Ordered GROM Audio USB 3 - Shipped Today - Anybody have one installed?

[Woody]

It has Bluetooth hands free.  Where do you put the microphone?  I plan on putting the USB jack in the center console.  Anybody installed one themselves?


Mazda 02-08 USB Android iPod iPhone Bluetooth AUX car kit( SKU: MAZU3 )

Quick Overview


USB / iPod / Android / Bluetooth Interface Box
USB / iPod / Android / Bluetooth Interface Box
USB port accepting any USB stick/drive
Android car integration via USB
iPod, iPhone, iPad car integration via USB
MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC, AAC, WAV music supported

 
OPTIONAL (SOLD SEPARATELY): Bluetooth Streaming and Handsfree Dongle
In hands free mode: accept & reject phone calls, voice dial
Bluetooth Audio streams directly from your phone to the stereo


USB Connection: GROM-USB3 car stereo adapter connects your USB 2.0 device such as flash drive, external hard drive or mass storage device to the stock stereo in your car. You can control the playback through your car stereo or steering wheel controls.

Android in-car integration: Android Phone play, control and charge. If you have an Android Phone or Tablet (including but not limited to Samsung Galaxy or Note line, HTC One, Google Nexus and others) you can integrate it to your car stereo. Play the music, control it via car stereo or steering wheel buttons, and charge while in car - all with the standard MicroUSB to USB cable. There are no extra cables required. You will plug the MicroUSB cable to the USB port of GROM USB unit directly.
Android integration requires AALinQ Android App, available FREE at Google Play Store
For more information go to AALinQ page AALinQ app supports both local and Google cloud music.

USB streaming for most Android devices with is available without AALinQ. With USB streaming you are able to use any Android music app and stream via USB. 

iPod, iPhone, iPad car integration: Connect your Apple device to the factory car stereo via USB port. Play music, control from car stereo or steering wheel, and charge at the same time. Use standard USB to Apple connector cable (including Lightning style). All iPod, iPhone, iPad are compatible, invcluding latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Bluetooth add-on (sold separately): Make a hands free phone calls (HFP), stream music from your phone to the factory stereo via Bluetooth Audio playback (A2DP), control your music with the car stereo or steering wheel controls via Bluetooth wireless audio control (AVRCP) with the  GROM Bluetooth Dongle

AUX Input (sold separately): Aux 3.5mm phone jack connection for any additional audio source such as DVD, MP3 player, XM and more.



















































 
   
 
 

[Maduh]

I know there's a few people on here with the GROM units. It's my opinion it would have been cheaper to just install a new headunit with all those features. The bose amp etc works fine with majority of aftermarket headunits and a complete bosoctomy is not really needed. I ran a normal $45 ebay Sony headunit just fine with the bose amp/speakers and the sound quality wasn't bad. Though I could see if you're a audiophile you'd want something better. But if that's the case you'll probably be throwing out the bose stuff anyways.

As far as microphone placement I'd try the A-pillar or on the dash right between the vents should work. Results may vary with the top down.

[water hazard]

I recently installed this adapter in my 2004 Ti MSM.  I did not purchase the optional AUX cord and only use the bluetooth.  It works great and was a very simple install. I tucked the unit in the slot where the cassette deck would have been, as I did not have that on my vehicle.  I routed the mic up through the steering column and placed it in front of the speedo on the steering column clam shell.  I used a dremel tool to cut a small notch in the little panel on the top of the clam shell for the wire.  I was concerned about placing the mic higher as the wind from top-down driving would impact the mic.

It works very good and cell phone calls sound very good, even with the top down - just speak straight ahead.   

Best mod I have made. 

[Woody]

Is this a do it yourself project and how long did it take you?  Glad to hear you are happy with it. 

I priced up replacing the head unit and the only reason for that would be to get a screen with NAV.  Already have a stand alone GPS and an iPhone.  Price seemed too high.  Map updates weren't included so it keeps costing money every couple of years. 

Didn't see that there would be any improvement in sound quality without upgrading the speakers too.  More money.   

Ended up going with the GROM and staying with the factory look.  One reason was that I thought it would be less likely to get stolen.   

