I own an iPhone 3G and love listening to the Pandora Radio app. I'd really like to connect my iPhone 3G to my car so that I can listen to Pandora, my mp3s, and audio/video podcasts, and movies all while charging the phone.

I know I may need a pin converter like the one from Scosche:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS...mco=MjIwNDU1Ng

My wife's Mercedes C300 only needed the Scosche converter plug to work with the iPod option (as a charger). I wish our solutions could be as simple but it seems like everything on the market acts differently and has it's share of quirks.

All I would like to know is what other iPhone 3G owners are using to connect their phones to the RX-8 and the details of operation.

One solution must be the best right?

 

I use the iO Play. Though I'm taking it out and getting the DD metra kit.

 

I could tether my 3G to my CarPC via an ADHOC WiFi connection and just stream Pandora on the carpc!

What you could do though, since the 3G has standard audio jack, is get an aux in module like the Grom and do it that way.

 

Jase - why the DD Metra kit?

Oh and a carPC is out of the question and so is the idea of using a 3.5mm jack. PC to complicated and 3.5mm does not charge the phone.

There must be a better more simpler way.

 

Well if you want to charge the phone AND get audio into the stock head unit - I can safely say that hasn't been done yet.

 

Here's an idea:
1)Charge iPhone via Cig. lighter.
2)Do the DIY for audio out line
3)Connect audio line to headphone slot on iPhone
4)Finish DIY to get AUX
5)Use car controls to control your iPhone.

However obviously you wont be able to cycle forward songs on Pandora (with the car controls) because it's an app.

 

Ross... Problem with that solution is all the cables all over the place. Messy installs are a pet peeve of mine.

As for a Metra kit to intergrate the iPhone 3G... It does not exist. I called Metra on Jan 13 2009 and they said that they showed some stuff at CES but it's all still on the drawing boards and nothing exists in their product line yet. Why Jase even metioned Metra is beyond me and just really confusing.

 

I'm sorry that I confused you. What I meant by the DD (double din) Metra kit is putting a double din navigation in that I will hook my iPhone 3G up to for music and calls. I figured you'd get that from the "DD"...or that there is a huge thread about the metra kit on here. My apologies!

 

Well you could easily hide the cables, that's not a problem at all. One thing you could try is once you have attained the headphone jack from the headunit, run it through the center console next to the shifter and on the side of the cupholders to the "secret" compartment where your arm rests. There is a small opening in the back that you could run your wire up through.

This is the same compartment that houses a 12v so charging would not be a problem. You could even just hardwire an iPod charging cable to it and leave your iPod in the compartment.

The only problem with all of this is that no matter what you do, you still won't be able to run Pandora using car controls. It's not possible using it as an app. But if you could live with hitting the button on the iPhone to skip to the next track, then this would actually be a pretty great mod.

Now you got me thinking...

 

Okay I finally found one solution that actually states it's compatibility with the iPhone 3G! No locking screens, charges the 3G, and one cable install!

It's the Neo ProLink PODMAZV1 and it is on sale for $179 right now.
http://www.neocaraudio.com/advanced_...icle_year=2005

It's a bit pricey but it's what we've all been looking for.

 

I was looking to buy the Neo Pro Link before I bought the iO Play. Seems like it would work well, I wish there was a way to use the phone as well though... I wonder if you could hook up bluetooth of some sort to the AUX of the Neo Pro Link to make the phone call go through the speakers?

If someone could figure that out, I think I would save some money and buy that instead of a Double din navigation.

 

So I've decided to do the Neo Pro Link for the music, and the Parrot minikit Slim for the calls. Should work out really well. So to the original poster, if want handsfree as well, I suggest looking at the parott miniki slim. It's good priced for everything it does.

 

I have the oem ipod connector it doesnt charge the 3g im getting that thing you mentioned earlier. Once its connected hold down the home button for 10 seconds and you can do whatever you want with it.

