Mazda 3 2006 sedan iPhone 3G integration QUESTIONS

[Silverhawk]

Hey everyone,

Brand spankin new to this forum.

I need some advice on connecting my iphone 3G to my mazda3 2006.

Here is what I am hoping to go with if I hear that it is in fact compatible (many forums say it is).

THE R2 kit as I have to plug it behind the SAT compartment on the HU.

http://www.diceelectronics.com/Merc..._Code=i-Mazda-R&Category_Code=DICE_IPOD_MAZDA

Does anyone else have suggestions for this ? cheaper solutions ?

I was particularly interested in that solution because of its charging capability and such.

Also I was reading the instructions on how to fix it and it seems pretty easy.

However here is one other question. They say I have to disconnect the battery both

Disconnect bothbattery terminals.These cables must be disconnected during installation to ensure proper initialization
of the module when it is connected.

How do I disconnect the battery ? How do I avoid any electro-shock.

What are the things I have to do after the battery is disconnected ?

Any advice on this would help thank you !!

 

[Silverhawk]

Anyone ?

 

[bernie3674]

open the hood, use a 10mm wrench, remove the - side first, wrap the terminal with tape for safety reason, then remove the + side cable, do the same wraping, done.

oh btw, do not turn on the car, light or any other electrical on the car, and leave all doors and truck closed.

1 more thing, remove the battery cover to access the battery

 

[icspots]

You could also click on the audio input thread stickied at the top of this sub-forum to see a bunch more options.

I recommend either the audiolink or the grom ipod module. The difference between them is mainly that the audiolink provides you with an extra 3.5mm input while the grom is just the dock connector. Of all of the ipod modules these seem to have the fewest problems overall. Also both of these modules have newer versions which work with the newer iphones/ipods.

I don't recommend the DICE, especially not the version 2. Pretty much everyone who's gotten one has posted about how several functions don't work, how the UI is difficult to get used to, and how annoying it is to try and find the correct settings with the DIP switches to get it working properly.

All of the ipod modules will charge your player and give you control from the steering wheel. Also all of them (with the exception of the Axxess) use the same port on the back of the HU.

You didn't say anything about text display, but the only ones that will display text info. are the newer DICE/prolink (neither works well), and the Axxess. The axxess only works on '04-'06 models so not lots of people have them, though they all seem happy with them.

Alright, so what options do you really want? The ones on the table are:
-controls ipod from stereo (all of them)
-charges ipod (all of them)
-3.5 mm input/aux input (all except grom)
-text display (newer dice/prolink, axxess)

 

[Silverhawk]

Thanks for all the input and directing me to the sub-forum. I did some research and I've pretty much crossed out the DICE component as a choice.

I am deciding between GROM and the XCarlink adapters.

The Xcarlink seems sweet and easy to install and i found this video which made me want to get it. Also bluetooth seems a plus. However I have a few concerns.

1. I read on a post that mentioned that there is a hissing sound slightly, probably because the iphone 3G gives a message that says accessory not supported.
2. Bluetooth is cool but only works with the mic provided with the unit and cannot with the phone's mic, from what i understand. But it seems it could be very useful. Unfortunately according to this forum post, I probably can't use it via the phone mic and car speakers, as it may overlap the music. Reason being it seems like a hassle to drag the mic wire across, plus i feel it could look a smidgen tacky but thats just me. haha.

Have you heard anything new about this?

The Grom Unit.

The thing that wonders if this should be the choice is that it seems to have fully supported charging without the 'not supported' prompt screen, which leads me to assume that this probably has no hissing. As shown in this video Plus it seems like the grom unit HAS to stay behind the factory unit unlike the Xcarlink unit. (not a biggie tho)

Also the Grom unit showed this vid with another car which worries me. Have you heard anything of the sort in relation to MAzda3's ?

And a question for both units, do u know if either will support playing music via other apps like perhaps pandora or the NPR app. Any input on this will help greatly.

Let me know what your final opinions are, as you seem to be the whiz on this subject! and thank you!

I will be making a purchase around the end of the month. However iPhone 4.0 is gonna be announced, that could mess everything up! lol

 

[Silverhawk]

battery.

open the hood, use a 10mm wrench, remove the - side first, wrap the terminal with tape for safety reason, then remove the + side cable, do the same wraping, done.

oh btw, do not turn on the car, light or any other electrical on the car, and leave all doors and truck closed.

1 more thing, remove the battery cover to access the battery

Thats strange the dealer guy told me to remove the + side first. Which i'm assuming according to your post is a bad idea?

Also I am assuming I should put the battery back in backwards as in + first then - am i right?

also thx for the note on keeping everything closed and inactive. I am assuming when connecting everything back in to keep everything closed and inactive as well?

thanks!

 

[icspots]

1. I read on a post that mentioned that there is a hissing sound slightly, probably because the iphone 3G gives a message that says accessory not supported.

The Grom Unit.

The thing that wonders if this should be the choice is that it seems to have fully supported charging without the 'not supported' prompt screen, which leads me to assume that this probably has no hissing. As shown in this video Plus it seems like the grom unit HAS to stay behind the factory unit unlike the Xcarlink unit. (not a biggie tho)

The hissing sound is actually a byproduct of the 3g transmission. This is acknowleged by apple.

 

[Silverhawk]

so the hissing sound is for both the GROm and the Xcarlink ?? or just the Grom? also how apparent is the hissing any idea?

Also do u know if the Xcarlink fully supports the charging now?
meaning it doesnt pop up that bypass screen ?

thanks.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

Thats strange the dealer guy told me to remove the + side first. Which i'm assuming according to your post is a bad idea?

Also I am assuming I should put the battery back in backwards as in + first then - am i right?

also thx for the note on keeping everything closed and inactive. I am assuming when connecting everything back in to keep everything closed and inactive as well?

thanks!

remove the negative side first, because that way if you contact the wrench to another metal part, you're connecting - to -. Theres no point in taping it off, you'd just be essentially stopping it from shorting to itself as the whole chassis of the car is essentially connected to the negetive battery terminal. reconnect the negative terminal last as well, again, so that if you connect the wrench to anything, you're just connecting ground to ground.

 

[icspots]

so the hissing sound is for both the GROm and the Xcarlink ?? or just the Grom? also how apparent is the hissing any idea?

Also do u know if the Xcarlink fully supports the charging now?
meaning it doesnt pop up that bypass screen ?

thanks.

The hissing is with the 3G/3GS and any ipod integration modules. I'm not sure about how severe it is because while I have a 3GS I use a simple input vs. integration. For the same reason I can't comment about what screens pop up.

 

[Silverhawk]

The hissing is with the 3G/3GS and any ipod integration modules. I'm not sure about how severe it is because while I have a 3GS I use a simple input vs. integration. For the same reason I can't comment about what screens pop up.

and I'm back again. Any word on if iPhone 4 will support the bluetooth on audiolink? or if OS 4 will be supported with the new gizmo ? Let me know if you do.

How is the bluetooth streaming audio quality? thanks!