Anyone have a good suggestion as to how I can plug my Apple iPod into the Bose system? I have the single CD player.

 

The only way to play your iPod through the Bose is with an FM transmitter such as the iTrip from Griffin Technology.

 

I've used the FM transmitors before, and they just don't sound all that great.

 

The only other method I can think of is to add a cassette player to your Bose system and use a cassette adapter. I doubt that would sound much better than the FM transmitter though.

 

I spent a lot of time looking for ways to hook up my iPod and with the RX-8 it basically boils down to three options:

1. FM transmitter (iTrip, iRock, etc...)
Cheapest/easiest way to use an iPod

2. FM modulator (plugs directly into antenna port)
Provides a stronger signal than a FM transmitter but sound quality is still limited to FM quality

3. Cassette adapter (requires you to add cassette module - $168 at Trussville Mazda)
Sound quality is better than FM but the cassette adapter is prone to electrical noise (ie high pitched whine that increases with engine RPMs)

In my case I wanted something that sounded decent, was easy to use, and didn't look like it was cobbed together. After a bit of hunting I found an Alpine FM modulator that seemed like it would do the trick and had it installed a couple of weeks ago. I have to say that it works better than my iTrip in a couple of ways. First the signal is much stronger and it is not as susceptible to interferrence from other stations. Plus it has a remote display that makes it easy to switch stations when you run into too much interferrence. Surprisingly I found that the remote display fits nicely in the overhead bin and it makes for a clean looking installation but unfortunately I'm still looking for a good place for the iPod. For now it is buried in the center console and I use the iPod's remote to run the show. The center console works out OK because it also has a power outlet that you can use to keep the iPod charged.

I'll take a few pictures this weekend so you can see what I'm talking about.

 

I too tried an IRock! in the beginning and found that there was too much interference. I eventually gave up and used a cassette adapter instead and the results are much better. I haven't had any of the aforementioned problems with electrical noise but I've only had my cassette player put in a few days ago.

If anyone else has any good ideas on where they store their MP3 player, please post. Mine just sits on the passenger seat/lap when I use it.

 

I don't listen to (or even own) any cassettes, but I believe there is a cassette deck in the head unit of the 8 (with the single disc CD player). I thought I noticed this during my test drive. I could very well have been dreaming, though.

 

Not by default there's not. However, it is available as an option, so the car you drove may have had one.

 

The quality of the FM transmitters depends ENTIRELY on the manufacturer. I've found the iRock to be far weaker and sound considerably worse than my current Belkin transmitter. I can put my Pocket PC in the storage space behind the cup holders plugged into the power with my Belkin transmitter plugged in and close the armrest and get at least radio quality sound if not better....

 

Another option (hopefully) would be if BlitzSafe came out with an Auxillary interface for the RX-8 head unit. This is small box that plugs into the OEM controller and allows an 1/8" input jack to be mapped to one of the unused device inputs (such as the Tape/MD selection). Unfortunately, I've emailed a request for an RX-8 kit, but haven't got a reply yet. They have one for the Mini Cooper and it seems to be a popular option on their discussion boards.

I am not an installer so I could be wrong about this, but because of the proprietary connectors linking the various players in non-standard head units like the RX-8, it may not be as simple as tapping into one of the signal lines (I think Yuhki looked into doing this). My guess the main controller needs to detect the device before switching, so these boxes from BlitzSafe (or PIE) supply the required feedback to activate those lines.

 

iPod resting in the center console.

 

iPod remote control is on the center console next to the driver's seat.

 

The remote display for the Alpine FM modulator is mounted in the overhead bin.

 

Good spot for the Alpine unit. Why didn't you put the iPod remote up there too (was the wire just not long enough?)?

---jps

 

The problem with anything like that Blitz adapter is that as far as we have been able to determine, there is NO input into this head unit, therefore there are no wires to tap, and nothing for an aftermarket adapter to plug into.

---jps

 

thats a nice set-up man, real clean
________
VIDEO REVIEWS

 

Thanks Speed Racer. Did you actually do the install yourself?

 

SpeedRacer, the iPod/Modulator install looks good. How did you manage to run wires to the sunglass compartment? Does the side curtain air bags make the access to the A-pillars difficult?

 

You nailed it, the wire to iPod Remote is pretty short and it didn't give me too many options for placement.

 

No, when I had my Guide Point GPS locator installed I asked the tech to install my V1 and the FM modulator.

I didn't do the install myself but I had the opportunity to watch. It took the tech about 20 minutes from start to finish. Once you get the cover on the A-pillar unsnapped it was easy to route the cable from the dash to the sunglass compartment. He didn't use any special tools to remove the cover; he just carefully pulled on the edge until it released.

 

There is an input.

After examining the photos and the installation intructions, it appears there is a CD unit, a Cassette/MD unit, a main "Audio Unit". The CD and Tape/MD units plug into the Audio Unit. These connections are your input. The problem would be determining the signal protocol and the levels required. If this was discovered, an adapter could be made to allow using the Tape/MD button to switch to your Aux input, for example iPod, possibly even using other controls like the track selection, etc.

 

Show us.

---jps

 

Most likely there is a connection in the wiring harness for the Tape Player and, or the Mini Disk that you would be able to tap into and install an 1/8" or 5/32" plug which would turn your Tape/MD button into your Aux input. Let me know!

 

No, the connections between the CD/6-disk/MP3 and/or the MD/Tape units and the base head unit, are all done by multi-pin connectors within the cradle itself. It's rather like inserting a PCI card into a PC - not only does the process of inserting it hold it on place, it also makes all the necessary connections.

That said, if one knew the pinouts for those connectors, you could probably kludge something up to externalise the signal inputs, but you'd probably also have to fool the head unit into believing that it actually has a tape or MD unit present before it will allow you to select that input source.

Doable, but for the faint of heart.

 

My RX-8 is not here yet (1-3 days away) but I had some thoughts. It seems to me, (I'm probably wrong) that the head unit, etc. is the same as the Mazda6 Bose.? If so, looking at Crutchfield there appears to be adapters for AUX input into this unit. Just a shot in the dark, I will look more into on delivery.

From Crutchfield:

Pioneer CDRB10
Auxiliary Input Adapter for P-Bus Receivers



Features

Compatibility: This adapter allows you to input line level audio signals to any Pioneer head unit with an IP-Bus connection (P-series CD changer input), except the KEH-P1010. Also, the adapter can be used to send line level audio signals from the tuner included with the Pioneer GEX-FM903XM FM modulated XM Satellite Radio package (item 130FM903XM) to any brand of head unit with an AUX input.

Notes:

When this item is connected to the IP-Bus connection of a Pioneer head unit, a CD changer cannot be connected to the head unit. If you want to add RCA inputs and retain the ability to connect and control a CD changer, use item 130CDRB20, instead of this item.
When connected to the IP-Bus connection of a Pioneer head unit, the device connected to the RCA ins must have an output voltage of 1 volt or less, or it must have a volume control so its output can be lowered. If the signal voltage is higher than 1 volt, the unit will distort and/or be damaged.
When connected to the IP-Bus output of the GEX-FM903XM XM Satellite Tuner, you'll still need to use the wired remote/display to control the tuner.
This adapter has female RCA connections, so, depending on the jack(s) found on the device being connected to this adapter, an RCA-to-RCA or RCA-to-mini-jack patch cable will be needed.

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Does this make sense to those who have installed, changed the unit?



WN