noahprtlnd

I have one of the first '04 models and the firmware is 9.40. Those threads on iPod solutions are extremely long and tortuous, but I spent a good hour or so looking through them and from what I can tell, most of the products require 9.55 or higher. I won't remove my HU and send it to mazdaparts for a flash.

My question is, does anyone know of a good solution for an early firmware? I was going to get the Harmon Kardon Drive and Play, but I read reviews that said the scrolling feature was either extremely slow or way too fast if you have a very large library of songs (my 60 gb iPod is full). The other issue is the fact that I am not comfortable taking apart pieces of the car to install something myself - I'd rather pay someone to do it, so with the Drive & Play it was convenient having Circuit City do it. Anyway, thanks for any suggestions in advance. Oh, and I tried a wireless FM transmitter and it's awful.

extra Phil

you can get a firmware upgrade.. check our mazdaparts.com. its pretty costly, but a good invesment in my oppinion. i dont think it requires you having to take anything apart, but im not sure.

8is>enuff

Yup. Works well too.

presequel

what does the head unit firmware upgrade consist of? like what has to be done? mailing in the headunit to them and then waiting for it to get back seems.....like a 2 week process probably.

presequel

Anyone?

extra Phil

Its just firmware. Basically it is an upgrade that is usually burned onto a cd and then played in whatever has to be upgraded. I once owned a cd player from iriver that had that option. So you send in your stereo, the guy hooks it up, puts in a cd with the upgrade burned onto it, and thats about it. Im pretty sure thats the way its done with these stereos. But yea, the cost is entirely unjustified in my oppinion. But there is no other option if you want to listen to ur ipod.

presequel

if its just a cd why do we have to send it in to mazdaparts? im still asking because they aren't replying to my pm and email.

Sponge Bob

You could consider getting a salvaged head unit with 9.55 firmware from Mazmart or any other salvage and just swap out the head unit. No down time.

Pulling the head unit is a piece of cake. The worst part is removing the anchor bolt acccessed from the driver side down by the control pedals. Once you have that out, it takes a few minutes to pull the head unit, disconnect the harnesses, and reconnect to the salvaged unit.

Good luck,
Bob

presequel

^ thanks, but it he doesn't seem to be responding to my pm's either :/

can mazda service dept. do it?