iDatalink Maestro worth the money?

redrexmeister · 06-21-2019, 08:35 AM

So I have 08 STI hatch with Pioneer AVIC W8400nex. Thinking whether or not to buy iDatalink Maestro controller ($95).

I like to enable steering wheel controls plus add extra features such as touch screen climate controls and gauges displayed on the monitor.

Is this a good system for GR platform? Can I choose any gauge? How well do climate controls work? Any additional controls that can be enabled?

If the additional features are so so, I can just save $$$ and buy much cheaper Metra Access ASWC controller which only enables steering wheel controls.

Lmk what you think. Thanks.

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gunz4me · 06-22-2019, 02:25 AM

In my 2012 WRX, I used the Axxess ASWC-1 to get steering wheel controls to the radio. I also used a single din Pioneer radio (DEH-80PRS) in that particular build so I can't comment on the additional features.

In my 2013 GTI, the iDatalink Maestro was totally worth it, but I didn't have what it took to get touch screen climate controls which would have required additional modules on my end. It did, however, give me gauges through the OBD port. I mainly watched boost and coolant temp because I started having cooling issues with that car towards the end of my ownership, despite going through two water pumps and a radiator.

BrasilianBoy07 · 06-23-2019, 03:21 PM

I have not using the iDatalink Maestro rr, but I have installed one on my friends BRZ. I can tell you that if you use the wire harness that iDatalink provides the install shouldn't be difficult.

That being said, the iDatalink Maestro rr does list a bunch of features that it supports. But what everyone forgets or doesn't realize is that all the features are dependent on the manufacturer in our case Subaru and what they allow though the OBD2 port. As an example if they don't allow you to read or monitor TPMS or say the mass air flow sensor then you won't get that info with the iDatalink Maestro rr.

The iDatalink Maestro rr will allow you to enable steering wheel controls if you have one. Touch screen climate controls would only work if you can already do it with the OEM Radio. I do believe your 08 STI has knobs for climate controls and is not controlled though the radio so touch screen climate controls would not work. Like I said it all depends on what Subaru allows through the OBD2 port.

The iDatalink Maestro rr will only retain the feature your car came with. It will not add any extra OEM features.

One other thing I was looking at the iDatalink website and it looks like they don't support your year car.

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong on anything.

redrexmeister · 06-26-2019, 11:32 PM

Cobb AccessPort reads tonnes of information from the OBD port. If I can monitor boost, coolant temp, knock or A/F ratio on the monitor it would be totally worth it for me.

redrexmeister · 06-28-2019, 10:50 AM

So I just got off the phone with iDatalink tech support, they said that Maestro unit can support coolant temp, boost, MAF plus many more parameters on 08-14 STI.

When I asked if it is confirmed for 08 STI my, the tech lady said you just need to plug it in to see what actually is displayed/enabled. They don't confirm this info for specific model years. Which I thought was strange?

There is a big difference between CAN and DOES support.

So my question is can someone driving 08-14 model with actual experience of ownership of this unit confirm a complete list of functions that can be monitored using IDATALINK Maestro RR.

puffer · 09-07-2019, 09:57 AM

Anyone can recommend a link to install instructions for iDatalink Maestro in GR platform?

SCurry13 · 09-12-2019, 06:11 PM

iDatalink is nice if you plan on keeping it relatively stock / not adjusting the tunes often. I picked up my 13 wrx hatch pro tuned and took it back to stock ish, and that was the biggest issue after it had been wired into the obd2. I can say however it was very useful having the gauges right there when you wanted them as compared to having a cluster on the dash. just my .02

rossi45 · 03-16-2025, 06:17 PM

Just wanted to revive this thread. I have a 09 STI any considering installing a Kenwood Exceleron DMX809s head unit which supports vehicle info. I'll need the Maestro RR to get ODB readouts. Has anyone installed on this on the 08-14 model years? Is it worth getting?

06-21-2019, 08:35 AM	#1
redrexmeister Scooby Specialist Member#: 111692 Join Date: Apr 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Jersey burbs	iDatalink Maestro worth the money? So I have 08 STI hatch with Pioneer AVIC W8400nex. Thinking whether or not to buy iDatalink Maestro controller ($95). I like to enable steering wheel controls plus add extra features such as touch screen climate controls and gauges displayed on the monitor. Is this a good system for GR platform? Can I choose any gauge? How well do climate controls work? Any additional controls that can be enabled? If the additional features are so so, I can just save $$$ and buy much cheaper Metra Access ASWC controller which only enables steering wheel controls. Lmk what you think. Thanks. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by redrexmeister; 06-21-2019 at 08:41 AM.

