Anyone try XMfanstore.com kit? Also, on the fence

I don't know what the stock system is like. The JBL system is not impressive, probably the worse "premium" system I've ever heard, but I no longer care enough to replace with an aftermarket system. I find it adequate.

I was originally going to take any package just to get my car sooner, but I decided to hold out for a BC (didn't take any longer). I'm glad I decided to get the Nav system - I use it far more than I ever thought I would. I use it to find restaurants in unfamiliar cities, and it's great to hit the "Info" button on a listing to call the restaurant and make a reservation.

You're confused. PriusXM's price is $4 less than Coastal Etech.

 

If you get the Prius without NAV, forget PriusXM and other sellers of
Toyota (Pioneer) tuners. They are truly integrated with the MFD
and require the JBL radio - part of the NAV package.

If you get the NAV package the Toyota XM tuner is worth the
cost difference for the full integration. My opinion.

After my wife heard XM, I got stuck getting her a unit for her
Sienna. I got the Delphi SkyFI2, which is usable both in her car
and in the house. More features than the Pioneer, but not
"integrated" with the car controls. Both good units.

Robert

 

That's not true, Robert. I bought and installed Jon's PriusXM integrated system that displays through the MFD. My car is a package 7 with no NAV system. Install time was about 3 hours with the assistance of Jon's instructional DVD. I also have the Sky-fi in my home but decided against using it in the Prius since I wanted the clean appearance and operation of a fully integrated system.

 

Detouring & auto-rerouting off I-81 this weekend for 20 miles because of holiday backup was worth something much more valuable than money - time. We probably saved a good hour off the trip, which meant getting home at 11:30pm instead of 12:30pm or later.

Even if I had never used the NAV system before last night, or never use it again, it was well worth the cost just for last night alone after driving for 8+ hours and wanting to be home.

As far as the XM decision, I went with PriusXM before XMdirect came out. I know both Coastal & PriusXM come with instructions (printed, and on dvd respectively) - and without that I would've been too afraid to find out how to remove any of the car panels or where to run the wire. However today there is a good deal of info on what to do alone on this site, so maybe XM direct would be all you need - but I'm not sure. Perhaps call around and see if any Best Buy, Circuit City, or other car install places have put the XM direct kit in a new prius, find out how much they charged/how difficult it was/etc.

-m.

 

I stand corrected - I really thought the JBL upgrade replaced
the radio too. The XM tuner plugs into a matching receptacle
on the back of the radio.

Robert

 

Regarding XMDirect compatibility with Prius/Toyota/JBL, etc., repeated pings on Crutchfield and Terk (the maker) produced only "we're checking". Even if it works, it's not integrated with the voice commands or steering wheel buttons.

I installed Coastal's edition in a friend's car and strongly recommend those folks - even if it's just for the relationship as a customer. That is the fountain from which flows all the Prius goodies, and they're terrific (no, I don't work there!). With respect to Jon, he's a one-trick pony (XM), and the Toyota partspeople can't even spell "Prius" properly.

Whether Coastal, Jon, or one of the Toyota parts suppliers, you will be buying a kit made for the Solara. It's 100% compatible with the Prius, but the short antenna lead means you must install the radio in the trunk or in the glove box with the antenna on the dash, up forward. In southern latitudes or cities with terrestrial repeaters, the dash works fine. I posted a "10 minute install" here.

 

A comment on non-integrated XM radio solutions: I picked up a Delphi MyFi at Circuit City this weekend, mainly for home/office/portable use, but also to use in my other vehicle, which only has a single-CD head unit (no aux inputs, no cassette).

The sound quality using the MyFi's wireless FM transmitter is horrible. Supposedly the quality using a wired FM modulator is better, and the cassette adapter is even better than that. I found the sound quality using the line out to be acceptable. On a Prius you can always use the cassette adapter and not have to use the FM transmitter, but beware on other cars where you have to use the FM transmitter. The sound quality sucks!

I may be able to wire some aux inputs into the CD changer controls on my other vehicle, but I really didn't want to have to spend any time or money on a vehicle I rarely drive.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy\";p=\"53582)</div>

Not to hijack the thread, but how is the MyFi? I covet it, not that I really have a use of it to warrant the $350 pricetag - Just will have to settle on upgrading my work Skyfi to a Skyfi2.

-m.

 

Circuit City got me too on the SkyFi2 - $99 on sale.

Mixed results on the FM transmitter - in the car it was really pretty bad
and we wound up using the cassette tape adapter. Signal would drop out.

In the house, the FM transmitter works wonderfully - both on the family room receiver (about 3 ft distance) and on the bedroom radio in the room above (maybe 15 feet through a floor). Wireless connection is
so good there was no temptation to hard-wire it.

Range is extremely limited - 15 feet through a floor is about the limit.
It does not cover your entire house.

Note: XM signal reception is far better if you put the XM antenna outside,
mounted on the house wall.

Robert

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rflagg\";p=\"53599)</div>

It's a pretty cool toy. I'm currently using it in a location where there are a lot of terrestrial repeaters, so drop outs, even indoors are not a problem. I get maximum signal strength in my office without even having a satellite antenna hooked up.

The price is a bit steep, and considering that I am not getting what I consider acceptable sound quality in my non-Prius car, I feel I'm not getting the full functionality from it. Some people have reported battery and reception problems with it on the xmfan.com forums. I don't have those problems, just crappy sound in my Jeep.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kschmohl\";p=\"54020)</div>

I doubt it will work, but would love to be proven wrong.

The adapter in question converts from Pioneer's IP-BUS, used by their Sat-ready head units, to the signal required by the universal tuner. If this worked with the Prius audio system, that would mean you could just use Pioneer's regular $149 XM tuner with the Prius too, as it uses the IP-BUS. I haven't heard of anyone trying that and succeeding.

Even if you did get it to work, would you be willing to live with the limitations listed here (last article on page):

Pioneer XM Tuner and SCION factory radio

I'll pay the $200 extra for the fully integrated unit.

 

This is worth repeating: PriusXM sells their installation DVD
for $29.00 and about $4 postage. Since you are taking out much
of the Prius dash, I advise getting the PriusXM DVD no matter
who you get the tuner from. Working on the dash is not
for the faint of heart (my MFD was in the back seat),
and the step by step video helped a lot.

Robert

 

One more note (subject to correction) - PriusXM, Coastal, and Metro all
use the same Toyota kit designed for the Solara. It is a Pioneer
XM tuner. The tuner cable plugs into a matching connector on the
back of the radio. Go with a merchant you like.

Robert