XM Radio kit from Coastal Tech

Here's Metro Toyota's installation instructions to show you what's involved (if that link doesn't come up, go to http://www.laaudiofile.com/bta6100.html and click on the link that starts with Just What We Needed about 1/2 way down).

I guess it depends on how you feel about taking stuff apart and such. I hear that it's time consuming, but if you're handy with tools it can be done at home. I went with the "quick and dirty" method and got a portable XM radio, so all I had to install was the antenna.

 

I installed the XM kit on my 2005, but I got it from www.metrotpn.com, where it was cheaper and since the Coastal site has a bit of a bad reputation.

It's the same radio regardless of whether you get it from Coastal Tech, Metro TPN (which is a toyota dealer), or Prius XM. It's actually the XM radio for a Camary Solara, but since all the Toyota radios are pretty much alike, it works for a Prius too. I assume it would also work in a 2006, but I can't guarentee it. There are some threads out there about an XM radio specifically from the 2006 Prius that will be released by Toyota as an option in a couple of months. You might want to research that.

I installed it myself. If you are even just a little bit handy, you can do it yourself. It will take a couple of hours and you get to remove a lot of dash parts.

If you search through my posts, you will find several of them where I post a link to a PDF that gives very explicit instructions for taking apart the dash. People are afraid of doing it, but it's really not that hard to do. Almost all the panels just pop off and snap back on. There are abbreviated install instructions out there that only require removing the panels on the passenger side of the dash if you have small hands that will reach back behind the radio.

You can find these instructions in several of the many iPod adapter threads on this site. (The iPod adapters plug into the same port on the radio)

 

I'm sure any car audio installation shop would be able to do the install. I installed XM in my 05 Prius and it isn't that hard to do, just scary to take your new car apart.
The only thing I'm not completely satisfied with the Toyota XM is the 10-character limit.
You should look into the Vais SLX.
http://www.vaistech.com/slx.html

 

www.metrotpn.com has instructions for installing the XM radio. It's instructions for taking apart the dash, however, could be more complete.

If you look at the thread that I link to below, which is about the Dension ice>Link, you can find a link to very explicit instructions for taking apart the dash. I highly recommend them. Look in post 17 of that thread for the link to the pdf file.

In post 12 of that thread, there is a PDF file with abbreviated instructions that require taking apart only the passenger side of the dash to plug in an iPod adapter. These instructions would also apply to the XM radio, since it plugs into the same port on the radio.

Ordered the Dension ice>Link

 

"http://www.vaistech.com/slx.html"

I'm not sure I understand their product. For $300 you get an interface that allows you to input a satellite radio module (plus the other set of audio inputs)...but the satellite module doesn't come with?? That is sold separately??

Does that mean all the other XM products out there (coastaletech, PriusXM, metrotpn) are a better deal 'cause you get all that's needed for XM reception? For the same money as the VAIS interface? Which is just that, an interface to hook up a satellite module?

Need some help here, what am I missing?

Curt.

 

The benefit to the VAIS SLX is that it adds an additional non-controlled audio input. So basically you'd have a line in to your stereo, just like some of the 2006 models.

You're right though....to use it you'd have to also buy a XM receiver, which I've seen for as cheap as $50 from Wal-Mart. I looked into getting this one, but went with PriusXM instead because I believe the Vais one emulates a CD changer and thus has a much less attractive interface.

- Kevin