06-22-2019, 02:25 AM	#2
gunz4me Scooby Newbie Member#: 305130 Join Date: Dec 2011 Chapter/Region: South East Location: LFT Vehicle: 2019 WRX Dark Gray	In my 2012 WRX, I used the Axxess ASWC-1 to get steering wheel controls to the radio. I also used a single din Pioneer radio (DEH-80PRS) in that particular build so I can't comment on the additional features. In my 2013 GTI, the iDatalink Maestro was totally worth it, but I didn't have what it took to get touch screen climate controls which would have required additional modules on my end. It did, however, give me gauges through the OBD port. I mainly watched boost and coolant temp because I started having cooling issues with that car towards the end of my ownership, despite going through two water pumps and a radiator. Last edited by gunz4me; 06-23-2019 at 10:57 AM.

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06-23-2019, 03:21 PM	#3
BrasilianBoy07 Scooby Newbie Member#: 487740 Join Date: Jun 2018 Vehicle: 2018 Subaru WRX WR Blue	I have not using the iDatalink Maestro rr, but I have installed one on my friends BRZ. I can tell you that if you use the wire harness that iDatalink provides the install shouldn't be difficult. That being said, the iDatalink Maestro rr does list a bunch of features that it supports. But what everyone forgets or doesn't realize is that all the features are dependent on the manufacturer in our case Subaru and what they allow though the OBD2 port. As an example if they don't allow you to read or monitor TPMS or say the mass air flow sensor then you won't get that info with the iDatalink Maestro rr. The iDatalink Maestro rr will allow you to enable steering wheel controls if you have one. Touch screen climate controls would only work if you can already do it with the OEM Radio. I do believe your 08 STI has knobs for climate controls and is not controlled though the radio so touch screen climate controls would not work. Like I said it all depends on what Subaru allows through the OBD2 port. The iDatalink Maestro rr will only retain the feature your car came with. It will not add any extra OEM features. One other thing I was looking at the iDatalink website and it looks like they don't support your year car. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong on anything.

06-26-2019, 11:32 PM	#4
redrexmeister Scooby Specialist Member#: 111692 Join Date: Apr 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Jersey burbs	Cobb AccessPort reads tonnes of information from the OBD port. If I can monitor boost, coolant temp, knock or A/F ratio on the monitor it would be totally worth it for me.

06-28-2019, 10:50 AM	#5
redrexmeister Scooby Specialist Member#: 111692 Join Date: Apr 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Jersey burbs	So I just got off the phone with iDatalink tech support, they said that Maestro unit can support coolant temp, boost, MAF plus many more parameters on 08-14 STI. When I asked if it is confirmed for 08 STI my, the tech lady said you just need to plug it in to see what actually is displayed/enabled. They don't confirm this info for specific model years. Which I thought was strange? There is a big difference between CAN and DOES support. So my question is can someone driving 08-14 model with actual experience of ownership of this unit confirm a complete list of functions that can be monitored using IDATALINK Maestro RR.

09-07-2019, 09:57 AM	#6
puffer Scooby Newbie Member#: 152437 Join Date: Jun 2007	Anyone can recommend a link to install instructions for iDatalink Maestro in GR platform?

09-12-2019, 06:11 PM	#7
SCurry13 Scooby Newbie Member#: 505467 Join Date: Aug 2019	iDatalink is nice if you plan on keeping it relatively stock / not adjusting the tunes often. I picked up my 13 wrx hatch pro tuned and took it back to stock ish, and that was the biggest issue after it had been wired into the obd2. I can say however it was very useful having the gauges right there when you wanted them as compared to having a cluster on the dash. just my .02

03-16-2025, 06:17 PM	#8
rossi45 Scooby Newbie Member#: 107379 Join Date: Feb 2006	Just wanted to revive this thread. I have a 09 STI any considering installing a Kenwood Exceleron DMX809s head unit which supports vehicle info. I'll need the Maestro RR to get ODB readouts. Has anyone installed on this on the 08-14 model years? Is it worth getting?