IPOD hookups for Mazda3 2006

[lifesaver155]

I just bought a 2006, mazda 3 with a 6 cd changer. I want to hook up an ipod to it. Has anyone found a cheap way to hardwire in connections? I have an itrip but it wouldnt work with the stereo. ANyone have any thoughts on why it wouldnt connect through FM. Can you somehow use the SAT button or something?

 

[ender 00]

i think this is everyone's first thought after getting their car. unfortunately the sat/media buttons don't yield any cherry aux-ins.

there exists one solution that'll give you an aux-in for a reasonable price: http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/

it's out of stock right now and last noted (2/2 in the news section) they expect to have more end of this month early next. i'm waiting to get one myself, from what they told me there is no waitlist first come first served when they are back in.

 

[fredputty]

THIS is a cherry solution using the SAT button:
http://www.mp3yourcar.com/search.as...a&model=3&carYear=2006&Submit.x=43&Submit.y=9
The Neo iOn plugs into the factory satellite radio port on one end, and your iPod on the other end. Just press SAT and you're listening to iPod in the car with CD quality sound...plus the iOn also powers the iPod and allows track control from the factory radio, and yes, that means the steering wheel controls work too. If you don't plan on installing satellite radio, this is the sweetest install I know.

You need to remove the radio to get to the plug, and then figure out where you want the iPod connector coming out. You can just have the connector cord hang out the side under the dash or in the glove compartment, so your passengers can pass around the iPod and play DJ. Or you can do a semi-permanent install wih a cradle in, say, your cupholder, so the iPod is firmly planted in a convenient spot.

However...I am more interested in leaving the satellite option open for later and using the MEDIA button if at all possible instead, and it sounds like that's what the circuit board lets you do. Can you tell me more about it? The webpage for it is really sketchy.

 

[Gambino]

the neo ion looks pretty sweet, but I couldnt spend that money on it. that is more than I paid for my ipod. I am just going to be going with the auxmod as soon as it is ready!

and for anyone interested, this is how I hooked my ipod to the dash. this isnt my car, its badger bikers, but just go to proclipusa.com and search for the mazda3 stuff. pretty cheap too

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93147

 

[Brinkdrum]

the neo ion looks pretty sweet, but I couldnt spend that money on it. that is more than I paid for my ipod. I am just going to be going with the auxmod as soon as it is ready!

and for anyone interested, this is how I hooked my ipod to the dash. this isnt my car, its badger bikers, but just go to proclipusa.com and search for the mazda3 stuff. pretty cheap too

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93147

I just bought the Neo IOn SP and hooked it up. Installation was extremely easy. There is an open port on the back of the HU used for the SAT connection I believe. Anyway, its just plug and play. In order to use the iPod you have the tap the CD button twice instead of the SAT button.

Neo iOn SP iPod solution for Mazda 3s

Pros: This is one of the easiest solutions, it is essentially just plug and play. It allows you to use your steering wheel controls to switch songs.

Drawbacks: OK, OK its definetly one of the more expensive solutions. But it does enable you to use your steering wheel controls.

There were only a couple of features I wish this unit had. First and formost, you cannot control the ipod from the ipod while its in the crade. Your only option is to use your HU and/or steering wheel controls. They recommend it you make a playlist so you are not fumbling around searching for a song while driving.

Another downside to this hookup is that it shows a totally seperate menu when playing music on your iPod. I have a 30 GB iPod that I store album covers on and I do not have the ability to see them while in the cradle because it shows a custom menu. This means that you have to take the iPod out of the cradle to switch albums or artists.

Overall I think this is one of the better iPod solutions to hook up to your Mazda 3. When I first came on this message board there were people who did not think it was possible without something homemade to mod into an AUX port. I would definetly recommend this hookup.

 

[Brinkdrum]

I just bought the Neo IOn SP and hooked it up. Installation was extremely easy. There is an open port on the back of the HU used for the SAT connection I believe. Anyway, its just plug and play. In order to use the iPod you have the tap the CD button twice instead of the SAT button.

Neo iOn SP iPod solution for Mazda 3s

Pros: This is one of the easiest solutions, it is essentially just plug and play. It allows you to use your steering wheel controls to switch songs.

Drawbacks: OK, OK its definetly one of the more expensive solutions. But it does enable you to use your steering wheel controls.

There were only a couple of features I wish this unit had. First and formost, you cannot control the ipod from the ipod while its in the crade. Your only option is to use your HU and/or steering wheel controls. They recommend it you make a playlist so you are not fumbling around searching for a song while driving.

Another downside to this hookup is that it shows a totally seperate menu when playing music on your iPod. I have a 30 GB iPod that I store album covers on and I do not have the ability to see them while in the cradle because it shows a custom menu. This means that you have to take the iPod out of the cradle to switch albums or artists.

Overall I think this is one of the better iPod solutions to hook up to your Mazda 3. When I first came on this message board there were people who did not think it was possible without something homemade to mod into an AUX port. I would definetly recommend this hookup.

NEVERMIND, I FIGURED OUT TO FIX THE PROBLEM!! The negatives I have listed above were both able to be fixed by changing the settings. This thing is awesome!

 

[Scarbro22]

Well how did you fix the problems Brinkdrum???

 

[ZippityZoomZoom]

Hey has anyone tried this thing?:
http://www.therpmstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_26&products_id=142

or even this?:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piemazpcalp.html

 

[Zano]

Hey has anyone tried this thing?:
http://www.therpmstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_26&products_id=142

or even this?:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piemazpcalp.html

Many I know have used the first in the link you provided, and I know for a fact many are searching for the Alpine hook up, which is in the second. I used the Neo Ion on mine.

