Question about sound systems concerning the LED display

[Buttfatt]

Hello everyone, new member here.

I searched, but I couldn't find an answer to this question.

I'm thinking of getting a new head unit put into my Mazda3. However, I was wondering......does putting in a new head unit cause you to lose functionality of the LED display? That would be a real bummer

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

If you are talkinga bout the display that shows the temp. time and track info then yes, aftermarket hu's will not work with that. You can fab up something to keep the display there for the temp, but you will have to hook up you stock HU to change the time. It also will not show the track info on it. The display has its own wire harness so it gets power etc, but there is no controls without the stock hu in there. Sorry if that is confusing.

Hello everyone, new member here.

I searched, but I couldn't find an answer to this question.

I'm thinking of getting a new head unit put into my Mazda3. However, I was wondering......does putting in a new head unit cause you to lose functionality of the LED display? That would be a real bummer

 

[Buttfatt]

If you are talkinga bout the display that shows the temp. time and track info then yes, aftermarket hu's will not work with that. You can fab up something to keep the display there for the temp, but you will have to hook up you stock HU to change the time. It also will not show the track info on it. The display has its own wire harness so it gets power etc, but there is no controls without the stock hu in there. Sorry if that is confusing.

Thanks for the reply.

So does that mean that the LED will be lit up, but all the information on it will be wrong? Wow.....that sucks.

Well....what if I changed the speakers instead? I was always under the impression that you should change the headunit first, but if that's going to mess up the LED, maybe I should invest in new speakers?

 

[Buttfatt]

Alright after doing some more research, I'm realizing that if I want to replace the HU, I've got to sacrifice the LED.

That's pretty depressing, but I suppose that after a while I won't mind as much.....and it's a fair tradeoff to having a good sound system.

I've seen the deck that many people are using, and although it looks pretty bland, it does provide a lot of extra pocket space. I suppose I'll look into that.

 

[icspots]

do you mean the LCD? The orange display above the HU? Like he said you can keep it for your clock, etc. but you'll have to relocate the stock HU somewhere else. Some people have moved it into the back of the glove box, and I think someone at some point moved it all the way to the trunk of his car. Doing either means you have to extend the stock harness for it.

If you have a car with the climate control, or the ambient temp. display this might be your route as you'd probably want to keep that display running.

 

[Buttfatt]

do you mean the LCD? The orange display above the HU? Like he said you can keep it for your clock, etc. but you'll have to relocate the stock HU somewhere else. Some people have moved it into the back of the glove box, and I think someone at some point moved it all the way to the trunk of his car. Doing either means you have to extend the stock harness for it.

If you have a car with the climate control, or the ambient temp. display this might be your route as you'd probably want to keep that display running.

So you mean it is possible to keep the LCD, and have it display the time and temperature?

That was actually what I was most concerned with....the time and temp. Are you saying that in order to do this, I would have to keep the stock HU somewhere in the car?

Thanks in advance!

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

It is possible to wire the LCD totally separate from the stock HU. Only tricky part will be when stupid ****** daylight savings changes you gotta take your aftermarket hu out and wire the stock one in again, change the time, then unplug just the stock HU and wire the aftermarket up again. Alot of work for a clock and temp display. I toyed with the idea of it because I did like having the temp display, but in the end I didnt have the time to make brackets to hold the LCD screen in place.

The LCDs display will hold the correct time and temp readings w\out the stock HU. You just cant change it until you wire the stock back up....

 

[Buttfatt]

It is possible to wire the LCD totally separate from the stock HU. Only tricky part will be when stupid ****** daylight savings changes you gotta take your aftermarket hu out and wire the stock one in again, change the time, then unplug just the stock HU and wire the aftermarket up again. Alot of work for a clock and temp display. I toyed with the idea of it because I did like having the temp display, but in the end I didnt have the time to make brackets to hold the LCD screen in place.

The LCDs display will hold the correct time and temp readings w\out the stock HU. You just cant change it until you wire the stock back up....

Ah, I see. Yea that is a lot of work.....especially considering that I need someone to do all my installations for me.

I guess I'll have to forget about the LCD.

 

[tsunami]

or... just keep the stock deck get a line out converter or an amp that takes line output voltage add the amp to some new speaker and some sound deadening and you have a whole new sound system with the stock deck... (its how i did mine and i couldn't be happier)

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

or... just keep the stock deck get a line out converter or an amp that takes line output voltage add the amp to some new speaker and some sound deadening and you have a whole new sound system with the stock deck... (its how i did mine and i couldn't be happier)

Probably best advice if you want the LCD. #1 reason I didnt do this was all my cds are mp3s, and I pulled my headunit from my old car.

Im still bitter the stock player didnt play mp3's hell even the SCIONS HU play mp3s

 

[digitall]

Will this also allow the trip stuff to stay? That's been the biggest downside for me thus far (and partly why I've yet to upgrade). I got the GT because I wanted all the cool mileage calculators and I definitely don't want to lose them - but I want MP3s. What about an aftermarket changer? Can that be hooked up pretty easily to the stock HU?

 

[theice]

Probably best advice if you want the LCD. #1 reason I didnt do this was all my cds are mp3s, and I pulled my headunit from my old car.

Im still bitter the stock player didnt play mp3's hell even the SCIONS HU play mp3s

This is the way to go. You keep all the functionality of your car instead of ruining it for an aftermarket deck with a bland looking mounting bracket. Speakers & amps are going to net you better SQ over a HU alone anyways.

If you want mp3 capabilities, set up an aux-in. http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2444139&postcount=4

 

[digitall]

This is the way to go. You keep all the functionality of your car instead of ruining it for an aftermarket deck with a bland looking mounting bracket. Speakers & amps are going to net you better SQ over a HU alone anyways.

If you want mp3 capabilities, set up an aux-in. http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2444139&postcount=4

This is a good idea unless you're interested in something like a CarPC. I'm not just looking for MP3 capabilities, but the things a CarPC can bring can't be beat (generally speaking).

 

[icspots]

I don't think an aftermarket changer can be hooked up, or at least I haven't heard of anyone doing so. So your options are: replace the HU with aftermarket, buy the 6CD/Mp3 OEM HU, buy a phatbox, get some other kind of Mp3 player.

The new 6CD/Mp3 will run you around $500, but you could recoupe maybe $200ish by reselling your stock stereo to some other Mz3 person. And yes you can specify the DIS (Driver Information System) so it'll still tell you mileage info.