Stock Stereo - Sat Radio, Tape Decks, iPod?

[fishbob]

I hope this works for you all

I started out lurking aroun\d to see if there was anyone like me that wondered the things I did and as it turned out you all do.

I found this device on ebay at http://cgi.ebay.ch/MP3-Player-for-M...13456363QQihZ022QQcategoryZ3293QQcmdZViewItem It delivered in 3 days - fast.

I removed the unit as per the detailed instruction left here by others but before I got started I wanted to be sure to see if the unit worked ass advertised with good sound quality. It does!!!! In fact I bet by using the USB interface the iPod problems I have been hearing about will be gone. I went and bought a 4GB Cruizer drive and set the files up as the instrutions tell you too and I was in like flint.

Anyway here is what I started with and the device I received. My Mazda5 IS A 2007 Sport (pretty basic).

After I removed the face plate I decided I wanted my device in the unit where the cassette would go. I cut a piece of 1/4inch plexiglas to fit in to the face plate 11.8cm X 3.9cm then I sanded the original face plate down so that it would support the new face plate I was going to install.

After getting the face plate sized and the opening in the face plate for the device to slide through I put a piece of 3/16in firm foam type cusion with one sided sticky adhesive. You put this on over the face plate and cut it insde of the face plate so that it will be a tight fit when the device is slid through it. In that way it will conform to the units profile and look neater as an installation goes.

 

[fishbob]

Part 2

After that is done the basis for the installation is almost complete except for stability. I took a steel strap used in construction and trimmed it so that it would support the unit from with in the unit.

Here is the underside when finished.

I attached the front plate and sanded plate using a common adheasive (Liquid Nails) and attached the bracket to the device using the screws that hold the cord into the device. Be careful when doing this the screws are light duty and your bracket should be counter sunk to ensure the deepest penetration of the screws.

I then after everything was almost together measured and used pop rivets to complete the bracket installation that would hold the unit in place making sure it would not move and would be stable for years to come.

Here is the final look

As for sound quality, it rocks and like I said because it uses the USB there should not be a reason for anyones iPod to not work and have the power too.

Hope this gives someone the moxy to take a chance and try the mos yourself. If wqorse comes to worse mount the thing in the glove box like a lot of people do. That would be a snap. As it was this was one good day of fabricating and having fun.

Good luck.

PS. If your interested I'd be more than willing to answer any questions you might have.

Fishbob

 

[fishbob]

Wrong link for the Player

This is the item I got on ebay sorry about the confusion;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl....ebay.com:80/310018921867_W0QQfromZR41QQfviZ1

 

[mrd777]

Need 2007 Mazda6 raidio with 6 changer disk

Anybody got a line on a good radio for a Mazda6 Grand Touring Bose System 6-disk system? Someone replacing one with after market stuff - know a good mazda junk yard? A 2007 Grand touring must have been totaled some where. Send me any leads. Thanks, Don in Washington State(mswerd)(mswerd)
425-717-2037

 

[5zoom]

Ipod integration on an 08

I am looking into the ipod kits for my 08 and wondered what pieces I need to buy. I know I could use the aux input, but thought it would be great to be able to control everything via stock head unit. I also wondered if this is a DIY job or something I should leave to a professional. I am not afraid to go behind the glove box(I changed the cabin filter in my 3 once). Is it plug and pray?

Also, when it works, can everything(selecting tracks, volume, folders...) be handled on the stock head unit?

Thanks

 

[Bennett5]

GROM Ipod adapter

Hey everyone. I installed the GROM Ipod adapter http://www.gromaudio.com/ipod.html in our 2008 5 last weekend. The install went pretty well except for a few changes to the interior pcs on the '08 that change the HU removal. Just remember to take you're time and remove the cup holders and console on the '08's otherwise, it's the same as on earlier models. Once you get the HU out you'll have to unplug the existing connection on the radio. The problem is once you do this, you lose the bluetooth capability, if you have it. I want to maintain the bluetooth compatibility with my phone, so I've disconnected the GROM unit until a Y adapter is made. GROM was talking about having one in MAY so hopefully it won't be long now.
The GROM unit was $70 on EBAY, displayed the tracks on the display, but no song name or titles, or playlists description. Playlist organization is important to ge the most out the GROM unit. Sound is great, charges the ipod, keeps it out of site and in the glove, and lets you use the steering wheel controls to change songs.

 

[NS_Mazda5]

Mazda5 single CD RDS capable?

