iPod Integration

[chihsuanmen]

I'm very excited, as last night the dealership ordered a 2007 Mazda 3 with all the trimmings, with my name on it. Unfortunately, I'm not getting the car for about three months due to some shortages, but that's okay, as it gives me plenty of time to plan for various odds and ends.

One thing that I definitely want to do is install a device that will allow me to have full-blown iPod integration. Ideally, I would like to be able to control the iPod from the steering wheel / center console and be able to see track information on the center console display.

I did some quick google searches and noticed one product by Dice Electronics; however, upon researching further, it won't display the track information on the center console.

I was wondering if someone could give me some suggestions as to what product I should purchase to get this done properly. Thanks!

 

[StreetUnitMike]

We have the Audio Link Ipod adapter in stock, not on our site yet. It allows all of your regular controls including the streering wheel controls to operate the Ipod directly. It should get loaded to our website sometime in the next few days.

 

[icspots]

There are many methods for getting ipod integration with the mazda 3 stereo. For that list look at the top stickied topic in this forum titled "Options for adding an auxiliary input on the Mazda3" by yours truly. I've been pretty diligent on adding any new info. I can find so I imagine that has all you'll need to know about it.

None of the methods that are out give any track info. display on the LCD. It's unfortunate, but no one's gone through the trouble of figuring out how to do it yet. Anyway the audiolink, DICE, and Neo Ion all do the same thing, just for different prices.

Good luck with your purchase, and I hope this helps you out.

 

[chihsuanmen]

Thank you very much for the helpful suggestions.

I'm thinking that my best option at this point is the DICE kit. I really like the clip / holder for the DICE kit as it seems to have a permanent iPod plug at the base of the clip, rather than the other options, which seems like you have to unplug / replug everything if you need to detach and stow your iPod when parked. I'd simply rather keep my iPod in the glove box and out of sight, rather than keep it plugged in the entire time.

 

[icspots]

Thank you very much for the helpful suggestions.

I'm thinking that my best option at this point is the DICE kit. I really like the clip / holder for the DICE kit as it seems to have a permanent iPod plug at the base of the clip, rather than the other options, which seems like you have to unplug / replug everything if you need to detach and stow your iPod when parked. I'd simply rather keep my iPod in the glove box and out of sight, rather than keep it plugged in the entire time.

Oh, cool. I hadn't even seen the holder thing that you can get for the DICE. I suppose that would be a cool thing to have.

 

[chihsuanmen]

Has anyone been told by a dealer that installing aftermarket audio components completely voids their bumper-to-bumper warantee?

I asked my sales rep if they dealership could perform the DICE install in order to avoid any possible issues. She indicated to me that they could not perform the installation and when I asked if she knew any local business that could possibly perform the install, she indicated to me that the installation "might" void the warantee (she's getting back to me on that).

 

[tsunami]

the only part of the warranty it will void is most deffinatly the stereo itself, and if the shop that hooks it up screws up something electrical (god forbid) then it won't be covered under warranty either...but if a shop does that they should cover it themselves... adding aftermarket stuff along these lines is pretty safe and shouldn't have any affect on anything but the stereo...which if it fails some how you can pick up a used one on ebay or the forum for less then 2bills possibly even less then 100$$

 

[icspots]

Beyond that, if you hook up the DICE (no reason to pay someone else to do it, it'll only take you 10 minutes) and the stereo gets a problem just unplug the DICE and take it to the dealer.

It isn't any more dishonest than installing a CAI, getting a sensor problem, removing the CAI and taking it to the dealer.

 

[mobomelter]

in all honesty its very unlikely you'll mess anything up on the radio. I have somewhere between 6-8 splices on my stock stereo harness 2 of witch are supplying power to my 3 autometer gauges and I haven't had a problem with the stereo.

 

[JOS3]

your dealer is an idiot.