SlAoTkAiN

I haven't gotten it yet, but after I sent a few E-mails to Dension after they dropped support for the RX-8. I was told that a new model was ready to drop that was better suited for our collective car. I'm supposed to be getting it on the 13th...so says FedEx. In case anyone else is interested in getting the new one. I after I emeailed asking aobut support formy carthey said that if I wanted I could trade mine up, so after looking for the packing slip (now I know why I still had it) I got an RMA and they credited me for the new one. If I get any replies I'll post a review and let everyone know how different it is from the plus.

pgershon

I just installed mine. Removed the PIE connector - the IceLink now connects nicely to the HU. The IceLink is stamped version 2.2 (old one was V2.1).

As far as functionality goes, I have not noticed any major changes. The old PIE unit had periodic erradic behavior but I have not had the Mazda unit long enough to tell if there is a difference (about three weeks ago, I lost direct control of the IceLink for about seven days - could control by iPod dial but not by radio buttons and steering wheel - it seemed like the IceLink would only recognize the iPod when it was NOT in CD mode and powered on - reverted back to normal though).

One observation I have is that the main defect of the old unit that I had complained about - the fact that the unit shifts out of random mode when a song is advanced - remains unchanged. I reported the issue back to Chase and Zoltan at Dension but have not heard back from them. I will phone them next week if I do not get a response. They had assured me this would be corrected with the Mazda release.

SlAoTkAiN

Hey are you using an iPod video? I got one and finally got my iceLINK module. It runs through the config and does the "turn ignition on and off" crap then drops. I can't even get into EX mode to see if it'll pick up my iPod. You said you're hooking right into the HU, did they send you a new cable? They didn't send me a cable, I'm still going through the PIE...well not really since it'd have to work in order for me to go through it

pgershon

Yes - I did get a new cable. Obviously different connectors than for the PIE. What versio is your IceLink. Is it 2.2? I am using an old iPod but have a video unit too. Will try it next time I get out the car (big snow means no RX-8 for some days...)

SlAoTkAiN

I'm on the east coast as well, still driving the 8, have no choice. The module looks identical to the one I used to use, hell the cables running to the PIE adapter fit fine. I guess I'm just waiting for Dension to get back to me about sending me a damned cable when they looked up my order and saw that I have a PIE adapter. I know the video works....a little. I think I have a 2.2 I sent it in and it pretty much looks like they re-firmwared what I sent them.

SlAoTkAiN

I was wondering if you tested your iPod's at all, I wanted to see if the problems I"mhaving with the video iPod being detected and the steering wheel controls having a latency issue were just on my end or if a firmware update was needed.

pgershon

Actually I have tested it now on my older iPod and the answer is a bit weird. I get occational latency and detection issues, but they seem to go away. For example, I used the car Tuesday after not using since prior Thursday. iPod was dead (battery) to start. Turned on car and screen on iPod was set to select a playlist. Buttons did not work, or had such a long latency period that i finally gave up and used radio. After unt had charged for 15 mins, behavior returned to normal and all buttons worked. not sure if the charging/battery issues were related or coincidental.

in any case I reported latency issue to Dension and they are sending me a replacement iceLink. I will report back, once I receive it, whether it made a difference.

itsallaboutgary

is this latency happening on the dension interface or with the USER interface? i have the same problem with the dension interface, but w/ user interface, everything works we'll on command. did you guys actually buy this unit through DENSION or through mp3yourcar.com?

pgershon

Bought through Dension

SlAoTkAiN

I bought mine through dension, it's kicking in and out with control, Dension said they're writing a firmware update, I figure it's just a problem with the video iPod and the icelink they said by about next month they'll have the update written,

Nekket

Hello!
Perhaps this helps me too!
I got my IceLink adapter (version 2.02 europe) 3 weeks ago, before i got my new rx8, modell 2006. Now, the adapter is installed i can't select any external source in the radio unit.
The iPod display shows a connection to the dension adapter, but the radio is silent.

Do you know whether there is a chance to get it working?

RichardK

Can you select the CD changer, and just not the external source?

There's an implication the EU 2006 models have had the firmware mucked around with again...

Nekket

I'll check it tomorrow when i get the car finally ... i yesterday i tried it together witch the mechanic..

Firmware version is 10.01 :/

pgershon

Mine seems to work pretty well now, but it was not without a lot of work. Dension sent me a new unit because I had sporatic problems with the first one. Replament unit di dnot work at all, but I noticed that by disconnecting and reconnecting the cord on the first Mazda Icelink they sent me, it has been working stablly.

The real test will come next week. Since I got the Dension Mazda unit, I have had problems everytime I di dnot use the car for a few days. I am going away for a week so the car will have a week of non-use. The test will be if the icelink works when I get back, or if I need to run the car for 30 mins or so before it begins to be functional (as before).

In addition, there is still a firmware problem with the random function (goes away when you skip or back track a song). Dension says they are aware but nothing has been done. I beliebe this is the firware issue.

Nekket

Hey pgershon:
Any news? Could you tell me, which modell year your RX8 is? I wrote an email to Dension but they did not replay anything
It's a little bit frustrating, it bought the iPod only for use in the car and it doesn't work and nobody (here in germany) has any idea what to do. "Wait until they have a solution" is the default answer. But there must be a possibility to get this thing working - the radio unit has a interface for a cd changer and i think it's a firmware issue of the iceLink adapter. But the car's radio doesn't recognize the iPod at all - i just can't switch to the external interface

pgershon

Icelink Plus Mazda version now seems to work seemlessly. Passed test of one week of nonuse. Only remaining problem is that the random function bug remains. Random mode goes off when you advance a song. Dension is aware of this bug and keeps promising a firmware fix - I have heard this for over a year now however.

Only other comment is that the connection to the Icelink was finicky. Until I got it right, unit had issues where it partially works. Now seems to be perfect.

Edwin Cowey

New to forum, please bear with me. Have brand new (used) 04 rx8 and just had Dension ice-link installed for my iPod. The Technician doing the installation said everything went flawlessly except he was unable to get the HU to power up. He checked fuses/connections. The iPod itself was drawing power and charging and the "Dension" logo was on the screen, but now power to HU....no radio/cd or A/C for that matter, although the fan switch worked fine, as did all the dash lights etc...Called Dension and all they had to offer was maybe a bad module and are sending me a replacement. Has anyone else had similar difficulties?