Hey guys, just a quick question about GROM, on their website http://www.gromaudio.com/store/aux_a...r.html#package it lists 2 options to choose from for "Firmware"

CDC/notext frmw

AND

SAT/text frmw


From what i understand... the controls for CD are very nice and they retain steering wheel controls.

and the SAT is very annoying and loses steering wheel controls


what my question was since i have satellite(but not subscribed to) do i need to use the sat firmware?

and my second question, i plan on using GROM to plug into my EVO4G and have pandora running so i dont really need to change tracks or playlists or anything like that, i would just like to retain my volume controls on the steering wheel.

 

I would think you would need to use the Sat one firmware wise. I know with the Cd grom you can still use the volume control for the radio on the wheel but thats about it. I do the same thing with my iphone

 

Thanks, thats what i assumed too, i wound up using Grom's live chat support to see if they could answer my question and the guy said that i could choose either but in order for someone to choose sat you would need to physically have a sat button on your radio.

i asked him several times too. i hope it works, i wound up getting the CD, incase i ever want to sell it, it seems very user friendly and would sell better than the SAT, not to mention steering wheel controls.

Figs, i read somewhere that taking off the center console isnt even neccesary and could be installed by removing the glovebox, is this easier?

From what i read it looks to be just a plug, that goes into the back of the radio and thats it?

Thanks

 

Not sure about installing through the side. It seems like it would be harder to do this since it's already a pretty cramped area. I just did my the traditional way and pulled the radio. It also gave me a way to easily bolt the little box down to the metal frame on the bottom of the radio. It's all plug, play, and feeding the jack through the center.

 

Hey Figs,

I'm looking at these GROM boxes now and wanted to ask how it goes with your iphone? When you go to EX mode does it take over the iphone like an ipod and go to the "ipod" mode of the phone?

Some other docks/connectors I've used take control of the phone meaning you can't use it for maps/texting/emails or anything else whilst it's plugged in. I use mine for maps when driving (have a phone mount).

Do you find this a problem?

Thanks, appreciate the info!

 

I'm using the basic auxiliary jack one. Didnt want to worry about the dock since I have a car charge and plus it's the cheapest lol. Mine I can use everything since it's basically playing music like it's connected to headphones. I've heard some docks can be used to function everything on the phone via the wheel controls but never heard of any that completely stop all function on the phone like you described.

 

Ah, okay, thanks!

 

Hmm, they didn't have that option when I bought mine. (I have the GROM-AUX-MAZ)

I've made sure to update it to the latest firmware here: http://www.gromaudio.com/software-ipd3.html

I selected "Mazda 02-08" and firmware version 8. Flashed it per the instructions with a MicroSD card.

It really is a beautiful product. I have the Bluetooth adapter so I just get in my car and stick my Galaxy S II in its dock and its automatically connected to my stereo as soon as I start the car. I put the little mic that comes with the Bluetooth adapter right on the upper left corner of the windshield and people can hear me fine. Being able to pick up and hang up calls with the steering wheel buttons rock!

 

For under 70 bucks I'm glad with what I have. Wouldn't mind having Bluetooth and all that but I would hardly use it since I deal mostly in texts. Here's where I got mine btw http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=14140

 

Do you have to remove the radio/grom unit to install the new firmware??

 

You just need access to the GROM unit itself and be able to unplug the main harness into it. Mine is in my glove box so its quite easy. GROM has instructions on their website.

If you put the GROM box behind your radio then yes... you'll need to get to it.

 

ok cool.... in the process of ordering as we speak....(type rather)

 

WOHOO just got the GROM-AUX-MAZ with the ipod cable and bluetooth dongle!!!!

cant wait!

 

Just finshed adding my Grom Bluetooth/IPod/USB to my RX8. Iphone 4 works great with mike supplied. Can play music via bluetooth from the iphone 4 with steering wheel controls. The Grom box resides in the glove box for now.

 

How does it sound? I'm recently thinking about adding this to the 8. I currently have a basic iPod adapter but now want bluetooth to stream pandora and whatnot.

 

I have both the wire and the BT module and its night and day better quality with the hardwire. I was on an audiobook kick when I bought the BT adapter for my Grom unit and recently got back into some music. I was always thinking it never sounded that great until I decided for the hell of it to hook the wire back up and DAMN.

The BT module went in a drawer and I'll just live without the steering wheel controls.

 

lol, really? Is it that bad? That sucks. I was hoping it would be a little decent at least. Just wondering, how do you have it installed? Coming out of where?

 

The included 3.5mm cable to the GROM box then into the stock headunit vs. the Bluetooth adapter into the GROM box then into the headunit.

Keep in mind, this is coming from a guy who buys $500 headphones and has all his audio in FLAC format.

Your experience may vary.

 

Hmm alright. But wait, I can't really picture that? It's coming out of the stock headunit? I thought you would have it coming from the glovebox or something?

 

So you think the grom bluetooth is a total waste for someone who listens to high quality flac format or 320kbps and greater audio all the time? I currently have version 1 of their iPod adapter I bought years ago and love it, but wanted to add bluetooth to the unit (since they recently made one for my version), mainly so I could use it for calls as it's a pain to plug in my headphones to answer a call while driving.

I emailed grom about two months ago asking if they were going to design the unit to allow audio playback and charging through the direct connect wire, but also integrate seamless call functionality from the iPhone where it would pause the music, then let you answer the call over bluetooth. They said they were doing some testing to try and get that to work actually, but IDK if that was ever done or not?

He means from the back.

 

Hi guys,

I've had my grom box installed for around a month now and it's great. I've got the iPod/AUX model as don't think I'd use bluetooth.

I run the iPod cable out from in front of the ash tray through the factory hole and up to my iPhone that is windscreen mounted and sits just to the left of the steering wheel on the dash.

My RX8 is now complete! Quality is amazing, I can't recommend it enough.

Cheers

 

The GROM box is plugged into the back of the headunit, however the box itself is in my glovebox. The cable is more than long enough.

 

I'm trying to figure this out.. How exactly do you run the cables? Do you leave the glovebox open? eek.

 

There is an opening that connects the glovebox to the back of the headunit. Think of it as a tunnel. Lol.

 

lol.. I was trying to picture how he uses the cables though? Let's say an iPod? Does the cable come out of the glovebox? Yea the connection from the headunit to the glovebox I get.