Please add my name to your growing list of anxious newbies!!! :D :D :D

 

In case my interest hasn't been expressed over at mazda6club.com, I eagerly await the day this module is available and I would gladly pay $50 for it. Add me to whatever waitlist there is if I'm not too late.

I just have one question- How difficult will it be to attach the mod? I am a complete novice when it comes to car audio. If I can't do it myself, would a pro shop be able to install it?

 

OverLOAD... Hope you can patent this puppy! Amazing work and dedication.

This module should install very similarly to the factory modules, no? As the HU MD/TAPE inputs are not being changed. So any pro shop or install-experienced owner should have little difficulty? Your 2 or 3/5 level of difficulty estimate still holds? Instructions will accompany?

Please sign me up for the base module - will contact you via email, also. Can't wait to hear how the expansion modules development progresses.

Wherever I am in line is fine with me! Cancelling my order for the cassette deck...

I have an Mz3 on the way, FYI. That's what it's for. Many thanks.

cafecraig@comcast.net

 

I would guess the install would be as hard as it is to take out the head unit (which isn't THAT hard from what i hear). Search around for the DIY threads for the MP3 player install etc. I'm sure a shop would do it for you for the right price, but you aren't buying anything from the shop...so who knows. I don't think it will be very hard to install though. and I'm sure we will have nice long instructions with pictures and all.

OverLOAD, There was just a comment about patent-ing your product. Sounds like a good idea to me! I wouldn't have though of that....Are you guys in the process of doing this?

 

Patents.. A lot of the time they're not really worth it. Our market is pretty small, the competition non existant, and the technology proprietary.

There really isn't much patentable subject within the module. We're just reverse engineering the Mazda HU, and simulating the messages that accomplish what we want. Getting a Patent is a long and expensive process to do so correctly. Generally, to go through a lawyer will take more than a year, and cost more than $5k. That's not worth it at these rates.

However, our data is proprietary, and our design can be conesidered copyrighted, so that affords us some measure of protection, but all other things aside, it's not really worth persuing a patent here, just because it isn't really an invention per se.

We're still hung up in the process of trying to negotiate the HU connectors. We're not really big on projections for sales, but we neded to get a rediculuously large order (10,000) to get any interest in the sales departments that sell this thing. Not really an easy task, but we're trying.

Regards,

OverLOAD

 

I've Mazda3 and recently came across this forum thru mazda3forums. I'm looking for connecting my iPod to Mazda3. Please count me in on Aux-In module.


thanks

MJ

 

Overload,

I am, and I am sure many others are, willing to pre-order units so that you can have the up front capital to buy the HU connectors. Just give me an estimate price and I will send you the money, if you decide to increase or decrease the price, we can discuss that later. I dont know what forum rules dictate, but if this is feasible, you could set up some kind of donation web site away from the rx-8 forum.

Based on the fact that owners of other mazda vehicles are interested, you just might get 10,000 orders, but you may have to say bye to your day job.

 

I don't know that we have THAT much exposure yet. That would be awesome though.

But I agree, most people would pre-order one of these bad boys.

 

Count me in sir! I got a 20 gig ipod with an f.m. modulator on it. Come on!
Will we be notified when to send payments or if the demand for these units will surpass their quanity? PM me please, and thanks again for all your hard work.

TxRx8

 

I'm really only anticipating the orders from people who have voiced their interest in this thread, and others. I know that I can't count on everyone who said they want a unit, to buy one, just like there'll be others who want to buy a unit that didn't mention their interest. I figure a realistic number to look at is probably 500 units within the first 6 months. Of course, I could be way off base either way here.

I won't accept any orders until we're ready have the module completed, or until we work something out with the forum owner, which won't be until we're nearly finished. I'll let you know more about this once we've figured out all the details.

I appreaciate everyones patience and support in making this unit as good as it can be.

Regards,

OverLOAD

edit: typos

 

Please add me to the list of expectant ipod owners. I'll definitely want one as soon as they are ready.

 

I'm in.. Would like to know the timeline of the remote functionality as well.. and if it is possible to install the unit in an alternate location, like the cupholder, that way I can change modules without tearing the console apart.. I'll probably be getting an ipod to use with this, but would rather buy a Rio Karma, if you can get the remote functionality working with it. I would be willing to send it to you to borrow during development..

