AudioLink vs IceLink vs Neo iON
 

So I have an iPod and I'm wanting to plug it in. I'm lookin for price, wheel controls, good sound, playlist controls, charges iPod, video to Nav screen (if possible) and I need input from you all. =)

AudioLink $120 ish
http://www.therpmstore.com/product_i...roducts_id=142
Pros: plug & play, wheel controls, pauses when stopped & resumes, charges iPod, has aux stereo jack for other input, tones down iPod input when aux input comes on
Cons: Control playlist from iPod only
Questions: can iPod video be sent to Nav screen?

iceLink $???? Can't find price
http://www.dension.com/icelinkgateway300.php
Pros: USB input, stereo jack input, video out, wheel controls, charges iPod,
Cons: ?????
Questions: How much is it? Has anyone installed one and/or used one? What is needed to send video to Nav screen? Does it plug into that slot behind the stereo like the AudioLink?

Neo iOn SP $220
http://www.mp3yourcar.com/productdet...&productID=293
Pros: wheel controls, charges iPod, sounds like Plug & Play
Cons: ?????
Questions: Has anyone installed/used this?

Thanks all for the input. I really want to know this for my iPod (for now) and in June...for the iPhone! :)

-nynex

I have the audiolink and love it.

A couple notes though....in your description, you listed a con as having to use the ipod to control playlists. That is actually incorrect...the disc +/- buttons on your radio toggle the audiolink into playlist mode...you can change between the first 6 playlists on your ipod via those buttons.

As for video, the new audiolink units can be configured with a single rca-type video output in place of the phono jack used to connect to another type of mp3 player. I have read that you can connect that rca plug into a video switcher and display the ipod screen on the nav screen.

*However, a downside to not having that phono plug if you have the video switcher is that is usually the best method to connect the audio from a portable dvd player to watch movies on your nav. Without really being an expert here, it seems that if you have a video switcher, you have a choice between displaying the ipod screen on the nav and order the audiolink with video out; or watch dvd's on your nav and have to order the audiolink with the phono jack

Why no OEM IPOD kit?

Great! Thanks 18bsTiRX8!!! That was something important sort of. As for the video, if I could get the audio AND video from the iPod into the audio system of the car and the Nav screen, then I could just play movies thru it. I've ripped a bunch of my DVDs to mpg files cuz I watch them on the iPod when I'm waiting.

audio link because it is the cheapest with the club discount

audiolink is the best and cheapest, says me, but then again i havent tried the others.

here's what i'd say about the audiolink:

pro: overall works and sounds great. the first unit i got was defective, as a good amount of them are, but the people at theRPMstore were more than happy to replace it, hassle free. i love how it keeps my pod charged at all times too.

cons: the automatic starting and pausing with the car/radio turning on and off rarely works as desired, and i usually have to grab my iPod and press play. also, it might be hard with the stock cables included to reach where you want to mount it, even though that wasnt a problem for me.

"rx8mp3"----> $15 off of the audiolink= $110 total

i have the Icelink - had it for about 8 months now, can be finniky sometimes but does the job in a good manner, wheel controls are the main thing I love.

For me though - this might sound weird, but in COLD weather, i would say 50F or lower i cannot for the life of me get the IceLink to connect to the ipod and start playing. Kinda sucks.

Get what I have.. No installs or nothing.. Hear my ipod like my CD player unit..

So the "ice"Link doesn't work when it's cold? lol Ironic....and good to know since it's a whopping 22 degrees out right now.

RotaryP7 - What do you have? Can you provide a URL to the product?

Mazada offers one that I can only assume is compatible with our vehicle. Just my 2 Cents.

I mentioned it in post # 3 above. It's not in the poll but it's what I've installed in my car. You can search under OEM IPOD. I put my comments in the Canada forum

After reading about the OEM iPod kit at https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/got-my-ipod-adaptor-today-108588/
I'm now deciding between the AudioLink and the OEM. I haven't seen any pics or where to purchase the OEM (from factory I'm guessing) but I figure BunnyGirl or DarkBrew can help w/ that. :)
So now the big question becomes, AudioLink or OEM, and what are the differences between them?

PS. If I can update the poll, I'll add OEM.

It looks like a big difference is AudioLink provides a video out option, and the screen on the iPod is unchanged whereas the OEM option puts a Mazda logo on the iPod screen. Probably not a big deal for iPod but for me wanting to ultimately use it for the iPhone, that is a fairly big issue. Although, definitely worth looking into some more.

I have the neo. Although it does control the ipod from the steering wheel, it does not display the info . It displays as does info for a cd changer. It will change between playlist and songs within it but you will have to look at your ipod to see what is playing next. You do not have the option of seeing your whole playlist however. Overall it is fine to run if you have a smaller capacity ipod otherwise be prepared to build extensive play list and remembering what is on them.
?Install very easy.

Will the Iphone have the same port as the IPOD?
The IPOD does output video but what we would need would be an adapter between the IPOD and the car adapter that would provide a video output. Has anyone tried this? Has anyone tried using the AV jack while hooked up to the car adapter?

DOn't know if this has been commented on yet.... I'm not reading the entire topic....

The unpausing issue is due to the firmware updates that Apple has released. Audiolink has already made and released an update chip of their own to combat this problem and any future ones caused by Apple Ipod updates. You should get one for free. PM falcontx.

And as for the cable length.... if you want to have access to the Ipod while driving, the cables are long enough to reach anywhere your arms could reach while driving.

Darkbrew, the iPhone has the same 30pin adapter that iPods have. I suppose I'll have to be the person to test the video out into the Nav screen. :)

It retails for $99.99. You can get it at Amazon for about $69.99.


LINK

It's worth it; if you don't want anything installed in your car or whatnot..

heh It's an FM Tuner. Agreed, that's probably a great FM Tuner if you don't want to install anything. However, I'm a bit of an audiophile and want as crystal music as I can get. So for my needs, hard-wire is the only way to go. I'm just trying to figure out the best one.

Dice has a good unit very cheap check out their site i have it on my 8

no shit... thanks bro.

Well.. Compared to the radio; this sounds just alike. You will sometimes and rarely hear the little rashes.. It auto scans the clearest station and it pretty much blocks the sound.. I don't know but I'll recommend it if you don't want to install anything..

i dont really like the fm things. i bought a couple ones before i finaly got the audio link. the audio link is noticable clearer especially if you are and audiofile