Ipod Adapter?

[Koenig]

Hey guys, I ended up getting an Ipod Touch from my GF.... it's a simple 8GB 2nd gen, but it's definitely nice to have.

What I'm trying to find out is about the ipod adapters.

Although I would prefer to hear from others with a Mazdaspeed6, I'll gladly welcome input from anyone who has a Mazda6 with the BOSE system and in-dash CD changer.

So far I'm seeing a lot of "brands" like XCarLink, Neo prolink, Grom Audio...

Does anyone have any experience in the whole thing? Does it really display the song name on the panel like so many of them claim? (Cause I'm thinking that's only going to happen with a Metra kit).

Does it allow you control the Ipod [for the most part] with the steering controls like changing the song, etc.

Also what brand are you using? I called Mazda and they want $150, Street unit wants $180 and rpmstore wants I think it was $125 but I've found some on eBay with free shipping for just $80.

Just trying to get some ideas to find out if it matters what brand I get or if not I'll just save money. The one from eBay is "GROM Audio", makes all the same claims as the NEO Prolink from street unit... except the NEO states you must have the "SAT" button on the radio, and the GROM and XCarLink I believe both just require the external CD connection.

So if you've got an ipod connector in your Mazda6/Mazdaspeed6 let me know how it's working for you regarding the steering wheel controls, and the display LCD showing the songs names, and if you have the BOSE with in-dash CD changer if you've had any issues with the adapters. I don't want the one from Mazda because I believe it locks the screen on the Ipod, where as the aftermarket ones don't do that.

Thanks!!

 

[tunersteve]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123668624

Most of the info you need is right there. If you have SAT radio, your options are much more limited.

 

[Koenig]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123668624

Most of the info you need is right there. If you have SAT radio, your options are much more limited.

Yeah I was trying to look around, I don't have the Sirius so I'll be ok, I just have the "SAT" button which I recall reading the NEO Prolink requires?

Just trying to find anyone that has experience and likes their connector? I've never heard of GROM Audio but so far they are the cheapest connector available....

on top of that I'm a little disappointed with the fact you have to structure specific folders on the ipod to play it through the console? I was just hoping for something that would allow me to click next next next etc and just go through all 800+ songs on the itouch

Curse you mazda!


[EDIT]
Nevermind I found the answer regarding the original Mazda connector.

 

[tunersteve]

We all have the SAT button on the radio. Good thing is that you'll have the ability to use any of the options out there, since you don't have anything occupying the 16-pin connector on the back of the unit.

I had the NEO for a short time, and didn't care for it. I would avoid it and save your money.

 

[Koenig]

Yeah well it seems like I'm screwed either way....

The Axxess states won't charge ipods purchased after Sept 2008. and I have an Ipod Touch 2nd generation... so it's not going to charge the ipod for me. Seems like none of the options are currently going to charge the ipod for me. From what I'm reading: They'll be compatible to control it, but they won't charge it.

Plus I've never heard of GROM Audio (on eBay along with Dice, Neo, and the OEM MAzda connector) which seems to be the cheapest, and when I search for it here, I can't really find any feedback.

May as well just get a cheap AUX adapter and just play the music through the headphone jack with a separate charger plugged into my lighter. I really hate when support options are limited for our cars.

On the plus side the Axxess claims to support the ID3 tags from the Ipods (i.e. will show track names) which is nice, but I'm not about to spend $140 on that and then find out it's actually not capable of doing it on the MS6.

Thanks for the help steve.... just gonna go get a cheapy AUX adapter and play my music through that.

 

[TheMAN]

it won't charge because apple changed the charging voltage/pins on the new ipods to be the same as the iphone IIRC... you can buy a cheap little adapter to make any "older" accessory work/charge

 

[Koenig]

it won't charge because apple changed the charging voltage/pins on the new ipods to be the same as the iphone IIRC... you can buy a cheap little adapter to make any "older" accessory work/charge

Yeah what sucks is that some of them say adaptable for the itouch, but not whether it will charge or not, as I'm sure some of them at least charge the first gen itouch.

So I guess I would be better off just getting a cheapo AUX mod until someone makes an ipod connector that works with 2nd gen itouch? I can at the lease just change music through the itouch and still hear it in my car.... I'm getting tired of switching all my CDs out every 3-4 days, lol

 

[06' mazda6iGT]

if you didn't buy an aux input adaptor. i have the DICE ipod adapter and it works well if you set it up right. when i first installed it i was able to use the track up/down on the steering wheel, but after i hit the end of the playlist the first time i can't use the steering wheel anymore. i'm assuming that's just a problem with my unit and not every unit. DICE claims it will show ID3 tag info, but as you know. that won't work unless you have the metra kit. DICE also allows you to either choose songs/playlist/artist/album through complex h/u button combos. but it also lets you choose to keep the ipod 'unlocked' so you can choose stuff from there. iirc, the DICE doesn't have any limitations on what ipods can play/charge.

