Experience with DICE iPod Integration Kit?
03-14-2008, 08:32 PM
#27
IYAOYAS
For all interested... the DICE Electronics Mazda RX-8 manual... just waiting to save up some $$$ (after tires) to pick one up. I'll be moving from an Mazda OEM iPod adapter to the DICE. Also, You might want to check out what people have said when I posed the question about Axxess iPod adapter (https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/axxess-ipod-adapter-140063/).
Last edited by Dive Bum; 03-14-2008 at 08:41 PM.
03-15-2008, 03:05 PM
#30
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How's the sound quality compared to a CD and/or radio? The sound quality with the Neo Link I have isn't very good. Everything sounds flat. I have to turn my iphone onto "loudness" and even then it still kinda sucks.
03-17-2008, 07:36 AM
#33
Rx8_4eVeR
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I've had this kit for a while now, almost as soon as the IPhone came to market. I have an 04, so no txt for me-not a deal breaker.
I ran my wire through the center console and into the cup holder, so it can be easily accessible and hidden from prying eyes.
When a call comes through, the music fades away and you're able to answer your call-speakers aren't enabled.
When a text comes through there's a small pause, don't worry it wasn't a bad recording.
You change playlists using the head unit's, "Disc up/down" button. You change tracks using either the head unit's or steering wheel controls.
I ran my wire through the center console and into the cup holder, so it can be easily accessible and hidden from prying eyes.
When a call comes through, the music fades away and you're able to answer your call-speakers aren't enabled.
When a text comes through there's a small pause, don't worry it wasn't a bad recording.
You change playlists using the head unit's, "Disc up/down" button. You change tracks using either the head unit's or steering wheel controls.
03-17-2008, 03:15 PM
#34
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I've had this kit for a while now, almost as soon as the IPhone came to market. I have an 04, so no txt for me-not a deal breaker.
I ran my wire through the center console and into the cup holder, so it can be easily accessible and hidden from prying eyes.
When a call comes through, the music fades away and you're able to answer your call-speakers aren't enabled.
When a text comes through there's a small pause, don't worry it wasn't a bad recording.
You change playlists using the head unit's, "Disc up/down" button. You change tracks using either the head unit's or steering wheel controls.
I ran my wire through the center console and into the cup holder, so it can be easily accessible and hidden from prying eyes.
When a call comes through, the music fades away and you're able to answer your call-speakers aren't enabled.
When a text comes through there's a small pause, don't worry it wasn't a bad recording.
You change playlists using the head unit's, "Disc up/down" button. You change tracks using either the head unit's or steering wheel controls.
03-17-2008, 04:18 PM
#35
Rx8_4eVeR
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The sound quality is acceptable-cd quality I think is optimistic.
The adapter I had before sounded a bit louder for some reason. I haven't messed around with the DICE adaptor all that much though.
The DICE adaptor locks out the Iphone from the factory, but just found out today that if you press and hold the home button while playing, you're able to use the Iphone interface. Sorry about my reply, I'm typing on the friggin' Iphone.. Haha
The adapter I had before sounded a bit louder for some reason. I haven't messed around with the DICE adaptor all that much though.
The DICE adaptor locks out the Iphone from the factory, but just found out today that if you press and hold the home button while playing, you're able to use the Iphone interface. Sorry about my reply, I'm typing on the friggin' Iphone.. Haha
03-17-2008, 05:33 PM
#36
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well got mine in today, and got it all pluged in and setup, but now my head unit wont turn on??, i can turn on the air but its just blowing hot air, any thoughts as i sit on the phone w tech support
03-17-2008, 08:25 PM
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did that like 5 times cant even tell you how fustrating it is to drive w/o a radio, could i have pulled out a wire from one of the plugs in the back of the head unit?? this could be posible since i pulled it out about 5 times.
03-17-2008, 09:05 PM
#41
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Dice kit looks really good on paper. Anyone have any major gripes with the kit? How long does it take to install?
