1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

XM Radio in a Prius 2006?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by amv5169, May 16, 2006.

  1. amv5169

    amv5169 New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2006
    1
    0
    0
    I'm a newbie Prius 2006 owner with navigation system. I am looking into getting XM radio installed on the satellite ready radio. Went to Circuit City, and they were puzzled as to how to do this on the satellite ready radio, and suggested getting a new radio. Called the Toyota Dealer where I puchased the car 2 weeks ago, and they quoted $379.00 to install a antennae and a receiver. The major cost was labor due to the extreme care needed (the antannae and receiver were only $110.00)!!!?? Has anyone had XM radio installed without the high cost of labor due to the extreme caution needed to work on a Prius? Any suggestions?

    Living in So. CA
     
    #1 amv5169, May 16, 2006
  2. DaveSheremata

    DaveSheremata New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2004
    249
    15
    0
    Location:
    Arlington, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amv5169 @ May 16 2006, 11:13 AM) [snapback]256248[/snapback]</div>

    Just curious - did their price quote include an initial subscription? Many advertised deals for XM installations include 1 year of "free" XM service.

    Dave
     
    #2 DaveSheremata, May 16, 2006
  3. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2005
    3,862
    18
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amv5169 @ May 16 2006, 08:13 AM) [snapback]256248[/snapback]</div>
    I'm not saying it's easy, but it is possible to install it yourself. Here are the installation instructions. I don't think you really have to take all of the dash apart like they show. BTW, that price for radio with installation seems pretty good. Most places sell the radio and antenna alone for about $300.
     
    #3 aaf709, May 16, 2006
  4. jsf

    jsf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2005
    155
    0
    0
    Location:
    Anytown
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 16 2006, 08:53 AM) [snapback]256281[/snapback]</div>
    I recommend waiting for the Toyota unit, which one dealer told me has not been released yet. Was expected in April.

    The existing units will work but they limit the number of characters of the title and artist to 10 or 16 characters depending on the model. I had one in my 2005 and the 10 character limit was very annoying to me. That's why I'm waiting for the Toyota unit for my 2006.

    If you do go ahead and have another unit installed, suggest ensuring the specific installer has experience with the Prius.

    There is more discussion in the Audio and Electronics area.
     
    #4 jsf, May 16, 2006
  5. Rancid13

    Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2005
    2,452
    3
    0
    Location:
    Los Alamitos, Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I had my XM kit installed by a guy who does Toyota (Costa Mesa & Huntington Beach) audio & alarm installation locally. Total cost for my on-site installation was ~$250; he came and installed it for me in the parking lot at my work back in February, and I've been more than happy with it thus far. I listen to it every day! Here's his company info, I forgot his name though, but he was a very nice guy...


    Exclusive Audio & Alarm
    2328 N Batavia St
    Orange, CA 92865-2026
    (714) 283-3119 or (714) 223-9005
     
    #5 Rancid13, May 17, 2006
  6. Jim1eye

    Jim1eye Shaklee Ind Distributor

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2005
    181
    0
    0
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsf @ May 16 2006, 12:54 PM) [snapback]256325[/snapback]</div>
    How did we all survive before we could read the name of the artist and title of the tune on our radio while driving our car?

    It is a lot easier to install than you think. Factory Interactive includes an excellent installation DVD
     
    #6 Jim1eye, May 17, 2006
  7. manderson

    manderson New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2006
    3
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amv5169 @ May 16 2006, 11:13 AM) [snapback]256248[/snapback]</div>
     
    #7 manderson, May 17, 2006
  8. scionfriar

    scionfriar Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2006
    29
    1
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim1eye @ May 17 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]257102[/snapback]</div>
    So which is better, factoryinteractive or metrotpn, and why?

    TIA!
     
    #8 scionfriar, May 17, 2006
  9. ambrothe

    ambrothe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2005
    99
    5
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scionfriar @ May 17 2006, 04:22 PM) [snapback]257110[/snapback]</div>
    Both show the same XM radio/kit, which is a Toyota product (made for the Toyota Solara). Installation is intimidating only because the greater part of the dash needs to be removed, but it's actually pretty easy if you take your time because most of the panels are only held in by tabs. I bought the Metrotpn kit last May and installed it myself in about 3 hours, which is longer than necessary only because my laptop battery died while I was doing it (thus taking away my instructions).

    I even hid the XM antenna in the spoiler by cutting a small hole that is entirely hidden by the third brake light, making it completely integrated. I have the strong suspicion that the kit that everyone is waiting for is very similar to the one currently out there....
     
    #9 ambrothe, May 17, 2006
  10. jsf

    jsf Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2005
    155
    0
    0
    Location:
    Anytown
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim1eye @ May 17 2006, 12:52 PM) [snapback]257102[/snapback]</div>
    How did we all survive before we had a navigation screen with a moving map display that we could look at while driving our car, or a phone we could talk on while driving our car?
     
    #10 jsf, May 18, 2006
  11. Jim1eye

    Jim1eye Shaklee Ind Distributor

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2005
    181
    0
    0
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsf @ May 18 2006, 09:13 AM) [snapback]257427[/snapback]</div>
    :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Remember when you used to have to go home to see if you had any phone messages? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
     
    #11 Jim1eye, May 18, 2006
  12. nmrickie

    nmrickie Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2004
    200
    7
    0
    Location:
    New Mexico
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Does anyone know how many characters the Prius XM kit will have?
     
    #12 nmrickie, May 19, 2006
  13. flynz4

    flynz4 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2005
    329
    13
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nmrickie @ May 19 2006, 06:39 AM) [snapback]257992[/snapback]</div>
    It should be the full 32 characters.

    Personally, I would not install any unit until the 10 character limitation is fixed unless there was no other option in sight. Add me to the list of people waiting for the Toyota release.

    /Jim (not so patiently waiting)
     
    #13 flynz4, May 21, 2006
  14. BobR

    BobR Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2005
    336
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(flynz4 @ May 21 2006, 04:06 PM) [snapback]258902[/snapback]</div>
    I have the Vais SLX / Terk XM Direct combination.
    http://www.vaistech.com/slx.html

    It supports 16 Characters, which limited by the XMDirect, not the SLX. It works perfectly and is very easy to install.
    http://homepage.mac.com/brusso/PriusRadio/PhotoAlbum46.html
     
    #14 BobR, May 21, 2006
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)