[a310490]

I'm about to order a Speed 3 GT and I'm thinking of ordering the Sirius option. It appears that this is the Sirius receiver plus the satellite antenna.
1) Where is the satellite antenna mounted? It doesn't look like it's the shark fin antenna you see on a lot of cars.
2) I assume with this option you get the full Sirius display on the car radio display, just like it was a regular Sirius radio, correct? If so, I assume you can just switch the radio from 'normal' AM/FM operation to 'Sirius mode', correct?
Thanks, Howard

 

[icspots]

1) where the antenna is mounted depends mostly on who installs it. If Mazda installs it then they put it where Mazda's instructions mandate, which for instance in the sedan is the front left corner of the trunk lid. Not sure where on the hatch. The sharkfin is strictly an aftermarket accessory that many people on the forum have. You are also correct that the kit comes with the receiver, wiring, and antenna. Also bear in mind that when they install the sirius it will disconnect the aux. input in the console (ACI) unless you get the switchbox from Mazda (click the audio input thread in my sig. for p/n and price).

2) It will display channel/artist/song info. on the LCD. Unlike some other OEM units it doesn't auto-scroll through the info. on the LCD. The knob on the left will scroll through those. You assume correctly in how you switch between things. FM/AM will go to regular radio, and SAT will go to sirius.

 

[a310490]

Thanks, especially for the warning about the aux input in the console being disabled as I had wanted to use that to connect an Ipod. So to get the Sirius option working and the aux input am I going to have to pull the HU to install a switch to allow all 3 (sat, AM/FM, aux in) to function? That's one reason I was going to have the dealer install the Sirius, so I wouldn't have to pull it all apart right after I got it.... Tks again Howard

 

[DragoZERO]

Keep in mind you can purchase a Sirus receiver from retailers, such as RadioShack, or from Sirius directly and connect it to the AUX input.

 

[icspots]

The switchbox doesn't have anything to do with the AM/FM radio... that's integral with the HU. The switchbox allows you to connect the ACI, and the: sirius/phatbox/ipod adapter at the same time, and then access it by pushing the buttons you normally would. Unless your dealer says they'll install the switchbox for free then I would just do it yourself. The dash comes apart very easily, and the HU can be removed in less than a minute.

Like DragoZERO said you could get an aftermarket sirius (or XM) radio and plug it's audio output into the ACI. You wouldn't however get to control it from the stereo, and nothing would display on the LCD. Plus if you're just buying the sirius as part of your sale deal you can just finance the cost of it along with the car.

 

[Sealy]

[quote author=a310490 link=topic=68937.msg1193657#msg1193657 date=1170900912]- - - I assume you can just switch the radio from 'normal' AM/FM operation to 'Sirius mode' - - -
[/quote]

Another nice thing about the MZ3 - you can do all that with the buttons on the steering wheel, too.

 

[jlhct]

[quote author=icspots link=topic=68937.msg1194220#msg1194220 date=1170940459]
The switchbox doesn't have anything to do with the AM/FM radio... that's integral with the HU. The switchbox allows you to connect the ACI, and the: sirius/phatbox/ipod adapter at the same time, and then access it by pushing the buttons you normally would. Unless your dealer says they'll install the switchbox for free then I would just do it yourself. The dash comes apart very easily, and the HU can be removed in less than a minute.

Like DragoZERO said you could get an aftermarket sirius (or XM) radio and plug it's audio output into the ACI. You wouldn't however get to control it from the stereo, and nothing would display on the LCD. Plus if you're just buying the sirius as part of your sale deal you can just finance the cost of it along with the car.
[/quote]

If I can just ask a question about this because i'm a little confused myself

So I ordered the Sirius option along with the 6CD changer that plays MP3's. So with the dealer installed Sirius option, the Aux in jack in the console won't work anymore?

Thanks in advance for helping me understand

 

[Sealy]

[quote author=jlhct link=topic=68937.msg1197705#msg1197705 date=1171051842]
So with the dealer installed Sirius option, the Aux in jack in the console won't work anymore?
[/quote]

:dhorse:

Aye, matey! Not unless you get the $100 Magic Mazda switch to go with it. Go over to the Electronics board and poke around. There's a couple of threads that discuss it.

 

[icspots]

[quote author=Sealy link=topic=68937.msg1197967#msg1197967 date=1171056431]
[quote author=jlhct link=topic=68937.msg1197705#msg1197705 date=1171051842]
So with the dealer installed Sirius option, the Aux in jack in the console won't work anymore?
[/quote]

:dhorse:

Aye, matey! Not unless you get the $100 Magic Mazda switch to go with it. Go over to the Electronics board and poke around. There's a couple of threads that discuss it.
[/quote]

Exactly. The sirius and ACI use the same port on the back of the HU. Like Sealy said Mazda's switchbox (actually about $113 iirc) allows both to plug in and then be accessed by the regular buttons on the HU face.

 

[a310490]

So should the dealer have the '$100 Magic Mazda switch' and be able to install that at the same time as they are doing the Sirius hookup? Thanks!

 

[Sealy]

[quote author=a310490 link=topic=68937.msg1198104#msg1198104 date=1171060557]
So should the dealer have the '$100 Magic Mazda switch' and be able to install that at the same time as they are doing the Sirius hookup? Thanks!
[/quote]

What a newbie! :lmao: :lmao: Rule of thumb to follow with Mazda - and just about any dealer: You will know more than them, if they do know - they won't tell you, whatever you plan - go over it with them in advance, and expect the worst - but be prepared to be orgasmic if all goes well.

They should have the switch and they should be able to do it in one install. Good luck! :goodjob:

 

[icspots]

Sealy, awesome answer.

a310490 like he said they can get the part, and they can install it. They may not have it in stock so call ahead and make sure they get one in. Or order it from one of the forum sponsors and just take it to the dealer. If you let them know that you want that installed too then they can take care of it, but they'll probably go ahead and charge you another hour's labor so be prepared to pay for it. I'd personally just install it myself and be done.

The p/n you need is in the audio input thread.

 

[freediverdude]

If this is part of a new car purchase, I recently purchased a new 2007 mazda3 hatch, and purchased the Sirius to be installed as part of the cost of the car. I took it back to the dealer about a week after delivery for them to install it (they had to order the kit). The antenna was placed on top of the car, just behind the regular antenna. But yes, once I got the car back, the aux input would not work, so I took it back, and they installed the switchbox for free, no questions asked. I just said "now the aux port doesn't work", and they fixed it. So you might avoid having to take it back again by informing them of needing the switchbox when they install the sirius, and that you need the aux port as well. But they shouldn't charge extra.