I reinstalled both my upgraded HU and NAV last night. While I can't tell any visible differences on the HU upgrade because it's more of a "fix upgrade" then adding to its functionality, I did see LOTS of new features on my NAV... I LOVE THE NEW VERSION !!! It resolved most if not all the issues I had with it.


To make a brief list of the new features I personally like best:

- Super fast entry with a keyboard where only applicable letters are on screen so if you are typing AUSTIN (TX) and you are at AU, it will only display T because there is no other entry for a city name in this part of the US that starts w/ AU (Note.: I am not actually sure T was the only one but it was the default selection so I just pressed Enter).

- Takes half the time to configure a route... route processing is so much faster !!!

- resolution looks higher, and fonts and readability of the screen is much better

- it actually calls out interstates with numbers ( ex.: turn left on I 1 South)

- and quite a few other improvements...

Thanks THEW for upgrading my unit... I am sooooo happy I did!

Alex

 

Gald to see you got it all back up
.. FYI i am out of town for 3 days at SEMA so any questios wil have to wait till Nov 6th

 

I am wondering... Why the hell isn't Mazda doing this for free?! Especially the NAV system upgrade! You look at any software and you always get upgrades for free! In fact, when I called Mazda they only thing they offered me is to buy a whole new unit which is very expensive. This is ridiculous...

 

because the product Mazda Sold you does just what they desigend it to do. The Upgrade I am doing is not even known to Mazda. They dont really even know that the Radio has a Firmware to upgrade. Mazda would do somthing if your Radio did not work like it is desigend. But it does so they do not really care about this. And most of the newer 8 's now comming off the line have the newest firmware so to them the issue is fixed.

 

Ok we are back on..

Hurry and get me your HU, and DVD for UPgrade. This program will most likely end after the new year.


Again.. I am now taking Hu and DVDs for all Mazda Rx8, Mazda 3, and Mazda 6's.

 

Thew,

How long does it take you do do the upgrade because I'd hate to be without my heater controls and defrosters for a long time now that it's getting cold in Philly?

Steve

 

i dont want your heater controlls. I just want the HU .. and it takes one day to turn it around. Your Heater will work fine and you can drive the car. MAke sure you send just the HU..


I am away untill Wen of this week ..

 

sorry, I've never pulled the HU. I though it was one complete unit.

 

no need to say sorry xiosmx5 ...actually the term you guys are looking for is the 'HU core' (head unit core)

After removing the HU from the vehile you remove all of the red screws this will release the CD unit and the core...with a little work (maybe a few more screws I'll post the DIY link) the cd unit easily comes apart from the HU core and then you just send in the basic metal frame and the core

it is really easy actually, once you see the thing outside of your car you'll understand completely and could easily do it with no instructions it is that intuitive

hey xiosmx5 if you have trouble message me or thew...I know Thew is out till tomorrow (wed the 31st of december) since he is at LAguna SECA Mazda Raceway burning up the track in his winning blue 8 But he is still checking his email I've been told

 

here you go xio...there is another DIY for Automatic owners...I don't have the link saved but I can sure find it if you need it (it isn't much different really)

 

thanks for the help True.

 

Thew,

At the top of this page you state that after the new year you may no longer do the upgrades. With the holidays and all I may not be able to get it to you until the beginning of Jan. I'm gonna want the all the necessary PIE cables and the upgrade Any package deals for that? . Do you think it'll still be available then?

 

Same here. I am back from my honeymoon, and if I really really had to I could ge tit to you before the end of the year, but it would be hard. Although I'd rather suffer a few days than have to listen to the FM tuner crap anymore.

 

can someone please take a picture of the 'HU core' or what exactly I'm supposed to send thew... it would seriously make it A LOT easier. OR, instead of keeping on saying that therey is a DIY 'somewhere' (I've searched) actually link it? I was about to send him the entire HU thing you pull out of the dash.

 

the Search system works great here.. Us it ..
Type in HU removal

you get
http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/

 

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/11.php

top pic is the HU

remove all the rEd screws to seprate the CD from the HU

 

yes i think so.. but dont delay

 

awesome. so I send you the unit as it is pictured on the top of page 11. thanks a lot! exactly what I was looking for!!

will send it off tomorrow or sat

 

Thew:
Received the HU and DVD player back the other day--installed and tested yesterday. Everything works as advertised--I don't know how you get this done, but the result is excellent!

Plugged an XM Roady 2 into the PIE Aux input, double-pressed the CD button and wonder of wonders, I now have sat radio! (The radio display shows "EX" and a flashing "1", I'm assuming this means disk one in the virtual changer--is there any other way to switch to the Aux?)

Also noticed an interesting anomoly. If I have the Nav, HU and XM turned on (EX1), then turn off the XM and HU, the Nav screen displays some Japanese text and a GUI button that reads "TV1". Is it possible to take advantage of this feature to mux in a rear camera or DVD?

 

yes.. All normal.. And if you search around on the Forum you will see about the Blue Screen.. The Nav system In Japan does have Tv Tuner OEM.. But the USA cars dont support it and dont have the Wireing harness.. So you have to go the route ov the AVelectronic switcher.

http://www.rx8garage.net/?page=shop/...46062399c168d&


The HU is looking for the T.V signal . with the Pie box hooked up the HU now thinks the T.V. tuner is there so it shows you that screen that is programed into the HU ..

You will also notice that if you push the cd button again you will get EX2 , EX3 - EX6..
.. The PIE unit will always BE EX1 and the EX1 will Flash ..

 

I have a 2004 MX-5 MazdaSpeed with a Bose headunit firmware version # 1.62. I've been blown off by Mazda NorthAmerica regarding the radio ("we don't manufacture the radio"), and information about the manufacturer ("we don't give out other manufaturer information") tuning of only odd decimal FM stations (100.1, 100.3, but not 100.2). I also want to be able to pipe in carputer capability (or as a minimum, external audio and interactive control - al la AuxMod).

Are you still doing the firmware upgrades? Will the upgrade work on my HU? Will it allow "even decimal tuning"? Will you support shipment to an APO address?

Thanks for your good work.

Percy <><

 

i am confused is the car here in the States but came from over seas?

 

I think he means the car is from the states but is in europe...

also, I wanted to make sure you were still doing the upgrades. I think I'm only interested in the dvd but have been busy with all my holiday errands. Wanted to make sure it wasn't too late to send it (even if the turnaround is slower, it doesn't matter much to me).

 

thew - pmacwill is right - I bought the car in the states and now have it overseas (Germany).

 

Ohh,, ok,, let em get on that.. then .. email me for more info