Axxess on 2008 Mazda3?

[MrCantrell]

Does anyone have a way to tell if my 08 Mazda3 has the dreaded Clairion stereo that doesn't have the connection for the Axxess iPod adaptor without dismanteling 1/2 the car?

[FNKYSHT]

Yea we have the Clarion Decks ... I would suggest getting the Dice Ipod adapter ... hooks up to your aux input in the back of the deck and has ipod and and additional aux input that is easily switchable with the deck buttons .. it also has on-screen display and is fully controllable with the steering wheel controls.

Just my 2 cents

[MrCantrell]

Yea we have the Clarion Decks ... I would suggest getting the Dice Ipod adapter ... hooks up to your aux input in the back of the deck and has ipod and and additional aux input that is easily switchable with the deck buttons .. it also has on-screen display and is fully controllable with the steering wheel controls.

Just my 2 cents

This is what I was thinking of doing, but I've been reading a thread on here that says a lot of people are having problems with the DICE and Neo. It sounds like the safesty most reliable option is the Grom.

[Noisy Crow]

Can't use the AudioLink version?

[FNKYSHT]

I havn't had any issues with the DICE ... in fact they now come model specific .. the other option i like was that you can have the DICE control your IPOD or you can switch to manual and control the ipod with the scroll wheel (this option doesn't give you the display.. with DICE control you can search by :

TITLE
ARTIST
GENERE
and PLAYLIST

A good feature if you organize your songs on itunes

[MrCantrell]

Can't use the AudioLink version?

What's the benefit of the AudioLink over the Grom? The Grom is cheaper.

[Noisy Crow]

What's the benefit of the AudioLink over the Grom? The Grom is cheaper.

Well.... I have an '08 (so I am guessing I have the Clarion HU and I have the MP3 AudioLink that plugs right into the CD changer port.

BTW: The HU is dead easy to pull.... one trim strip, four screws, and it pulls right out. (Four screws: two holding the HU in and two securing the middle vent part of the dash.... you don't HAVE to remove the two holding the vent in, but removing them makes getting HU in and out much easier as otherwise it can get hung up on vent part).

[Piru]

BTW: The HU is dead easy to pull.... one trim strip, four screws, and it pulls right out. (Four screws: two holding the HU in and two securing the middle vent part of the dash.... you don't HAVE to remove the two holding the vent in, but removing them makes getting HU in and out much easier as otherwise it can get hung up on vent part).

I agree..it takes probably 5 mins, maybe less, to pull it out. Just make sure you don't break the clips on the trim.

what kind of issues are people having with the DICE units?

[phoenixrage]

sorry to dig a somewhat dead thread..

I have an 05 GT hatch, with what seems to be the single CD deck, and I want an ipod integration kit that uses the display as well. I read the Audiolink one doesn't make use of the screen on the dash, well, at least not the way the other kits do. iirc, the axxess one shows song name on the screen ?

[phoenixrage]

ahh crap.. well. i just read up on all the products, and seems they all have issues with the newest generation ipods.. so i guess i'll continue to wait it out. *goes back to burning audio CDs*

[Garu]

Grom audio recently (12/01) released v2 of their ipod integration solution which works with all new iPod/iPhone generations.
http://gromaudio.com/ipod.html

I order one myself because I have a iPod nano-chronomatic (4th gen) I hope it works well as they advertised.

[phoenixrage]

have you recieved it yet? How much was it?

I found a place where I can get the older IPOD, so now its a matter of finding the best kit/adapter/price.

but if this one works fine and still allows for steering wheel controls, i'm definitely interested.

[Garu]

Not yet.
Being near Christmas season, I am expecting quite a bit of delay..