Ok a friend is trying to convince me to abandon my attempts at hooking up my MP3 player and switching to Satellite radio instead.

Up until about 3 days before I bought my RX8, I was looking at the Shinka model, which already had SAT installed.

I neglected to look carefully and thought that my 05 model had a SAT radio but lacked only the subscription.. but sadly that does not seem the case I guess... that nice SAT button is nothing more than "SAT ready" as I understand it now.


So.... a couple of simple questions..

1) Will any SAT work with the RX8 or are we limited to Sirius due to the HU design specs? XM seems cheaper by a few bucks and has all the same features I'd be interested in.

2) Mazda sells a SAT radio receiver but what is the difference between getting that one and say one from the local Best Buy or Circuit City? Will Mazda's version allow the display to be shown on the standard stero heads up? OR will both types require me to show/install a seperate display for the SAT?

3) Does the receiver get mounting in the trunk, behind the dash somewhere, or under a seat (as I've seen in some cars) ?? I'm bascially not sure where the "SAT Ready" feature comes into play I guess.. is that just a premade connection somewhere where I can just plug and go... or a fancy word for having a button labeled SAT? hehe

 

Ok let me rephrase..

Does anyone own a Shinka or stock SAT system? if so, where does the song/station display show up?

 

Hmm so the Shinka models have them but they simply are not available as a seperate unit now ... interesting.

 

The stereo system on the RX8 is built to be modular. You can have both the CD/MP3 player and the Sat radio.

The SAT radio system for the RX8 is sirius and sirius only unless you buy aftermarket adapters to hook up XM. The SAT tuner for the RX8 works with the RX8 head unit. The display is the long thin display above the stereo and below the nav (if you have the nav). That display will show you all information about channels and songs by using the text button/wheel and the display button just like the CD/MP3 player will.

You should be able to get the SAT system installed from your dealership for about $400 (330 for the cost of the unit and about 50-70 bucks for installation).

If they don't want to sell you the unit then you can buy it from other dealerships like this one:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...&preadd=action

 

I had the dealer install the factory Sirius satellite when I bought my car. Didn't want any aftermarket dongles hanging on my dash. I really love it. Downside - the one line display requires a couple of jabs at the DISP button to see Artist and Title - Upside - the integrated control allows me to surf through 18 preset channels without taking my hand off the wheel.
Oh yeah, my dealer charged me $550 total to have them install. What I know now about the head unit and how the satellite installs..all learned from this forum...I'd consider buying it from the place mentioned above and installing it myself.

 

Just to clarify datasmith, did you already have the SAT button on your radio?

 

Yes Sir.. that's what prompted me to get the dealer to do a factory unit install.

 

That's what I was afraid of....

But this is what I like...

Guess I'm saving up for a few months. Thanks all

 

Let me guess..

You car is white?

 

Ummm... yes actually... why?

 

i'm really screwed.... i have a base 04 and now i'm looking at $1800 at a stealership or $2667 at another just for the factory mp3/cd player and the sirius sat radio installed. i don't have a sat button and they claim a new trip piece just for the sat button is $426! are they ripping me off? or better yet, is my $2000 spent better at a repudable aftermarket shop to upgrade my audio system. i like the fact that if i go the stealership way i get a solution integrated with my steering wheel controls and existing components.... but then i've spent 2k and not touched the speakers, amp, or display.

side question, where can i find monitors or things that i can mount in the OEM nav display spot?