AUX in Satellite Radio Install

[aygood]

What is the best way to neatly install a satellite radio plug and play device through the Aux in center consul port? I've read through a bunch of threads and many people refer to this, but nobody has any specifics for a clean installation.

I've had the Sirius "Orbitor" plug and play device for 2 years. And now that I have a 2006 Prius, I think it's time for an upgrade. The "Orbitor" is a bit old, big, and uses the FM modulator. Now that I have an Aux in port, it only makes sense to use this and get rid of all the static caused by the nearby NYC terrestrial radio stations.

I was thinking that the Starmate Replay is a good small devise. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any way to install using the center consul power and aux in without drilling. I'm not going to drill holes in the consul and worse case I'll run the wires through the top door, but there has got to be a cleaner way. I'm okay with running the antennae through to the back hatch, but I don't want to leave the receiver inside the consul. I was thinking that maybe the suction cup will adhere to the front cup holder cover once folded down. Or I could just leave the receiver loose in the cup holder...and put away when not in use.

Once Toyota figures out a static free >10 characters integrated device, I'll switch over. But until then, the Aux in portable unit seems like a great alternative.

[pre-cbs]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Priphontane @ Jun 19 2006, 09:23 AM) [snapback]273437[/snapback]</div>

What is the best way to neatly install a satellite radio plug and play device through the Aux in center consul port? I've read through a bunch of threads and many people refer to this, but nobody has any specifics for a clean installation.

I've had the Sirius "Orbitor" plug and play device for 2 years. And now that I have a 2006 Prius, I think it's time for an upgrade. The "Orbitor" is a bit old, big, and uses the FM modulator. Now that I have an Aux in port, it only makes sense to use this and get rid of all the static caused by the nearby NYC terrestrial radio stations.

I was thinking that the Starmate Replay is a good small devise. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any way to install using the center consul power and aux in without drilling. I'm not going to drill holes in the consul and worse case I'll run the wires through the top door, but there has got to be a cleaner way. I'm okay with running the antennae through to the back hatch, but I don't want to leave the receiver inside the consul. I was thinking that maybe the suction cup will adhere to the front cup holder cover once folded down. Or I could just leave the receiver loose in the cup holder...and put away when not in use.

Once Toyota figures out a static free >10 characters integrated device, I'll switch over. But until then, the Aux in portable unit seems like a great alternative.
[/b]

I bought the SV1 for $30 at Circuit City. I have a Center speaker above the MFD so I placed the magnetic antena on top of the metal speaker grill. I ran the antena wire down the speaker hole, under the carpet, into the center console where I keep the SV1. It's all out of site. Once the Toyota unit comes out I'll switch over. I only listen to Howard so I don't need access. You only need to remove the lower glove box, right vent and lower center plastic cover to get ot what you need. You'll also need to remoce the center console which is 4 10mm bolts. Very easy to do. All instuctions I found here.

[aygood]

That sounds like a nice clean option.

I listen to Howard a lot, but also other channels so I wouldn't want to keep the receiver hidden. I might just pull it out while driving. I don't mind it loose in the cup holder or seat (mine's loose now).

I've had my antennae on the center speaker for a while also, but I don't always get the best signal....could be the tree covered Merritt Parkway also. With good reception this would provide the cleanest installation.

How hard was it to run the antennae wire behind the dash?
And did you drill a hole in the bottom of the consule to let the antennae wire come in?

[pre-cbs]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Priphontane @ Jun 19 2006, 10:01 AM) [snapback]273462[/snapback]</div>

That sounds like a nice clean option.

I listen to Howard a lot, but also other channels so I wouldn't want to keep the receiver hidden. I might just pull it out while driving. I don't mind it loose in the cup holder or seat (mine's loose now).

I've had my antennae on the center speaker for a while also, but I don't always get the best signal....could be the tree covered Merritt Parkway also. With good reception this would provide the cleanest installation.