Sorry about the bump earlier. Was just trying to subscribe because i wasn't at my comp. I fail with the search button
Sorry about the bump earlier. Was just trying to subscribe because i wasn't at my comp. I fail with the search button
03-17-2008, 09:40 PM
#42
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It is possible...but you have to pull the head unit for the 6th time to find out. :P My HU comes out barely enough for my big *** hand to get behind it and disconnect the plugs so it is possible that you pulled a cable out of the molex. I would try and hook it up without the HVAC's and make sure the HU works before you plug the rest in. Other possibility is that the face of the HU disconnected from the HU. Take the HU out and pull the face off of the rest and reattach it. See if that fixes it.
03-18-2008, 10:13 AM
#43
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that didnt work either, this is shitty now i have to take it to mazda n see wat they can do for me, and i have to pay a 116 dollar diagnostic fee so they can run test on it too see wats wrong
03-18-2008, 11:25 AM
#44
Rx8_4eVeR
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Sorry about your head unit, this is how I ran the wire to the center console. I still have about 22 inches of wire if any one in the back feels like they need to browse playlists.
P.s When I have the iphone interface active (remember, press and hold the "home" button while playing) I'm not able to use the steering wheel or head unit controls.
Someone correct me if there's a fix.
P.s When I have the iphone interface active (remember, press and hold the "home" button while playing) I'm not able to use the steering wheel or head unit controls.
Someone correct me if there's a fix.
Last edited by Ever Hernandez; 03-18-2008 at 11:31 AM.
03-18-2008, 02:48 PM
#45
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Ever Hernandez, how do you control your iPod with the head unit? For my case, I push the SAT button and it read SR1: UPDATING. The music plays but I cant control anything with the HU nor SW control.
The manual that came with my unit says it uses CD changer port, and depending on which disc im at, the control would be different. But I tried to push the CD button twice but got no response.
Wondering if they sent me wrong unit.
The manual that came with my unit says it uses CD changer port, and depending on which disc im at, the control would be different. But I tried to push the CD button twice but got no response.
Wondering if they sent me wrong unit.
03-18-2008, 03:40 PM
#46
Rx8_4eVeR
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I have an 04, so I use the Cd button. I would check out their support page first, http://www.diceelectronics.com/support/index.htm
Once press the Cd button, the car displays EX:1 (track/track time) The first number refers to the playlist you're in. When you change change playlist (Disc up/down) it's possible that the previous song still plays, all I do is hit the search forward button to jump right in the playlist I want.
Then, while the iphone is lock out I can use the HU's seek button or SW's to change tracks and the HU's Disc up/down to change playlists. I think even the search button works, but if you hold it long enough it'll skip to the next track.
Like I said before, you can unlock the iphone by pressing the Home button. The car's controls will then be disabled.
Once press the Cd button, the car displays EX:1 (track/track time) The first number refers to the playlist you're in. When you change change playlist (Disc up/down) it's possible that the previous song still plays, all I do is hit the search forward button to jump right in the playlist I want.
Then, while the iphone is lock out I can use the HU's seek button or SW's to change tracks and the HU's Disc up/down to change playlists. I think even the search button works, but if you hold it long enough it'll skip to the next track.
Like I said before, you can unlock the iphone by pressing the Home button. The car's controls will then be disabled.
Last edited by Ever Hernandez; 03-18-2008 at 03:46 PM.
03-18-2008, 09:07 PM
#47
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OK, I did this install a couple of weeks ago and snapped some pics while I was at it. Here's some info....
I found that you only need to disconnect the two climate-control connectors on the bottom of the head unit to be able to pull the HU out far enough to get your hand in behind for plugging in the DICE connector to the SAT port. No need to pull any audio connectors. BUT, the climate-control connectors are a real PITA to get off.... They're real hard to see, and the release clips are different on each connector and are hard to "feel" to unclip. So, I borrowed one of the wife's makeup mirrors to get a clear view of the connectors.
Piece of cake once you can see what you're trying to get at.... I also used the mirror to peek behind the HU to see where the SAT port was. I've got big hands so it was a little bit of a challenge to reach back and plug in the DICE connector, but really wasn't a big deal.
