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Dealer installed an XM Antenna for my Built In Sirius! Will it work properly?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by dfine1966, Aug 25, 2007.

  1. dfine1966

    dfine1966 Junior Member

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    Just quick background. I bought a new 2007 Prius, PKG 5, and had the Sirius built into the Navigation system. The only problem was that they put the Sirius Antenna on the dashboard, instead of the roof. Of course I got lousy reception because of it. Last week I went on vacation, so I left the Prius at the dealer so they could fix it. I talked to my sales guy and their tech guy who was doing the installation and told them exactly where I wanted the antenna and what type and brand I wanted. I even brought pictures. I just got back this morning from my family's vacation and went over to the dealer to pick up the car. I saw the car waiting for me when I pulled in. I went over to see the installation, and to my amazement, the had installed an XM Antenna, with XM plain as day on the antenna, on my Prius. I can't tell if it is even a magnetic or not which I had asked them to install. I didn't try to pull it to see, that's all I need is scratches on the roof. My Sales guy told me to take it home this weekend and try it out and let him know on Monday. The tech guy won't be back till Monday. It does seem to have better reception then when it was on the dashboard. I am still unsure if using the XM antenna will help or hurt the reception. I am not sure how they connected it, unless they used an adapter.

    Beside that, they scratched my dashboard in a couple of places, so they are going to fix that next week.

    My question is

    1. Is it alright to use an XM antenna for the built in Sirius?

    2. Should just have the replace and put in what I asked for.
    I wanted either the Terk or Monster small Sirius antenna's that were magnetic.


    They did put it where I asked though, right behind the FM antenna.

    Please let me know what you think I should do?
     
  2. Vagabond

    Vagabond Active Member

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    Maybe yes, maybe no. If it uses the older 2-lead style then it's not going to work all that well.
     
  3. dfine1966

    dfine1966 Junior Member

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    I am not sure. I can't tell what type of connection they used. I am so frustrated by them not listening to what I asked for, I am going to have them change it out just for the principle of the thing. I feel like I have to be there just make sure they do it right. But, a busy schedule doesn't allow me to do that. I want a magnetic antenna that was made for Sirius, not XM. I really don't want to be unsure if the XM antenna will work or not work. Plus with them damaging the dashboard, that really ticks me off, especially on a new car that is only 2 weeks old.
     
  4. dsharp88

    dsharp88 New Member

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    No, it won't work very effectively. I don't remember the details, but I read a thread similar to this on an XM website and the two are not compatible. It has to do with compatibility of the antenna and the receiver not the inability to pick up the signal. In other words, using the wrong antenna will work until your receiver is irreparably damaged.
     
  5. dfine1966

    dfine1966 Junior Member

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    Does that mean I shouldn't use Sirius in my car until it get fixed, or can I listen to it until they get it fix. Or does it not matter, as long as it is connected to the XM antenna it will causing damage even if it is on or off.

    I am hoping to get it resolved Monday. I will probably have them replace the antenna, then come back another day for them to fix the dashboard. Because, who knows, when the fix the antenna they might damage something else.
     
  6. dsharp88

    dsharp88 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dfine1966 @ Aug 26 2007, 09:52 AM) [snapback]502328[/snapback]</div>
    I think you're OK as long as the Sirius receiver isn't running. Just listen to CDs, terrestrial radio, or your iPod until you can get a Sirius antenna connected.
     
  7. Vagabond

    Vagabond Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dsharp88 @ Aug 26 2007, 07:35 AM) [snapback]502324[/snapback]</div>

    ummmm, no.

    The two are compatible. Both operate on the same band. Older XM antenna's had separate wires for sat and repeater receiving. That's the only bad thing - if he has the older style he's not going to get the reception that he could have because Sirius never used a 2-lead so even if the tuner box was among the first ones made, there would be no place for both plugs to attach. Older XM antenna's do not work with newer tuners either.

    You CAN'T damage your tuner box. How could it? These are passive antenna's, there's no amp built into either of them.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dsharp88 @ Aug 26 2007, 08:13 AM) [snapback]502334[/snapback]</div>
    This is also wrong. Anything running on the BUS system of a Prius is always powered up just as soon as the car powers up. The power button on the radio doesn't make a difference, nor does the input selection. If the antenna was going to cause damage, it would be doing so when you touched the power button on the car, long before you touched the stereo.
     
  8. dfine1966

    dfine1966 Junior Member

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    I called Sirius and told them what was done using an XM antenna with the built in Sirius in my 2007 Prius. They told me, even with using the XM antenna, they haven't heard of any problems caused to the tuner or reception. They did say older XM antenna's would have problems but the newer one's should be fine. I have no way of knowing which XM antenna this is, old or new or if it is even a magnetic one. It looks like it is stuck on with some sort of sticky tape, which I asked them to use a magnetic antenna, not sticky. Plus on the antenna towards the top is a XM symbol on it. If it had no label on it, and it was an XM antenna, it wouldn't of bothered me, because I wouldn't of known about it. But with the XM on it, it bothers me. I think just of the principle of it, I want a magnetic antenna from Sirius, with no sticky tape on it. I guess, I might have to see what they are going to use.

    Are the XM antenna's better?
     
  9. BethlehemPrius

    BethlehemPrius New Member

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    Good luck with Toyota! For a company that makes such great cars, they install satellite for s**t! They put mine in the front on the windshield as that is where Toyota mothership tells them to place it. For paying top dollar, that is BS!

    Good luck! Get all your money back and buy a unit from Siriusprius and install it your self, very easy.
     
  10. GT in PA

    GT in PA New Member

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    I had XM installed by Toyota in my car. They put the antenna on the dashboard right side near the windshield also. The reception is shakey at best when going down a tree lined road or through mountains. I am debating on seeing if it will make a difference by moving it to the roof behind the radio antenna. It's ashamed to have to pay top prices for lousy installation service.
    GT
     
  11. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

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    i had a xm antenna once installed on a sirius radio, sirius wouldnt gaurantee it would work, i had to get it changed out, because the radio would curiously stop working during daylight hours, and would only work at night time, odd

    also im pretty sure sirius is line of sight only while xm has land based repeaters + line of sight.. not 100 % sure, but this way xm supposed to work better inside buildings then sirius


    yeah im right, the terresterial repeater feature of xm radio might make the antenna not work properly when attached to the sirius radio, they
    also use different frequencies.. best to go with what was supposed to go with the radio