I currently have a Mazda OEM iPod adapter set up in my 8 with the control unit fixed in the area where the NAV system would be and the iPod in the glove box. I am looking at the Axxess system and have a couple of question concerning it.

What is the general consensus of the quality of the Axxess unit? Where is the best place to put to Axxess module so that it will not overheat (or is that still a problem) and for access for Axxess module so that I can update the firmware. Is anyone having any problems that should be addressed here?

Thanks

 

I've never played with the exact unit you are asking about.... however I have plenty of experience with other model Axxess iPod interfaces. They're hit and miss IMO. Vehicles they insure that they will indeed work for, they don't. Vehicles that are not listed as being compatible, they work great. I also had a friend with one in his Acura RSX. It worked most of the time, but sometime required you to unplug and plug the iPod back in. A little buggy.

In any event, there are several other options out there for the RX8 that do the exact same thing. Maybe even better. I recommend the Audiolink.

 

Looking at the write up on the Audiolink, it does the same thing on the display as the OEM model. What I am looking for is something that will display the iPod info on the 8's display unit.

 

The Audiolink does not, but the DICE unit does, if you have a radio with a SAT button (you need to purchase the R2 model of the DICE for that feature).

 

Like I said, I haven't played with this particular one. However, every other Axxess unit I have installed does not display anything anywhere on any vehicle.

Does the Axxess have all the features of the Audiolink? Auto start/stop? Keeps steering wheel controls? Skip through playlists with disc up/down? Video out capability? And surely it charges the iPod.... Any firmware requirements?

 

Man, I wish I had seen this prior to buying the OEM unit.

 

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes...and the original statement would be incorrect...the Axxess box does display song information on the LCD.

The major problem that I had with the unit was from the heat. They said that they fixed it in the revision they sent me, but that was right before winter hit and haven't been able to do any testing. I would imagine that the section of the dash where the nav normally goes would get really really hot. A few of us have actually put the Axxess box in the section between the head unit and the glove box and it has worked out pretty well there.

 

This statement would also appear to be incorrect, but I hope that you are correct. The Mazda factory 6-disc changer does not support CD Text from my tests. I don't understand why our radios don't support CD Text or whatever that broadcast radio stuff is. My ex has a 96 that supports it, why doesn't my 07?

 

This info is from another thread I posted regarding the DICE kit. It is in fact correct. You're right that CD changer doesn't support it. This is why you need a Head unit that has the SAT button on it. I believe it's 05 on up. I had called the DICE folks directly to get the answer. Net, if you don't have SAT button on head unity, no text and you need R1 of DICE Kit. If you have SAT button, you can get text and you need R2 of DICE unit. I have neither, but that's what they explained to me.

thanks
KF

 

Also keep in mind that, with any of the units sold by anyone (Axxess, DICE, whatever), the only time you get text on the information panel is when you use the playlist mode. When using iPod mode (you have control of the iPod at all times and can use the scroll wheel to select artists, songs, playlists, etc), you will not get text.

The one advantage of the Axxess unit over the others is that it hooks onto the cassette/MD connector, not the CD changer/sat input, so you don't lose sat radio if you have it and want to keep it. However, it only works in playlist mode and has no ability to allow direct iPod control.

 

Sorry...wrong on both counts here. With the Axxess box you get text all the time and do have the option of playing any song you want that is not in a playlist. The axxess box considered Playlist00 to be the entire iPod.

 

What I was trying to say is that, the DICE unit and some other have two modes, Playlist mode and iPod mode. In the latter, you never lose control of the iPod and can use the scrollwheel to move back and forth between playlists, artists, songs, podcasts, what-have-you.

The Axxess unit never allow you to do this - you only have access to playlists or the entire music library. If, like me, you have a large library of mixed stuff - rock, pop, classical, folk, etc, as well as podcasts - you may not want to play a random selection from the entire library, which is what Playlist00 would give you. And if you decided you wanted to listen to a specific album, or artist, you couldn't go back and select it from the menu.

So, what I was trying to say was, in order to have text on the Mazda screen, regardless of which manufacturer you purchase the unit from, you must listen to playlists (or the entire library). No iPod unit allows for text display when that unit is in a mode that permits use of the iPod scroll wheel.

