Stavesacre21

hey falcontx, this sounds like a great product, got a quick question for you though...

I've got a Garmin 660 unit, and was thinking of trying to integrate this AL into it via USB so that it would work. When you plug the Garmin into the computer, it shows the SD card as an external drive. Question here...would this work with the AL then? I know that you stated that as a general rule of thumb, if it shows up as an external drive on a computer, it WILL work....so does this apply?

If not, I was thinkin that the iPod kit with the 3.5mm cord would be a nice alternative, as the 3.5 could plug into the headphones jack and still allow CD quality over the radio, along with possible iPod connectivity for my Nano that i have as well. I'd really like to use the Garmin as my main source though, so i don't have to tote 12 different devices around in my car, u know?

Lemme know what you think...as i'm already on the verge of ordering anyway. Oh yea, and is there still any discount offered? Thanx!

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

Well, the USB AudioLink was designed with a flash drive in mind, but we have successfully tested it with some other devices. The songs would need to be placed in the folders specified in the usage instructions. However, sound from the Garmin device itself (directions, etc) would not be heard.

If you'd like the option of using your nano and you want to be able to use the voice features of your Garmin, the iPod AudioLink may be your best bet.

The coupon code in the first post is still active.

redcivic

Does anyone have pics of the USB kit installed?

Stavesacre21

Thanx for the input falconTX. I'm gonna be ordering either tonight or tomorrow afternoon! Thanx for offering this awesome alternative!

Correction...ordered

chikmag382

does anyone else have problems with their audiolink to where when it's hooked up to the IPOD, the random function on the head unit doesnt work, and the song timer doesnt reset when the IPOD switches songs. Not only that, changing songs through the head unit doesnt work all the time either.

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

You need to review the usage instructions. While in "normal mode" the random button does not work and the timer does not update. Because you have full control over the iPod, it does not send time updates to the AudioLink. You also have direct control over the iPod's "shuffle" feature.

However, there should not be a problem changing songs with the head unit or steering wheel controls. The only time you may see a problem is if you are pressing the buttons very rapidly.

jinani4eva

does this unit work with iPod shuffle? (new generation matchbox looking one)
I've a shuffle and just want to know if it'd work with this unit.

Had this been answered before, I'm sorry, but there is just way too many pages to look for that answer.

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

The iPod AudioLink unit will not work with the iPod shuffle because the shuffle does not have the iPod dock connector.

However, the USB AudioLink could be used with the shuffle as long as the files on the shuffles flash drive are in MP3 format and arranged according to the USB AudioLink's usage instructions.

Stavesacre21

OK just got done with the install this morning. Total time for me...probably right around 1 1/2 hours. However, I ran into some issues, and had I known better, this woulda been a 30 minute job.

First off, followed most of the rules posted on the whatsmyip web page for removal of all the basic trim and such. I also opted to remove the metal plate under the kick panel...which I couldn't imagine how you could get "the bolt" without doing so. I'd read so much whop-la on "the bolt" that I had somehow had managed to think of it as the hardest part of the install. Ha...hardly.

I had no problem removing the bolt and catching it. Being paranoid of dropping it, I telescoped my handy dandy pen magnet so that while I was unscrewing it, it was under a magnetized failsafe. Got it out, and figured the install was all smooth from here.

Pulled out the deck about an inch or so, and found that my 8 must have had SUBSTANCIALLY more wire ran than others. I was able to pull it out about 4-5 inches or so. Looked at the AC connectors and thought this was gonna be cake.

THIRTY minutes later.... I get the first one off. I have NEVER seen clips like this on a car. Usually there is a lever to push and it releases the clip. These ones however, were almost impossible to release to the point that I eventually quit trying to press them down and just jammed a screwdriver from the bottom up, releasing the clip from the inside. I fought with the other one for a good 15 minutes until I came to the conclusion it wasn’t gonna move.

About now is when it dawned on me that the first AC clip that was released was the set of wires that was most taut. So I pulled out, and low and behold, I was able to flip the unit about 45 degrees to get behind it.

IMPORTANT - covering the shifter with a blanket saved me God-only-knows how many scratches to the face of the deck...REMEMBER THIS!

Anyhow, I manage to plug the AL clip in the back and route it and softly slide it back in. Everything should have been done...but the troubleshooting was yet to begin. I test the unit out, and no EX. I plug up my iPod, and it charges, but no EX. I read over the instructions more carefully, and unplug the fuse...no luck. Unplug the unit...no luck. Unplug the BATTERY...no luck.