 

Alright everyone, how I just don't have a clue what to do. I've been searching around the forum and have found the following:
1. The quality of the Neo Pro Link isn't very good and locks up your iphone. So now that is out of the question.
2. The Axess (sp?) doesn't charge the iPhone and has to have 9.55 firmware or higher.
3. The DICE seems to have it's problem as well, also I wasn't sure on if it has to be 9.55?
4. The IceLink seems to work possibly but don't have much info on it??

Soo... Now I have no idea what to do.. I have a 2004 with the firmware v9.53. Can ANYONE PLEASE help me find the right iPod adapter.

I want HU and SW control and for it to charge the iPhone 3G

 

All of the iPod adapters for the iPhone that I'm aware of will not charge the iPhone. the iPhone is not chargable by the firewire method (which is how most of the adapters work).

I think you might be SOL, unfortunately.

I use the AudioLink adapter, and other than it not charging the iPhone, it's great. Head unit control works flawlessly, occasionally it doesn't connect quite right but a simple disconnect and reconnect fixes that.

I ran the cables for mine under the center console, past the shifter and into the elbow rest compartment.

 

Do you have firmware v9.55 or a different firmware? I have v9.53 so am I screwed about wanting the Axxess?

 

Got a phone holder that mounts on the air vent with a sponge like holder that can "also" rotate, at Best Buy(dont get the cheap ones on ebay they dont hold the phone strong enough).

And a Belkin FM Transmitter, the one that looks like this http://www.handhelditems.com/img/190....w304xh450.jpg which "also" recharges my 3g. (and I thought I needed a scrosch adaptorn at first)

I got the holder set on the left center vent so it faces me so I can access it very easily, right beside my right hand, also its the perfect hight so I can look at it while driving without loosing my sight. You can also rotate the holder so you can watch videos.

Best of all it looks like you got some high tech stuff in your car, like how "alot" of people show off their XM Sirius and those tiny NAVs mounted right beside the driver side window. (is there a reason to mount it there? looks really awkward to use your left hand)
Only downside would be the sound quality, but it isnt noticable if your not a audiophile

 

You could always go aftermarket, the kit and like a single din radio from sony, or pioneer, or even alpine. They all have units that work with the iPhone 3g.

I'm about to install the Pioneer AvicF90BT, it has full compatibility for the iphone 3g also. But if you wanted to stick with the factory radio, just use that IO Play adapter. Seems to work pretty well from the research I've done.

 

I actually wouldn't recommend the iO Play. ( i have it in now). It doesn't always work properly and music drops out for a second a lot. I've called them about it and they said it has something to do with the iPhone 3G

 

I use the Motorola T505 Bluetooth FM transmitter for my handsfree system with my iPhone 3g, but I was thinking of getting the OEM iPod interface for my music as I'm shopping for an iPod connector right now as well. So is that a fact that the OEM iPod adapter doesn't charge an iPhone 3g?

 

I'm pretty sure with the Scosche Passport adapter it will charge the iPhone 3G. I've read that a lot of people on here don't like the OEM adapter and have had better luck with other brands. The major downfall of the OEM adapter is that it locks the iPod screen. I think I'm going with the Neo Pro Link.

 

Thanks for the reply dude. I've read on here that if you hold the "Home" button down on the iPhone for 10 seconds, it unlocks the screen....is that true for those that have the OEM adapter with their iPhone 3g? Also, can anybody confirm that their OEM adapter does not charge their iPhone 3g?

 

I've read that holding the Home button works as well. But, then the steering wheel controls stop working.

 

My brand new 2009 GT actually has an auxiliary power (12V) plug in the center console as well as an audio-in jack (3.5mm) and support in the factory head unit ("Media" button).

 

So as I read this I get that the bottom line for 3G-RX8 connection:

1. There is no properly operating kit out just yet for the 3G.

2. Easiest solution is to just do a regular 3.5mm jack in and separate power charger and use bluetooth headpiece for handsfree talk.