XM Radio in a Prius 2006?

[amv5169]

I'm a newbie Prius 2006 owner with navigation system. I am looking into getting XM radio installed on the satellite ready radio. Went to Circuit City, and they were puzzled as to how to do this on the satellite ready radio, and suggested getting a new radio. Called the Toyota Dealer where I puchased the car 2 weeks ago, and they quoted $379.00 to install a antennae and a receiver. The major cost was labor due to the extreme care needed (the antannae and receiver were only $110.00)!!!?? Has anyone had XM radio installed without the high cost of labor due to the extreme caution needed to work on a Prius? Any suggestions?

Living in So. CA

[DaveSheremata]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amv5169 @ May 16 2006, 11:13 AM) [snapback]256248[/snapback]</div>

I'm a newbie Prius 2006 owner with navigation system. I am looking into getting XM radio installed on the satellite ready radio. Went to Circuit City, and they were puzzled as to how to do this on the satellite ready radio, and suggested getting a new radio. Called the Toyota Dealer where I puchased the car 2 weeks ago, and they quoted $379.00 to install a antennae and a receiver. The major cost was labor due to the extreme care needed (the antannae and receiver were only $110.00)!!!?? Has anyone had XM radio installed without the high cost of labor due to the extreme caution needed to work on a Prius? Any suggestions?

Living in So. CA
[/b]

Just curious - did their price quote include an initial subscription? Many advertised deals for XM installations include 1 year of "free" XM service.

Dave

[aaf709]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amv5169 @ May 16 2006, 08:13 AM) [snapback]256248[/snapback]</div>

Has anyone had XM radio installed without the high cost of labor due to the extreme caution needed to work on a Prius? Any suggestions?

Living in So. CA
[/b]

I'm not saying it's easy, but it is possible to install it yourself. Here are the installation instructions. I don't think you really have to take all of the dash apart like they show. BTW, that price for radio with installation seems pretty good. Most places sell the radio and antenna alone for about $300.

[jsf]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 16 2006, 08:53 AM) [snapback]256281[/snapback]</div>

I'm not saying it's easy, but it is possible to install it yourself. Here are the installation instructions. I don't think you really have to take all of the dash apart like they show. BTW, that price for radio with installation seems pretty good. Most places sell the radio and antenna alone for about $300.
[/b]

I recommend waiting for the Toyota unit, which one dealer told me has not been released yet. Was expected in April.

The existing units will work but they limit the number of characters of the title and artist to 10 or 16 characters depending on the model. I had one in my 2005 and the 10 character limit was very annoying to me. That's why I'm waiting for the Toyota unit for my 2006.

If you do go ahead and have another unit installed, suggest ensuring the specific installer has experience with the Prius.

There is more discussion in the Audio and Electronics area.

[Rancid13]

I had my XM kit installed by a guy who does Toyota (Costa Mesa & Huntington Beach) audio & alarm installation locally. Total cost for my on-site installation was ~$250; he came and installed it for me in the parking lot at my work back in February, and I've been more than happy with it thus far. I listen to it every day! Here's his company info, I forgot his name though, but he was a very nice guy...


Exclusive Audio & Alarm
2328 N Batavia St
Orange, CA 92865-2026
(714) 283-3119 or (714) 223-9005

[Jim1eye]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsf @ May 16 2006, 12:54 PM) [snapback]256325[/snapback]</div>

The existing units will work but they limit the number of characters of the title and artist to 10 or 16 characters depending on the model. I had one in my 2005 and the 10 character limit was very annoying to me. That's why I'm waiting for the Toyota unit for my 2006.
[/b]

How did we all survive before we could read the name of the artist and title of the tune on our radio while driving our car?

It is a lot easier to install than you think. Factory Interactive includes an excellent installation DVD

[manderson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amv5169 @ May 16 2006, 11:13 AM) [snapback]256248[/snapback]</div>

I'm a newbie Prius 2006 owner with navigation system. I am looking into getting XM radio installed on the satellite ready radio. Went to Circuit City, and they were puzzled as to how to do this on the satellite ready radio, and suggested getting a new radio. Called the Toyota Dealer where I puchased the car 2 weeks ago, and they quoted $379.00 to install a antennae and a receiver. The major cost was labor due to the extreme care needed (the antannae and receiver were only $110.00)!!!?? Has anyone had XM radio installed without the high cost of labor due to the extreme caution needed to work on a Prius? Any suggestions?

Living in So. CA
[/b]

[scionfriar]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim1eye @ May 17 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]257102[/snapback]</div>

How did we all survive before we could read the name of the artist and title of the tune on our radio while driving our car?

It is a lot easier to install than you think. Factory Interactive includes an excellent installation DVD
[/b]

So which is better, factoryinteractive or metrotpn, and why?

TIA!

[ambrothe]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scionfriar @ May 17 2006, 04:22 PM) [snapback]257110[/snapback]</div>

So which is better, factoryinteractive or metrotpn, and why?

TIA!
[/b]

Both show the same XM radio/kit, which is a Toyota product (made for the Toyota Solara). Installation is intimidating only because the greater part of the dash needs to be removed, but it's actually pretty easy if you take your time because most of the panels are only held in by tabs. I bought the Metrotpn kit last May and installed it myself in about 3 hours, which is longer than necessary only because my laptop battery died while I was doing it (thus taking away my instructions).

I even hid the XM antenna in the spoiler by cutting a small hole that is entirely hidden by the third brake light, making it completely integrated. I have the strong suspicion that the kit that everyone is waiting for is very similar to the one currently out there....

[jsf]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim1eye @ May 17 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]257102[/snapback]</div>

How did we all survive before we could read the name of the artist and title of the tune on our radio while driving our car?

It is a lot easier to install than you think. Factory Interactive includes an excellent installation DVD
[/b]

How did we all survive before we had a navigation screen with a moving map display that we could look at while driving our car, or a phone we could talk on while driving our car?