Stock Stereo - Sat Radio, Tape Decks, iPod?
- Thread starter Kaian
- Start date
I want one.We added a cassette player to our 5 (you can indeed get it in the US) and have tried two solutions to getting the iPod to play.
The iTrip (FM transmitter), which worked fine in our MPV, doesn't work great in the 5--it works reasonably well in rural areas if someone's holding the iPod, not so well in urban areas, and we have to switch the frequency about every 20 miles to avoid static.
We tried the Monster cassette adapter and the sound output is minimal. If both the iPod and the receiver's volumes are turned to max, you can barely hear the music, and that's with the car at idle. We didn't even try it with the car at highway speeds. The reviews of cassette adapters I've seen say that this can happen and depends on the car and the cassette adapter. Sometimes it doesn't even work at all.
Thoughts? What cassette adapter works well?
The iTrip (FM transmitter), which worked fine in our MPV, doesn't work great in the 5--it works reasonably well in rural areas if someone's holding the iPod, not so well in urban areas, and we have to switch the frequency about every 20 miles to avoid static.
We tried the Monster cassette adapter and the sound output is minimal. If both the iPod and the receiver's volumes are turned to max, you can barely hear the music, and that's with the car at idle. We didn't even try it with the car at highway speeds. The reviews of cassette adapters I've seen say that this can happen and depends on the car and the cassette adapter. Sometimes it doesn't even work at all.
Thoughts? What cassette adapter works well?
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You guys really would be much better served with the AuxMod or similar aux cable hardwired to the HU. You'll get much better sound quality and cleaner look.
For those with money, I found this recently- http://2point5.com/
I'm playing with my own dock idea, and wondering if it's worth it over just wiring the ipod to the cup holder so it can be hidden without disconecting it all the time.
For those with money, I found this recently- http://2point5.com/
I'm playing with my own dock idea, and wondering if it's worth it over just wiring the ipod to the cup holder so it can be hidden without disconecting it all the time.
- :
- 2006 Mazda 5 Touring
doctorz said:
FM Transmitters kinda suck, and I've had the least amount of luck with them in the 5 than any other kind of car... the tape deck was a good investment. I got it, too. My cassette adapter is an old Sony, and the volume is just fine. I'm also using a Belkin power adapter that has an audio jack on it, so I'm using the fixed volume from the iPod and not the variable one from the headphone jack... no problems with being loud enough.
I've got the whole thing mounted on a crazy bendy mount from Best Buy that's supposed to stick to your windshield, but I stuck it on a spot just big enough, next to the shift knob (and bent it so my hand wouldn't hit it when shifting to park). I'll post some pics. The only person who didn't like it was the passenger who wanted to cross their left leg and put their knee where the iPod is... so I dumped her and got a new girlfriend who sits normally (evil)
It wouldn't let me upload the pictures... but they're on this page:
http://fashiondisaster.org/v/misc/?g2_page=3
direct links:
http://www.fashiondisaster.org/g2/d/2147-1/P9060013.JPG
http://www.fashiondisaster.org/g2/d/2150-1/P9060012.JPG
@Doctorz
Seems that when it comes to cassette adapter, cheaper is better, remeber that. I tried the griffin smart deck woth no luck. The cheapo one I have still gives me good results after 3-4 years of use. Set ipod to 75% volume and you get approximately the same output as CD or radio. Plus bass booster on the ipod gives the mazda system sound what it lacks in bass.
Seems that when it comes to cassette adapter, cheaper is better, remeber that. I tried the griffin smart deck woth no luck. The cheapo one I have still gives me good results after 3-4 years of use. Set ipod to 75% volume and you get approximately the same output as CD or radio. Plus bass booster on the ipod gives the mazda system sound what it lacks in bass.
was98strat
Member
EFDisaster said:
THink there is something wrong with the server you're images are on. It's soo slow. Almost as if the server is connected to a dialup connection!
Read this if you are getting the Griffin SmartDeck
I have just got the Smart Deck and have mixed feelings about it. This is why:
1. It works quite nicely with the cassette player in my Toyota Sienna. Runs very smooth and good sound output. I can now skip songs on my playlists with the controls on the sterring wheel, which is what I buy this for. Skip forward works 95% of the time (just click again when it doesn't work the first time), but skipping back is more of a challenge. According to the manual http://www.griffintechnology.com/support/article.php?artnum=115 you need to have very quick fingers to make it work. So far it only works for me in about 1/4 of the time. In most cases it just replays the same song from the beginning. That I can still live with.......
2. The problem is, I am going to trade in the Sienna for my 2007 Mazda5, and the SmartDeck doesn't work with my other car! (Audi A4) I tried and tried, and finally went back to the manual, only to find a small print that says "you cannot use the SmartDeck with some car cassette decks". I guess Audi is one of them!!!! Now my new Mazda5 will not come with a cassette deck and my original plan is to get one once I prove the SmartDeck works. I have sent an email to Griffin and asked them to confirm if the SmartDeck will work with the Mazda system. If not, I will end up buying something that is totally useless, at least for my circumstances!
My question to P_bouchr: when you said you had "no luck" with SmartDeck, did you try it with your Mazda5? If so, what was the problem? In my Audi, the cassette deck just ejects the adapter after a few seconds. When the adapter (SmartDeck) is inserted into the deck, it does activate the iPod (turns it on in pause mode) for 5 seconds or so, before it is ejected. Did you have the same experience?
P_bouchr said:
I have just got the Smart Deck and have mixed feelings about it. This is why:
1. It works quite nicely with the cassette player in my Toyota Sienna. Runs very smooth and good sound output. I can now skip songs on my playlists with the controls on the sterring wheel, which is what I buy this for. Skip forward works 95% of the time (just click again when it doesn't work the first time), but skipping back is more of a challenge. According to the manual http://www.griffintechnology.com/support/article.php?artnum=115 you need to have very quick fingers to make it work. So far it only works for me in about 1/4 of the time. In most cases it just replays the same song from the beginning. That I can still live with.......
2. The problem is, I am going to trade in the Sienna for my 2007 Mazda5, and the SmartDeck doesn't work with my other car! (Audi A4) I tried and tried, and finally went back to the manual, only to find a small print that says "you cannot use the SmartDeck with some car cassette decks". I guess Audi is one of them!!!! Now my new Mazda5 will not come with a cassette deck and my original plan is to get one once I prove the SmartDeck works. I have sent an email to Griffin and asked them to confirm if the SmartDeck will work with the Mazda system. If not, I will end up buying something that is totally useless, at least for my circumstances!
My question to P_bouchr: when you said you had "no luck" with SmartDeck, did you try it with your Mazda5? If so, what was the problem? In my Audi, the cassette deck just ejects the adapter after a few seconds. When the adapter (SmartDeck) is inserted into the deck, it does activate the iPod (turns it on in pause mode) for 5 seconds or so, before it is ejected. Did you have the same experience?
We&2kids said:
Nah, I had a chance to return this piece of crap before I had my 5. I had a VW monsoon system at that time and the cassette inserted, and when it managed to stay in deck I got no sound output, or very weak, and no ipod control. But 9 out of 10 times the deck just puked the cassette with a tape error.
But there are cassette adapters that works. Mine is. The only thing is there are no brands on it. I can try to google the part number if you wish. But as it's a normal cassette there are no ipod control.
Thanks, P_bouchr. I do have a cheap adapter (from Radio Shack) that works fine. I guess I will have to stick with that. I got a reply from Griffin and they cannot confirm if the SmartDeck will work with the Mazda system. I'll continue to look for other iPod integration options for my new Mazda5.
Mazda will (hopefully) be releasing their Apple certified iPod connection device soon for the 2007 models. It will work with 2006 models and is slated to cost $150. THe iPod will be disabled and you can use your steering wheel controls.
So hold off on any huge expensive foray into such a solution.
So hold off on any huge expensive foray into such a solution.
I absolutely had to have my IPod work in my 5 but I did not want to deal with the hassle of an FM Transmitter. Also, the IPod connector for the 5 had just come out then but the reviews for it are terrible. I went with a tape deck as a way to bring IPod to life in my Mazda 5. Minus the cable which sticks out of the tape slot, the sound is good and everything works fine. I used a genuine Mazda tape player and had my dealer install it. Wasn't cheap but it's warrantied this way and looks completely integrated and flush. I'd recommend doing it this way at least until Mazda improves its IPod connector.
spyderveloce
Member
- :
- 2006 Mazda 5
Found this recently:
http://www.axxessinterface.com/default.aspx
There are 2 models for the Mazda 5 that work. Apparently for the Axxess XIA-I01 you have to buy a separate adapter but it allows you to use the steering wheel controls with the iPod. I personally am interested in the Axxess MZ-AUX-01 as it will be cheaper and not require any special adapters to work. I spoke with someone at Metra Electronics (the manufacturer) and they assure me that the Axxess MZ-AUX-01 is slated for manufacture in about 3 weeks. It has BOTH a power/audio port for the iPod AND a standard audio input on a nice little box that can be mounted out of sight and plugs directly into the back of the OEM stereo. I first saw these units for other vehicles at Circuit City a few days ago. They ran between $49.99 and $69.99.
http://www.axxessinterface.com/default.aspx
There are 2 models for the Mazda 5 that work. Apparently for the Axxess XIA-I01 you have to buy a separate adapter but it allows you to use the steering wheel controls with the iPod. I personally am interested in the Axxess MZ-AUX-01 as it will be cheaper and not require any special adapters to work. I spoke with someone at Metra Electronics (the manufacturer) and they assure me that the Axxess MZ-AUX-01 is slated for manufacture in about 3 weeks. It has BOTH a power/audio port for the iPod AND a standard audio input on a nice little box that can be mounted out of sight and plugs directly into the back of the OEM stereo. I first saw these units for other vehicles at Circuit City a few days ago. They ran between $49.99 and $69.99.
Snakestang65
Member
I was told that the Axxess will not display on the head unit for the Clarion radio which is the most common one in the 5. Be cautious before spending money on this option at this point. I have been told that they are still working on the display, but as of today (11/26/07) this does not work for the Clarion radio in the 5.
On a side note, the Auxmod works, but be prepared for 2 issues. One you will need to install a ground loop eleminator to remove a high frequency noise (about $16 at Radio Shack) and the other issue is that when the MD is selected, the display constanly shows "Tape >" (just annoying, but not really a problem except for my wife).
John
Have any of you thought about this solution?
I have been lurking and trying to get ideas about solving some issues I have and I come across this messgae string and thought maybe you might want to look at this as a solution to the MP3, Ipod, and USB Flash Drive.
The eBay item Number is 310018921867.
I just bought one and for $94.00 USD you can rock and roll or whatever using any of the devides I just listed.
If someone has already presented this solution please forgive the double post but I didn't do and exhaustive search.
Take care
fishbob
I have been lurking and trying to get ideas about solving some issues I have and I come across this messgae string and thought maybe you might want to look at this as a solution to the MP3, Ipod, and USB Flash Drive.
The eBay item Number is 310018921867.
I just bought one and for $94.00 USD you can rock and roll or whatever using any of the devides I just listed.
If someone has already presented this solution please forgive the double post but I didn't do and exhaustive search.
Take care
fishbob
Thanks for the info Fishbob. Could you elaborate a little on the mp3 player. I have an '08 and I don't like the mp3 adapter they come with - earphone port doesn't produce very good sound. I think your item would produce digital quality. How was the install, sound quality, etc.? Thanks for the help.
Cheers, Craig
Cheers, Craig
