iPod and Neo iOn SP installation

[gdboytyler]

I just bought a new 2006 Mazda 3 hatchback last week Thursday. It has the stock radio with single CD.

This week I bought a 20 GB iPod and Neo adaptor kit http://www.carplayer.com/ . If it wasnt for the Neo adaptor, I wouldnt have gotten the iPod.

It took a little over 30 min to install the Neo adaptor kit. It took over 2 hours to figure out how to use the Neo/Denison user interface.

The Neo adaptor cost $219.99 + tax and shipping. I ordered the Neo adaptor on Monday morning (priority USPS mail) and it arrived on Tuesday! I installed it Tuesday night. The Neo adaptor shipped from San Diego and I live in Orange County, but I still didnt expect to get it so quickly.

Click this link for excellent directions on how to pull out the head unit:
http://www.sounddomain.com/ride/495957/10

You only need to pull out the head unit far enough to access the plugs in the back. I ran the cables to the passenger side.

To remove the panel by the passengers leg, pull out the center pin with your finger nails or a small screw driver.

Connect the Mazda cable to the open port on the back of the head unit and feed it through to the open panel on the passenger side. Then connect the Dension Icelink Plus to the Mazda cable. Then connect the Dension iPod cable to the Dension Icelink Plus and hook up your iPod.

Make sure to test your iPod before closing everything up.

Heres the manual for using the Dension Icelink user interface.
http://www.www.mp3yourcar.com/manuals.asp

When I use the Dension Icelink user interface, I can never get past playlist #4. Its much easier to switch to the iPod interface and then use the stereo controls just for jumping from song to song inside a playlist.

I had a hard time getting the Neo iOn to switch to the iPod interface. Heres what I had to do to change to the iPod user interface:

1. Have a song playing from the iPod.
2. Press the disk button until you get to disc#6.
3. Wait a few seconds and you should see the Dension menu on your iPod.
4. Press the Up/Down button on the steering wheel to highlight Access iPod UI
Note: if I press disc#6 without a song playing, I still go to the Dension menu, but the Up/Down buttons dont work and I cant highlight Access iPod UI.
5. Press the fast forward button on the head unit to switch to the iPod UI.
6. The iPod screen will then say to disconnect and reconnect. After you disconnect the iPod, make sure to wait at least 30 seconds before reconnecting.
7. Now, all the iPod controls will work, except for volume control. The only stereo controls that will control the iPod will be volume and track change.
8. If you press disc#6 while in the iPod mode, you will switch back to the Dension user interface.

**Your CD player will still work.

I used the Monster iSport Case ($19.95) to mount my iPod on the dash. The iSport Case also acts as a protective case and belt clip.

Once you get past the crappy Dension UI and use the iPod UI, the system works great and sounds just as good (if not better) as the CD player.

Here are some more photos:

http://members.cox.net/gdboytyler/iPod_Neo_iON/driver's%20view.JPG

 

[ChopstickHero]

take a look at this install:

http://www.moccforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3954

 

[mobomelter]

thats really nice. i have the same concept in my car. (see badger biker's install). you should have asked on the forum you could have saved yourself alot of cash. my entire setup is maybe 130 including the holder.

 

[tsunami]

why didn't you route the wire near the drivers side so you don't have it hangin across your console like that???

 

[gdboytyler]

why didn't you route the wire near the drivers side so you don't have it hangin across your console like that???

When I ran the cable, I originally planned to use a Pro-Clip like Badger Biker did here:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93147

I figured that I would hook up the iPod now and worry about getting the Pro-Clip later. I would just keep the iPod on the center console temporarily.

Then, after using the iPod in the car, I realized how crappy the Dension UI was. That meant I would need to handle the iPod more often than I originally planned. So I got a mount that I could stick close to the driver's side.

I'll probably be too lazy to re-route the cable. Also, the way the cable is now, it will be easier for a passenger to use the iPod, versus re-routing the cable to the driver's side.

 

[gdboytyler]

...you should have asked on the forum you could have saved yourself alot of cash. my entire setup is maybe 130 including the holder.

How'd you get it done so cheap? Did you get the Auxmod? Or used Neo? Or used PIE?

I got on the waiting list for the Auxmod the same day I bought my Mazda. But I decided to spend the extra money instead of waiting 2-4 months.

 

[tsunami]

When I ran the cable, I originally planned to use a Pro-Clip like Badger Biker did here:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93147

I figured that I would hook up the iPod now and worry about getting the Pro-Clip later. I would just keep the iPod on the center console temporarily.

Then, after using the iPod in the car, I realized how crappy the Dension UI was. That meant I would need to handle the iPod more often than I originally planned. So I got a mount that I could stick close to the driver's side.

I'll probably be too lazy to re-route the cable. Also, the way the cable is now, it will be easier for a passenger to use the iPod, versus re-routing the cable to the driver's side.

gotcha... makes sense

 

[mobomelter]

i used the pie adapter. i personally would rather see the screen when i change tracks so i use the ipod itself to change tracks. also all i have to do to listen to the ipod is press the cd button once and it goes to ex 1 and i'm set.

