MS3 & iPod

[Jason Spaceman]

I'm thinking of buying a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 here in Canada. I have a 30GB iPod and I'd like to be able to plug it into the MS3's stereo system and listen to the tracks on the iPod. I've taken a couple of MS3's for a test drive and I noticed the Aux. plug in the centre glove box, but I notice that it isn't a USB plug. Can you connect an iPod to this plug with some sort of adaptor?

Also, here in Canada, Mazda offers an iPod adaptor option for an extra $189.95, and an iPod Switching Box for an extra $179.95. Do I need these options if I want to play my iPod on the MS3's stereo? Or will the built-in Aux. plug do? I don't really care if the stereo's LCD display shows track number, artist name, etc. Just as long as I can listen to my iPod over the car's stereo system.

Thanks.

 

[lil_red_wagon]

you can hook the aux plug into the headphone jack of the ipod and it will play the music, but it will not charge it.

 

[vincent9993]

I just installed the Mazda OEM iPod adaptor myself this afternoon. Paid 116.00usd and installation was fairly straight forward... As mentionned earlier, the 1/8" jack will work but it will not charge the iPod.

I must admit the OEM iPod adaptor is a little more trivial than I would have liked. You also loose the ability to see what song is playing...

Hope this helps...

 

[Jason Spaceman]

So I could use a cable like this one, or I could get something like this, if I wanted the iPod to stay charged.

Does anyone have a pic of what the Mazdaspeed3 iPod adaptor looks like?

 

[vincent9993]

Yes to both your question. You might be able to find a cheaper cable.

As for pictures of the oem iPod adaptor, there's not much to show. It's basically a black box that gets glued behind the glove box and connects to the back of the factory radio. The iPod cable connects to the iPod in the glove box.

 

[icspots]

Yes you can connect the ipod to the ACI (Auxiliary Console Input) via a 3.5mm-3.5mm audio cable. You will control all your songs via the ipod (just like if you were using headphones). Also if you plan on charging the ipod at the same time (via a separate charger, or through a combo cable like you linked above) then you will need a ground loop isolator to eliminate alternator whine. Crutchfield sells a 3.5-3.5 one for about $17.

As for ipod integration there are lots of options. From all accounts mazda's ipod integration is rather limited in what it provides, and the user interface isn't that great. There are aftermarket options which are cheaper and provide better functionality.

Also I'll comment on the switchbox before going into other options. The switch box allows you to plug two devices which use the port on the back of the HU at the same time. One of the ports only works with the ACI, and the other works with ipod/sirius/phatbox. Basically it lets you plug in one of those other devices and still keep your input for an Mp3 player. If you add the ipod adapter but don't want to keep the 3.5mm input readily available then don't worry about getting the switchbox.

As for aftermarket options check out the audio input thread linked HERE for details on all of them. Condensed however all of the aftermarket ipod options will do everything the OEM one will, plus all provide a 3.5mm input (so you don't need the switchbox). Also some of them will display text information on the HU (namely the DICE module). Also from what I've heard they all have better fuctionality and are easier to use.

If you don't care about text info. then most people swear by the audiolink. If you want the text display then try out the new DICE module.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[ottawaP5]

I installed the adpater as well. FYI - you'll need to unplug the AUX that is plugged into the headunit and plug in the adapter instead. Therefore, your AUX-IN will no longer work. If you want your AUX to still work, you have to buy the switchbox. I never bothered since I don't use the AUX anymore. So if I were you I would just buy the adapter and not the switchbox.

 

[Jason Spaceman]

Out of curiousity, if I bought one of these cables how would I control what songs get played, etc.? Via the iPod wheel, or via the car stereo?

 

[numbnuts22715]

youd do it with the ipod wheel

 

[icspots]

What he said, the ipod. Think of it this way. If you're just listening to your ipod through headphones where do you control it from, the ipod or the headphones? When you're running into the ACI (Auxiliary Console Input) you're basically making the stereo a big set of "headphones".

 

[Pondo]

Guys, if is not much to ask, can you provide pics of the mazda adapter?

 

[icspots]

Guys, if is not much to ask, can you provide pics of the mazda adapter?

 

[woverko]

Looks basic enough to hook up. How hard was it to get the dash and everything off?

 

[aaronc7]

icspots: with the new DICE module can you control the ipod directly like with the audiolink? I skimmed thru your huge FAQ but I didn't see any thing about it. thanks

Nevermind found it, their website says you can control thru the ipod. This seems to be the way to go. What exactly will it show on the car screen? <Artist> - <Song>? filename? Or like how it is with Sirius...you can click a button to see artist, song, etc.

 

[icspots]

icspots: with the new DICE module can you control the ipod directly like with the audiolink? I skimmed thru your huge FAQ but I didn't see any thing about it. thanks

Nevermind found it, their website says you can control thru the ipod. This seems to be the way to go. What exactly will it show on the car screen? <Artist> - <Song>? filename? Or like how it is with Sirius...you can click a button to see artist, song, etc.

Yes you can control the ipod through the stereo (all ipod integration modules do this, just with varying degrees of annoyance). I don't know that it's exactly the same as the audiolink, but most people say that they figure out the user interface within a few days and after that don't have any problems with it. Also the reason you didn't see anything about it is that the thread discussing it is on another forum and this forum doesn't allow me to put up the link to that thread to share everything.

Here's a reply from one of the technical support people at DICE. Hopefully it will help a bit.

Basically it is functioning through the SAT-controls. Preset 1 will allow you to change the tracks with the SEEK button. Preset 2 allows to change Playlists with the SEEK button. Preset 3 allows to change Albums within a Playlist with the SEEK button. Preset 4 allows for changing Chapters within an audiobook. Preset 5 allows changing sources between iPod and the AUX input on the DICE unit. Preset 6 brings up the firmware number of the DICE piece. NOTE that under Preset2-4, only PLAYLIST, ALBUM, and CHAPTER will display on the radio screen. On Preset 1, the song title and artist name comes up. We may try making a video walkthrough for operation and possibly installation.

I believe to switch between artist/song/etc. you push in the left hand knob on the stereo.