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XM Radio

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by FKEELER, Jul 3, 2005.

  1. FKEELER

    FKEELER New Member

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    I just brought home my new 2005 Prius (pkg. 6-$1,500.00 under MSRP). I have XM radio and I am looking for suggestions on mounting positions. I had it originally mounted on the dash using a mounting bracket, in my 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid that I traded in. Anyone else have one??[font=Arial:699138f179][/font:699138f179] :D
     
  2. CAPT Seabee

    CAPT Seabee New Member

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    I have the MyFi and use the Belkin cup holder mount. I place the unit in the front cup holder. The lines run up into the center console so I just pick the whole unit up to hide it out of view. I ran the antenna in by the rear hatch, behind the right tail light assembly, and then along the right side until crossing over to the center console.

    The portable works great with all my airline travel. The E-Coupon ride is the integrated XM radio that is controlled through your video and mode button. There's lots of info on this board on that option.

    You'll have to decide how to interface the unit. Anything beyond FM wireless modulation requires access to the head unit and a major dash disassembly job. Fortunately the clip system makes it easy albeit many steps. If you Google Eddie Bell's XM installation guide you get some idea.

    Warm regards....
     
  3. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    [font=Comic Sans MS:cce3a7363a]I don't have XM, but I'm thinking of getting it.

    I was talking to a guy at Best Buy who said they have installed XM units in Prii, putting the antenna in front, under the dash near the GPS antenna, and wiring it into the MFD, which is capable of controlling the receiver, even with voice command. I didn't have time to get a price from BB.

    Prius XM has a unit you can install yourself for $295. I'm thinking the hardest part is finding the interface cable, since the XM Direct Tuner and Micro antenna, available from XM Radio, directly, is $50. [/font:cce3a7363a]
     
  4. Emilyjohn

    Emilyjohn New Member

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    Bill, my wife and I installed XM thru PriusXM, using the DVD as a guide. I bought a micro antenna with splitter from Myradiostore.com. Installation took about 2 hours with no hitches. Well worth it.
     
  5. FKEELER

    FKEELER New Member

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    Hi All,
    Thanks for responding. I have an XM Roady2 with the built in FM modulator. Its designed to wire directly to the radio.

    I do not know what the PriusXM is...I guess I will have to get educated. I just don't want to take my car to Best Buy and have some Want-A-Be Audio Specialist use my new Prius as a prototype testing vehicle. I'll have to call around and see who has done it in my area

    It appears to me the mounting bracket can be mounted right under the center dash console (under the CD glove box). Its just a matter of getting to the back of the radio. I have the BC-Pkg with the GPS and the JBL radio/CD changer.

    Thanks for your comments and help. :lol:
     
  6. Emilyjohn

    Emilyjohn New Member

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    PriusXM is one of the cottage industries that has opened around the Prius. Located in northern NJ, he supplies the Panasonic unit made for the Toyota Solara. It's adaptable to the Prius; and the DVD he supplies with the unit makes the installation a real snap. My wife and I had a blast completing the installation with no parts left over. www.PriusXM.com...good people; fast response; good luck!
     
  7. FKEELER

    FKEELER New Member

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    Okay..... By going to the website and also calling Best Buy, I now have gotten educated on this issue.

    In order to use my Roady2 unit from my other car, it would be mounted on the center console under the radio system. Power and the antenna cable would be run to it. The Roady2 gives off a signal that the radio would then pick-up and transmit over a pre-selected FM setting.

    Its that or.....

    Buy the PriusXM unit, which is fully intregated into the MFD unit. The XM satellite tuner (a special receiver unlike the stand alone unit like a Roady2) is placed into a rear compartment of the car. The wiring is run thru the vehicle, and I assume, under the carpet on the outer edges until you get it up to the front dash. Then its wired into the back of the MFD. The kit runs about $295, which includes the tuner.

    Now I got to figure out what to do with my Roady2 which I just got this past Christmas.
     
  8. tleonhar

    tleonhar Senior Member

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    I use the Roady 2 with the antenna behind the regular antenna in the back with the lead down through the hatch/taillight and under the carpet. The unit is mounted under the flipper compartment in the center mounted with a universal kit I got from Best Buy. Obviously no control through the MFD but hay, it works.
     
  9. fmva

    fmva New Member

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    I have a SkyFi2 and I had it installed just under the audio system and the little drawer. I think that this is the perfect place as the screen is easy to see, it is easy to reach the buttons, and isn't very obvious from outside the car. My installer also mentioned that since the front of that center post is not heavily curved it is an easy install and you can center the unit. My installer also noted that the wires for the outlet under the glove box were nearby and he attached the wiring for the radio off those wires, so it is like having an extra outlet (I use the one in the console for my ipod). Hope your install goes well!


    2005 Pkg 6 Salsa Red Pearl
     
  10. dschuetz

    dschuetz New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fmva\";p=\"104002)</div>
    We just got a SkyFi2, and have settled on that as the best place, too. How'd they install it? (the supplied SkyFi2 mount can't swivel far enough to be useful). I'm considering just getting a metal bracket and bending it to the right angle, then using the two adhesive pads that came with the SF2.

    Did he simply plug into the lower-right dash port, or did he actually go into the dash and find a direct power tap? I'd rather do the latter, if possible, to keep that power port free. Also, where'd he put the antenna? (and how'd he route the wires, if you know)


    Thanks!

    david.
     
  11. elitman

    elitman New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Emilyjohn\";p=\"103893)</div>
    What made you decide to go with the Micro antenna (I assume you mean this one) vs. the one that PriusXM ships with the unit?

    Thanks,

    Eric
     
  12. toyotapartsnow

    toyotapartsnow New Member

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    The micro antenna is much smaller than the unit that comes with the Toyota kit. They work equally well.
     
  13. ltu1542hvy

    ltu1542hvy New Member

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    Count me as another satisfied customer of the PriusXM kit. After doing the install myself (with NO prior car audio installation experience), the only way you can tell that it is not a factory install is by the small antenna on the back, which is a small black box that mounts near the rear edge of the roof. Even if a smaller antenna is available, the one that comes with the kit is small enough that I do not find it a obtrusive or distracting in any way, and I have not felt myself tempted to spend any money on a smaller antenna. The integration of this kit with the MFD, the voice navigation and the steering wheel controls in my opinion is absolutley fantastic. The installation took also took me about two hours, and the DVD that came with the kit was a godsend. I watched it twice before installing the kit, and while installing the kit I had the DVD in my laptop on the back seat of the car and kept playing and pausing it at every step of the installation. If it weren't for the DVD I doubt I would have attempted to install it myself going by the written instructions alone. The installation does require taking the dashboard apart, removing and reinstalling several moldings and peeling back and replacing parts of the carpet, which is a pretty scary thing to do to a brand new car. However all parts just snap back into place and afterwards look like they were never even touched.
     
  14. kaptaink

    kaptaink Junior Member

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    I just installed my xm2go on the center console just below the flip door,close to the carpet so that the wires dont show. Tucked the wires into the bottom of the console . . .and around to the antenae location just behind the regular antenae. I used two peaces of velcrow to fasten it to the console. The antenae wire is punched thru the trim piece and runs down the trim and under the edge of the carpet.