jwitzer

OK, so I've got my 2005 RX-8 and it has the "SAT" button where the "AM" button was in my 2004.

...But no satelite radio was an option on the sales sheet.

...And Mazda parts has no idea what I'm asking for.

Someone please tell me that Mazda will offer the extraneous bits and pieces (including a color-matched external antenna) that will let me use Sirius as if it were the AM or FM2 band (seek, search, presets, etc.) through the standard radio buttons and not through an aftermarket control unit where the Mazda radio "SAT" button simply connects to the external feed.

I *have* heard that the current song information fed by Sirius will display through the RX-8's radio head plate (where the station and volume info is shown).

Speaking of which, I've noticed that there are LEDs under the external/recirculate indicators that look like vertical bars of increasing height (like fan speed indicators) but I've never seen them come on. What are they there for (signal strength?) and what other real estate there might not be used?

snap-on

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/sirius-satellite-radio-needs-sat-button-46998/

I installed a SAT upgrade on a RX-8 already..It does show the program like most aftermarket systems.

beachdog

The bar graph in the display panel is the fan speed indicator for countries that the 8 has automatic climate control.

Omicron

Do we know if the '04 head unit is upgradeable to the Sat module yet?

snap-on

I'm as lost as you are at this point..there are still 05's out there with no SAT capibility in the HU..(07/04 builds)

They really need to get this ironed out.

jwitzer

So, a quick note to the parts guy to obtain part number 0000-81-K02 and I'll be good to go?

Any idea on price?

Would you recommend Mazda service do the installation or a really good stereo/phone install shop?

Thanks...

snap-on

Sorry to say I've never priced one.. :o

If you can get the faceplate off that is the biggest challenge..

As for your install question, it depends on the dealer. I did notice in the kit I installed today(as I updated the WDS ) that the smaller antenna with a single coax is now included in the kits. This makes it easier to hide than the double wire in the early kits.

Omicron

Well, good info anyway so far. Please keep us posted!

NomisR

There's mixed info on the other thread as to the upgradability (is this a word) of the old HU, would be nice if MAZDA would allow the HU swap though.

MEGAREDS

My solution to getting Sirius radio in my RX-8: Audiograbber

Since my satellite television system also receives a Sirius radio signal, I just hook the audio-out from my satellite box into my computer's sound card, then use Audiograbber to grab 70-minute chunks of my favorite Sirius channels while I'm sleeping at night, then burn those files to blank CD-R discs. My RX-8's six-disc player holds 7 hours of music. The Sirius play lists on the stations I listen to are so thin that I don't miss having a "live" Sirius radio signal at all. It's the same music over and over again anyway, so seven hours of "Left of Center" or "80s Hair Bands" or "Alternative First Wave" is PLENTY.

The only thing I miss out on is the display of track/title information, and the ability to skip over songs... but those with live-Sirius can't even fast-forward through a song, which I can do; and, if I set the Audiograbber software to do it, it can insert 5-minute track points so jumping around a given CD is not much trouble at all.

The upsides are several: (1) it's free, since I already had the hardware, (2) it's legal and (3) the music quality is great.

mazradiodoc

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/sat_info.html
THE 04' HU is NOT "upgradeable" to accept O.E. sat module input (yet).
The dimensions and spec's for 05' HU are the same as 04' but with SAT button/sat module capable. That stated, Im not sure it would be worth the money to buy 05' HU and sat module to upgrade an 04'.

Many are trying to interpret Mazda's service bulletins as they will upgrade non sat radio's if customer wants it. THIS IS NOT what is being said. The bulletins only refer to 05' radio's with SAT button.