iPod Integration: Success! (with pics)

[CXRabbit]

I off the phone with the people from NEO and their iPod adapter is NOT compatible with the NAVIGATION kit, even though their website says it is. So know we know that it is NOT compatible. As soon as I hear something from my guy in Mazda I will let everyone with NAVIGATION know.

Geez... that makes them look like a horse's ass, eh? Makes me mad.

But thanks for finding out for sure and for letting us know. This whole lack of iPod support is enough to drive ya crazy (and I know it's driven ME crazy). I'm HOPING for a good solution soon, so I'll be watching for your updates

 

[CXRabbit]

Heh, out of curiosity I gave them a call too. I'll try to quote her...

"um... yeah... we just found out there are some glitches with the CX-7 so we're going to be removing it from the website"

LOL

 

[mixmasterlove]

Heh, out of curiosity I gave them a call too. I'll try to quote her...

"um... yeah... we just found out there are some glitches with the CX-7 so we're going to be removing it from the website"

LOL

Yep, exactly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[THOUGHT OUT]

tebling,

Nice install! We are glad you like it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/snarglef...PodIntegration

 

[THOUGHT OUT]

iPod in CX-7

Installed with FlexPed and Audio Link, get yours with a discount.

 

[Hasplode]

I have a question for anyone with an AudioLink. When you change tracks with the steering wheel controls, does the backlight on the ipod come on, like it does when you use the ipod controls to skip? I like where tebling put his, but my only concern is driving at night, changing tracks, and having a nice bright white LCD pop on right near my line of vision.

 

[THOUGHT OUT]

Yup, the light does come on. If you have a 5th generation you can control the brightness and on all other models you can change the back light timer seconds or to off.

Try both postions, the FlexPED is supplied with 3 AdPads.

I have a question for anyone with an AudioLink. When you change tracks with the steering wheel controls, does the backlight on the ipod come on, like it does when you use the ipod controls to skip? I like where tebling put his, but my only concern is driving at night, changing tracks, and having a nice bright white LCD pop on right near my line of vision.

 

[CHICO2003]

What's the difference between this and just using a preout and plugging it in? Can you actually access the ipod from the HU? From the pics, it doesn't look like you can. Would sort of make the ipod's visibility somewhat pointless as well.

 

[THOUGHT OUT]

Chico,
The Audio Link allows both HU functionality and iPod functionality.

Read more here

What's the difference between this and just using a preout and plugging it in? Can you actually access the ipod from the HU? From the pics, it doesn't look like you can. Would sort of make the ipod's visibility somewhat pointless as well.

 

[tebling]

I like where tebling put his, but my only concern is driving at night, changing tracks, and having a nice bright white LCD pop on right near my line of vision.

I set the backlight to be on all the time, with the brightness at the lowest setting. This seems to be a good compromise, as:

1. The display is legible during the day in bright sunlight, but...
2. It's not so bright as to be terribly distracting at night.
3. With the backlight always on, there's no annoying on/off when you manually change tracks.

 

[tebling]

What's the difference between this and just using a preout and plugging it in? Can you actually access the ipod from the HU? From the pics, it doesn't look like you can. Would sort of make the ipod's visibility somewhat pointless as well.

Yup, you can change tracks from both the HU and the steering wheel controls (if you have that option installed). Definitely better than just hooking up as audio input.

That being said, having the iPod so close means it's easy to change playlists as well, as the iPod controls themselves are within easy reach.

The iPod visibility isn't pointless, because otherwise you don't have feedback on what's playing. Besides, it looks pretty cool

 

[CHICO2003]

sounds cool

 

[HokieCX7]

I just successfully installed AudioLink for CX-7 today.
Best bet for removing console bezel is to use plastic putty knife at CURVE at bottom of bezel where sides turn into bottom. This allows you to pop out the bottom part first and work your way up, without risking marring the bezel.

 

[PuroMexicano]

I just successfully installed AudioLink for CX-7 today.
Best bet for removing console bezel is to use plastic putty knife at CURVE at bottom of bezel where sides turn into bottom. This allows you to pop out the bottom part first and work your way up, without risking marring the bezel.

+1

 

[CXRabbit]

I'm frustrated about the whole iPod thing so I hear ya.

I didn't try the Airplay, but I did try a RoadTrip (Griffin) and it works well. Pretty clean reception and it plugs right into the cigarette lighter comfortably. It's fits that little area on the CX-7 well. With a black RoadTrip and a black iPod it would look better than the white (which is what I have). I'll try to take some photos. It's easy to use because it's like an iPod dock... you just plug your iPod into it and it charges and transmits (no wires anywhere).

Wanted to post the photo as promised...

