do people still buy these? have there been any updates? i have unfortunate news, wondering if falcontx still comes around here..

 

I do, and I just responded to your PM. Also, people are still buying them.

 

replied to your PM

thank you so much for your awesome customer service!

honestly, great product at a great price, i cant live without this thing! hopefully my problems will be solved shortly

 

I ordered one today and spoke with Donny on the phone for about 20 minutes...great customer service!

 

Just FYI, I bought one back a few months ago to put in my 6. Well, I've moved upwards and onwards to an 8 and my Audiolink is waiting patiently to get swapped into it. I'll post results from the perspective of someone who has already removed a Mazda console/HU (sounds they are very similar) and compare the functionality between the two cars.

 

Update: installed my Audiolink without issue. Took some figuring to finally notice that my "side bolt" wasn't there! Oh, well, that much easier! Removed shift ****, popped out trim, removed screws/ash tray, removed two screws holding radio. Removed glove compartment (squeezed sides, popped lower hinges off, popped off side slider thing) and reached behind radio to push with my right hand, pulled lower edge of radio with my left hand. Fed the Audiolink behind the radio, plugged it into changer jack, reversed process. My Audiolink is just ran to my glovebox with a 1GB flash drive. Upon startup, it was recognized immediately and played without delay! Woo-hoo!

 

Ok, Im reading through this thread and reading different firmware comments everywhere.

Related to this....

"NOTE: For the Mazda RX-8, the factory headunit's firmware revision must be at least 9.55. "

I have checked my headunit and its 9.53..... what can I do to get the firmware updated? Just ask the dealer to do it or something? Sorry for the stupid question but I want to make sure cause Im really interested in this product.

 

I noticed on the website that for the MX-5, the Bose system is not supported; is it the same case with the Bose system for the RX-8? I only have a single CD player, if that makes a difference. I just checked my firmware, and it is at 9.8x; so that should be fine. I already placed the order, so I am hoping that it will work fine with my setup!

 

i have bose and im fine

 

I kind of browse thru this whole thread and don't seem to see people having this problem. I recently purchased the USB version. It works excellent except this one thing. I have seen this serveral times. I have different songs in all 6 folders named CD01 to CD06. There is occasion that CD05 and CD06 plays the same song that is located in the CD05 folder. Sometime after cycling thru the folder using the DISC+/-, it will be okay. Not sure anyone has seen this before. BTW, HU FW is 9.55.

It is a very nice product. I almost go for the VW Phatnoise Hack solution. This is much nicer, cheaper and flexible.

FYI: I tried to put some unicode filename on it and it will not work. Now, I have a script to rename all those files to some numbers.

 

I now have the iPod unit in my hands, however I also ordered the OEM 6 CD changer. I am waiting for it to arrive so I can install both at the same time. The dock connector / 3.5mm minijack connector piece is a little odd... Y splitter has the dock connector on the single end, whereas the miniDIN that goes to the adapter and the 3.5mm minijack input are on the opposite end; shouldn't it be the other way around with the dock and minijack facing the same direction (since they are the input connections)? Oh well; minor annoyance... nothing that a minijack extension cable can't fix!

 

I am afraid most iPOD solutions require the use of the same port your 6 CD changer will need, in other words I am not aware of a way to use both in the same car. I read around about a solution that will use the tape connector but the most popular solutions won't jive with your new changer... anyone please correct me if I am wrong.

 

My understanding is that the OEM CD changer replaces the single CD player module, and that the AudioLink unit per therpmstore.com uses the "external CD changer port". External in the case of someone wanting to use another CD changer to add on. If I am wrong, this will suck a little; I can probably get rid of the CD changer at a small loss, then. I've never opened up the console, so when I get the CD changer and start taking things apart, I'll come back and report.

 

You are correct.

The AudioLink works perfectly fine alongside any in-dash CD player or changer. There is a separate port on the back that was originally designed for an external CD-changer, but is now also used for the factory Sirius satellite radio unit.

Also, the minijack is purposely separated from the iPod cable for a couple reasons. The first being that it would just get in the way of anyone who didn't want to use it and the second being that a lot of people use it to input audio from a satellite radio unit or some other device that is not located near their iPod. In either case, having it the other way would be inconvenient. The current design provides the most flexibility since it takes care of either of these circumstances, yet can be attached to an extension cable for those that wish to have it up near the iPod connector.

