape between the metal of the radio and the little feet on the circuit board to keep it in place. I'm with the rest of you guys, that little metal bracket wasn't much use.

Then later..it stopped working. Later that day in fact. I think it may have something to do with heat. With the Axxess box where it's at, it shouldn't be getting too hot. But it seems like if my cars been sitting in the sun all day and I go to use it it won't work. I crank the AC and come back in 10 minutes, turn off the car, turn it back on and it works again. Or if it's in the mornings it works fine, or if my car's been sitting in the garage it works fine.

So I'm currently working on getting the Axxess part replaced or updated, hopefully that'll fix my problem.

 

Sounds to me like a cracked solder joint. When it gets hot the joint expands and opens so that there is no electrical connection. When it cools the the joint contracts and it works again.

 

If that's the case, it could be either the Axxess piece or the MD connector module.

 

 

Can you look at the bottom of the circuit board - What revision is yours?

 

OK...what can I say...I'm a perfectionist like the rest of you. Honestly...I couldn't stand the way the wires went in and out of the cup holder. After some digging and a call to a friend I got the instructions for pulling apart the center console. I now have the iPod connection come through the rear cig. lighter hole allowing for a nice clean install. *sigh* Since I couldn't find anything anywhere on here about how to get it done...here you go.

I shall assume you followed the instructions so far to get the install done. Next remove the front screw from the cup holder.



Then remove the screw from the center glove box.



Followed by the two in the rear glove box and under the fold-down box.




Pop out the cig. lighter from the center glove box and remove the electrical components from the plastic. Drill a small hole in the plastic right under the hole and you get a nice fitting cable.



Snap her all back together and screw her up and yer all set to go.

 

I don't remember any markings from the back of any circuit boards. I'm hopefully never going to have to pull that stupid radio again but if I end up in the center console moving the Axxess box because of heating issues I will let you know. I can tell you that AutoToys made me wait 2 weeks while Axxess ran a new run off. They were "in production" for 3 days before mine shipped, and that was after waiting 7 business days.

 

I noticed this product isn't offered on ebay at the moment. I assume it is sold out. Anyone have any information on an alternate website on where to buy one or if it will be coming back soon?

 

*cough*Page 1*cough*

 

bleh sorry. I completely skimmed over your post I guess. I went to the manufacturer's website that was posted right before yours but missed your link for some reason.

 

Finally snapped the text display. Sorry about that...my memories are for sux.

 

Devilboi... How has the adapter held up in the last week?

Are you still having problems with the conector staying in place?

 

still waiting on mine to ship...

 

Since I did the ZipStrip the way it was photographed I haven't had a problem. I drove it for an hour out and back yesterday to my parents and had no issues with heat and soldier joints.

 

Anybody try with an iPhone yet??????

 

If you know anyone within 60 miles of Cleveland with one I'll be happy to let ya try.

 

Hey, Devilboi, did your kit come with the metal bracket? The one that screws into the bottom of the head unit? I didn't see it in the shot you had with the zip tie, but maybe you took it off to put the zip tie on.

With the bracket in place I haven't had any issues with the connector falling out. I did consider putting a little foam tape on the bracket to hold the connector in more securely, but once I got it all in there, it seemed pretty solid.

Been drivin' with it for nearly a month now and really dig it.

-Rogman

 

yea, I left it off in that picture so you could see where the zip tie went. Without it though the connection would just angle to the side and slip by though. Do you remember how secure it was when you put yours in?