ChrisLeakfan4life

Well i don't have any photo's but for those who are looking to add an Ipod to their car, this is how i did it. I spent a lot of time looking on the forum and i figured a recent thread would help.

First off, buying an Ipod ready deck is complicated, the RX8 was not built for custom decks and so finding the "kits" for them are hard(and expensive). I tried to buy one at best buy and ran into this "bump".

So i looked at after market items that hook up to the RX8's factory stereo. Mine is the default stereo(no satellite radio, no bose sound system i don't think).

The Mazda company has it's own Ipod Adapter which i decided to purchase from the dealership for $159.80.

I took all the equipment to Best Buy and had them install it, it cost me $50 for installation plus $5 for "parts" not sure what parts they had to install, but whatever it was $5.

In total i spent $214.80 to get my Ipod hooked up to my RX8.

Now onto the Mazda ipod adapter, it does not display text on the screen where your time and fm station are (the orange screen). Your ipod is locked out and you cannot use it while it is hooked up to the stereo. My ipod connection is in my glove box, kept it out of site so that nobody breaks into my car.

Onto the adapter now, i have full control(from the steering wheel and stereo itself) of changing songs and volume of the stereo when it is hooked up to the Ipod. In order to access the ipod, you can simply hit the "mode" button just like you would to change to the cd player, except it goes into the "EX" mode.

I am still working on getting the controls figured out, so far i have figured out how i can put the songs on random(hit the random button on the stereo or select shuffle on your ipod before you hook it up). I noticed that it uses "playlists" for the song, it seems like 99 songs is the max per play list and so far i have only seen up to 6 different lists, there may be more, but i only have one big list of songs on my ipod.

So i am still working on that aspect of the stereo, i do not believe you can simply go through all your songs by just hitting the next track button, i have 425 songs on one playlist on my ipod and after 99 songs it started over. If you have it on random or shuffle, it will randomly pick a song from your entire list(although i think it selects 99 songs and puts them into a list).

One last note, when you plug in your Ipod into the Mazda adapter, it will charge your ipod(big reason why i bought it).

So overall i like it, i like that i have steering wheel access for the stereo when the Ipod is plugged in, i like that it keeps the ipod charged so that way i don't drain the battery by having it in my car. I decided to go with the Mazda Adapter because Mazda made it, it may not be the best option, but i use an Ipod touch and it works great, no need to worry about what firmware version your stereo is, all the controls work, the only downside for me so far is this "playlist" stuff, i am still trying to figure it out so maybe somebody with more experience can chime in.


Anyway i own a 2004 Mazda RX8, stereo system is non satellite(mazda guy said you need extra part for satellite radio's) and i bought the adapter from the Mazda dealership for $159.80 and had Best Buy in stall it for $55(i have no experience in this stuff).

Full stereo and steering wheel control in changing songs, volume, but not play lists(that is done on the stereo only).
Your Ipod will be locked out, but it will also be charged.
Also if you have any errors, its easier to work with a local dealership than an online website because you can do it in person.

Anyways Mazda does make an Ipod adapter for the RX8, it's not a cheap off brand.

I'm not sure if there are any "firmware" issues with the stereo, i don't even know mine(i tried to find it with no luck) but it worked. You could always look into it, but since the adapter was made by Mazda itself i think it will work with any firmware version.

Urban Legend

DICE is the Ipod Solution for the Rx 8

Also to see the store click here!!!

ChrisLeakfan4life

Text would be nice, but i prefer to buy something directly from Mazda themselves, in case i have issues down the road.

Not only that, but that hook up would cost another $30 and the only difference would be text.

hitman408

I would just get the Audio Link adapter its only $109 and it has aux in. Plus I would just install it my self it takes less then 30 min and I would never let bestbuy touch my car. Therpmstore provides great support.

Detrich

i have an even cheaper ipod adapter. it's a $20 sony cassette adapter.

sounds great and zero installation required. just push it into the casette deck and vwa-lah. installed.

spent another $20 on a clip vent mount holder and my entire ipod display is at my fingertips.

boffam

iTrader: (1)

For some reason I thought the Mazda adapter would not work with my iPod Touch, so thanks for the post. As a 9.53er, the OEM adapter would be my only option anyways.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

So if DICE is the iPod Solution for the RX8...why are you showing us a picture of the Axxess box?

WinningRX8Chick

I'm looking for some help with the playlists too. I've got an '06 and when I plug in my Ipod, it starts playing random songs instead of the playlist I was just on. Also, I have to use the "Disc^" button to change the songs otherwise it repeats the same song (I listened to the same song about 3 times before I caught on). Am I doing something wrong or is it really that obnoxious? I had the Ipod hookup in the glove box when I got it, think someone put it in or is that from the manufacturer?

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Someone said that you have to change your DICE box to go with Playlist instead of Artist. I believe that they said you have to hit Disc^ twice in under a second or something like that.

xsnipersgox

bleh 5 bucks, i hacked and i play my ipod fine.

WireBoy

You folks that are having problems figuring out how to work your Mazda OEM iPod Integration Module- didn't you get a users manual with it? If not, here's a link:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...user_guide.pdf

WinningRX8Chick

THX WireBoy.. Didn't find anything with the car about the Ipod and it's been driving me insane.