 

[Jaysamyth]

I just bought the Neo IOn SP and hooked it up. Installation was extremely easy. There is an open port on the back of the HU used for the SAT connection I believe. Anyway, its just plug and play. In order to use the iPod you have the tap the CD button twice instead of the SAT button.

Neo iOn SP iPod solution for Mazda 3s

Pros: This is one of the easiest solutions, it is essentially just plug and play. It allows you to use your steering wheel controls to switch songs.

Drawbacks: OK, OK its definetly one of the more expensive solutions. But it does enable you to use your steering wheel controls.

There were only a couple of features I wish this unit had. First and formost, you cannot control the ipod from the ipod while its in the crade. Your only option is to use your HU and/or steering wheel controls. They recommend it you make a playlist so you are not fumbling around searching for a song while driving.

Another downside to this hookup is that it shows a totally seperate menu when playing music on your iPod. I have a 30 GB iPod that I store album covers on and I do not have the ability to see them while in the cradle because it shows a custom menu. This means that you have to take the iPod out of the cradle to switch albums or artists.

Overall I think this is one of the better iPod solutions to hook up to your Mazda 3. When I first came on this message board there were people who did not think it was possible without something homemade to mod into an AUX port. I would definetly recommend this hookup.

I just had the dension Icelink Plus installed on my 3. Works great.

http://www.dension.com/icelinkplus.php

I had a DLO transmitter prior to this and its like night and day.

There is an open port on the back of the HU used for the SAT connection, its just plug and play. To use the iPod you have the tap the CD button twice. Very simple to use.

Pros: Sounds great, It allows you to use your steering wheel controls and dash controls to switch songs. Easy to navigate, no additional menus (as with the neo),Costs $159,Cheaper than the Neo $200+ and they stopped making the cradle for the neo. Essentially just plug and play. Charges while you play and turns off when car is turned off, will pick up where you left off when car is restarted.

Cons: Any quality issues with the songs you have will be heard, sometimes it can take a few seconds to shuffle through songs in shuffle mode(due to the iPod's slow processor. The volume coming out of the iPod is fixed due to using the dock instead of using the headphone jack (still sounds great to me). Cost, some people still think this is alot. Can lock up the iPod if you interfere with it communicating with the iPod (just restart the iPod).

 

[LuisPrimo]

I'm about to buy this, but...

NEVERMIND, I FIGURED OUT TO FIX THE PROBLEM!! The negatives I have listed above were both able to be fixed by changing the settings. This thing is awesome!

I'm pretty sure this solution is one of the best on the market. Eventhough, I have one last question about it.

When you change the Neo adapter settings to use your iPod to control (and see the menu) the songs, can you use also the car controls to go to next or previous song??

Thanks,

 

[LuisPrimo]

Does it show the song information on M3s display??

I just had the dension Icelink Plus installed on my 3. Works great.

http://www.dension.com/icelinkplus.php

I had a DLO transmitter prior to this and its like night and day.

There is an open port on the back of the HU used for the SAT connection, its just plug and play. To use the iPod you have the tap the CD button twice. Very simple to use.

Pros: Sounds great, It allows you to use your steering wheel controls and dash controls to switch songs. Easy to navigate, no additional menus (as with the neo),Costs $159,Cheaper than the Neo $200+ and they stopped making the cradle for the neo. Essentially just plug and play. Charges while you play and turns off when car is turned off, will pick up where you left off when car is restarted.

Cons: Any quality issues with the songs you have will be heard, sometimes it can take a few seconds to shuffle through songs in shuffle mode(due to the iPod's slow processor. The volume coming out of the iPod is fixed due to using the dock instead of using the headphone jack (still sounds great to me). Cost, some people still think this is alot. Can lock up the iPod if you interfere with it communicating with the iPod (just restart the iPod).

On the product page says:

"Available for a huge range of OEM and aftermarket head units, ice>Link Plus also features ID3 song title display on selected applications"

does Mazda3 supports (and shows songs info) on the dash display??

Thanks,

 

[icspots]

For more information on all audio inputs, and ipod integration methods please see the sticky at the top of this forum.

currently there are no available integration methods that will display song information on the LCD.

 

[Cdale75]

Media Button 2006 Mazda 3 with Bose and Navigation

Does anyone know if there is a clean way to add iPod control and retain Sirius? And what is the media button for?

 

[icspots]

Does anyone know if there is a clean way to add iPod control and retain Sirius? And what is the media button for?

Yes and no.

The problem with combining the sirius and ipod adapters is that they both utilize the same port on the HU. Mazda makes a switchbox that allows you to plug in two things, however one of those things has to be the Auxiliary Console Input (read: 3.5mm jack in the armrest console of the 2007 models). So as of right now there's no way to plug into both the OEM sirius and an ipod adapter. I do have a few ideas though.

Option 1: In the works (and it's been that way for a long time) is the auxmod advanced that will provide ipod integration via the Tape/MD slot on the HU (on the bottom). So if you had that then the other port would be available for the sirius. Like I said though the AmA has been in production for quite some time and with no end in sight.

Option 2: Get one of the ipod adapters, and also get an aftermarket sirius unit. You could run the sirius in two ways. Way one would be to get the AuxMod basic and run it in that way. Way two is only for 2007 models where you can use the switchbox to connect both the ipod and the ACI and run the sirius in through the ACI.

Option 3: Get the audiolink or Neo Prolink ipod adapters for running the ipod into the stereo, and get an aftermarket sirius unit. Both of these methods provide you with a 3.5mm input in addition to the ipod cable. So you can connect the ipod, or connect the sirius unit to the 3.5mm input depending on which you want to use at the time.

Oh and to answer your last question the MEDIA button replaced the TAPE/MD button on the previous model year's HU. If you have the tape deck or mini disc deck then it will access those. Otherwise it accesses the ACI. Hope that helps you out some, let me know if I can help more.