Iphone 3.0 update enabled bluetooth stereo (A2DP), if you have the xcarlink (audiolink) w/bluetooth then you can now wirlessly listen to you music and control you iphone and answer calls. You only have to plug it in to charge.

 

Oh also, it sounds awesome. No difference in quality, no stuttering or breaking.

 

now, let me get get this straight, this is compatible with all rx8's including the integrated navigation system, as long as its 9.55 firmware or greater excluding the two posted in the first post?

 

Are the cables that come with the the audiolink long enough to put the ipod in the center console and still have enough slack to remove the ipod for manual use or do you have to purchase a mini-din extension cable?

 

Anyone know whats the firmware or 2003 JDM model ? thanks..

 

That's a little dependant on where you put the control box for the Audiolink. If you have room for it behind the ashtray, there might be enough free play, but I put mine against the metal dash bracket found behind the glove box, so I use an extension cable to run it to the compartment under the armrest. With the extension cable, there's plenty of free play for me to lift the iPod out and hold it comfortably in my hand while seated.

 

i just checked my firmware is 9.50..Any other brand of ipod integration can i use for 9.50 firmware beside upgrading my stock headunit firmware? let me know .. thanks

 

Hello, where did you buy this XCarLink with A2DP Bluetooth?

Thx...

 

Does anyone know if this will work on a 2009 RX-8? My firmware is V1.04L02cs u

 

For anyone else who was wondering, here is the response I got from thermpstore:

 

For the second time, my Xcarlink adapter stopped working randomly.
When I press on the CD button, I can't switch to EX mode, nothing happens and radio stays in CD Mode... I'm pretty sure the adapter is well plugged in the radio (its a tight fit) though I might have to check each wire.
It happened once in about a few months, stopped working for a few weeks and suddenly worked again by itself.. And now it stopped working by itself.

Any idea? Did anyone experience this kind of problem with their Xcarlink / Audiolink iPod adapter?

 

Hey Mine has the same problem... unfurtunatelly I havent fixed it yet ...so if u find a solution please let me know....thanks

 

still not working... no idea what's going on.

Anyone, please?

 

if the unit still has a light on it like the old one, u may jiggle the wires gonig to the unit, my mazda 6 unit (way old version) had a issue like that id push the wires in the light would come on, then id turn the car off and on to make it recognize it

 

Just got mine installed today..works perfect! I will say the hardest part of installing this thing believe it or not was unhooking the stupid AC controls!!!! Those stupid wires are hard to release from the tabs!! My fingers still hurt from pushing on them so hard. Other than that it was a simple install. OH and the bolt that is suppose to be holding the whole unit in thats kinda hard to find well my car didnt even have a bolt there??

 

My rx8 has version 9.53, how would i update my system to be able to us this product

 

I read on another post that the XCarLink screws with the TPMS system. Is this a well-known problem, or just a few ppl facing this? Any solutions?

 

Hi Guys,
I got my XCarLink iPod integration kit installed and am loving it. How did I live without this for so long!

First of all thanks to everyone for answering my questions. I thought I'd give back by sharing my experience.

Where to buy:
First of all XCarLink is the best solution that I found in my research. I bought this from the RPM store. They have all the features listed on the website. The service is awesome. They answered all my questions quickly over the email. The delivery was really quick too. Never expected to have the kit in my hand within 2 days after I ordered.

Installation:
This was actually pretty easy. This video was very useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG77c...layer_embedded

Other useful installation links are:
http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/1.php
http://www.neocaraudio.com/installs/ipod/rx8/

The toughest part was to remove that hidden screw that holds the radio in place. One tip here is to remove the panel under the steering wheel after you pull out that plastic part. There are 4 screws to remove and removing this part, creates space for you to put your hand and also to see the screw clearly.

