i was wondering if it'd be possible to connect a portable sirius unit throught the extra 1/8" jack provided w/ the kit. it would simply get plugged right into the headphone jack. will this be able to be controlled through the head unit also? i don't even care really... i don't mind using the buttons on the unit. all i care about is not losing quality through any of those FM transmiters.

 

Yes, you absolutely could input a protable Sirius unit via the 1/8" jack without losing any sound quality. You would still need to control the unit using it's own interface, as you suspected.

 

Anybody, "EX 1", "Ex 2"?

 

Got this from Donny last month:

dag

 

Got my shipping notice - can't wait for it to arrive.

dag

 

so...
i've been up and down this thread several times looking for an answer to my question, but cannot find it. i have a 2004 with a head unit that has am/fm/cd, but no external cd changer or tape/md (although there are buttons for tape/md). i have firmware 9.55. There are references in this thread to plugging the AudioLink into the cd changer connection.
my question is: can i use the AudioLink with my headunit which has cd, but no external changer?
tia

 

Yes

 

I thought it used the port for the external CD unit?? Don't you hit the CD button twice to switch to the iPod source? My stereo has a SAT button for the Sirius option. Does this mean you can't configure an RX8 with Sirius and the external CD player if you aren't using this unit?? If it uses the Sirius port why wouldn't you use the SAT button to switch to it?? Thanks!

 

Just got a email that mine is on it way .

 

You wouldn't need to disconnect it, but you would need to pause it. Basically, you'd just need to turn off whichever unit you weren't using.

 

Apparently Mazda modified the port to be a dual-use port. In other wores, they made it where you could plug in the factory satellite OR an external CD changer. You can't use both as there is only one port. The AudioLink emulates an external CD changer, which is why it is accessed by pressing the CD button twice as opposed to the SAT button. Some newer cars, like the Mazda5 also have a "Media" button that can be used as well.

 

My unit came without instructions so I've been reading these. In step 11 you mention some wires that need to be disconnected. Do these stay disconnected or are they unplugged so you can get to the location the mp3 adapter plugs into?

Thanks!

 

They do not stay disconnected. They are for your A/C controls. You'll need to reconnect anything that you disconnect in the process of removing the headunit. I'd recommend unplugging as few of the connectors as possible. Just get enough room to reach back and plug in the AudioLink and you'll be good to go.

 

I just recieved mine!!! I am curious where everyone is mounting the "Audio Link " box and also where they are mounting The Ipod unit itself.

 

Got it, thanks! Was I supposed to get <any> installation instructions with the unit or are you relying on this thread as the documentation source?

Also, how much of the transmission cover gets removed? The pictures show where to pry, and a small view of the local area after the removal. Does the cover come off all the way to the back seat? The reason I'm interested is because I have a HAM radio unit mounted in my trunk and would like to run the audio leads to the AudioLink so I can hear either the iPod or my 2 meter radio through the stock stereo.

I'm really looking forward to installing the unit! I haven't decided where I'm going to put the iPod yet though. My cup holder currently contains the 'head' unit from the HAM radio.
See: http://koczarski.com/RX8/Mods/HAM/HAM.htm
I'm hoping I can slip the iPod in there too as it would be nice to have access to it for changing playlists or pausing it so I can use the 2 meter radio. I suppose I could always put the iPod in the glove box and use one of thouse iPod in-audio-line control units to pause the iPod and switch to the HAM unit. That way the iPod would be out of site, yet I'd still be able to pause it when required?? Would one of those still control the pause feature of the iPod when it has the AudioLink unit plugged into the bottom of it?

Thanks!

 

No, installation instructions were not included. Since this product works on every vehicle in the Mazda line-up and since we were trying to get the product out to you as quickly as possible, and since the connection of the unit itself is very simple (it just plugs in), we chose to rely upon the pre-existing resources here on the forums regarding console disassembly/reassembly.

For the installation of this unit, only the cupholders forward is required to be removed. I supposed that more of the cover could be removed for routing the wiring that you mentioned, though I have not done it myself. Perhaps someone else here can provide some insight.

I actually hadn't heard about the iPod inline audio control units, so I'm not really sure how well it would work with the AudioLink. It seems as though it should not interfere, but you never know.

 

Got mine - can't wait until I find the time to install!

I am targeting installing it through the cup holders.

dag

 

You can see one in the 9th picture on this page.
http://koczarski.com/Motorcycles/ST1...om/Autocom.htm
I use it on my motorcycle for pausing or steping a track ahead in my master playlist. It <should> work in the car too. I'll give it a try and report back. If it does work I should be able to put the iPod in the drink holder bay next to my HAM radio head and have the remote just outside on the console for easy access even when the lid on the drink bay is closed.

 

I received my kit for my Ipod Nano yesterday and installed it last night. There's a good thread somewhere on this board that shows how to remove the headunit.
In brief, you will need to remove the center console cover, ashtray, plastic cover under steering wheel to get to a 10mm bolt connected to side of head unit. Then you will need to disconnect about 4 or 5 electrical connectors and antenna cable to get the head unit out.

The only problem I had was with the electrical connectors they where a freaking bitch to disconnect. I plugged the adapter to the back of the headunit and ran the wires to the glovebox, where the ipod will stay out of sight.

System works great just need to turn the volume up on the ipod and adjust its EQ for your style.

 

I'll shoot you a PM.

 

If you use the Neo iON instructions adrain-1 posted:

http://www.neocaraudio.com/installs/...quired%20Tools

Do yourself a favor and remove the metal plate under the steering column after step 7 so that you can actually see the magical mystery bolt you need to remove in step 8.

Pic below is the BOLT you need to remove in step 8.



Anyway, I removed a nut (yeah I know it is supposed be a bolt) that I thought was the correct fastener way up inside the center console. I then tried to pull the HU out and almost broke it before it dawned on me that I removed the wrong fastener. I had a hell of a time putting the nut back on. (Japanese technicians must be a little smaller than us Americans).

With the metal plate in place, I have no idea how you could even find the pictured bolt; otherwise, the instructions are first-rate.

-Mr. Wigggles

Edited for clarity I hope.

 

So, is this a picture of the correct bolt then?? TIA

 

The picture does in fact point out the correct bolt. I installed this thing on Monday. It's not on the same plane as the two bolts that are by each other, it's behind and a little above, but the bolts look the same. When it comes out, it's maybe 3/4" long (not a very long bolt).

To help ensure that you in fact have the correct bolt, give your HU a little pull (not enough to actually unlatch it) and you should see it move a bit where the bolt used to be. That's the best indication that you have the correct bolt.

Also, make sure you put a towel or something over your gear shift. I put a little scratch in my HU because it rubbed the metal shifter.

It works very well, it even pauses your ipod when you turn off the stereo (or the car for that matter). PRETTY.... PRETTY.... PRETTY... PRETTY good.