I'm looking to pair my android phone with my 2005 GT to play music, and would prefer something that utilizes the steering wheel controls for prev & next. It looks like the XCarLink only supports a2dp, which doesn't allow controls to be sent to the device.

I've got a AUXMOD, and am perfectly fine using that to get the audio into the HU. Really, I don't care about the text or any features other than automatically connecting to the phone and being able to hit next/prev on the steering wheel.


EDIT:

Okay, after spending waay too many hours at work scouring the internets, I have determined that there is nothing.

So.

How about a receiver with stereo output (rca, 3.5mm, or 2.5mm), some sort of power/recharging mechanism that could be hard-wired with a converter, and a display screen small enough to be mounted in the blank where the tape deck goes? No need for using the steering wheel controls, but it needs controls on/near the display for answering calls and directing the media player.

I don't want something that intercepts the stereo output the speakers. I want to run the audio through the HU.

It seems like Parrot and Bury both offer something that may work, but I'm not sure that the displays are small enough. They are also lots of money for features I don't need.

Any suggestions?

 

Bump

 

Ha, looks like I'm not the only one interested.

See my edit to the original post above

 

Hey Guys,

First post here, going to pick up a new (to me) 40th Anniversary Ed. RX-8 this week, and have started searching for the one thing the car is lacking... Bluetooth audio and control for my Android phone. I've used the Grom Audio aux input in a Passat before and was happy with that...

I don't know if you have seen this in the last month or so, but Grom seems to be offering an A2DP and AVRCP with this product (plus Bluetooth dongle):
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/ipd3_...interface.html

Could this be what we are looking for?

~adam

 

Hey, that looks pretty good. Nice find!

Order it and let me know how it works ;p

 

hello, i think i have just the answer. this is what i have done in my car to have automatic bluetooth connection to my android nexus one phone.

first, auxmod to allow for auxiliary input into the stock head unit.

Then I purchased the kensington liquidaux bluetooth kit (note there is an iphone and non iphone version, i have the non iphone version) this comes with a remote for play/pause, next/back, make phone call. make sure to call kensington to complain about buzzing noise due to ground loop, they will ship to you free of charge a ground loop isolator. you could also purchase one from your local radioshack.

i tucked all wiring under the conside and plugged in the kensington liquidaux in the cigarette lighter located in center concole that is further back from the cup holders.

this made for a very clean install with no wires showing and automatic bluetooth syncing!

btw, i strapped the included remote to the parking brake handle, but it is designed for the steering wheel if that is where you want it.

good luck!

i should note that i bought that unit for about $30 last year. i don't know what is the current price.

 

The Grom solution looks good. Only concern I have is that it connects to the phone as soon as you start the car, rather than only when the phone is selected. With my phone, that means the ringer will always be muted when I'm in the car and it's running.

 

Bumppp, very interested. Just bought an 05 and I have a droid as well. I can't stand the radio transmitter for my ipod, and im used to my ford explorer that has the bluetooth audio option. Im a girl with not much of a knowledge for cars, not looking to really modify my entire audio system either, but I'm pretty good with technology/electronics

 

don't forget the fine print for firmware support. the older firmware head units are not supported.

"Mazda RX-8 04-08 (radio firmware v9.55 or later /v10.1 and v9.81 not supported/)"

the method i chose above, is compatible with the older firmwares using the auxmod. gl

 

Good point iemdan.
Stolen from the user 'van' in another thread: To find out which firmware version you have, press and hold "TEXT" and "1" for a few seconds while the radio-FM is on.

I've got an '04 and have one of the older Grom adapters, but I think the firmware req was the same on those, so '04 owners may still be in luck.

 

I've got the xcarlink. It's an awesome solution for use with stock head unit and steering wheel controls.

 

Xcarlink looks to be about $20 cheaper than equivalent GROM (comparing USB+BT.) Their site seems to be badly translated, and only place I can find to buy is on ebay. Seems like GROM would have better support.
RX8jtm, which xcarlink do you have? USB or iPod? do you have the BT module? How does it switch between USB/iPod, BT and aux in? Does it establish bluetooth connection when the car is powered on or when the input is selected?
Thanks and sorry for all the questions.

 

I too am looking at a Grom for my 08 40th AE. Burning playlist to CD's is getting old real fast. Here is one of the better DIY's for it I have seen while researching.

On a side note, are you the one who got the 40TH AE from Sentry West LINCOLN Mazda?

 

That's a nice DIY, thanks for the link. Sooner or later I will get around to doing this...

And yeah, I picked up the car from Sentry West. They weren't bad to deal with, why do you ask?

 

It was the number one pick on my list and was in early talks with them before being told it got sold. I ended up going with number two on the list. Funny thing is I've run into the guy on here who bought the third choice on my list too, it was the one at Muzi in MA. He's also looking at a Grom LOL

 

Heh, how about that. The salesman told me a story of some guy far away giving him a offer. I didn't believe him. I guess local cash talks. I'm very happy with this one, and I hope you are equally happy with yours.

 

Hey skrubol,

I got mine from therpmstore.com. No issues with purchase or shipping. I got the one that takes SD cards plus the bluetooth dongle. I LOVE it. I can use the steering wheel controls, answer calls right from the head unit and my iPhone & EVO sync and stream with no problems.
Installation is easy. It's one harness that plugs into the external CD changer port. By far one of the best 'bangs for the buck'.

 

Oh just remembered that I bookmarked this video tutorial of the head unit removal as well Head unit removal

 

RX8jtm, does the xcarlink bluetooth connect to the phone when the ignition is on, or only when that input is selected? And how do you switch between bluetooth and USB/SD?
Thanks.

 

The xcarlink will connect once the ignition is turned on if you have paired your device. To switch to it you just hit the CD input button twice until it says EX. Simple as that! To answer or disconnect a call you hit the >>> button.
I have the SD card model and the unit will switch over from bluetooth once you instert the card. Truthfully though, I can't remember the last time I used anything other than my phones with it.