 

overload...any pics of the unit yet?

 

OverLOAD, you make a great job!! I want one for my Mazda3!

Does it will work on the previous generation HU, as in the Protegé and Protegé5? If yes, I’m sure that some of my friends will interest.

Also, for people outside USA as me, maybe you should sale the plan in place of a unit to avoid shipping and custom fee.

 

Are you still actually counting the me toos on here? I figured you gave that up pages ago, but if not...count me in. I don't even have an 8 OR an iPod yet, but I plan on getting both fairly soon.

jds

 

Considering how many Mazdas will be sold in the next year (maybe longer) with a vacant AUX bay and this HU, I would think that there is room for several 10,000's of these connectors to be sold, once word gets around and a mass-producer picks up on the demand.

If I were the owner of that connector MFR, I'd be inclined to donate 500 of them, just to spark the demand and open the market. (That is, if they don't need to be custom-made.)

I'm sure that not many people felt the need for an automobile back in 1903, until they saw a few of them driving around...

Oversimplification perhaps, but I'd be inclined to sell the logic, if you haven't tried already.

I can't order the other 9,500 connectors :-( But, I could spare a case of Red Bull for you!

 

Hey Overload,

I dont' know if you received either of the two e-mails I sent you about helping out on the business side of things. Just let me know either way. Anyway, I am definitely going to buy one of these when you are done with it.

 

OverLOAD,

I didn't quite understand your last post. Do you have a working prototype? Or are you still designing the adapter? I was under the impression that you were pretty much done getting it to work and were just working on getting parts together to start mass(ish) production. Is this correct?

Also, any idea if the unit will work in the older Mazda head units from the Miata, Protege and MPV?

I'm from the Miata forum, FWIW...

Stephen

 

Put me on this ever growing list too. I need this mod!!

 

Well, it looks like getting this connector is really the big hang-up. without it, this project is next to impossible to do without breaking out the soldering iron.

We have a working prototype, but it requires massive soldering of the tape module, and completely replacing of the Tape modules communications with the HU. If you take a look back on page 3 or 4, I think I posted some pictures. It's not very close to what the actual production quality unit will look like, but has similar functionality, with the exception of all the expansion slot capacvilty, but that is planned for later anyway.

Theoretically, this module will work in any Mazda vehicle that can use the common current RX-8/M6/M3/etc tape module. If your Miata/MPV/Tribute/Truck/Protoge can use the current model tape deck, then this module would be applicable and should work. We've seen that the factory tape module appears to comminicate using two similar protocols simultaneously, making it possible to reverse engineer them both simultaneously easier than it would be if done separately.

So, at this point, we need to source the connector. We can possible make some kind of makeshift connector, but it will never be as good as the Mazda HU connector, or the very similar and properly working connector that we've found.

Until we can get the connector in any kind of volume, we're pretty much stalled. We havn't given up, and I've still got a few leads that I'm working on. While it is looking more grim, I havn't given up hope yet.

Regards,

OverLOAD

ps. Thanks for the support.. If someone wants to help us try to get the connector, we'd consider accepting help from well connected people (pun intended!

 

Even if you can't get a real Mazda connector, I want one of these units - a makeshift connector is just as good for me, honestly.

 

OverLOAD,

Is the problem that you haven't been able to identify who makes the connector, or that you have, but they aren't interested in selling to you?

Have you thought about hooking up with a larger company that might be interested in helping bring this to market? The one that comes to mind is BlitzSafe, which makes aux adapters for other cars, but doesn't have one for the Mazda. As a larger company, they may be better able to negotiate for the connectors. Additionally, they may be better able to set up the marketing and manufacturing. You may find that they're very interested in the R&D you've done and may be able to help you through the logistics. Might be worth investigating.

- Brian

 

I'm interested in your idea; for hooking up an iPOD into the AUX. If you're still counting...

 

Seems like Canzoomer might be a good contact, if you haven't already.

 

What about if I send you my tape deck, can you take the connector from there and scrap the rest of the deck, which I won't need at all when I'll have your module?

If it is impossible to get in small numbers, just put the price for the module higher to absorb the quantoty you won't need, I'm defenetly willing to pay for some extra connectors if it can make that module sent to my place!

Maxime Carpentier
M6 owner