charlieM

Hi All,

I have my 8 now and I want to get iPod integration sorted. Its got the Bose in Dash CD Changer head unit. The firmware is 9.55 so it appears to support the XCarLink kit. I will do a dummy run and take out the head unit to check its got the correct socket on the back and to make sure I can do the procedure OK before I order the XCarLink.

One thing I haven't seen explained is where people are actually mount the XCarlink box and how do they secure it? Also where is best to run the ipod cable back too. The center console has that area behind the cub holders which looks ideal.

I noticed they sell a Bluetooth addon for the Kit. Has anyone got any experience with the bluetooth addon. Is it any good? Where did you mount the mic. Logically somewhere up near the sun visor seems like a good idea but is the cable long enough?

Any suggestions would be good.

Charlie M

charlieM

I had a dry run and removed the Head Unit to check that it had the CD changer socket on the back as required by the XCarLink kit. All went well although I found disconnecting the AC cable very awkward. Thankfully it all still works once reassembled. It did have the socket as required.

I guess its time to get the XCarLink ordered.

I also was looking at various locations to put the bluetooth mic. I was thinking of the drivers side windscreen pillar. I although looking at it thats where the side air bag is. So its not really something I want to interfere with. Where have other people mounted it? Some where near the dashboard?

I have still not work out exactly where I am going to run the ipod and aux cables to. I am thinking eather the center cup holders or that comparmtment behing that. The other option is the glove box but thats less acessable to the dirver and if a passenger wants to manyually control the ipod they will have to leave the glove box open.

Any suggestions?

Wargoose

The side curtain air bags are not in the A-pillars, they're along the roofline running from the top of the A-pillar to the top of the C-pillar (well, what would be the C-pillar in most cars since, technically, the RX-8 has no fixed B-pillar). Anyway, you could mount your microphone there without worry, if that's what works best for you.

charlieM

Ah right thanks for that.

I shall have to have a play when it arrives and see where it fits best. I saw the SRS logo on the top of the plastic on the top of the windscreen pillar and thought I best leave well alone.

RX8jtm

Hey CharlieM, I can't wait to hear your review. Which version of the XCarlink are you getting? Im wanting to get this one but I don't think it has been released yet. I definitly want a bluetooth option.

http://www.xcarlink.com.au/bluetooth...74f9650bf77b52

charlieM

Hi RX8jtm, I got it last Wednesday. The courier couldn't find the house (we are a bit out in the country) so next day delivery became day after next. I got mine from www.xcarlink.co.uk

Got it installed with out any major head aches. I have tried it with my iPod 5g and my sisters Nano 2g. Works really well quality is exactly like the integrated CD changer. Since I have the in dash CD changer I don't loose that ether. Occasionally you can get it into funny states with the iPod so it doesn't control it. Plugging it in again solves that. I think its caused by plugging it in at inopportune moments. Once its working it works fine for the whole journey. When its in the "Playlist Mode" it even puts a Mazda logo on the iPods screen which is a nice touch.

The bluetooth module connects via the micro usb socket on the new XCarLink models. Its got an LED on it which shows the bluetooth status as well as a button to pick up the calls and a long thin wire to a mic. The mic I think is designed to clip on to your clothing, which seemed like a bit of a pain in the rear to me. So I managed to mount it using the clip provided on the small vent just above the drivers left knee. Its like it was made for it and the cable only has to trail an inch or so to got behing the steering column (at least that's where it is on my right hand drive UK model). Unfortunately the mic is hard wired so you cant pull the cable through any really tight spaces. I routed the mic cable under the head unit behind it and through a gap into the back or the dash and out under the steering column.

One handy thing is you don't need to use the button on the Bluetooth module to answer/hang up calls. The manual says you can use the >> (fast forward) button on the head head unit as well. That means you can hide the bluetooth module out of sight.

Another handy thing is the main XCarLink box fits between the rubber gator around the base of the gear lever and the back of the cigarette lighter. The ash try iys sits just nicely on top of it. There is just enough a room to wedge a bit of rubber in there to secure it and stop any chance of it rattling. Since I don't need access to the bluethooth module it and the spare cable can be pushed out of the way behind the cigarette lighter.

I then ran the dock connector and a stereo jack cable for the AUX input into the cup holders in the centre console. I use the Stereo Jack occasionally so it just coiled up in the base of the first cup holder so I can still put a can on top if I need to . I can also put my iPod in the compartment behind if I need to, which still leaves the second cup holder free. Its also good because there is enough slack on both cables to let the passenger operate the devices attached to them comfortably. If it was in the glove box they would have to sit with it open all the time.

I have only tested the Hands free Bluetooth functionality which works really well. To end or answer a call I can use the head unit, which I can do by touch so I never need to take my eyes off the road. It even pauses the iPod if its playing. If the head unit is off or not using the XCarlink I have to switch it to the XCarLink first before answering but that's not a really big issue.

Overall I am very happy with it.

If you have any questions let me know.

Charlie M

RX8jtm

Thank You very much Charlie M. Awesome write up. I am def going to get the unit with the bluetooth option. I saw one poster on a mac forum talking about how you loose the use of the CD changer when you install the unit but I think they were talking about an external one. Like you I have the internal unit and am very glad to hear that I will still be able to use my 'ancient' cd technology when the need arises.lol If you get a chance I'd love see some pictures of the way you mounted the unit. Sounds like you did a good job. I was going to put it in the glovebox but had no idea what to do with the mic. You might have hit on a great solution.

charlieM

Some people only have a head unit with a single disc player. So some of them have added an external changer in the boot. That uses the same socket as the XCarLink kit. The XCarLink actually pretends to be a CD changer, which is why you can only access 9 playlists through the head unit controls. It thinks each playlist is a Disc in the external CD Changer. Disc 0 leaves the iPod unlocked so you can control it manually. You can still skip back and forward through the current list of tracks like you can with the iPod buttons.

Its very easy to but it in the glove box. The door comes off very easily then you can clearly see massive gap to the back of the area where the head unit is. I took the door off so I could push the head unit from the back to help get it out.

I haven't got any photos of the install but if you look at the first few photos on http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/1.php you can get the idea. Just stop once the head unit is out. Its a lot easier than what that guide goes on to do.

Basically I installed the unit under the bottom of the ashtray. You just have to make sure you don't but it too far back as the Cigarette lighter sticks out the back of the ashtray unit.

Charlie M

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

i had the old one but upgraded to aftermarket nav

RX8jtm

Just got mine today. Love it! I haven't had a chance to try out the phone functionality yet but the music sounds great from my iPhone 3g.

kanundra

My mic doesn't work the greatest so I'm thinking about relocating it. Right now it's on the top of the A pillar facing he driver's seat. The bluetooth is still going strong after a few months and the iPod charging cable is only used when I need to charge my phone.

tylerja0606

Hey all - newbie here - thanks much for all the help! I just added the Xcarlink to my 05 GT with the Bose and Navigation. One minor hopefully helpful edit - it is much easier to find and remove the hidden bolt if the metal support plate under the steering wheel is removed first (it is held in place with 4 easily removable screws). Before I took that off, I spent about 20 minutes trying to find the bolt. Once removed - found it in about 15 seconds and removed it in another 30.

XCarLink is for sure quirky, at least with my Iphone 4s. There is a very particular startup sequence you need to go thru in order to get it working right. I ended up connecting the 4s via bluetooth for phone calls, and my old 3G phone as a permanent IPod via the direct cable. They seem to work just fine together, and now I can hide my old IPhone in the storage box behind the cupholders and still have my Iphone 4s easily accessible.

Thanks again and good luck to any others trying this!