Clean install:
I wanted a clean clutter-free install. Here's what I ended up doing:
1. I placed the unit behind the shifter, under the switches for seat heating. There is enough room there.
2. I routed the iPhone connector from underneath the cup holder and the center console, through the storage box that contains the 12V power outlet. I had to remove the entire center panel for this, but this is very easy. Have to remove 8 screws and it comes out easily.
3. Routed the AUX cable into the cup holder. There is a small piece there that comes off easily. Had to make a small cut into it and it gives such a clean look.
4. Routed the bluetooth button and mic from under the radio to under the steering wheel. I have the bluetooth button hidden there - don't need it as we can use the Fast Forward button to take calls. Placed the mic on the panel just behind the steering wheel using a double sided tape. The wires are not even seen. This is not the best location for the mic but it is pretty good. Some place closer to the driver will be better. So will keep experimenting for a while.

XCarLink Experience:
The XCarLink experience has been mind blowing. The sound quality is awesome. The bluetooth is amazing. I'm using the iPod connector only when I need to charge. Rest of the times I stream wirelessesly using bluetooth A2DP that this unit supports.
Love the fact that I can use my steering wheel controls when connected using iPod connector.

Questions:
If anyone has questions regarding any aspect of XCarLink then feel free to PM me. (I'm going for a vacation soon, but after coming back I'll be happy to respond).

I had a few questions myself:
1. What is the best location for the mic?
2. What is the best location for iPhone mount. The center console is not flat so can't place it there. I'm probably going to place it near the rear-view mirror.

Cheers,
amazing_rx8

 

Does anyone else that has an iPhone 3G and use the xcarlink also have the issue where, when you plug in the phone to the xcarlink ipod cable, you get a pop up message on the phone that says something to the effect of, 'the charging accessory was not designed for this phone, you will not be able to make/receive calls, would you like to go into airport mode and disable inbound/outbound calls to avoid interference'??.

It still seems to charge, and i always hit 'no' to the airplane mode, but I did notice the other day that I was low on my phone charge and connected the xcarlink ipod cable, then had a phone call come in, and i just automatically answered it....and it kicked the call through the speakers/mic in the car....while at the same time the ipod functionality also decided to kick on at the same time and play old Van Halen tunes while i was trying to talk. It kept overlapping the ipod and phone audio until i got off the call and could unplug the phone from the charger, and reattempt the call. Just wanted to make sure i wasn't the only one running into this - i'm running the latest firmware from Apple on the iphone and my xcarlink was purchased last week, so i should have the latest rev of this stuff...

Pete

 

Yes, I saw the same behavior. I wish the popup would go away and only one voice would be routed at a time through the speakers (not phone music and phone call. However, I'm using only bluetooth all the time (A2DP for music streaming too) and in that case the switch from music to phone call or vice versa is seamless.

Let me know if there is a way to disable the "accessory not designed for iphone" popup.

 

My xcarlink makes alot of background noise while playing music. It's a bit annoying actually. Anyone have this problem / found a solution for it?

 

I haven't had any noise problems, could it be how it's routed in your car? Is it alternator whine type of noise, or noise through the aux input only? What inputs is the noise on?

 

I've only tried through the Ipod connection thingy. And no, it's not a constant noise, it's more like uhm... Can't explain. ^^

 

I just installed my xlink, I have it hooked up with the bluetooth accessory and the ipod cable that comes is useless. I get the same warning on my iphone 3GS that it is not make for this device....., so I use the bluetooth connection and just hook a normal iphone power adaptor and no problems. My music and phone come through bluetooth and it works flawlessly, the iphone cable only plays music, doesn't pass through phone calls and won't charge my phone so it is useless.

On another note, I found the best ever guide for taking out my head unit, I'd like to thank the person who created it, amazing tool. I didn't need to do what he shows as the xlink just plugged in.

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/ FANTASTIC RESOURCE

 

Hmm.. My 3G seems to charge ok, but there's something it's not happy with in the connection or else the iphone wouldn't be complaining about an incompatible accessory. I know the iphones had a slightly different charging wiring than the older ipods, even though the connector itself is the same... there's a voltage and pinout difference of somesort, which you can trick with some $40 adapter if I recall correctly, but I'm not looking to have yet another adapter on this thing. Maybe that's what the issue is, either way yeah - the Bluetooth is ok, but if you need to charge it and a call comes in, the fun audio extravaganza begins