MP3 Alternatives
 

I really, really, really want a hard drive based MP3 player in my RX-8!!! :(

I've only found 2 products that look like they might work, the PhatBox and the OmniFi. Because the PhatBox uses the headunit's CD changer controls, I seriously doubt that it'll work...ever. I posted a message on their forums anyway to find out and the response that I got was "the key is to find out what model the CD changer is." Anybody happen to know if it's a Bose component and, if so, what model it is?

The OmniFi will work with an FM modulator and has it's own control unit though it's DIN so I'd have to come up with some creative mounting techniques. One bonus though is that it's only the size of a faceplate for a detachable face stereo, so it'll fit more places. I'm willing to get a little nutty with it as long as I wind up with a clean, attractive install.

Does anybody know of any other similar products out there?

Re: MP3 Alternatives
 

Sure. This is what I currently have in my 94 Probe GT and I will transfer it into the RX-8. It also comes with an FM modulator, however I dislike that solution - in the Probe, it is connected directly, via the CD changer input to the head unit and sounds great.
What I will end up with is either modifying the stock RX-8 tape unit just like OverLOAD did (read about it here in the forum) or get the stock head unit modified to open an AUX input so I can hook up the MP3 player directly.

If all else fails, I still have the FM modulator route, but I try to avoid that because I want better sound quality than what the modulator can produce.

Awesome, thanks Tamas. I hadn't seen OverLOAD's post before. Not sure how I missed it. I guess I can finally forgive my dealer for ordering my car with the tape deck despite the fact that I never ordered or wanted it. Things may all work out afterall.

From the looks of it, OverLOAD's solution will only allow you to hookup an MP3 player with standard headphone jacks. I'll be interested to know how your hack goes with the other inputs. I take it you haven't started already...? I really wanted something with more storage an my PocketPC or an iPod, but if the headphone jack is the only way to go, we may be limited at that with this solution...

I am fairly sure the phatbox solution will never work with the 8 because of the way the changers are linked into the system. As for adding an aux input onto the system I haven't read on it but I would assume it would work. My concern with doing something like that would be something going wrong and voiding the warranty in the process.

If you decide you want an OEM MP3 player for the car I have one for sale at a good price :)

Chadr, I have no idea how somebody's going to setup an aux-in directly to the head unit. That sounds out-of-control difficult for anybody that's not a full-fledged electronics engineer. I'm not worried about the warranty, especially with the tape deck solution because the tape deck is the only warranty they're going to void, and big deal, I don't own a single cassette anymore anyway.

I was considering the stock MP3 player, but I don't want a CD-based system and I want more storage that I can get with my PocketPC or an iPod.

Well, he did it with a heaphone jack, but I'm gonna try to connect the regular RCA connectors to the same points like he did. I suppose it will work just fine. If you read his posts, there is some indication that he actually "OverLOAD"-ed (:D) the input via the headphone jack, since he gets distortion if the volume is turned up too high on the Archos. This tells me that the signal fron the line output of the Neo might be sufficient after all.
No... I don't have the RX-8 yet :D
Maybe in about a month, if everything goes well.
It definitely IS possible to modify the stock head unit and open an AUX input on it. That'd probably be the ultimate solution, albeit not cheap. I had this procedure done once to a stock Ford head unit to allow a Sony CD changer input feed. It did cost me $120 some 7 years ago...
I asked the same car stereo shop for a quote regarding doing the same to the RX-8 head unit and they quoted me $150 minimum... definitely not cheap. Perhaps there are other stores willing to do this mod cheaper - but in case I decide to go this route, I'll probably let the same guy do mine since I don't feel like experimenting. Considering the fact that in order to do the OverLOAD hack, I'd need to buy a tape unit first, getting the stock head unit modified isn't bad (cost-wise).
As for voiding the warranty by an ill-fated hack - yes, that's always a possibility, but the warranty would only be void for the radio :)

Well, if I can get my hands on the cassette player schematics and installation instruction, I fully intend on ripping that bad boy apart tonight (don't have'em since the tape deck was factory installed). I'll be going with an RCA hookup as well, so I'll let you know the outcome. I'll just have to try getting my hands on the stock faceplate that normally covers the tape deck so I can hide it after I've got the dummy tape in there....