It's an OK solution if you can deal with the problems of FM transmitters. It's one of the cleanest ones I've found as far as reception (and I've tried a LOT of them, but not the one Mixmaster recommends). It charges/provide power to the iPod and transmits at the same time, and no wires. But here in NY, clean reception is a problem so be warned, it's not perfect.

I'm using is only sometimes while holding out hope for a good Mazda or aftermarket solution compatible with the nav system. I've been using MP3 CDs more honestly (cleaner sound).

 

[mixmasterlove]

Wanted to post the photo as promised...

It's an OK solution if you can deal with the problems of FM transmitters. It's one of the cleanest ones I've found as far as reception (and I've tried a LOT of them, but not the one Mixmaster recommends). In NY, clean receptions is a problem so be warned, it's not perfect.

I'm using is only sometimes while holding out hope for a good Mazda or aftermarket solution compatible with the nav system. I've been using MP3 CDs more (cleaner sound).

I live in NY also, and I found the AirPlay was the best.....But you live in LI and reception SUCKS the further you go east.

 

[CXRabbit]

I'd give the Airplay a try, but honestly, I'm just sick of FM transmitters and I need something that charges. From what I've read, you're right, the Airplay is the best (not that I doubted you ) -- I'm just tired of it. I want an integrated solution. My husband thinks I should just rip the whole stereo/nav system out and put in what I want... but LOL... that seems a little excessive to me.

Though trust me - if there isn't a solution soon, I may just do that! LOL

 

[perfectt]

Try Bluetooth

Personally, I'm getting frustrated on waiting. I'm thinking of trying one of the newer wireless FM transmitters. My original iTrip was a pain in the ass. But perhaps some of the newer ones with button presets may make it easier to change FM channels on the fly when one is on a road trip a changing from town to town with variable open stations. I know the hiss/static has been annoying. Too bad Mazda hasn't come up with a better solution for us NAV owners. It seems Mercedes and BMW (2nd generation) are the companies with the best integration solutions.

Hi try this site www.scosche.com

U can bluetoothe for your ipod forr $100 at walmart.com

 

[perfectt]

Hi Tim can you please let me know if any aux hookups are behind the cx7 radio.I wanted to go with this wireless system from scosche.com.

After reading some of the negative feedback on the factory iPod installation, I decided to try the AudioLink / FlexPed route for my wife's CX-7. See this thread for more background:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123650502

This was also my first experience with an iPod, and I couldn't be more pleased with both the player and the integration. I'm no stranger to HD based mp3 players in cars either - I have a Dension DMP3 (160GB) in my truck, and formerly ran a PhatBox in a New Beetle.

I've put up a gallery of pics from the install:

http://picasaweb.google.com/snarglefraz/MazdaCX7IPodIntegration

(Note: this install does NOT apply to models with the nav package, as has been discussed elsewhere on this forum.)

Getting the console bezel off was probably the most difficult part of the install. It does take a lot of force to get it off, and I imagine if you're not very careful (and I was!) it would be easy to cause some expensive damage. Just take your time and use the right tools. I used a razor blade to gently pry first from the sides, then a series of progressively larger screwdrivers to open up the gap. The bezel is held in mostly by clips that give way under pressure, and you need to pull out and slightly up. Once the "easy" clips are off, there are a pair of clips (one on each side) near the head unit that require you to pull them to the outside of the console before they let go.

The head unit itself is just held in by four screws, and easily comes out. The AudioLink cable plugs in to the one empty connector socket on the back.

As you can see, I chose a different location to mount the FlexPed than the one on the Thought Out blog. I chose this location mostly because it is closer to the driver and higher up on the dash, making it less dangerous to use while driving. It doesn't conflict with any of the dash functionality and has the added benefit of being just beneath the factory display high up on the dash. In practice, this works out really well!

I chose to mount the FlexPed using the provided adhesive. I carefully followed the directions, including the part about heating all surfaces with a hair dryer and allowing 20 minutes to cure. I was a bit skeptical because the FlexPed is pretty beefy, but so far the adhesive shows no signs of weakness.

The AudioLink cable works as advertised - and you can change tracks on the iPod using the steering wheel control, which is quite slick.

If you don't have the factory nav system and want iPod integration, I'd definitely recommend going this route.

-tim

 

[THOUGHT OUT]

There is not any aux in hookups behind the radio. Although with the Audio link iPod connector has bulit into the cable an aux in, video in as well as the iPod connector, you can't go wrong (it is a few dollars more for this advanced cable).

A great combination is with the FlexPED iPod carmount

Hi Tim can you please let me know if any aux hookups are behind the cx7 radio.I wanted to go with this wireless system from scosche.com.