 

[Koenig]

if you didn't buy an aux input adaptor. i have the DICE ipod adapter and it works well if you set it up right. when i first installed it i was able to use the track up/down on the steering wheel, but after i hit the end of the playlist the first time i can't use the steering wheel anymore. i'm assuming that's just a problem with my unit and not every unit. DICE claims it will show ID3 tag info, but as you know. that won't work unless you have the metra kit. DICE also allows you to either choose songs/playlist/artist/album through complex h/u button combos. but it also lets you choose to keep the ipod 'unlocked' so you can choose stuff from there. iirc, the DICE doesn't have any limitations on what ipods can play/charge.

That's great info to know.... but as time would have it, I had already purchased a GROM Audio unit from ebay. Since they basically have a full refund guarantee policy, and the guy said that version 2 will charge my 2nd gen itouch.

Just got it in the mail today... hoping to have some time to install it tomorrow to enjoy it in the car for work this coming week. Now all I need is to find a walk-through that points out all the screws, etc so I don't break anything off trying to pull the dash cover

 

[SteveJ]

That's great info to know.... but as time would have it, I had already purchased a GROM Audio unit from ebay. Since they basically have a full refund guarantee policy, and the guy said that version 2 will charge my 2nd gen itouch.

Just got it in the mail today... hoping to have some time to install it tomorrow to enjoy it in the car for work this coming week. Now all I need is to find a walk-through that points out all the screws, etc so I don't break anything off trying to pull the dash cover

I installed the GROM AUX port in my wife's 6 wagon. It worked fine for us on our vacation.

Look in the "How-To" section for installing the gauges. It shows you what you need to know for tearing into the dash.

Steve

 

[Koenig]

I installed the GROM AUX port in my wife's 6 wagon. It worked fine for us on our vacation.

Look in the "How-To" section for installing the gauges. It shows you what you need to know for tearing into the dash.

Steve

Thanks Steve, appreciate that. It's nice to know I'm not going to worry about any issues with the GROM then. Never got a chance to do it this weekend, father came for a visit. I'm planning for Tuesday afternoon. I'll do my best to remember taking pics just for a look see.

 

[Koenig]

Well just an update (I honestly forgot).

I've had the GROM Audio MAZI2 (purchased off eBay) for about a month now. Works great with no issues.

It does charge my 2nd gen Itouch. You just have to make sure you're getting the MAZI2 and not the MAZI model.

Also the company is hands down AWESOME in regards to customer service. When I first got the adapter it wasn't charging my 2nd gen Itouch, I emailed them and they responded stating that they had sent me a new cable, once I switch this cable it charged my 2nd gen Itouch perfectly (must have been a faulty cable).

I haven't quite "customized" the install yet, so for now the cable is just coming out of the side of my glove box and I have this little uh, cellphone/ipod/PDA holder that suctions to my windshield to hold it up for me to allow me to easily touch and change songs while driving.

To give a brief description it works great (this also works for the Iphone as I tested my friend's Iphone with it).

It has the same functions like all the others from DICE and NEO, X-link, ETC.

Except I paid $90 for the device and free shipping.

Disc 1 allows control of my itouch, also controls from the streeting wheel and dash buttons. However does not display the track time.

Discs 2 to 6 is basically "folder format" in which you create folders with your songs in them (I just sorted genres like ROCK, RAP, R&B, METAL) does NOT allow control of my itouch from the Itouch itself (it will lock out your Ipod click wheel or your Itouch touch screen)and instead songs must be changed from the steering wheel or dashboard. HOWEVER using the folder format (discs 2 through 6) will display the time elapsed of each track (like your normal CD player).

Neither function Ipod Mode (disc 1) or Folder Format (discs 2 to 6) display the text data for track names.... that can only be done if you purchase the METRA2 kit for the Mazda6/Mazdaspeed6.

All in all I'm really happy with the adapter and I saved money over spending $140+ on the other adapters for the car. GROM Audio gets my (2thumbs). Any questions?

 

[Funkster777]

Neo question

We all have the SAT button on the radio. Good thing is that you'll have the ability to use any of the options out there, since you don't have anything occupying the 16-pin connector on the back of the unit.

I had the NEO for a short time, and didn't care for it. I would avoid it and save your money.

What did you not like about it? This is the one that I am learning toward. They appear to be the same. I really want to make sure that the iPod is charged, able to control from the iPod, the radio, and the wheel, and to display text.

icarkits
http://www.icarkits.com/product_info.php?products_id=3442

NeoCarAudio
http://www.neocaraudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=5044{VM}214{VY}2006