Does anyone know if the single CD stereo in the 07s are capable of reading RDS? Just bought an 07, and my stereo guy says that this: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/eXcelon/CarPortal™/KOS-A200 might be a good solution to my MP3 addition problems. I don't have and don't want an iPOD, I like my ZEN. Just got my 5 two days ago. And just starting researching this today. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[raspykart]

IPOD Discovery

We've been using our Nano 1gen in the 5 for some time and the biggest gripe we had was to go to the next song in a random fashion you have to hit random twice. Well I've been using it for commuting lately so I put my Ipod Touch 2gen in it, and low n behold somehow when you hit the next track button, it goes in a random fashion. Downside is it doesn't charge it, but I like this benefit way better. I have shuffle enabled on my touch typically so I dunno if thats what made it work or not... no matter what we did on the nano it would go to the next song in the list.

 

[Peloton]

Mazda 5 iPod Integration Module

Last weekend I installed the Mazda 5 iPod Integration Module in my 2009 5 Grand Touring for my generation 3 Nano. I decided to get the Mazda one since my 5 is still under warranty.

It came with instruction manuals on how to install it and operate it. I ordered it from here:

http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda5-ipod.html

I got the kit for the Mazda 5 w/o Sirius Radio w/o Navigation for the 2008-2009 model years. I do have the 6-disc CD changer. Installation when okay, took me longer than the average installer since I don't do it much at all, but I figured it out. The hardest thing was figuring out the wiring since it's not straight through wiring due to the bluetooth.

The iPod sounds great. Its sound level is lower than the CD and radio. For example, level 20 on the CD/radio is about level 25 or so on the iPod. All operation is through the radio; the iPod controls are locked out. Using the DISP button, one can scroll through the Artist, Song, Album, etc. and it shows on the display (see pic). Mazda recommends that one uses Playlists to use the iPod and find things even though one can find them by scrolling through Artists, Albums, Songs, etc. but it can take a long time (not good while driving). I usually shuffle by albums but that is one thing it won't do. Guess I'll have to figure out how to do it by playlist. It will shuffle the other modes, like songs, by pressing RDM button (least I think so, haven't tried everything).

It did disconnect the AUX jack; something I was not aware of. However, I don't use it now with this module so I am not in a hurry about getting the part to reconnect it (C9F1-V6-261) since it's not cheap.

Update: I found out this will not recharge the generation 4 Nano. I plugged my wife's in and it will play music; it would just not recharge. My iPod is a generation 3 Nano. Turns out Apple changed the recharging from 12v to 5v from generation 3 to 4. I did find an adapter that can be plugged into the cable that changes the voltage:

http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID1/210/sfID2/326/sfID3//productID/1667

I ordered one so I report on how it works when I get it.

I received the Scousche Passport for the iPod this weekend and it works great; recharges the iPod like it's supposed to.

 

[DKaz]

Does anyone here know the power output - peak and RMS - for the stock stereo?

 

[robertlord484]

I am a bit of a technophobe, so I am hoping somebody can help me out with what is probably a ridiculously easy question.

Yesterday, I bought an iPod Touch (2nd generation). I want to be able to listen to it in my 2009 Mazda5 with the factory installed 6 disk CD changer radio. I see the jack for the auxillary input. I assume this plugin is what I will use, along with the "media" button on the stereo?

Is the proper cable to purchase something like this one, below?
http://store.itrimming.com/toth35mmmm01.html

Will this output in stereo, or am I on the wrong track here?

Thanks so much for helping an obvious newb!

 

[Heat]

...
Is the proper cable to purchase something like this one, below?
http://store.itrimming.com/toth35mmmm01.html

Yes, that's the right cable. Though six feet is extremely long, I use a one foot cable. Also, you can buy these cables pretty much anywhere, I bought my cable from a local Radio Shack store for $5.50. A three foot cable ran $6.50. The problem with a six foot cable is that you have to store the cable somewhere when you are not using it and that's a lot of cable.

There is also an iPod adapter which runs around $150 if I remember right, I think that would display the song information on the radio itself. Might even charge the iPod. Just make sure that it works with the iPod Touch before you buy it.

And of course you can always just put in a nice aftermarket head unit with built-in iPod connections, you can easily get one for $200 or less (as an example, look at the Alpine CDA-105). Yes, you would lose your CD changer, but CD changers are obsolete.

 

[Bonthron]

I'm looking at installing the Axxess solutions to iPod integration in our "new to us" 2006 Mazda5. The problem is the manufacturer says it doesn't work with the Clarion made OEM headunits, and I'm wondering if I have one of these and if it's possible to tell without pulling the HU out of the dash? Ours has the MP3/6-disc in-dash changer.

Any help here would be appreciated. Also, anyone with experience with this device?

Thanks.

Chris

 

[Kats07mazda5]

Hi all I am new here, I have a new to me 2007 Mazda5 can you tell me where the aux input is, I cant find one.

