z00m-z00m, I just called them again and was told that they only have IceLink 1.2 for RX8. Which is the same as Plus but doesn't display ID3 text on dashboad screen. And that they don't know when they will have Plus for RX8.

So which version did you get?

 

I think zoom zoom thought you just meant the original product. He mentioned earlier in the thread that his id text doesn't work. So I would imagine his is a 1.1 not the new plus.
zoom zoom feel free to smack me around if I spoke out of line.

 

Well I finally got everything repaired on my car due to the damage by the car stereo installation place. My Mazda dealer did a great job! The car is as good as it was when I drove it off the lot. I highly recommend Keith Hawthorne Mazda in Gastonia, NC.

They also installed the Ice>Link and my iPod is working great!

 

good to hear, we were worried about your car

so is the ipod all hooked up now?

 

great!!!!

glad to Hear that !

 

Yea, it's in and working great. The stereo installation place that damaged my car had said the Ice>Link damaged the HU - not so! Mazda told me the installer cracked the circuit board trying to pry the HU out.

 

I currently have an '04 RX-8 and HU firmware version 9.53... does anyone know if the dealership would upgrade that to 9.55 for me?

 

no sorry not only do they not know how too but they don't even have the equipment to do so...I asked my dealer which is ranked #2 in the country for customer service...they said, 'well you could buy a new one, but you'll probably get an older firmware anyway'

so I finally decided f-it I'll go with Thew from rx8garage.net, I was one of the first to do so, I was a little nervous but Thew was professional and now he has done tons of them with no complaints so...there is no risk involved...besides the aux in is awesome!!!!!

 

do you by any chance know who manufactures the head unit for mazda? maybe I could contact them... ? don't have anything against thew, but I don't see how a firmware upgrade could cost $50.00 and the dealeship doesnt even have the capability to upgrade this... seems a bit dumb in my opinion. i spoke to someone else about this, and as far as I know, in firmware below 9.55, the tape deck / minidisc port is "disabled" in the settings in the firmware... so if I wanted to add a tape deck (which i don't) wouldn't it be mazda's responsibility to a) find some way to upgrade it or b) replace it with a new one with a higher firmware? also, does anyone have below 9.55 firmware with say an added tape deck, mini disc player, or cd-changer NOT FROM FACTORY, that you bought after you purchase your car?

 

the tape deck or mini disc was an option even during the pre-order days of firmware 9.50

the tape dec/mini disc port is not disabled in any of the firmwares...the icelink or Pie adaptor doesn't even use this port

it uses the external cd changer port which is independent from the in dash 6 disc changer if you have it

if you think about it...Thew's upgrade is a fair deal...do you have any idea what it costs at a dealer to do work? at my dealer it is $110 an hour, other dealers in less urban areas you might get lucky with $65 an hour...some dealers it is up to $125 an hour...after you send the HU core (including the frame surrounding the core) it must be dissasembled, I assume flashed and if you need an extra part it is soldered on, then the core frame is reasembled, packed up, and brought to be shipped.

Sounds like a lot of time to me...go ahead and bring it to your dealer...I'm guessing you'll pay atleast double, that is if they could do it

 

to Clarify. The Dealer has no Clue or even any idea that the HU can be upgraded.. As far as Mazda is concerned the Radio in you car works per spec. so they wont do anything excpet replace it if it fails. The Firmware upgrade program is a favor to rx8 owners from me to you.
Take it if you like. But Mazda cannot help with this. And as i have said beofore the upgrade program will end in January.
and you dont need any firmware upgrade to use the tape deck, MD or mp3 or even the 6 disk. They all work with all ver of the firmware .

 

thanks for the clarification... guess ill think bout it a little more and then possibly go with the hu upgrade, as i might be out of options... also... when i had the hu open, i was unable to fully detach it...i could not unplug that wide cable on the passenger side... anyone know where the clip is to remove that cable from the socket?

 

on the bottom of the clip...there are two for the acc controls...and then 3 I believe for the back of the HU...one is the antenna, one is that monster, and then one is? I don't remember

the monster big clicp...is easy to remove actually...just get your fingernail on the clip and pull out...may need a tiny wiggling

 

Hi,

I have the premium Bose stereo with the single CD player (not the CD changer, and not the MP3 CD player). Do you know if my stereo has the plug on the back required for the IceLink?

Thanks,

James

 

Yes, they all have that connector. Your firmware must be at least ver 9.55 for it to work, though.

 

Hey guys! I just got my IceLink Plus and want to install it. My question is where do you hide the whole assembly? I want only the iPod cradle and its cord visible. Do you put it in the tape/mini disc space? And how do you secure it there (would taping it be enough)?

 

Well, I keep reading all these threads on the IceLink, and am very jealous. You see, we have no-one in Australia with thew's knowledge and ability to upgrade the firmware in the head unit. It looks to me as if the only way I can install and use IceLink, and get rid of my silly iTrip, is to somehow get a complete HU exchange (and ensure it is a recent production version)

 

ahhhhh I see the damn firmware problem...ok well I hope something is worked out for you bud a nice setup like yours deserves high-fi audio

 

A quick question: does anyone know what happens when you use IceLink Plus with a head unit that hasn't had its firmware upgraded? I guess I could cope with no controls or display as long as I could get good clear sound through the system.

 

It states on the packaging that it works with firmware version 9.67 and above. But there are others who have 9.55 and it works. Pleas enote that the text does not display on the headunit. I have firmware version 9.73

 

timbo, I also have an earlier firmware that is not compatible with the Icelink products, and no possiblity of upgrading it where I live. I had to go the CD hack route to play my iPOD in the car.

 

Please... can anyone with firmware versions lower than 9.55 and for whom IceLink is working please post and let us know if/how it works??

 

If you read the Icelink threads, you will see that no one with firmware<9.55 have had success with it.

 

timbo, the CD hack or the Cutsom Aux-in Module (https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...483#post715483) which now looks about ready should work if you can't get a firmware update

 

MUHAHAHAHAHA

that thread has been going for over a year...I was hoping to get one of those last June...I'm sure glad I didn't wait

It may come out soon but FYI they've been saying that since the summer so don't hold your breath