Ok..

I've figured out everything I need to get my Aux-In jack all set up to read from my MP3 player via the headphone jack. (Thanks to a lot of forum sifting :P )

However, when I called PIE to find a dealer in my area (I wanted to try to pick up the PIE unit in person, so that I could get Mazda to install at same time they put in my Tape deck), they informed me that it does NOT work with the RX-8, and that anyone telling me it does, is mistaken.

I currently have,
2005 RX8
Bose Standard SAT-Ready HU, version 9.73
Standard CD player (no changer)
and sometime next week, Mazda is installing the Cassette Unit (I didn't realize there was a way to put aux-in's until after i signed the contracts with the cassette adapter)
No NAV system

If every thread I'm reading is correct... the cassette uses a Different Port/Plug than the one that the P.I.E. adapter (MAZ/PC-ALP) would use, so I should be just fine...

Now... I find it hard to believe that the techs don't watch threads like this or at least weren't directed here eons ago by one of you folks that already has it working.. so my dilemma is that there must be something I'm missing here...

Firmware.. mine is 9.73.. should be fine from what I read.
Cassette.. Uses a different plug.. so again should be fine..
SAT Ready HU.. again I have a standard 2005, not one of the first off the line which had the non-sat HU like the 2004's.
NAV system.. I don't have it.. shouldn't be a problem..

But yet the tech insisted it wouldn't work and didn't even give me a dealer in the area (I actually didn't push it since I had no reason to doubt him..but then came to the forum to see that it does in fact work for 'some' people... )

The threads I've been able to find are quite old unfortunately and I'm not 100% certain that I missed one which might have my answer..

Does anyone have the same configuration as above, or know for certain that it does work? Or is the tech right and I'm missing a piece of the puzzle here...?

(My MP3 player is not an IPod btw.. it's a Creative Labs, Jukebox Zen Xtra 60gig unit)

 

I have the same configuration as you, 2005, sat ready, firmware ext.
And the cd changer, (don't us it)
No tape and the PIE + Alpine RCA adapter to....
Works great! Use XM radio AudioVox RX-9.
I don't know why the pie tech told you it would not work, but it does,
As numerous others on this board can tel you.
You have the latest firmware and an open plug on the back of your radio.
It should work!
Buy the Pie online from one of the forums sellers and save some sales tax.
And you will get support from all of us!

 

Whoever says that the PIE won't work with that firmware has no idea what he's talking about.

 

Thanks guys.. that seems to be the what I was reading in the forums, and i decided to call PIE again today and talk to someone.. I ended up talking to the manager of product development (random phone pick up I guess... not sure why he'd be answering phones).. and he said it DOES work, so long as the firmware is recent (he didn't know exact version numbers).

The only thing he said is that it would void the Mazda warranty if the dealer found the unit inside and I had any electrical problems... however I expected that.

The only problem now.. is Everyone is Out of stock

Guess I get to use my tape deck for a few months afterall.

 

i found one.. but toasted my radio

 

did you try www.mazdaparts.com that is our only vendor who sells PIE

 

My experience with PIE has been dismal to say the least...unhelpful, sometimes almost rude...you would think they are trying to ruin their business...

 

Yep... thier website says Backordered till March...

The last guy I talked to on the phone at PIE actually said of all thier distributers, that RX8Garage (mazdaparts.com is the same place now).. is the only vendor he knows of who has pre-sold LESS of the amount he's shipping them soon. (The other distro's he claims are already sold out of thier next shipment).

I'm just not a pre-order type of person.. I typically can handle online purchasing and waiting for shipping, but something in me refuses to put out a commitment to buy for something that doesn't have a guarantee'd ship date.

Once they are in stock again I'll look at them again, but till then I guess i'm doing the old Tape adapter thing.