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satellite radio: yes or no?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by drumslinger, Jul 9, 2010.

  1. drumslinger

    drumslinger future hybrid owner

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    On the Toyota website and in their brochure, under the audio section, it says the radio has "integrated satellite radio capability." Capability? Kind of ambiguous. Do you get an actual XM or Sirius radio built-in? If so, which one, and do you have a choice?

     
  2. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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    I think you get 3 months XM subscription free!!
    I'm hooked now, great sound anything you want to listen to.
    Got a year for like 88 bucks, worth it!!
    What are you going to buy??
     
  3. drumslinger

    drumslinger future hybrid owner

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    I am still deciding between a Prius V (like you) and a Subaru Outback. I see you live way up north in the snow belt. How does your Prius handle the snow?
     
  4. xbdude

    xbdude opticat

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    By all means, get the XM radio. It's great! Mine came with the Solar package, along with navigation and the JBL sound system. I had a Sirius radio in my 2006 Prius and just had to have satellite in my 2010. Go for it.

    It is an XM (but Sirius and XM have merged) and it is built in.
     
  5. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    When your free 3 months are almost up call them and ask for the $88/year special, if you don't ask the price is quite a bit higher.

    Yes I enjoy it, lots of programming choices.
     
  6. archermoo

    archermoo New Member

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    Actually that deal is now available signing up on the web. :)
     
  7. anonymoususer

    anonymoususer New Member

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    I wish XM was available in Hawaii =(
     
  8. Barefoot

    Barefoot Junior Member

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    Where I drive, there are lots of tall dense trees, and the sat reception sucks.
     
  9. berliner

    berliner New Member

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    If I sign up for XM it not so much because the awesome satellite radio but the bad FM receiption :(

    Anyhow, I am wondering if I still got the dealership demo mode? I can dial in most of the stations, but I can't store them like the FM stations. And if so, maybe my trial period hasn't even started yet?

    What does your trial mode look like?
     
  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    If you get a model with the NAV, which the V will definitely have, the XM is built in and you get a free three months trial period. After that you can sign up to continue.

    I love the SAT radio on mine. Driving to work and back and/or driving across the state and not having to change channels or listen to commercials is really nice. Once I had the three month trial period I was hooked. I got the $88 offer for the first year.
     
  11. Voltan

    Voltan Junior Member

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    I don't like XM. The sound quality is squawky imo. And stations like Bloomberg and CNN do have commercials. I think they're just the audio portions of the TV programs. When the 3 months is up, I won't miss it a bit.
     
  12. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Prius II has ability but needs a receiver installed. It's ability since it has the antenna.

    Prius II, IV and V have everything in there for it. You get 4 free months.

    As for yes or no, I say yes I like it. But search around on here and get a deal don't pay full price up front.
     
  13. Marvinh

    Marvinh Marvin

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    Barefoot - Is your satellite antenna inside or outside the car? I started with the XM antenna inside and had terrible drop outs. I then had the antenna moved to the outside (pasted on the roof) and the reception is perfect now.

    Marvinh
     
  14. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    He has a 2010 Prius IV which comes with XM. On the 2010's the satellite antenna is mounted in the base of the radio antenna on the roof...

    Either the antenna Toyota is using sucks or there is a deeper problem, maybe they need a buffer to read ahead more. When I had installed my own sirius in my 2006 i had one of those flat magnetic antennas on the roof and it worked perfect, never a dropout unless stopped under an overpass etc. With my 2010 it does drop out MUCH more often, even just under dense trees etc.
     
  15. Mike@Lincoln

    Mike@Lincoln Junior Member

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    I tried to find the special rate on their web site but could not!:mad: Where exactly do I look to find it..
    Thanks for the help
     
  16. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    You need to talk to a human. You most likely will not get it unless they think they need to give it to you to keep from losing your business, but since you will be talking to a human, YMMV.

    PS, I'm in Lincoln too.
     
  17. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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  18. archermoo

    archermoo New Member

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    On the main page there is a link for XM in you vehicle. From there there is a link for Extend your subscription. From there put in your radio ID and zip code, and then the $77/year option should be there. There is an additional $11 and change on top of that.
     
  19. mainerinexile

    mainerinexile No longer in exile!

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    My Sat reception is also spotty. It cuts in an out if a bird flies over, it seems. And the sound quality on my JBL system is tinny and thin. It sounds like a 1960s AM radio: no bass, ~50% harmonic distortion. And yes, I have the cound settings adjusted so that it SHOULD sound OK. For me, XM is '57 channels and nothing on'.
     
  20. EmuMessenger

    EmuMessenger New Member

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    I have the same question. When I took delivery last month, there was absolutely no discussion about the audio system but got a note in the mail yesterday from XM congratulating me on my purchase and telling me about the 90 day trial. They also had my VIN and XM radio ID.