 

after 2 hours of playing contortionist and running my hand through what seemed to be a cheese grater, the CD changer and AudioLink are now installed and working! The visuals from http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/ were invaluable, granted it gave me the false sense of thinking it was going to be a cakewalk -- I'm not sure whether it was because my car is relatively new or what, but the simplest things like unplugging some connectors, or removing the center console and headunit were ordeals and very hair-raising. There was some battledamage, unfortunately... the plastic clip that holds the center console behind the E-brake is no more =[. Minor annoyance, and usually out of mind. Anyone have a spare I can have? =D.

All said and done, I am happy I did it myself for once! Everything works great pretty much; there are some minor nuances about the AudioLink's behavior interfacing with the iPod, but I'm still figuring it out.

 

i don't feel like reading through 40 pages so can anyone who has installed it tell me, will the cable reach back to the covered compartment behind the center console cupholders or do you have to run the cable up in front. I would like to be able to toss the Ipod in that nice secure little space and not even have to touch it.

 

Chik have you installed urs yet-- I am unable to find the 10mm lock nut under the steering column area as detailed in all the tutorials-- I have thos two bolst mentioned in pics and then there looks like htere should be a bolt above those 2 and there is not one there on the thay same meatla piece

am i looking in the wrong place

 

for give my typos i am doing this on the lap to right next t me

 

I installed my AL tonite. The tutorials sure do make it sound easy. What a complete PITA that was-- 90 min install time is quite impressive, took me 90 min to find the damn hidden lock nut. I actually had to take the metal piece off under the steering column in addition to the plastic piece to even get an eye on that bolt. Cheese grater is an understatement. A helpful hint for anyone else who tries this-- that hidden bolt is behind and just above the 2 bolts in the aforementioned tutorial. The pic there really throws it off but the rest is dead on. It is on the plastic sleeve that the head unit slides into. If you reach your hand up in and behind the metal bar that the two pictured bolts that you dont touch are on and then slide your hand up and to the right if your approach is from the side angle you will feel it and then get enough of an eye on it. It is a 10mm bolt. I was able to break its tension with a nut driver and 10mm socket attachment and then you can finger loosen it slowly to remove, and becareful not to drop it-- you'll never find it.

The A/C control plugs --my god what a PITA they were. I only got one off and was able to shimmy the unit out enough to get my hand in and behind the glove box and feel my way to plug the AL in blindly and run the wires-- still couldn't figure out how the passenger side A/C control plug clamped on. Pulled and pulled and couldn't get it to unlock. I am not very technical and it took me 3 hours to do it. The biggest pains by far are that hidden bolt and the A/C control plugs. The rest I did in 20 min. Also when you reach up to get the hidden bolt be prepared to be cut by the metal. I have nicks and cuts all over my hands. It seemd to me what should have been a rather simple procedure was a huge PITA. Another simple hint-- dont bother unplugging and trying to jimmy the light from the ash tray- once unscrewed it can easily lay to the side and it is out of your way.

One question and I will email RPM as well--- is your IPOD suppose to charge with the inginition power off but the ipod still plugged into the AL. If so does this put a strain on the battery for the car itself.

BTW-- the unit is well worth it-- the quality of sound is sooo much better than the FM transmitter. It doesn't even compare.

 

Good to here the unit is worth it. i haven't got mine yet, waiting for it in the mail. i'm a volvo tech so i'll probably put mine in at the shop. doesnt sound like too much of a bag job. you should see some of the crap that volvo pulls. this sounds like a walk in the park.

 

Question for ya- can the "hidden bolt" be accessed with a plain socket wrench? From the pictures, I didn't think it would be possible to get at that bolt with a nut driver.

The image “http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/pictures/9.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

 

Try that again:

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/4.php

 

Has anyone ever had an issue where the entire right side plays at a very low volume? I bought my audiolink in August 2006. I checked for loose wires and have have the latest updates, but I still have an issue with the sound on the right front and rear speakers. I don't have sound issues with the radio or CD's, so it all points to the audiolink kit itself. Help!

 

If you have problems, please contact us via the form on our website and we will get you taken care of.

 

Better pic of the bolt, posted somewhere earlier in the thread.

I ended up just using a socket extension and the 10mm socket, and had to come at a slight angle, but got it out.