Alex-

The unit seems to be similar to what TrueMagellan has posted, but sans the dock. I only mentioned the nav unit because I never had one, and I think there's an extra port available that would be taken if I had the nav unit. From what I understand, there's a port for the 6 disk changer and 1 for the nav unit. If you have both a changer and nav unit, you'd have to d/c one before installing an iPod input, but I may be completely wrong

 

I have the Nav unit...so do others with the Maz/Alp PIE adaptor...no problem with NAV...that port is unrelated

hope that is good news for you Gheist

 

Gheist,

how did this work out for you? I sent you a PM, can you PM me and let me know how this worked out. Or anyone else that has tried the Neo unit.

 

Sorry, haven't got the unit yet. But I will repost once I get it.

 

ok here is the update for you...PIE Maz Alp does work (I use it but you need firmware 9.55) I use an AUX in adapter for it and it works great! thew at rx8garage.net (one of the vendors here) sells them for a great price. Now if you just buy the Maz Alp pie adaptor you can purchase an Denison Icelink Alpine M-bus adaptor which you plug into the Pie adator and into your ipod...it will: charge it, allow you to change tracks from the steering wheel, turn it off when done, and volume control...oh and audio in of course, HIGH quality

if you need help with this PM me or PM thew

 

Just got this response today:

 

Ok, I got the unit and used the instructions here:

http://www.staticusers.net/rx-8/RX-8...n-iceLink.html

and here:

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

to get the installation done. Took me about 3 hours, most of it because I couldn't figure out how to pop the console off (hint, only two things to pop off on the driver's side, 3 on the passenger side, but the instructions seem to hint that you should do so from the passenger side.) and also had a bitch of a time disconnecting the tabs attaching the cables to the radio.

Other areas of difficulty included finding the hidden bolt (hint, it's actually posterior to the two bolts visible, not superior as indicated in the diagram on the whatsmyip.org page.), although removing the bolt was relatively simple.

And finally, I didn't have plastic cable ties, so I improvised with twist ties. (Boy, I hope they hold up!) Oh, yes, make sure you attach all cables before tying down the box. I didn't and had to remove the twist ties again to attach the cables. (tied everything down too good).

I finished by running the cable back through the console, past the small plastic part by the handbrake and into the area in back of the cup holders. Aside from some self-induced scratches, you can't really tell anything's been installed.

How does the unit work? Exactly how I had wanted it to. That is, the iPod turns on and off automatically, when the car starts and the auxilliary (tape) is selected. If the car is stopped, the iPod will stop playing, but keep on charging even if the car is off. I guess since the clock still runs when the car is off, the iPod can still draw power from the stereo as well when the car is off.

If you switch between the iPod and other functions such as the radio, the iPod will automatically pause and stop and go to charging. Switching back to the iPod will let it start up fom the same location you stopped at.

Unfortunately, song info is not displayed on the head unit. But I don't care about that anyway.

Volume and tracks can be controled by the steering wheel controls. You can't fast forward within tracks by holding down the steering wheel controls. Haven't tried the dash controls, though. Will do so tomorrow.

Unless there are requests, I won't be posting pictures because it's pretty much a seamless installation. From the outside, you can't tell that anything has been installed.

I would recommend this unit. It seems to be the same price as the other options available.