iPod in '05 Mazda3

[Girasol989]

I am in the process of researching how I can hard-wire an iPod in my boyfriend's '05 Mazda3. I asked someone that does stereo installations in all sorts of cars and he said that the only thing that can be done on the Mazda's is a wired-FM Modulator. Now, with this product we would be unable to charge the iPod nor use the steering wheel controls. All that this would do would hook up to the head-phone jack of the iPod and allow us to simply listen to the music.

I have seen the Neo-iOn SP online and was wondering if this would be an answer to what we need? I am not even sure if my boyfriend's vehicle has extra ports in the back of his stereo...

I also noticed that the Neo-iOn costs over $200 plus on top of that I was going to get it professionally installed... but if I go with the wired-FM Modulator it is going to cost me a total of $110 for everything.

Any comments?!?! They would be MUCH appreciated! The guy who would be doing the installation is open to finding out another way to hard-wire iPods if they are new or if he just doesn't know about them.

Thanks!

 

[Puckpimp71]

mmm girasol cookies... bump

 

[Kansei]

Ahh don't spend that kind of money

http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod/

all you need on top of that is an audio cable to hook up to the ipod or even better one that charges it and uses the line out port like this:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=149006

it gives you a line out port right near the power outlet and then you just run a short cable between it and the AuxMod.

I think there is a waiting list on the AuxMod but it isn't too bad, trust me it's worth waiting. My roommate has it and it integrates so well. Great audio quality too unlike a crap FM transmitter.

 

[ender 00]

the harman kardon drive and play (http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default2.aspx) is the option i went for, it can be done via the hard-wired fm but it requires an extra piece that costs a bit more or if you get the auxmod (http://www.sylfex.com/products/AuxMod) you can get a direct connection without any FM audio sacrifices. the interface is pretty solid but it requires adding a new controller knob and a 5 line view screen to the car. i haven't installed mine, got it monday don't have time till sunday to do the install.

the cons compared to the one you listed is that you can't control the ipod through the wheel controls, but you can control volume from there.

 

[Girasol989]

Thanks guys... However, I am a little leery about using something like the Sylfex AuxMod because it is something that is hand made by some engineering students and they aren't manufactured or warrantied by a real company.

I don't really like the Harman Kardon drive and play either because we don't want an extra screen or other pieces... we just want a cord coming from the back of the stereo to the iPod that can be controlled via the steering wheel controls.

 

[tsunami]

then you have to go the route of the auxmod.... sorry to say it but it the only option in a mazda right now. no one else is making anything to connect to the stock head unit. if you wanted to buy an aftermarket head unit then you would have other options and could do what you are proposing from there. otherwise you are limited to the auxmod or the jl audio clean sweep i believe can be hooked up with speaker level inputs. but that is 400$ http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=92


EDIT***** fixed link to go to the correct clean sweep option that has line level inputs.

 

[Kansei]

Thanks guys... However, I am a little leery about using something like the Sylfex AuxMod because it is something that is hand made by some engineering students and they aren't manufactured or warrantied by a real company.

I don't really like the Harman Kardon drive and play either because we don't want an extra screen or other pieces... we just want a cord coming from the back of the stereo to the iPod that can be controlled via the steering wheel controls.

For the record I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the AuxMod.. but who knows. Don't diss engineering students

 

[tsunami]

just to add to that comment zerg i haven't heard of anyone having issues either, my roomate has it.. i may be getting it when i see the specs on the the gen II one. but quality wise i haven't heard of any issues.

 

[lcruz64]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazd...ewItemQQcategoryZ43947QQitemZ8038520092QQrdZ1

This will be your best option but is not yet available for the '05

or
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mazda3-iPod-lin...866815055QQcategoryZ14932QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem