Year/Model Differences

[lomatic]

I thought it'd control the iPod interface?

I've read up on the AuxMod, anyone on early models using this? I think a friend of mine has one on his MZ3. But I remember him saying it was plugged into his tape input.

 

[Heat]

If you are really curious do a google search on Mazda3 and media button. There appears to be certain situations where it would come into play, but that would be if you had an optional tape deck or Sirrius/XM maybe?

And just pick up a nice aftermarket for $150 to $170 from Crutchfield. You'll get .mp3 capability, an iPod controller if you want, maybe a USB dock on the front, better radio reception, etc. I use a flash drive probably 95% of the time I'm in my cars.

 

[lomatic]

If you are really curious do a google search on Mazda3 and media button. There appears to be certain situations where it would come into play, but that would be if you had an optional tape deck or Sirrius/XM maybe?

And just pick up a nice aftermarket for $150 to $170 from Crutchfield. You'll get .mp3 capability, an iPod controller if you want, maybe a USB dock on the front, better radio reception, etc. I use a flash drive probably 95% of the time I'm in my cars.

Agreed. An aftermarket HU would be ideal. I was just thinking about something cheap/easy for starters...

I'm waiting to see some reviews of the Pioneer AppRadio stuff. Looks promising... link: http://bit.ly/mgUWOI

 

[wmzda5]

Never got to do Davebert's mod for i-pod hack for the 5. This rewiring the pins at the back of the HU and hooking up the i pod plug, could not find the post anymore.

 

[Wishmaster]

It's always a safety issue when you start piling on tasks - watching the road, shifting, sipping coffee, adjusting climate control, checking on the kids, picking up a dropped sippy cup, etc. Eliminating one of those is a big help. Not so much for me, but for my wife who is the main driver of this vehicle, knowing that she has one less thing to do, does make it safer and puts my mind at ease.

 

[Wishmaster]

I've read up on the AuxMod, anyone on early models using this? I think a friend of mine has one on his MZ3. But I remember him saying it was plugged into his tape input.

I used auxmod in my old Protege5, it worked just fine. But for this car I went with a Grom Audio set-up. Same idea, but adds a number of things, including bluetooth (phone, music & apps (like navigation)) integration as well as direct ipod connection including charging if you want that, and uses stearing wheel controls somehwat. It connects into the 6 disk changer input and works flawlessly. I bought this one - http://www.gromaudio.com/store/ipd3_adapters/mazda_02-08_ipod_adapter_direct_digital_interface.html

 

[lomatic]

I used auxmod in my old Protege5, it worked just fine. But for this car I went with a Grom Audio set-up. Same idea, but adds a number of things, including bluetooth (phone, music & apps (like navigation)) integration as well as direct ipod connection including charging if you want that, and uses stearing wheel controls somehwat. It connects into the 6 disk changer input and works flawlessly. I bought this one - http://www.gromaudio.com/store/ipd3_adapters/mazda_02-08_ipod_adapter_direct_digital_interface.html

Holy crap! That does everything I am looking for in an aftermarket HU. That just made it's way to the top of the list! How is your experience with it? Any weird quirks/issues?

 

[Wishmaster]

Holy crap! That does everything I am looking for in an aftermarket HU. That just made it's way to the top of the list! How is your experience with it? Any weird quirks/issues?

The only issue I had was my own fault. The product itself has two ports, I use one for the bluetooth dongle and and the other for a mini jack dongle so that I can connect anyone's MP3 player. I also ordered the iPod/iPhone connector/charger so that I could have full integration (display track name etc.) and charging when I wanted it. So, I ended up with 3 dongles and two ports, had to decide which dongles to attach because after you install the product behind the dash... you don't have access to it. I could have installed it in the glove compartment but that would have meant drilling and/or removing alot more of the dash than I wanted to. I've got a separate charging cable anyway, so...just make this decision before ordering.

Only other thing is that the double sided sticky tape which is used to attach the mic (for bluetooth phone use) doesn't work well, you'll need to find another way of attaching it. I used some stick-on velcro.

They have a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gromaudio which they use for answering questions etc...

When using Bluetooth to play music it doesn't display artist or track names, but you can skip songs with dash buttons or steering wheel buttons. You can also answer and hang up the phone with steering wheel buttons, that's about all you can do with Mazda's buttons over Bluetooth.

Install was easy... a little bit finicky, but by no means hard.

How it works... you hear your phone ringing... either hit the "CD" button or "mode" button on the steering wheel controls until you get to "CD" to answer the phone. To hang up just press the "down" button on the steering wheel.

Other than that, it streams my music and connects to my phone, and plays audio+Music from my navigation app over Bluetooth perfectly. I am actually quite impressed with the quality of the sound from the other end of a phone call. I've had those Bluetooth aftermarket decks before and always found I had to kind of yell and the other party couldn't hear me very well. Not an issue with this set-up, I've got the mic placed low in an inconspicuous spot and the audio is great.

 

[fortuna]

I was wondering which exterior colors in '08-'10 year models/trims have the beige interiors in the US? All I've seen have gray interiors with gray, silver, black or blue exteriors. Another thread showed the chart offering beige beginning in '08.