Custom Aux-In Module
#277
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York City
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?
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?
#278
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
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
Last edited by CafeCraig; 03-11-2004 at 12:53 AM.
#279
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by mazdanewbee
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?
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, 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?
#280
Hyper Space RX-8 _,.-^'`
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Motor City
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by serff
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?
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?
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
Last edited by OverLOAD; 03-11-2004 at 11:41 AM.
#282
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 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.
#283
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by offdaheeze
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.
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.
But I agree, most people would pre-order one of these bad boys.
#284
Bipolar Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Laredo, Texas
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
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
#285
Hyper Space RX-8 _,.-^'`
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Motor City
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by serff
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.
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.
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
#287
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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..
#289
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Repentigny, Qc, Canada
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
#290
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
jds
#291
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by OverLOAD
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 needed 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.
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 needed 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.
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!
#292
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.
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.
#293
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
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
#295
Hyper Space RX-8 _,.-^'`
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Motor City
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Ped Xing
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
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
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!
#297
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
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
#299
Lubricious
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
[i]
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! [/B]
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! [/B]
#300
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
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