Sorry for the confusion. :-)

 

That is why you unplug the iPod...scroll to what you want...hit play...and plug it in.

 

where did you get yours from?

also, mine is an 04 and so I have no SAT button. would I still be able to get text on the car's sccreen??

I currently have an adaptor and if it looks good to me then I'd do the switch to this other one

thanks before hand

 

I purchased from AutoToys...but as I stated over and over again I wouldn't recommend that you buy from there. As for the SAT button...as long as you have a Tape option I think you are ok.

 

so I'd still get text even if it is a 2004?

 

Check out http://www.therpmstore.com

They carry the axxess unit

 

OK, so I've read more threads in the last two days... but most seem to pretty well die off about the same time this one did.

I have a couple of questions now that these have been out a while longer.

1) DeViLbOi, now that you have had a summer with the new F rev board... how was it? Anyone else who had an over heating problem have any feedback?

2) It is my understanding that the Axxess is not compatible with the the iPod Touch and iPhone (tech support seemed to say the same when I called them...). Is this only true of the second gen iTouch and iPhone? Anyone have luck with it on the first Gen?

3) If people have had luck with the iTouch and iPhone first gen... does it charge?

4) Again if Question 2 is true, can you use it in iPod mode by pressing the home button?

5) Does the version of firmware on the iTouch affect question 4?

6) Does anyone have any feed back on the the latest firmware v1.5 of the Axxess unit? Or any of the older firmwares?

If there is a more current thread with this info... please help me out with a link...

Thanks,

--Tigger!

 

A little info, I have an '04 without a sat button, firmware 9.55... so the Axxess looks to be the most full featured... however I would like to be able to control my iPod in iPod mode and I'm hoping that the iTouch I have maybe able to do this by using the home button as has been sort of hinted at in a fe threads.

Also, is there a way to easly get to your podcasts through the radio/steering wheel controls with the Axxess?

Thanks again!

 

nice to see you around again!

beers

 

This past summer I only had a problem once and I was able to correct it by unplugging the iPod and plugging it back in, I didn't have to reseat the cable into the Axxess box. As for all your questions around the touch...I don't have one...sorry.

 

This also is of particular interest to me. Indeed, do any iPod adapters have a way to get to podcasts through the steering wheel controls? My commute is roughly an hour long, baring traffic jams, each way. Before I transferred to my current position and took the train, I used to listen to podcasts during my commute; but now that I'm driving, I don't have that opportunity any more.

My RX-8 is a 2004 Touring model, so I don't have a SAT button. My iPod model is the "classic".

 

If you start playing a podcast it will restart the playing podcast...it is annoying. I have not found a way around it. I have even tried putting them into a playlist and couldnt get it to go to the next member in the podcast.

 

Just to put my 2 cents in.
I am considering getting an Axxes iPod Integration unit for my RX-8

I previously installed one on my mazda6 and it works great.
The steering wheel audio controls work for it.
(It does display song/artist, etc... but its cheesy that you have manually scroll to see all the text)

In regards to the Ipod touch... my brother has one (he is also currently using the mazda6)... the only problem with it, is you have to unlock the scroll of the touch before you plug it in.

 

Thanks all!

Yea it has been a while... life has been crazy and believe it or not I've hit 130k miles on my 8!

Glad to hear the "over heating" issues look to be resolved... I mean one unplug, replug of the iPod.... seems pretty much normal compared with what I've read on all the other adaptors.

I'm a bit disapointed about the Pod Casts... I mean isn't the whole point of a Pod Cast so you can listen to it when your on long treks??? Would seem this would be an important feature but I don't recall any questions being asked in any of the other threads I read on the other adapters either! Are Pod Casts a thing of the past?

Black Hatch, great to know some one out there has one... couple of quick specific questions:

1) Does it charge?
2) Is it a 1st gen/ 2nd gen iPod Touch
3) has he updated it to the most current Apple Firmware or is he still running it with the origional that it came with?
4) when you say "unlock the scroll of the touch", what do you mean?
5) Is he able to hit the home button and control the Touch manually or "in iPod mode"?

Thanks again... Happy Holidays!