[water hazard]

I did it in less than one hour.  pulling the radio out is not too hard, but the wires are kind of short and working on it is tight.  Routing the mic wire took more time as I needed to lie on my back and zip tie it up so it would not catch on the steering column.  Really not to bad, I just don't bend as well as I used to. 

[RockHead]

I just put it in today. Preferred to keep the OE look, but absolutely must have hands-free calling and Spotify. Saved $20 with an old July 4th promo code, so it was ~$110 delivered, about the same or less than I would have spent at Crutchfield for a fairly low-end aftermarket head unit, single DIN cubby and wiring harness.

Getting the head unit out was the hardest part and that wasn't very hard. Tried with coathangers, which didn't work out for me. Went to my local mechanic and borrowed the radio removal tool. Just tucked the Grom unit off to the driver's side of the radio. Led the mic out the knee panel and mounted to the top of the steering column. Mic wire is just tucked away in the steering column recess. The mic slightly interferes with my view of the odometer, but I don't really care.

BT audio sounds as good as anything else out of the Bose. HF calls sound great on both ends. First call was to my gf, at 40+ MPH with the top down. She had no idea I was in the car on HF until I told her.

My only disappointment is not getting decent info on the head unit display, no song track info, no caller ID, etc even with the GROM SAT firmware.It's definitely not the phone, all that worked with the aftermarket Pioneer in my Saab, and works fine in my Explorer. But maybe I'm missing something in the Grom setup?

[lynk26]

I just put it in today. Preferred to keep the OE look, but absolutely must have hands-free calling and Spotify. Saved $20 with an old July 4th promo code, so it was ~$110 delivered, about the same or less than I would have spent at Crutchfield for a fairly low-end aftermarket head unit, single DIN cubby and wiring harness.

Getting the head unit out was the hardest part and that wasn't very hard. Tried with coathangers, which didn't work out for me. Went to my local mechanic and borrowed the radio removal tool. Just tucked the Grom unit off to the driver's side of the radio. Led the mic out the knee panel and mounted to the top of the steering column. Mic wire is just tucked away in the steering column recess. The mic slightly interferes with my view of the odometer, but I don't really care.

BT audio sounds as good as anything else out of the Bose. HF calls sound great on both ends. First call was to my gf, at 40+ MPH with the top down. She had no idea I was in the car on HF until I told her.

My only disappointment is not getting decent info on the head unit display, no song track info, no caller ID, etc even with the GROM SAT firmware.It's definitely not the phone, all that worked with the aftermarket Pioneer in my Saab, and works fine in my Explorer. But maybe I'm missing something in the Grom setup?

I've got the GROM SAT firmware also, and I think I read somewhere (either on the website or the user manual) that the track info, etc, is only when connected to an iPhone with the adapter cable. I'll see if I could find that info for sure though.

[Woody]

GROM install was a total fail.  Not GROM issue.  CD port was bad.  Problem inside head unit.  Now my left channel of internal cd doesn't work, even after removing GROM.   New head unit on order.  RMA for the GROM.  Oh well.  Clearwater speaker upgrade is awesome. 

[Qwimby1]

GROM install was a total fail.  Not GROM issue.  CD port was bad.  Problem inside head unit.  Now my left channel of internal cd doesn't work, even after removing GROM.   New head unit on order.  RMA for the GROM.  Oh well.  Clearwater speaker upgrade is awesome. 

I'm considering a Grom and wondered about that, since it plugs into the CD connection.  I've had intermittent episodes of the CD refusing to eject.  My audio guy told me that's because I played some home made CDs in it.  Anything but store-bought CDs can damage the unit.  It's working now but I'm concerned if the Grom will work under those circumstances.  It seems to me that it would be far better to have it plug into the tape module. I shopped for a used OEM player but they're pretty rare and expensive.
   
Also, with the Grom installed do you still have use of the CD unit?

[water hazard]

The CD still works fine.  You just hit it once to toggle to GROM and again to toggle back to CD.  I have been very happy with mine.  No issues. 

[Bassparrott]

+1 on the Grom as well. Easy install and I am happy with how well it works.