Stereo Replacement

[CanadianBob]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently bought a new 2013 gs skyactiv which came with the next best stereo system available for the mazda 3 (navigation is not available for gs/gx models).

I am looking to replace it with touch screen and nav.

The only concern I have is will I lose any of the display features on the dash, particulary the one that reads out the fuel range and etc. I am not sure about the gt models, but the sky actives have two displays, one for the fuel range, etc, the other for the radio and temperature controls.

If I were to get a replacement, can anyone recommend a stereo that is best suited for the 2013 mazda 3 and recommended retailer that can install it. I would rather spend the extra money on a brand name (i.e. pioneer, kenwood, etc).

Thanks,
Bob

[sube]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently bought a new 2013 gs skyactiv which came with the next best stereo system available for the mazda 3 (navigation is not available for gs/gx models).

I am looking to replace it with touch screen and nav.

The only concern I have is will I lose any of the display features on the dash, particulary the one that reads out the fuel range and etc. I am not sure about the gt models, but the sky actives have two displays, one for the fuel range, etc, the other for the radio and temperature controls.

If I were to get a replacement, can anyone recommend a stereo that is best suited for the 2013 mazda 3 and recommended retailer that can install it. I would rather spend the extra money on a brand name (i.e. pioneer, kenwood, etc).

Thanks,
Bob

With an aftermarket unit like Kenwood or pioneer you will lose the radio display only, all other displays will ok. As far as I know the Chinese units retain all the displays. I am not personally a fan of these units. I read of many complaints about them on a number of car forums. Having said that some people swear by them, and some people swear at them ;) I decided on a Kenwood and have been happy with my decision. Good luck with whatever you choose. I am in Ottawa but Audio Heaven seems to be one of the recommended installers here on these forums.

Pat.

[CanadianBob]

Hi Pat,

Thanks for your response. I will give them a shout.

Thanks,
Bob

[Reddie1337]

I have the 2 screens you're talking about, and I also have Bose. I installed a Kenwood HU in my 2012 GT Hatch and only lost the radio half of the right screen, and the page of the trip screen that shows presets and the source that the radio is on. Also you can keep the steering wheel controls if you buy the extra module. The current Bluetooth buttons will not work with the Axxess steering wheel control unit.

-Ryan

[narindra]

Sorry for posting on your thread i didnt want to make another one as my question kindve pertains to what you have already asked. I want a new Deck, i have a non-bose system on the GS-SKY. Now that second display im still kidnve foggy as to what it does now and what it will do later, all Ive really noticed is it lets me know when Bluetooth is connected and what song is currently on. Will just the song information be lost ? Secondly i was curious about the Bluetooth mic, Aux port, and USB ports, will all those still function with a aftermarket deck ?

thanks =)

[m3gad37h]

Sorry for posting on your thread i didnt want to make another one as my question kindve pertains to what you have already asked. I want a new Deck, i have a non-bose system on the GS-SKY. Now that second display im still kidnve foggy as to what it does now and what it will do later, all Ive really noticed is it lets me know when Bluetooth is connected and what song is currently on. Will just the song information be lost ? Secondly i was curious about the Bluetooth mic, Aux port, and USB ports, will all those still function with a aftermarket deck ?

thanks =)

There's a few posts on this already but any aftermarket unit will disable the Bluetooth functions one steering wheel. For the aux & usb in the center console I believe that will depend on the unit, looking at the aux hookups for the eneon unit I believe the function can be kept with some ingenuity.

[sube]

Sorry for posting on your thread i didnt want to make another one as my question kindve pertains to what you have already asked. I want a new Deck, i have a non-bose system on the GS-SKY. Now that second display im still kidnve foggy as to what it does now and what it will do later, all Ive really noticed is it lets me know when Bluetooth is connected and what song is currently on. Will just the song information be lost ? Secondly i was curious about the Bluetooth mic, Aux port, and USB ports, will all those still function with a aftermarket deck ?

thanks =)

None of these will function with an aftermarket deck, to retain the steering wheel controls you will need an adapter, and you still will not have Bluetooth control on the head unit functions.

Pat.

[Lumberjack]

Wouldn't this allow you to keep steering controls? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_541RP4MZ11/PAC-RP4-MZ11-Factory-Integration-Adapter.html?tp=3486
http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchfield.com/ImageHandler/fixedscale/400/300/products/2013/34/541/x541RP4MZ11-F.jpg

[jaimie08mazda3]

Wouldn't this allow you to keep steering controls? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_541RP4MZ11/PAC-RP4-MZ11-Factory-Integration-Adapter.html?tp=3486
http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchfield.com/ImageHandler/fixedscale/400/300/products/2013/34/541/x541RP4MZ11-F.jpg

This. My buddy bought one of these for his 07 Rav4 and worked like a charm. Me personally I gave up on having the steering wheel controls. I loved having them and sometimes forget I don't but you get used to it. As for the comments on Bluetooth, Auxillary, USB most decks nowadays come with all of this (with the possible exception of Bluetooth as mine is new and didn't care to have it). As for a nice head unit go Alpine. I had a Freeway deck first, JVC shortly after and now have an Alpine CDE 141 and I absolutely love it. Sound quality is phenomenal, easy to use and looks great. Shop around, there are always deals on decks even if its at future shop, best buy, or a car audio shop. There are a couple of really good ones in Guelph.