iPod integration

[ibanez78]

Hi all, I'm looking for a review from anyone who has installed an ipod interface in their 2010+ Mazda 3. The best deal I've seen online so far is about 100$ for the ISMZ571 - PXAMG Gateway, but I've only found about 1 review online. if anyone has tried this or anything similar I would appreciate any opinions

Thanks

[s0n1c]

Mazda3 2010-2012 - AUX, iPhone, iPod and MP3 adapter

That is what I have installed in my mazda3. I have a 2010 2.5 5 door. It's great. It allows you to use the steering wheel controls (or radio controls) to control your ipod and navigate playlists. It also will display song data on the MID. Completely worth the $130. I tried 3 other ipod kits before I bought this one and I'm very happy with it. The install is super easy too. Every other kit I tried left an awful whine that would increase in volume and pitch as the engine revved. On that page is a youtube video of them installing the kit and showing you to use it. The install is so simple, the entire video is 12 minutes with no editing.

[Trixster]

I wonder if it supports the Bose system.

[greg frissora]

MAZDA IPHONE/IPOD ADAPTER W/SIRIUS SAT RADIO TUNER | eBay for the money this is wort it,adds xm radio to factory radio,$100.00 + just for a Ipod connection to me is wasting money,with this module you can get sat. radio, the new smart phones have pretty much made the ipod thing of the past.mine does,i gave my ipod away,transfer all my music to a micro chip and play is in BT radio on stock mazda radio

[bstith1]

I installed the Mazda factory parts BBM2-79-CFZA and C9FD-V6-029 which are the item necessary to control an ipod from your factory stereo. I know im crazy for paying over $300 for Ipod integration when the blue tooth works pretty well, but I really wanted my 160GB Ipod classic to work. The installation process is fairly long as you must remove the center console and a large portion of the dash, at least according to Mazda's instructions (Labor would have been $500 if I had them do it). All in all I am fairly satisfied with the operation of this product, but not over joyed by its lack of navigation of my music. You can switch to move through your music by Artist, Album, Playlist, and a few others but theres only one level of searching, meaning that you cant search by artist, choose an artist, then choose an album from that. So if you have multiple albums from one artist all of them will be combined into one long playlist, forcing you to advace song by song until you make it to the album you wanted to listen to. The other option is to search by Album from the begining, but this could be a very long list if you have a lot of music and it requires you to go through every one until you make it to what you're looking for, not exactly quick and efficient when youre trying to drive.

On a side note, I am actually very dissatisfied with the Bose system overall and Im spending nearly two grand to change that. I have already purchased Pioneers new flagship receiver AVH-P8400BH which is sitting in its box at my house right now just begging to be installed. If anyone is interested on a good deal for an entire Bose system or even just the ipod kit, let me know.

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by bstith1

I installed the Mazda factory parts BBM2-79-CFZA and C9FD-V6-029 which are the item necessary to control an ipod from your factory stereo. I know im crazy for paying over $300 for Ipod integration when the blue tooth works pretty well, but I really wanted my 160GB Ipod classic to work. The installation process is fairly long as you must remove the center console and a large portion of the dash, at least according to Mazda's instructions (Labor would have been $500 if I had them do it). All in all I am fairly satisfied with the operation of this product, but not over joyed by its lack of navigation of my music. You can switch to move through your music by Artist, Album, Playlist, and a few others but theres only one level of searching, meaning that you cant search by artist, choose an artist, then choose an album from that. So if you have multiple albums from one artist all of them will be combined into one long playlist, forcing you to advace song by song until you make it to the album you wanted to listen to. The other option is to search by Album from the begining, but this could be a very long list if you have a lot of music and it requires you to go through every one until you make it to what you're looking for, not exactly quick and efficient when youre trying to drive.

On a side note, I am actually very dissatisfied with the Bose system overall and Im spending nearly two grand to change that. I have already purchased Pioneers new flagship receiver AVH-P8400BH which is sitting in its box at my house right now just begging to be installed. If anyone is interested on a good deal for an entire Bose system or even just the ipod kit, let me know.

thanks for the feedback, I looked at the ebay adapter and the lack of full iPod control made me pass on it. Was hoping the mazda version had full control but sounds like a no. I will stick to bluetooth and aux.

[Anderfrank]

How much do you want for part BBM2-79-CFZA? I already have Sirius so I do not need the installation harness (part C9FD-V6-029)

[Cravio]

Originally Posted by s0n1c

Mazda3 2010-2012 - AUX, iPhone, iPod and MP3 adapter

That is what I have installed in my mazda3. I have a 2010 2.5 5 door. It's great. It allows you to use the steering wheel controls (or radio controls) to control your ipod and navigate playlists. It also will display song data on the MID. Completely worth the $130. I tried 3 other ipod kits before I bought this one and I'm very happy with it. The install is super easy too. Every other kit I tried left an awful whine that would increase in volume and pitch as the engine revved. On that page is a youtube video of them installing the kit and showing you to use it. The install is so simple, the entire video is 12 minutes with no editing.

Questions about the GTA unit. If you don't use playlists can you still browse the artist and their related albums (in "locked" mode) and have it display songs, tracks etc..basically the hierarchy? None of the videos are close enough to tell. Also, per my question, do you need to have navigation or HD radio installed for this to work?

As far as I can tell in their video, that car does not appear to have navigation (no color screen).

Thanks.

[Cravio]

I have a question regarding any of the ipod solutions degrading sound.

I purchased one of the GTA kits (that s0n1c referred to) and got everything installed just fine, no problems (very easy). However, there is an issue with the volume level. The level is significantly lower then using the stock AUX. Basically there is way too much volume and sound quality lost going through the unit.

I tried both an iPod and a ZEN running through the GTA unit and the stock AUX.The volume on both players were at their max but the difference was so significant between the two methods. I have to turn up the volume on the HU to about 35-40 for it to be marginally loud. Alternatively, using the stock AUX the volume level on the HU is 15'ish and is much cleaner / louder. I use apple lossless, high bitrate MP3's and FLAC files for the best quality sound. I moved the connections around and tried everything I could think of..

Sound quality is of the utmost importance to me but I understand its car audio and its not going to be perfect, but this issue was unacceptable. I thought if anything, the quality would have improved or at least been on par with what I had initially (using stock AUX). I do have a modest system (JBL MS8, JL Audio XD700 amp, JL Audio W3 sub, Focal comps etc..)

The unit itself works really well - very little lag, screen display for song, title, artist is fine. Exactly what I want (really want to keep stock HU) but removed it and went back to stock because of this issue.

The unit looks very similar (design, cables, connections) to the iSimple and other solutions and was wondering if anyone has similar experience with this or other solutions. I don't want to purchase another unit and end up with the same issue?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all of your help, I appreciate it.

[CajuCLC]

I keep my iTouch on my wife's car, she has the Nissan Versa.
It has the GPS and it's much better to use the iTouch there.
Mazda has that small screen, would be better without it. lol
Use bluetooth, I think IOS 5.1 already has the new version of AVRCP that shows information, etc.
I couldn't test on my iTouch, bec it's the 2G and I am stuck with the 4.2.1 IOS.