Phatbox experiences on 2008 MS3GT/Mazda 3

[miguelucho1]

I was hoping someone could provide me with their experiences with the Phatbox unit available for the Mazda 3/ MS3. Some of the questions I have are the following:

1 :: Does the Text Display on the Head Unit work (title, playlist, artist,album etc)?

2 :: Is the installation process complex? What is the location of the unit on the MS3/5 door?

3 :: Is the playlist management software relatively user friendly and stable?

4 :: Do the "voice prompts" work on the Mazda 3/MS3 as they do in other cars?

I'm considering going this route in order to have text display since the AXXESS ipod integration module does not work with the 2008 Head Units. Any and all input is appreciated!

 

[icspots]

From what other Mz3 users with the phatbox have said it's a pretty simple and easy to use system. A lot of people have purchased the VW phatbox which is cheaper than the Mazda one and then reflashed it with mazda's software so it would work in their 3's. Most people install them in the glove compartment, though the cable should be long enough for you to install it pretty much wherever you want to. I'm not sure where mazda installs it though. If you're comfortable with a screwdriver then you can pretty easily run all the wiring for the phatbox and install it yourself.

AFAIK there are no changes for the '08 year as far as the phatbox goes, so text display and voice commands should still work.

 

[miguelucho1]

Thanks for your quick reply.

I've been researching the reflashing of VW/Audi phatboxes with Mazda firmware. It seems doable but somewhat involved.

What I'm still not 100% sure about is the text display capabilities of the Mazda phatbox unit.
Does it actually display track name (I.D. 3 tag info) etc.?
Can you scroll through playlists on the text display?

I am an iPod user, but realistically, if the in-car interface were good (not just track time) I would not be opposed to installing a Phatbox with a large music library and using my ipod/iphone for out of car use.

I find it strange that the official phatnoise website is down. Unfortunately, most dealerships are terribly ignorant of the accessories they sell.

At the end of the day, if I knew for certain that the text integration and playlist/track management of the Mazda Phatbox from the OEM Bose head unit was good, I could move onto the financial aspects of the decision making process.

All the best,

Miguelucho

 

[IrishMidak]

Interested.

 

[icspots]

As I'm not a phatbox user I can't go to much into detail with what it does. However........ it will display ID3 tag info, but only one thing at a time. The knob on the lower left will toggle between them and I believe you can set one as the default. I don't know about playlist stuff.

also if you have an ipod already then why not go with one of the ipod integration methods? Have you seen the alpine version of the harman kardon drive 'n play? check it out HERE.

 

[Capt Crunch]

As I'm not a phatbox user I can't go to much into detail with what it does. However........ it will display ID3 tag info, but only one thing at a time. The knob on the lower left will toggle between them and I believe you can set one as the default. I don't know about playlist stuff.

also if you have an ipod already then why not go with one of the ipod integration methods? Have you seen the alpine version of the harman kardon drive 'n play? check it out HERE.

Why get the alpine one when the Harmon Kardon one is is $140 cheaper at $60? The HK one also blends with the interior more.

 

[icspots]

Why get the alpine one when the Harmon Kardon one is is $140 cheaper at $60? The HK one also blends with the interior more.

Because the alpine one is comparable to the Harman Kardon Drive 'n Play II, not the DnP I. The big differences here are bluetooth phone integration and a color screen. The DnP I doesn't do either of those things, and to get the DnP II which does you'll be shelling out $400.

It's like saying you're going to get a speed 3 instead of a WRX and then getting a regular 3 because it costs less. They just don't compare.

 

[Capt Crunch]

Because the alpine one is comparable to the Harman Kardon Drive 'n Play II, not the DnP I. The big differences here are bluetooth phone integration and a color screen. The DnP I doesn't do either of those things, and to get the DnP II which does you'll be shelling out $400.

It's like saying you're going to get a speed 3 instead of a WRX and then getting a regular 3 because it costs less. They just don't compare.

Ok, I just figured the OP was most interested in iPod integration.

 

[Rotus]

I had a phatbox in my Audi TT. It did not display tag info, it spoke information. This would probably be taken care of by the reflash. The units are all basically the same, except for their heatsinks.

The VW ones are, indeed, cheaper. I got mine for <$200. I think Mazda's version is >$500. If it's worth your time, I would do the reflash.

As mentioned above, the heatsink shapes are different and the Mazda unit's heatsink looks to be smaller than the VW/Audi one. This may prevent you from fitment in your glovebox.

As mentioned by other posters, I would also suggest using your existing iPod with an integration cable. My Phatbox had a few issues with skipping. I currently use a Zune through the aux port (please someone hurry and make teh damn cable already) and have had no skipping.