 

[KBrian]

Unfortunately, Mazda did not equip the stock stereo system with an Aux input plug for the 07 model. You must find another path, such as an FM transmitter device, a new head unit with I-pod controls, or a dealer installed I-pod adapter cable.

Good luck.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

or a dealer installed I-pod adapter cable.

I do the agree dance with the KBrian on this one

Peace!(rei)

 

[Kats07mazda5]

does the dealer one work better now? does it work with the iphone3gs

 

[canessa]

Here is my setup with aftermarket head unit.

Ok, here's my first iPod update.

To get iPod sounds into the stereo, there are roughly three ways to go about it: FM transmitter, cassette tape adapter, or find a way to get an auxiliary input, which may be just a line-in or a dedicated iPod dock connector.

In this post I'm going to write about the easiest method for most people, the FM transmitter. This takes the iPod sound and transmits it on an FM frequency, and you then tune the car stereo to the right station to listen. There are a number of them out there, and they have the advantage that you can take them with you and use them in any other car, which is great if you're traveling and have a rental car.

The disadvantage is that sound quality can vary wildly. Some transmitters are better than others, but the main issue is finding a clear frequency to use. In my case, it's particularly difficult as the SF Bay Area is fairly crowded, and there are multiple broadcast areas: some stations broadcast from SF, some from the San Jose area I live closer to, and it's easy to take a short drive to the Santa Cruz area or the Easy Bay where there are yet more stations. One can get an acceptable frequency in one region, and then have it go out on you when you travel to another area.

Anyway, I'm using the Monster iCarPlay (I've had this for awhile because my wife was using it on business trips) and it works fairly well for the moment. It goes into the accessory plug and I was able to hide the cable very well underneath the console then the cable comes up from the passengers side and I drop the cable into the console well when not in use. When I get into the car, I open the console, take the cable out, drop half the console to get the upper part which is a perfect size to hold the iPod, connect to the dock connector, and I can close the console at this point if I wish.

If the iPod is playing when the car is turned off, then the iPod goes into pause mode. Unfortunately, starting the car does not put the iPod into play, but it does 'activate it' if it had been in the off/sleep mode. It's not a bad system. I get in the car, hook it up, start the car, select a playlist, start playing, close the console, then do my release hand brake/shift/drive and leave things alone until I stop the car which pauses the iPod.

The disadvantage is that if I want to skip a track or do anything with the iPod I can't do it easily, as it's not mounted in any real visible spot and steering wheel/stereo controls of course can't do anything than adjust volume. If I'm at a stop light with a minute to spare I can grab the iPod and mess with it a moment before putting it down, but obviously you need to concentrate on driving, not messing with tunes. If you have a passenger in the front seat then that person can play DJ for you.

Overall I give this system 8 out of 10 for style -- you can't really tell there is a cable to connect as it's black, but sometimes the middle area that switches stations falls into the cup area, a 6 out of 10 for sound, which is great at times but gets some noise on occasion, and a 6 out of ten for usability as it works, but it's much easier to change stations or CD tracks than it is to switch things on the iPod.

Other FM transmitters people may want to consider include:

Kensington Digital FM Transmitter/Auto Charger -- similar to the Monster iCarPlay, some say it works a little better, some don't. It's white though so it won't blend in like the black Monster cable will.

AirPlay -- a small device that hooks to the top of the iPod, doesn't charge it but also doesn't have a cable to hide either, and could be used to transmit to other stereos instead of 'just' a car -- although there are wall-socket to car plug adaptors out there if anyone wanted to use one of the previous transmitters elsewhere too.

There are reviews for all of these, and more, at "iLounge" a web site devoted to iPod issues and reviews and such.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/

The ipod dock is directly connected to the head unit via A/V cable and power by a 5v USB. Enjoy...!

 

[canessa]

IPod dock

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=3901&sku=26482

 

[Slickvic]

trying to SELL sirius satellite radio

so i just took out a Sirius satellite radio out of a 2007 mazdaspeed 3. im trying to sell it.

i been doing some research and apparently the Sirius satellite radio for my particular year will only work on any mazda3 model (speed or non) of the year 2007 and 2006 so far. that is what the dealership conformed me. im not the best wit forms so i haven't found anything for any older years but they told me that it WAS changed for the years after 2007 model.

i wanted to know if anyone knu if this would work for any other type of years and maybe any other type of model? im super broke lol and i wanted to expand my options

but if anyone is interested in it.

they go brand new for $340 with all that you need. im selling it for 300 shipped...

if anyone is interested pm me

i live in Sunrise FL, (south fl) if anyone wants to do a pick up. thanks! (dance)