By now, you could imagine I’m getting VERY flustered, and close to on the verge of poppin falcontx a message. I try one last step out of desperation, and unplug the AL harness and then see it...one of the prongs inside the unit is bent over, BUT (thankfully) not snapped off. I very carefully bend it back, plug in the harness...and VOALA! The sweet sound of crystal clear MP3 audio fills the car, and I finally fall back and let out a big sigh of relief.

The sound is so clear that I’d have sworn it to be CD audio...100x better than the previous FM modulator I’d been using. All iPod controls worked great from the wheel and front of the unit. As others had mentioned, my dominant hand does look like it battled a cheese grader, but it'll heal...this was sooo worth it.

I'd just like to send a shout out of falcontx for this great product, cause if I hadn't seen it on here, I’m pretty sure I’d have got some sorry substitute in place.


P.S. - and just for those that were wondering, I’m part of the 1% that got the bolt out AND back in! Kinda tricky, but I think it's difficulty is overrated if you take your time and have the right tools. However, it's an absolute MUST that you remove the metal shield under the kick panel - it’s only held on by 4 Philip screws that are easily accessible.


ok, novels over. Sorry for the lengthy post....if only 1 person learned a thing or 2, it's been worth it!

Likabat

Well, I'm sorry I can't report a successful AudioLink installation, even though I found all the hints and suggestions posted here very helpful.
Prying up the center console: No worries, just be gentle, wrap some electrical tape around the screwdriver blade, and be especially careful of the part just behind the emergency brake handle.
Hidden bolt: No problem once I removed the metal plate under the steering column.
Popping out the head unit: No problem after I removed the glove box and reached around behind the head unit to help push it out. (Just squeeze the sides of the glove compartment towards each other gently and it should drop right down.)
*Note for automatic transmission owners [yeah, yeah, I know]: When the stick is in the "Park" position it will prevent you from pulling the head unit out far enough. Leaving it in neutral or drive requires that you leave the key in the ignition when you shut the car off, so the next step is to disconnect the battery cable so the "Key in ignition" alarm doesn't drive you nuts. (Make darn sure you're on a level surface with the emergency brake engaged.)
Removing the A/C plugs from the head unit: Oh my God what a pain, but they came out eventually.
So then I proceeded to install the AudioLink (the proper socket on my single-CD head unit is just inboard of the antenna plug on the driver's side), reassembled everything, reconnected the battery, and...Nada. No radio, no CD, no LED display. I rechecked all the connections, checked the fuses (both next to the driver's seat and under the hood), pulled everything out and reinstalled it again, and I still have what seems to be a dead head unit. It is getting some power, because the air conditioning controls work fine, as does the emergency blinker switch, but no audio at all.
If anyone has a useful suggestion as to what to try next (short of taking it to a dealer with my tail between my legs), I am all ears....

redcivic

Hmm. and your battery was disconnected?

emexfive

I think my Audio Link mp3 player just died. Everything was working well until I turned the car on yesterday and the last song didn't start playing. The headunit won't go into CD mode or CD stacker mode if the unit is connected, even with a CD in the drive. The blue light doesn't come on anymore either.

I've managed to disconnect it from the headunit and then CDs play fine. Reconnecting doesn't fix it, still no light and CD playback breaks again. I'm guessing it is foobared but is there anything anyone can recommend to try? Shipping from Australia to US and back for replacement will take a while so I'd like to avoid it if possible.

I bought it in around September last year and have been using it pretty much constantly in the car with line in and playing from flash drives. The only thing new is that I've been using it with one of those external laptop hard drives for the past week but that has been working and hard drive still works.

So any ideas?

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

The symptoms indicate that the unit is no longer operating properly. The AudioLink is designed to power a USB flash drive, which has no moving parts. Hard drives of any type pull too much current for the AudioLink to support. This is likely what contributed to your unit's failure.

CosmosMpower

So how can you use it with an ipod or any other harddrive/microdrive based MP3 player then?

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

There are two different AudioLink units. One is designed to be used with the iPod, and the other is designed to be used with USB flash drives.

Other microdrive based MP3 players are not directly supported, unless the audio is input via the 1/8" line input, in which case the AudioLink is not powering the device.

mkztg

Any idea if this is compatible with the Microsoft Zune? I know I can use the 1/8 plug but will the power adapter work?

Also, will this interface with the stock radio in the Mazdaspeed 6 too? Thanks.

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

No, the iPod AudioLink will only directly integrate with the iPod, not any other MP3 player.

Yes, it does work with the Mazdaspeed 6.

carampsonline

how can i install it

Stavesacre21

I'm not falconTX, but i'm pretty sure I can give you a reasonable answer for this.