I chose to place the DICE adaptor under the HU behind the ash tray. There's a small piece of jute padding in there that makes a nice "bed" for the adaptor to sit on. Provided ipod cable is long enough to reach the cupholders, but I chose to route the cable up over the ashtray and ashtray door, because I wanted to have my ipod up in my sightline where I could see it while driving.
The nice thing about the DICE unit is the extra axillary port. Since you are using the SAT port in the HU, having satellite radio would then normally be a no-go. But with the AUX out on the adaptor, you can plug a hand-held SAT-radio into it and have both ipod and SAT radio options (or an MP3 player if you want)... NICE
I plugged-in a male-to-male stereo minijack cable to the DICE unit before sealing it up behind the dash, and then ran this cable out to the cupholders. I filed a small notch in the little plastic cover that goes in that hole you see in the pic for cable pass thru....
I elected to go with one of those spring-loaded ipod/cell phone holders that clip into one of the heater/air vents. Worked out good (except for the fact they only had white ones... have to fix that later with a black one). As it is I can see the ipod display while driving, altho it's easier to use the HU's controls while driving....
Sound quality is first-rate.... CD quality. But, the key here is to have high-bitrate MP3s for best sound. Overall, a GREAT mod....
I found that you only need to disconnect the two climate-control connectors on the bottom of the head unit to be able to pull the HU out far enough to get your hand in behind for plugging in the DICE connector to the SAT port. No need to pull any audio connectors. BUT, the climate-control connectors are a real PITA to get off.... They're real hard to see, and the release clips are different on each connector and are hard to "feel" to unclip. So, I borrowed one of the wife's makeup mirrors to get a clear view of the connectors.
Piece of cake once you can see what you're trying to get at.... I also used the mirror to peek behind the HU to see where the SAT port was. I've got big hands so it was a little bit of a challenge to reach back and plug in the DICE connector, but really wasn't a big deal.I chose to place the DICE adaptor under the HU behind the ash tray. There's a small piece of jute padding in there that makes a nice "bed" for the adaptor to sit on. Provided ipod cable is long enough to reach the cupholders, but I chose to route the cable up over the ashtray and ashtray door, because I wanted to have my ipod up in my sightline where I could see it while driving.
The nice thing about the DICE unit is the extra axillary port. Since you are using the SAT port in the HU, having satellite radio would then normally be a no-go. But with the AUX out on the adaptor, you can plug a hand-held SAT-radio into it and have both ipod and SAT radio options (or an MP3 player if you want)... NICE
I plugged-in a male-to-male stereo minijack cable to the DICE unit before sealing it up behind the dash, and then ran this cable out to the cupholders. I filed a small notch in the little plastic cover that goes in that hole you see in the pic for cable pass thru....
I elected to go with one of those spring-loaded ipod/cell phone holders that clip into one of the heater/air vents. Worked out good (except for the fact they only had white ones... have to fix that later with a black one). As it is I can see the ipod display while driving, altho it's easier to use the HU's controls while driving....
Sound quality is first-rate.... CD quality. But, the key here is to have high-bitrate MP3s for best sound. Overall, a GREAT mod....
Last edited by rztom; 03-18-2008 at 09:26 PM.
03-18-2008, 09:15 PM
#48
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Hurray, my replacement came and it works!
I have the R1, since I have a 2004 without SAT button, so not text. But I plugged it in, pressed CD twice and it worked. Pretty good quality as far as I can tell so far. The screen just says EX (again, no sat button). All in all, happy so far.
I have the R1, since I have a 2004 without SAT button, so not text. But I plugged it in, pressed CD twice and it worked. Pretty good quality as far as I can tell so far. The screen just says EX (again, no sat button). All in all, happy so far.
03-19-2008, 07:55 AM
#49
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Routed mine similar to Ever Hernandez, into the cup holder area, made a little notch on the bottom of that little plug for the wire.
Did a cd comparison with the ipod, sounded the same to me.
The advantage I've noticed so far, no skipping on my crappy midwest roads.
Works with both my nano and touch.
Did a cd comparison with the ipod, sounded the same to me.
The advantage I've noticed so far, no skipping on my crappy midwest roads.
Works with both my nano and touch.
