Sailor wrote:HEY!!!
I thought those stalks were only available for LH drive models....where did you source that one ?
Cheers,Rob
It's an RX-8 part which fits perfectly into the MX-5.
You need to find a stalk that is on the left side and not the right. From what I can tell it is only the models that were for Japan or Australia, everywhere else has it the opposite way with the wiper stalk on the right and the lights on the left.
I'll write up a how to which I get a chance
kris wrote:Hey Tien your NC is looking sweet!
Please write up a review of the GROM , Smart Top and Wiper Stalk - I would like more information on how they install and operate!
Thanks
The GROM unit was easy to fit, It was just a matter of removing the head unit and then finding a place to stick the GROM unit and run the wires to the back of the head unit.
At first I bought the USB adapter one GROM-USB2-MAZ added an iPod cable and the 5V USB Charging and AUX MiniDin to 3.5mm audio cable and never really cared about the bluetooth but then after putting my order in already I decided I wanted the Bluetooth Dongle as well so last week I ordered one of them and fitted it.
I won't go into too much details with this because the instruction manual can be found here and will tell you all the functions and features it has that I will probably not cover.
It's a bummer that text can't be displayed on the MX-5 head unit, but when it comes to using an iPod with this GROM unit, it makes it simple and really easy.
With most iPod adapters, the iPod controls are locked, but with this unit you can put it into Simple Mode which allows you to use the iPod controls BUT none of the information displayed on the head unit (DISC 1 Track xx Time 00:00) relates to the song playing. You can change it to Advanced Mode which gives you Track Number and Song Duration. More details on the differences of Simple and Advanced Mode can be found in the instruction manual.
Playing USB works really well, this was the main reason for me buying this unit.
I have about 50 songs on the USB at the moment and it seems to change tracks and plays from the word go quicker than the Alpine unit I had in my old car.
The Bluetooth function seems to work pretty well, it allowing you to use the car speakers just like a Bluetooth speaker which allowing you to stream music wireless and can also be used as a hands free.
I'm sure by now we all know the MX-5 is far from a quiet car, as a result of my testing you do hear road noise on the other end when the top is up and when the top is down well you guess it, Wind Noise!!! but at 60km/h I was able to make a short phone call without the other person having any issues of hearing me.
I have the mic fitted above the rear view mirror because I couldn't work out where else to fit it that it won't stand out and look like crap.
One thing with the GROM unit is I'm surprised they didn't set it up so when you switch to say USB mode it would shut off the connection to the 3.5mm. But because they didn't, you have to remove whatever is plugged into the 3.5mm when you go to use a different mode (USB, iPod, Bluetooth), otherwise it will play alongside whatever you are playing. Also as a result of me now having the Bluetooth Dongle the 3.5mm has been given the kick because the module itself has 3 sockets 1 USB, and 2 MiniDin.
Oh and with the 3.5mm plugged up to my laptop playing a movie, the sound that comes out of the Bose speaker in the MX-5 is pretty dam good!
If I had to do it again I'd get the USB adapter (GROM-USB2-MAZ), iPod Cable, Bluetooth Dongle and forget the 3.5mm.
I got the GROM unit and the accessories from GROM Audio them self except for the Bluetooth Dongle which I got from Audio Express. If I had looked around for a distributor in Australia then I would of got it all locally.
The order through GROM arrived a bit over a week later while the Bluetooth Dongle arrived within a few days of ordering.
As far as I can tell Audio Express and Cushie Audio are the two distrubitors for GROM Audio in Australia.
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The SmartTOP is a good modification, some of you are probably calling me lazy and saying but it only takes 12 seconds and it does it all by itself.
Well yes you are correct but I tend to like putting down the roof in all weather even when it's sprinkling
But the issue is when the lights go red and now it's pouring down that 12 seconds now feels like 12 minutes.
As a result of this mod I can now fold and unfold the top while the MX-5 is still in motion and as a bonus I no longer have to hold the button in
Here's a video
The instructions for this can be found here so I can't see any reason to write up some instructions when this one is well detailed and pictured
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The Variable Intermittent Wiper Stalk is a pretty easy modification. I will do a write up on this one in the Technical section when I get a moment