How hard was it to run the antennae wire behind the dash?
And did you drill a hole in the bottom of the consule to let the antennae wire come in?
[/b]

The dash was easy to dissasemble (use a needle nose to pull out the plastic plug holding the lower center plastic cover). I did not drill into the center console, I just ran the wire so that the armrest can open and close without clipping it. It will make sence when you look at the console from underneath.

[SCDrJ]

I have the Starmate Replay in the 06 Prius (got it for free with home kit purchase = $40, offer for current subscribers), it's a nice little device. It's just sitting there running over FM with the antenna on the front dash for now, as I just got the car 2 days ago, BUT... it fits the opening under the radio PERFECTLY in the "gap" around the rectangular opening with just a friction fit and the cover closes FREELY. At night, you can even read the display and fire the remote through the smoked plastic.

It's just a little static-y (only really noticeable on dead air or certain "talk radio" stations) over FM, so I will be running AUX wire soon. What I plan to do it this:

1) Put antenna just behind whip antenna over hatchback.
2) Drill very small hole in bottom of center console to run AUX wire from console to dash
3) Snip off the lighter plug and clip the wires into the center console's 12v port wires underneath so it will free up the port.
4) Undo dash and drill small hole at back of cubby under radio
5) Run antenna, 12v, and AUX wires through that hole to the Replay.
6) Enjoy stealth SIRIUS install for $40 plus my own labor.

I'll post pics when I get to it... Can anyone point to links/pics for front dash disassembly procedure?

[PriusInsight]

Why don't you just get the "professional" installation kit for the GTR Streamer/Starmate Replay. It has a power port, DIN install plate, and FM Relay.

Open the Dash, install the power port, remove the cd storage drawer, install the FM antenna relay, install the DIN plate, plug the power port into the starmate and the power port, plug the FM relay into the starmate and reinstall the Dash...

Don't forget to install the antenna on the dash where Toyota places the XM antenna. In fact, you can use an XM micro antenna with a single SMB connector and it will work perfectly with the

It will look great and sound great. The clear door will still close and no holes need to be drilled. You can use the remote control through the door....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SCDrJ @ Jun 20 2006, 03:39 AM) [snapback]273949[/snapback]</div>

I have the Starmate Replay in the 06 Prius (got it for free with home kit purchase = $40, offer for current subscribers), it's a nice little device. It's just sitting there running over FM with the antenna on the front dash for now, as I just got the car 2 days ago, BUT... it fits the opening under the radio PERFECTLY in the "gap" around the rectangular opening with just a friction fit and the cover closes FREELY. At night, you can even read the display and fire the remote through the smoked plastic.

It's just a little static-y (only really noticeable on dead air or certain "talk radio" stations) over FM, so I will be running AUX wire soon. What I plan to do it this:

1) Put antenna just behind whip antenna over hatchback.
2) Drill very small hole in bottom of center console to run AUX wire from console to dash
3) Snip off the lighter plug and clip the wires into the center console's 12v port wires underneath so it will free up the port.
4) Undo dash and drill small hole at back of cubby under radio
5) Run antenna, 12v, and AUX wires through that hole to the Replay.
6) Enjoy stealth SIRIUS install for $40 plus my own labor.

I'll post pics when I get to it... Can anyone point to links/pics for front dash disassembly procedure?
[/b]

[Tcrwfrd50]

I just installed a Sirius Sportster under the dash below the radio. I ran al the wires behind the lower panel and then ran the input under the carpet and drilled a hole in center console. I just plug into the aux and I;m all set. The sound is night and day above the built in FM transmitter

[SCDrJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ Jun 20 2006, 08:36 PM) [snapback]274496[/snapback]</div>

Why don't you just get the "professional" installation kit for the GTR Streamer/Starmate Replay. It has a power port, DIN install plate, and FM Relay.

