After seeing the results of the USB/BT TSB on the factory head unit, I've decided to go ahead and swap out the head unit. While Mazda makes a nice car, their choice of "infotainment" electronics is questionable, and I've given up hope on them ever properly supporting my old classic iPod.
Thank you very much for the detailed information in this thread. Thanks also to the folks who figured out the rear view camera, etc.
So, I ordered a nice long list of stuff from amazon:
Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX (it sings, dances, and washes dishes.)
Metra 95-7522B (dash adapter)
PAC RP4-MX11 (electronic harness adapter - hopefully will come with a current firmware.)
Metra 40-HD10 (antenna adapter)
Pioneer CD-IU201V (ipod adapter for the HU)
SMAKN 12v/6v stepdown P/S
2.54mm pitch double row IDC socket male headers
I also pulled some RCA male connectors (x4 for the bose amp + 1 for video) from one of my parts drawers, and some lead based solder (which is 100x easier to work with than the newer non-lead stuff. I promise I won't eat it.) I might also grab some crimp butt connectors for the majority of the harness work. (They're easier to use, mechanically stronger than solder joints if crimped properly, and I have the proper crimping tools.)
This HU doesn't need a parking brake bypass - I can just ground the brake wire access a hidden (but well documented) option to bypass.
The stuff was shipped via USPS for delivery tomorrow, so I'll have a busy Saturday afternoon.
Based on doing other HU's in previous cars, I'm estimating it'll take 2-3 hours to do this one (mostly because I won't have to run wire to the rear of the car.) Then another 6-10 hours for taking it apart and putting it back together a few times because I screwed something up, forgot to solder something, and other stupid mistakes.
Some generic questions for others who've installed aftermarket HU's in this car:
If your unit came with a GPS, where did you put the aftermarket GPS antenna/puck? Will it fit alongside the factory GPS antenna inside the dash center speaker area?
How much room is there behind the HU area to work in? Is there a good place back there to fit all the various boxes/adapters/wires/etc, or is it extremely cramped?
Thanks
Gary
Thank you very much for the detailed information in this thread. Thanks also to the folks who figured out the rear view camera, etc.
So, I ordered a nice long list of stuff from amazon:
Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX (it sings, dances, and washes dishes.)
Metra 95-7522B (dash adapter)
PAC RP4-MX11 (electronic harness adapter - hopefully will come with a current firmware.)
Metra 40-HD10 (antenna adapter)
Pioneer CD-IU201V (ipod adapter for the HU)
SMAKN 12v/6v stepdown P/S
2.54mm pitch double row IDC socket male headers
I also pulled some RCA male connectors (x4 for the bose amp + 1 for video) from one of my parts drawers, and some lead based solder (which is 100x easier to work with than the newer non-lead stuff. I promise I won't eat it.) I might also grab some crimp butt connectors for the majority of the harness work. (They're easier to use, mechanically stronger than solder joints if crimped properly, and I have the proper crimping tools.)
This HU doesn't need a parking brake bypass - I can just ground the brake wire access a hidden (but well documented) option to bypass.
The stuff was shipped via USPS for delivery tomorrow, so I'll have a busy Saturday afternoon.
Based on doing other HU's in previous cars, I'm estimating it'll take 2-3 hours to do this one (mostly because I won't have to run wire to the rear of the car.) Then another 6-10 hours for taking it apart and putting it back together a few times because I screwed something up, forgot to solder something, and other stupid mistakes.
Some generic questions for others who've installed aftermarket HU's in this car:
If your unit came with a GPS, where did you put the aftermarket GPS antenna/puck? Will it fit alongside the factory GPS antenna inside the dash center speaker area?
How much room is there behind the HU area to work in? Is there a good place back there to fit all the various boxes/adapters/wires/etc, or is it extremely cramped?
Thanks
Gary