There is a seperate kit made for the iPod that uses an iPod harness that plugs into the bottom of most any iPod. I'd imagine that this adaptor is made to support all power draws from iPod Nano's to 80GBs. Afterall, it's an iPod cable.

The USB kit seems to be specifically aimed at flash drives (from what I understand) of brands other than iPods. Although iPod's can be plugged up to the USB kit, their not made for that type of draw (as we concluded earlier that this kit is made for USB flash, no iPod HD).

I may be overstepping my boundaries here by saying so, but I figured that the 2 kits are specifically marketed because of not only their connectivity, but also because of their functionality and tested limits.



close?


P.S. - edited note...i didn't see this had already been answered, and don't feel like deleting this post sorry.

emexfive

So I've had a quick look inside the audiolink to see if there was anything obvious and because ever since I got it there was something rattling inside. I assumed it was just a bit of plastic because it's been working all a long. I was wrong, it looks like one of the surface mount capacitors was flying around inside (CE19 I think). I don't think it caused a short because the audiolink worked until I parked it and then the car didn't move ultil I started it up again, at which point it was dead. Only thing I can think of was that it was the first time I had the external HD connected while starting the car. Normally I'd start the car, then hook it up.

EDIT: A quick play with the multimeter shows the loose capacitor is working but the 500mA fuse is blown.

Is this a warranty replacement job or will I have to fix this myself? I'm crap at the whole soldering business.

emexfive

My player is revived! I didn't get a response in close to a month so I replaced the fuse and a sacrificial zener diode and all is working again. I'm useless at the soldering so it aint pretty but at least it works.

I find it odd that we shouldn't be connecting HDDs to the player. There are people selling this on ebay as a kit with an external USB hard drive. There are a couple of shops around doing the same. Is this the official statement from the maker?

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for not responding before. I don't check the forums all too often. It would have been covered under warranty. If anyone has any problems, they should contact us via our website rather than the forums. Anyhow, I'm glad it's working.

You noted yourself that the fuse was 500mA. Many external hard drives exceed this limit, which is why we do not recommend it.

timbervolt

I love the Audiolink. I also love RPMs discount offered as instructed on the first page of this thread. No more static and crappy transmission from my iTrip.

The job took me about 90min as a first timer.

It was too difficult to detach the ash tray so I just put it aside. There was no problem with access with this.

I tried to connect it without having to remove the centre console by going through the glove box but my hands were too big. So the console had to be removed. This wasn't too hard, 2 screws from the front and the 10mm brass screw from the right side. Pictures are attached. The screw is the one on the left, farthest back, with the stereo behind it. I used a socket spanner with an extender to remove it.

Pulling the stereo out was tough if only pulling from the bottom, but reaching to the back through the glove box with the other hand, I could push at the same time making it easier.

I pulled the stereo out as far as the connectors would let. For a little more room for my hand, I removed the air vents above by the two screws and popping it out. Still, the white connector on the right side was unmovable. So I left it in place and popped the Audiolink connector into place on the left side of the stereo next to the antenna cable, with the lock tab facing down. (picture attached - taken from behind the unit looking out)

Everything went back easily.

Only gripe about the Audiolink is that only 5 playlists are recognised otherwise it's brilliant.

DarkBrew

Nice pictures!
Does the Audiolink support menu changing? I bought an OEM adapter (due to a local discount) and I'm still trying to understand the main feature differences.
The OEM unit supports menus and play lists (but only counts up to 6 even though it will go higher) It also remembers where it was playing when you disconnected it even if you continued to play outside the car. It counts up to song 99 then then starts at 1 again for song 100. The kit comes with all cable ties, foam tape and double sided tape required for the install plus some fairly useful instructions.
Can you compare the Audiolink features?

BTW, I'm running HU rev 9.55 but I saw another post where thay were running 9.53

Charging works fine. You can connect and disconnect easily with the HU on or off but I make sure I'm not on Ext when I connect/disconnect.

Does anyone have experience with the IPOD being temperature sensitive or damaged by extreme heat or cold?

I have felt a strong static discharge through the adapter twice when hooking up so it must be fairly robust.

falcontx

iTrader: (1)

The AudioLink does default to "direct mode" where you can control your iPod directly, just as if you were listening with headphones. It also has an additional auxiliary input that can be used with other devices and an option video output for iPods that have the video feature. The OEM unit offers none of these benefits.

Also, part of the reason the AudioLink only supports 5 playlists while in "playlist mode" is due to a limitation of the RX8 headunit. It supports up to 9 playlists when used in a Mazda 6.