Axxess vs. Neo ProLink

[saypokai]

anyone have any of these ipod kits? I want to know which one people would recommend. Any suggestion would be great! thanks.

 

[Parad0x01]

I have the Axxess and I love it. Song/Artist and multiple playlists, I've never had a problem with it and an easy install too. I can't say anything about the Neo tho.

 

[gte024h]

I have the Axxess with the iPod and XM interfaces. Neither is particularly usable. With the iPod interface you will often get "NO TITLE" displayed on the screen. Oddly enough, if you select the playlist display, and scroll to the end of the text, then switch back to the song title display it will show the title of the song. Also if you skip forward a track, it will often skip two or more tracks at a time. And it has a tendancy to play the first 4 seconds of a song, then jump to the beginning and start over (just once though).

As for the XM radio... let's see... no presets, almost complete inability to change channels (hit channel up and there is a 90% chance it will jump to a random channel). Often once you switch to a channel, after a few seconds it will switch to the previous channel. At least the artist display works right.

And the biggest bug is that the Axxess system MUST be active when you turn on the engine. If you have the radio off or on CD or FM and you start the car, the Axxess will NOT operate. You will have to switch off the car and remove the key, put the key in the accessory position, turn on the radio, hit the media key to activate the Axxess, then start the car. I am **this** close to trashing the whole thing and using an external unit. Axxess (AKA Metra) support is a joke... and yes I DO have the latest firmware for the device. I think Axxess released this on the market without ever putting it in a car an using it.

 

[Parad0x01]

Oh wow, I've never had those problems EXCEPT for the first 4 seconds thing, happens when I skip multiple songs.

 

[Snakestang65]

I have the axxess, and yes, it does have a few quirks. Nothing that keeps it from being usable though... I am really impressed with the sound quality for just an addon device. I tried several others (including the auxmod with my Audiovox xm) and the sound was just not anything to brag about. It actually sounded better over the FM modulator for the Audiovox/auxmod.

The ability to change channels from the steering wheel is great. The song title and artist is just a feature... Heck some times even the wrong one is broadcast from XM itself, or no information at all...

Once again, the overall sound quality, the ablity to change from the steering wheel, and Ipod intergration are what sold me. The ablity to display was secondary (due to limitation of the existing mazda display) I do wish though that it had the ability to save channels. Once you spend time with it, you learn how to navigate with its quirks.

 

[aerales]

same problem... different output...

Ive had the Axxess on my 6-2005 for 6 months and Im getting the same problems that gte024h got, the only difference is that the guys at metra have been very helpful, as a matter of fact they sent me two more adapters to try on my Mazda (since its the Latin American model), after the test with the new ones everything went well for 4 months until I changed the battery on my car.. It shouldnt be related but who knows.. now the adapter is not being recognized all the time so Im in communication with the tech guys at metra, hope they can help again

 

[chaunchy_sp6gt]

I have the axxess and love it. Yes, the 4 second thing happens but I usually just listen to what comes up in shuffle or random so it's no biggies for me.

What I really liked about the system was that I wasn't sure whether or not I'd be on the Ipod bandwagon or not so I got it with BOTH the 1/8" plug AND the IPOD interface.....This allows you to use either or. It's was an extra $10 from RPM to get the additional cable and I totally think it was worth it to have that flexibility. I have since gotten an IPOD in which I love that it charges the thing and that you can control it from the factory buttons. I sometimes use the 1/8" for the other 1000 songs I have on my phone should I forget the ipod somewhere. And when buddies get in the car with their Zune's or what ever they have, I can go that route to. Sound quality is definitely better from the IPOD plug rather the 1/8" but I think the sound is negligable. Oh, and it I want full control of the IPOD, I also use the 1/8" which is a nice option.

I also went with the axxess cuz I have the factory serrius satalite. Axxess plugs into the media expansion slot rather the sat plug like one of the other brands. And then to top it off, the audio link model from the RPM store states that on Japanese models (including the MS6's) that a modification is require for it to work. No switching box required this was best of both worlds, no compromise.

In the end, it really comes down to doing your homework and figuring out which one works best for you and your needs. Not all 6's are built the same. For me, it really came down to the fact that the axxess was best for my MS6. I weighed my choices with the fact that I had A: a Japanese made MS6, B: I have factory satalite radio, C: I didn't own an IPOD yet and wanted the option to expand.

Good luck to anyone out there thinking this through....