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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3 Audio and Entertainment System Questions
121 messages, Last post on Oct 24, 2009 at 5:24 PM
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Well I sort of feel better now that I see it's not just me w/ the ipod issues followed by the blank look of the Mazda sales and service people you think they would know a little more about the product they are selling and/or fixing. I just bought the 07 GT w/ the aux jack in the arm rest and which I thought was kool and was assured by the salesmen that I could control it through the steering wheel and was a deciding factor between getting a year end deal on the 06 or spending a few extra bucks and saving lives by keeping my eyes on the road and not the ipod. I was at the Mazda service center today and they said I needed some adapter that costs close to $200 Does anyone know hopefully more than the people who a certified to service these cars what is needed to control my ipod through the steering wheel
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| Is the brand name of the faulty iPod adapter Neo ProLink (PODMAZV1)? Are there other brands available? I'm thinking of buying the Neo Prolink online. The company claims "You can not only move between tracks from the factory radio, you can skip between playlists, albums, and artists as well." I would have my local car audio store install it for me. No need for Mazda customer service if anything goes wrong. Any advice? | |
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Replying to: notthe1 (Dec 01, 2006 12:19 am) Using nothing but the aux port in the 2007 Mazda3, the only steering wheel control you have is the volume -- and that's only if you have a a special cable that plugs in from the aux port to the iPod's docking port (not headphone port), which costs about $30. The one being sold by Mazda is a true iPod integration kit that allows you to use the steering wheel controls to skip through the first 5-6 playlists you have, as if they were CDs in your CD changer. However, because you can control the iPod through the stereo or steering wheel controls, use of the iPod controls are disabled (or at least they are on other similar systems). It also charges your iPod while it's plugged in. Most car companies now have their own branded product for true iPod integration, but they all work the same way -- that is, the system gets plugged in to the back of your stereo system (usually at the expense of losing your CD changer or satellite radio); the stereo/steering wheel controls will control the iPod, but only to some extent; the first 5-6 playlists are treated as if they are CDs in your CD changer and the tracks can be set to play at random, with the last "playlist" being the entire contents of the iPod; the iPod controls are disabled while plugged in; and the iPod is charged while plugged in. Hope this helps.
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Replying to: mazda3_fan (Dec 06, 2006 11:36 am)
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Most of these so-called "iPod integration kits" are, for lack of a better term, absolute junk. Unless the car is designed from the beginning with the iPod in mind, the solution is always going to be somewhat of a hack. That's exactly what the Mazda iPod kit is: a very expensive hack. Here's what I would do: connect the iPod (via the dock connector) to a Belkin auto charger (Belkin part # F8V7058-APL-BLK) that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the M3's center console. Then run a line-in cable from the belkin charger to the Aux in port inside the M3's center console. Place your iPod in one of the cup holders using Belkin's TuneDok (Belking part # F8E467-BLK). Or, get a ProClip from www.proclipusa.com and mount the iPod on the dash next to the climate control system. This way, you only have one cable that connects to your iPod, and it will always be charged. Granted, you don't get full integration with the stereo, but you can at least use the volume knob of the radio or the volume buttons on the steering wheel to control the iPod volume. And most importantly, you can use the iPod and its scroll wheel to access your music. Trying to use the Mazda3 stereo to select songs/playlists is slow and clunky anyway. Hopefully car manufacturers will wise up and start making truly elegant solutions, but until then, this is the way to go, IMHO.
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Replying to: archmikus (Dec 08, 2006 10:54 am) Thanks!
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Replying to: ryanseu (Dec 07, 2006 6:42 pm) It's called the PocketDock Line Out USB (http://www.sendstation.com/) and the sound quality is amazing. Cables To Go also has a similar product for less (http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=2033&sku=35508), however, it does not give you any charging options. With the PocketDock, if you buy a USB car charger and regular USB cable, you can also charge your iPod while it's plugged in. Hope this helps. |
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I'm a big XM fan, and really would like my next car to have XM built in (I have it now in my Honda). I see that the Mazda 3's have an option for Sirius radio, but was wondering if I could swap out the Sirius module for an XM module, and it will still work with the head unit? Has anyone tried this? If I want XM, is there any benefit of paying for the Sirius option and trying to make this switch?
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| I'd like an adapter that would allow my Ipod to run through the aux button on my stereo. I don't need any of the Ipod controls to work on the stereo, just volume. How hard is the aux input to get to, and which adapter would be the easiest to use. I have an 05 2.3. I am starting to get tired of the fm modulator. | |
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Someone advised this..."Then run a line-in cable from the belkin charger to the Aux in port inside the M3's center console. " Where can I get a diagram or schematic of where the Aux In Port is on my '05 M3??? The "custom car stereo experts" in my part of the country don't seem to understand what I'm talking about. No kidding. Thanks. |
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