Open the Dash, install the power port, remove the cd storage drawer, install the FM antenna relay, install the DIN plate, plug the power port into the starmate and the power port, plug the FM relay into the starmate and reinstall the Dash...

Don't forget to install the antenna on the dash where Toyota places the XM antenna. In fact, you can use an XM micro antenna with a single SMB connector and it will work perfectly with the

It will look great and sound great. The clear door will still close and no holes need to be drilled. You can use the remote control through the door....
[/b]

Thanks, just found out about this the other day - I will likely get the DIN plate only for $10 from the sirius.com, and then get a long AUX wire rather than using the FM. This will only require a small hole in the underside of the center console, no problem at all.

I'm also pondering the SharkFin antenna... The Sirius antenna that comes with the Starmate is certainly as small as the micro XM antenna, so it "should" fit... Anyone done this yet?

[PriusInsight]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SCDrJ @ Jun 21 2006, 11:04 AM) [snapback]274623[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, just found out about this the other day - I will likely get the DIN plate only for $10 from the sirius.com, and then get a long AUX wire rather than using the FM. This will only require a small hole in the underside of the center console, no problem at all.

I'm also pondering the SharkFin antenna... The Sirius antenna that comes with the Starmate is certainly as small as the micro XM antenna, so it "should" fit... Anyone done this yet?
[/b]

You can also use the XM micro antenna. It will work with sirius. Just make sure you have the single smb version.

I really like the XM micro antenna on the very front of the dashboard near the windshield.

When you do the install, don't forget to install a switched power port so you can power the sirius with it's auto cig lighter adapter...


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SCDrJ @ Jun 21 2006, 11:04 AM) [snapback]274623[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, just found out about this the other day - I will likely get the DIN plate only for $10 from the sirius.com, and then get a long AUX wire rather than using the FM. This will only require a small hole in the underside of the center console, no problem at all.

I'm also pondering the SharkFin antenna... The Sirius antenna that comes with the Starmate is certainly as small as the micro XM antenna, so it "should" fit... Anyone done this yet?
[/b]

One more thing...

The full professional install kit for the GTR streamer and the starmate includes a FM relay. This installs between the FM antenna of the car and the car radio. When you power the starmate, it will switch from the FM antenna to the FM out port of the starmate, replacing the antenna. This yields a very high quality signal, especially compared to broadcast FM modulator...

Another option is to get the SIMPLE version of the Vais interface or the Ipod version. This will allow you use a direct line out into the Prius Radio... higher quality. The simple version has two line in ports, the Ipod version has one port for the Sat Radio and one for an ipod.

A third option is to get the Vais interface for Sat Radio. The current version only supports the XM direct. It has one aux in for you to use with the Sirius Radio, but does have a second port for the XM direct. This way you can have both Sirius and XM in the same car. The XM will even work interfaced through the MFD.

In fact if you use a single smb connector XM micro antenna, you can use a single to double connector adapter to split the signal and use one XM antenna with both the Sirius Radio and an XM receiver! Very neat.

There are rumors of a fully integrated Sirius solution from Toyota this summer. The Toyota's Solar Sirius receiver can be used with a kit from SiriusPrius from Factory interactive. There is now a modification that allows this receiver to be used with the 2006 Prius. In addition Vais has mentioned that they are working to adapter their interface to work with a Sirius Receiver sometime soon...

Many choices, good luck

[mandymou]

I HAVE A SIRIUS S50 PORTABLE MP3 BLAH BLAH ALL THAT AND IT IS AN AWKWARD PIECE OF EQUIP
FOR MY CAR NOW, I WONDER HOW I WILL INSTALL THIS WHEN I GET THE PRIUS IN A WEEK OR SO. MY FRIEND IS A AUDIO INSTALLER BUT, MY CAR NOW HAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CENTER COUNSUL (SP) THAN THE PRIUS. IT IS SCREWED INTO MY CENTER COUNSUL NOW, ANYONE ELSE HAVE ONE OF THESE?