Which XM Radio to buy?

I had mine installed by the dealer from the Toyota parts department. $$$ but I get 16 characters in the display,

 

Consider the Vais Tech unit. See this thread for more.

 

I have the SLX, so I can't help you with any SLQ-specific questions.

I should have thought to include this set of instructions in my previous post. I used it mainly to guide disassembly of the dash, not so much for mounting of the hardware ... or the antenna. More on the latter in a minute.

With the auxiliary audio input jack on the SLX, I wanted it somewhere I could easily access it to plug in, say, an iPOD. So I put it behind the far right-hand AC vent panel by the passenger's door. (After you've pulled the vent panels off a couple of times it becomes second nature.) I placed the XM tuner in one of the nooks and crannies behind the dash. Sorry, I can't remember now exactly where, but there are probably a couple to choose from. Partly out of laziness, I chose not to physically attach either hardware unit to a mounting point. Instead, they're just sort of resting in their locations. To keep them from rattling, I wrapped each in a piece of rubberized shelf liner material. Actually, the SLX fits pretty snugly, so it probably wouldn't rattle anyway. No problems with rattling with either after over a year.

As for the antenna, again out of laziness (notice a pattern here? ), I chose not to follow the instructions. I had heard of others who simply place it on the dash. I figured I'd try that. Here's a pic. With the dash already apart, there was little additional work to route the antenna wire -- just removal of the plastic panel at the bottom of the little triangular window, and tucking the wire behind the dash from there with a thin dull object (I used a plastic knife). I figured if it didn't work, I could always go back and route it through the car to the roof as the instructions describe. As it turns out, it does pretty well. The signal of course drops in the usual places: in the mountains, through tunnels, etc. In addition, with the dash location I occasionally lose the signal with a heavy overhead tree canopy in the summer. My typical routes don't have many stretches like that -- just a couple of short segments of two-lane roads with tall trees adjacent to road -- so I can tolerate it.

As I described in the thread I linked previously, I first was going to have Circuit City install it, for $100.

 

Jimbok...where did you buy your SLX? dOES IT SHOW 16 CHARACTERS?

 

Direct from VAIS Technologies via their web site. Yes, it displays 16 characters.

 

So, radio does not need the PKG 3 Sat capability for this to work and integrate into the MFD/steering wheel? But Vais' site indicates no text unless the radio is SAT capable (but a little vague).

If so, I need to reevaluate PKG 2 vs 3. Pkg 3 adds CD changer, eligibility for OEM XM, bluetooth, anti-theft, auto-dimming rearview w/ HomeLink. At a cost of $1,530 MSRP.

All nice, but the Sun would keep rising...

 

I would also check the Prius accessory site here at Priuschat. The XM link is PriusChat Shop : Toyota XM Satellite Radio Kit [XM] - $265.00

Looks like you're ok with your 2007 showing 16 characters.

I have a 2006 and was told my JBL Premium would also show 16 characters.

 

BUY SIRIUS!!!!! They have Howard and the BRN. Besides, it'll all be Sirius eventually.

 

Sorry, I missed this when you first posted it. AFAIK, the basic radio is sufficient. You might call Vais to try to verify.

The packages differ from year to year, but the only options with my 2005 Package 2 were the Homelink mirror and Smart Key System -- no extra capabilities with the radio.

 

Summary of Choices.

So I've read through all of the threads relating to XM in the last 3-4 months and have concluded that for an integrated solution I have the following viable choices (after the warnings, I don't consider Coasteltech to be viable):

PC chat factory unit: $265

Identical unit from Metrotpn for $25 + shipping (though their site does not make clear EXACTLY what I need

Varias SL2xmt for $260, but that apparently requires I purchase a CNP2000, but their web site does not list it. So the cost will be higher.

Factory Interactive: $295

Are there any significant differences between these? From what I understand these are all multi part units, requiring some parts to be installed in the trunk area. Are there any significant differences in ease of installing these?