Runmymouth

anyone know if this bricks I-phones? This is the only thing I am scared about.

bureau13

I want the text option...don't care if its from Mazda or not...but one of those other boxes was always crapping out in the heat. Not sure if that was fixed or not, or even which solution had that problem...

jds

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

The Mazda solution is probably the worst one out there. No display, expensive as hell, and no control via iPod itself. The Audio Link module is cheaper and allows full control from the iPod. Plus it DOES have a mini-jack "AUX" port. Let's not start another debate over which solution is the best.... I just think we can all agree that the Mazda solution is a rip.

Also, installation of any of these is very easy. Don't pay more than maybe 20 bucks. We have tons of walkthroughs on here. There is no wire splicing or anything like that. Plug and play. First time I took the radio out and installed the Audio Link, took maybe 30 minutes beginning to end. I could do it now in half that easy.

Misnomer

I just had my module installed at the dealership this morning (I bought an '08 40th Anniversary Edition on Saturday), and as I was walking out to my car I asked the service guy if anyone was going to show me how to use it. He was clueless (and annoyed me by just repeatedly pushing random buttons on my stereo), and when I asked him to go find someone who knew how to use the thing he came back with -- ta-da! -- an instruction manual. I couldn't believe they were going to let me drive off without one!

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the board! It rocks! Thought about some sound system upgrades?

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

I posted about this somewhere else.

Mine may have been an isolated incident.. but the DICE iPod adapter bricked my iPhone. I remember clearly what happened. I installed the unit. I had used for about a week with my iPod and it was perfect. I read about it working for the iPhone from someone on the forums so I tried it.. I went through a half song and the phone froze. I hard restarted it "home + wake" button and it turned off never to turn on again. The phone became EXTREMELY hot for the next few hours. It felt like it was shorting out somewhere towards the top of the phone. Hot to even touch. After it cooled off I tried to turn it on with no luck.. the screen would just flicker with horizontal lines for a few moments then stop. Funny thing is whenever I tried to connect it to my PC it would show an "Unrecognized USb device" was connected to the computer... . I took it to Apple though and they replaced it on the spot.

Be wary. Other then that the DICE is great. I paid a bit more for the "text" feature but I never got it to work with my iPod and frankly the text is USELESS. With ANY iPod integration solution it shows maybe the first 5 characters and thats it.. you have to manual use the scan **** to view the rest.. its pointless.

al

Misnomer

Thanks!

I think I'm happy enough with a Bose system that has a 6-disc changer and an iPod module. But what kind of upgrades did you have in mind?

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

The Bose system is ok. But you can add a small 10" subwoofer in the back. Then turn down the "low" setting on all the other speakers. Interior speakers play cleaner and that single 10" provides more low end than the Bose system can even think about.

I'm not saying you have to get all crazy and be a 15 year old bumping through the neighborhood. (Unless you want all that LOL) But a subwoofer is a necessary part of a well rounded system. Seen any kick **** home audio systems without subs?

YojimboJones

Do you have a link to the specific Audio Link device your talking about? Sorry if it has come up before but I'm not finding a search feature in the forum.

This is what i've found with a few searches, is this it? http://www.therpmstore.com/product_i...roducts_id=141

EDIT: now that i've done a bit more searching i'm assuming you are referencing the unit in this thread? https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/your-ipod-mp3-player-integration-solution-here-77790/

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Yes. Used it for awhile before I put in the Corksport kit and Pioneer D3.

In my opinion, keeping the iPod "unlocked" while in operation is an absolutely essential feature when shopping for an iPod integration device for the 8. (The mazda one does not do this) And displaying track info on the stock LCD or not, how long would it take you to search for an artist on that versus just picking up the iPod in the center console and using the click-wheel to fly through the names? Exactly. A very small fraction of the time.

Evolv

iTrader: (1)

I too have a 40th Anniversary edition...

Does your stereo display iPod songs and titles?

Can it be controlled with the steering wheel?

Find anything bad about it?

nvrfalter

iTrader: (1)

im buying that audiolink one as soon as possible. hopefully next week.

Misnomer

First, sorry for taking more than a month to get back to you! Sometimes the User CP tells me that there are no new posts in threads I'm subscribed to when there actually are. It's kind of annoying. I'm probably too late, but came back to this thread to re-read opinions on the DICE module and figure I'll reply anyway (as a reminder, I'm talking about the Mazda iPod Integration Module):

• No, the stereo does not display iPod songs or titles. There is a display on the stereo, but it's some crappy number scheme: you have to memorize the user manual to make any sense of it.
• Yes, it can be controlled with the steering wheel.
• Yes, what's bad about it is how inhibitively difficult it is to use. I've had the module (and my car) for 2 months, and have never used it. I'd have to set up a playlist before getting in the car, hook it up and get it started, put the iPod in the glove box (the iPod controls get locked out), and then hope that I don't want to change playlists while driving. I don't usually listen to music that way: I tend to get inspired to hear something specific while I'm already listening to the radio or a CD, and/or right as I start a drive, and it's impossible to get the iPod going at a stoplight or something. I'd have to pull over and spend 10 minutes setting it up/getting it on the right playlist. Also, the guy at the dealership told me that it wouldn't take up any room in my glove box, but after the install where was the cord? In my glove box.

I talked to the dealership about an uninstall and refund, and they said "no can do." So my plan right now is to order an AuxMod and have the local car audio place install it (I've already talked to them about it), and I'll ask them to unplug the iPod module cable while they have the head unit out (so I can get it out of my glove box). I briefly considered the DICE module -- hence my return to this thread -- but decided that I don't need to spend $100 more for integrated controls and limited text display. Right now, all I want is a simple auxiliary input.