 

[gdboytyler]

i used the pie adapter. i personally would rather see the screen when i change tracks so i use the ipod itself to change tracks. also all i have to do to listen to the ipod is press the cd button once and it goes to ex 1 and i'm set.

The Neo works the same way when you use either the Dension UI or the iPod UI. It's only a hassle when switching from the Dension UI to the iPod UI. But once you switch to the iPod UI, it stays that way until you decide to go back or you accidently hit disc#6 while playing the iPod.

With the iPod UI, you press the CD button once (press twice if you have a CD in the CD player) it goes to EX1 and your iPod can play over the stereo system. All the iPod controls are working (except volume) and you see the normal track display you normally see on the iPod. Plus you can change tracks with the steering wheel controls. And where I've got the iPod mounted, I can easily read the display.

With the Dension UI, you only see the track name. You won't see the progress bar or any album cover graphics. But with the Dension UI, the font is larger, so it's easier to read.

Neo still allows CD's to play in the CD player.

 

[mobomelter]

ok so it isn't too bad. i just used the pie adapter since it was the cheaper method and i like to save money. also how do you see the ambient temperature?

 

[gdboytyler]

ok so it isn't too bad. i just used the pie adapter since it was the cheaper method and i like to save money. also how do you see the ambient temperature?

I didn't have to do anything special. The ambient temperature shows up like normal. Does the PIE adaptor disable the temperature display?

 

[mobomelter]

um i don't think we had the ambient temperature display in 2005. i beileve it must be a 2006 thing.

 

[wongpres]

um i don't think we had the ambient temperature display in 2005. i beileve it must be a 2006 thing.

Correct, ambient temperature is a new 2006 feature on the N. American-spec Mazda3. The ambient temperature reading is unrelated to the iPod stuff.

 

[urge262]

Great install man but what is this Dension iPod cable?

When going to mp3yourcar.com all I see is just the neo adapter and you have to select either the cable or the craddle. Whats the deal with this denison cable? Do you really need it or does it come with the neo kit?

 

[SvenDOlsen]

Great install man but what is this Dension iPod cable?

When going to mp3yourcar.com all I see is just the neo adapter and you have to select either the cable or the craddle. Whats the deal with this denison cable? Do you really need it or does it come with the neo kit?

The Neo is just a Dension Icelink. From what I've heard, Dension discontinued selling the mazda version, which is why they don't sell it directly like the other ones. But when I ordered mine from mp3yourcar , it was backordered for a month or so, so I would assume they're still being made.

There's a piece that plugs into the deck on one end, and has the dension part at the other end. From there, you can choose the dock cable or the cradle that plugs into that.

I got the cradle, and fabricated a bracket that wedges between the right side of the deck and the console trim, which the cradle is fastened to.

The sound is great, but I haven't completely figured out the controls yet. Much better than any FM modulator. (deadhorse

 

[gdboytyler]

The sound is great, but I haven't completely figured out the controls yet. Much better than any FM modulator. (deadhorse

Don't mess with the Dension controls, it's way too buggy. Set it up so that you use the iPod controls and use the steering wheel/stereo controls for changing tracks and volume.

 

[vegabros]

thats really nice. i have the same concept in my car. (see badger biker's install). you should have asked on the forum you could have saved yourself alot of cash. my entire setup is maybe 130 including the holder.

I checked out the PIE adapter, but it seems like just an aux adapter for the protege. When I called he said there was nothing like a neo ion for the mazda proteges/3's. In other words, if you go with PIE, you need to get a cable to connect from the ipod to the aux port in the PIE adapter, then a car charger to charge the iPod.

Was this your setup?

Thanks!
- Leo

p.s. Will using the PIE adapter interfere with regular CD/Radio use?

 

[AllanKeith]

I just bought a 2006 M3 and I am searching for an iPod interface. It sounds like the Neo iOn is my best bet. Would you help me understand your suggestion of not using the Denison interface? How would I "not use it" if it comes with the Neo iOn hardware kit?

Thanks very much for your help.
Allan

 

[illusis]

i bought a neo ion as well and its wonderful but forget all that dash mount s***. i ran it right into the glove box and ended it.i plug the ipod in when i get in my car and take it out when im done. radio controls control the entire ipod so why do i need to look at it.

 

[GripGreg]

ive just installed the PIE adapter in my car aswell, works really well, im not to concerned about the display showing EX 1.

What I did for my install was used the PIE adapter, and used a generic car/power ipod adapter with the cig lighter, but i did everything through the back, cut the line to the cig lighter and hardwired my adapter straight to the cig light line, ran both lines (power cord/aux in) up through center/left vent, capped the vent in the back, and bought an Idock which sits in the vent hole now perfectly, and ive modded a support plate for the dock to sit on, no wires showing at all, line out of the dock so no headphones jack line, and power goes into the dock. Pictures later this week when I get back my ipod from future shop on a repair job.