smartTOP - STHFMA1

A great product that works as its supposed to. It's been installed for a month or so. It's working perfectly and with no unintended side effects! Sadly tho, winter is on the way and the days are getting colder so the smarttop module won't be getting much of a workout for a while. The installation instructions are great and very accurate. That connector is a pita but removing the cable retaining bolt and moving the cable out of the way lets you get in behind the unit with a small screwdriver that can be used to depress the tab on the connector. Once you achieve this feat, removal of the cable is simple. I must admit that I found it far easier to configure the unit when its hooked up to the PC than using the roof switches. I am conscious of the flexing noise that comes from the closed roof when I reverse out my drive and out onto the street. I suspect that the outcome would not be great if the roof was operating so I make sure that its either up and locked or down and stowed before I get to the gutter!

If you are on the fence about ordering this item, just do it. You will NOT regret this purchase. This device makes the MX-5 PRHT everything it should have been from the factory. No more sitting still, in neutral, and holding the 'open' button for 12 seconds. I can now flip the latch (that's it!), and the top opens - while I'm moving! Closing the top is just as easy: push the 'Close' button once, and the top comes back up. There are different settings to choose from to suit your specific needs. Programming is very easy with their software (download) and the included USB cable. There are clear instructions with pictures (online). I also found many users have uploaded their own installation videos to YouTube. Honestly, programming and installation took no more than 10 minutes. A child could program and install this device. MX-5 installation tip: Open the top prior to installation. Also, READ the installation manual before you install. There are cable locks to keep everything in place, but can make it difficult if you don't know they're there. Not a problem if you know. You can program the maximum speed the car is allowed to be moving (preventing the top from opening), to ensure you don't accidentally open the top on the highway. There are also instructions (online) to program the device via the open/close buttons in your vehicle, but the downloadable GUI makes everything so easy. I would (highly) recommend this to anyone with an MX-5 PRHT, or any other powered convertible top. I would most definitely buy this product again... even at the current price. If you've read this far, just get one. You know you want to.

Plugs did not fit 2009 Mazda Miata. page said it would fit a Mazda MX 5 NC. Does not

Love this! Installed in my 2012 Miata. Now by the time I’ve put my seat belt and sunglasses on and found music to play, my top is down. When I slow down to pull into a parking lot and park, the top’s back up. Had it installed at Best Buy for $50. Took technician about five minutes.

This tiny box really improves life with a hard-top Mazda. No more embarrassing pauses at traffic lights, or wasting literally seconds holding down a button when you could be putting on your seatbelt (yeah, doesn't sound much until you do it daily). It works really well, but it's a pain (literally) to fit. Trying to contort my fingers and pressing really hard on the release snap on the Mazda electrical connector hidden in the panel behind the drivers seat just flat-out hurt. So I slept on it, and the next day unbolted the little cable support which was blocking easier access, and used an old piece of metal that was covering a slot of an old PC to push down on the locking mechanism. Twenty seconds later it was installed and working perfectly. Hurrah! It's a little pricey, can hurt your fingers, but you know what? It's worth it.

My only real complaint about my PRHT Miata was the inability to put the top up & down while moving. With the soft-top I could pull the top up with one hand whenever the mood or foul weather struck me, but with the PRHT you have to stop, put the car in neutral and hold down the control button until the cycle is complete... often while a line of cars is waiting behind you after the lights have changed. This mod fixes all that. Now just one tap on the control and the top is in action, even while the car is moving. I'm falling in love with my Miata all over again. Great product; easy install, and the open air whenever you feel like it.

Ok, unplugging the OEM plug sucked, I would recommend going at it from the passenger seat. If you are small like me, go ahead and put your feet behind the driver seat. Oh, and a chop stick or small screwdriver really helps to get some leverage on the lock tab. AFTER THAT. This thing is awesome and this is how the Miata should have come from factory. I set mine to auto open and I allowed max speed operations (37mph) though I only plan to use it at sub 10mph speeds, I like having the option. While the operation is motion is novel, I very much appreciate being able to do something other than monitor the roof when the roof is in motion (one touch). Get it! It may not give you all the fancy functions SmartTOP can give other cars, but you didn't buy a Miata for an abundance of options, did you? =oP

Works perfectly. Was simple to install AFTER reading the directions. I highly recommend this. My wife says it was worth the money to not have to wait for the top to go down before we can leave the driveway. Good stuff!!