XM Radio questions
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 277
Re: XM Radio questions
Originally Posted by Anahymbrid
I finally came to the realization that spending THAT kind of $$$ was absurd, when I currently own a Roady which works fine. I've had my Roady sitting in the center console cupholder area, with wires running everywhere and the antenna sitting on the passenger seat (getting very poor reception!).
Today, I decided to do the REAL installation. I quickly decided that the magnet mount antenna would NOT be going on the roof. There's just no way to get the wire into the car neatly. Sooooooo.... I mounted it on the rear deck under the back glass. Strung the wire under the trim, then down the rear seat back, down to the rear door sill, up to the front and under the glove box and on into my new mount area for the Roady...
The Roady was tricky to mount with a "professional" look. I built a brushed aluminum bracket and mounted the device to the bracket with two screws (hidden from rear). The top of the bracket mounts to the top of the center console storage bin... just behind the shift lever... using double sided foam tape. It's right next to the power and the AUX, so it's really simple to get the wires there cleanly.
Looks great, and the reception is perfect. There's still access to the storage area, so I didn't even lose that space! Incidentally, I mounted the antenna to the back of the deck with a little bit of the double sided tape, as the magnet doesn't do anything (the deck is plastic!). The tucked-in wiring would have prevented the antenna from moving around, but the tape just keeps it secured.
Net result is that I now have XM working with a good looking installation... for no cost (just my existing Roady). The volume control is integrated (works off the steering wheel controls)... but obviously, it's not integrated with the NAVI for changing XM channels. I need to press the buttons on the Roady for that... but they're really easy to reach (with hand resting on the parking brake).
If anyone needs to see photos, let me know and I'll take 'em and post 'em.
Today, I decided to do the REAL installation. I quickly decided that the magnet mount antenna would NOT be going on the roof. There's just no way to get the wire into the car neatly. Sooooooo.... I mounted it on the rear deck under the back glass. Strung the wire under the trim, then down the rear seat back, down to the rear door sill, up to the front and under the glove box and on into my new mount area for the Roady...
The Roady was tricky to mount with a "professional" look. I built a brushed aluminum bracket and mounted the device to the bracket with two screws (hidden from rear). The top of the bracket mounts to the top of the center console storage bin... just behind the shift lever... using double sided foam tape. It's right next to the power and the AUX, so it's really simple to get the wires there cleanly.
Looks great, and the reception is perfect. There's still access to the storage area, so I didn't even lose that space! Incidentally, I mounted the antenna to the back of the deck with a little bit of the double sided tape, as the magnet doesn't do anything (the deck is plastic!). The tucked-in wiring would have prevented the antenna from moving around, but the tape just keeps it secured.
Net result is that I now have XM working with a good looking installation... for no cost (just my existing Roady). The volume control is integrated (works off the steering wheel controls)... but obviously, it's not integrated with the NAVI for changing XM channels. I need to press the buttons on the Roady for that... but they're really easy to reach (with hand resting on the parking brake).
If anyone needs to see photos, let me know and I'll take 'em and post 'em.
In a nutshell; !. Magnet antenna is on roof near front left corner. Wire trails down length of left pillar under the black trim, then snakes back up the other side going into the car near the seem of the door/carframe interface.. 2. It travels down along the front most part of the door and basically is hidden as it is snaked under the front dash over where your feet are as they operate brakes/accelrator. 3. Comes out near the power source and auxillary in right where the Delphi Car unit is mounted.
I am sorry for not giving a better description. The only visible wire part was when you would open the front door and look for it as the wire came into the cabin, and only a very short length.
That all being said. I do prefer to keep my antenna inside the passenger compartment, which is how I had it in my previous car.
Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 64
From: Gilbert, AZ
Re: XM Radio questions
I just ran my antenna under the dash, up the drivers side door and put the antenna on the dash behind the mph "hump". Wires can be pushed into the many crevices of the dash.
Ran my power to the outlet in the center console under the armrest. Shortened my aux line to about 3 inches to reduce the clutter. Only thing which kind of sticks out is the aux line, but I can live with that.
Amazing, how many options and variations of the install we have come up with.
XMfan.com and XM411.com have lots of install topics posted and if you have partiular questions, somebody usually responds.
Ran my power to the outlet in the center console under the armrest. Shortened my aux line to about 3 inches to reduce the clutter. Only thing which kind of sticks out is the aux line, but I can live with that.
Amazing, how many options and variations of the install we have come up with.
XMfan.com and XM411.com have lots of install topics posted and if you have partiular questions, somebody usually responds.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 655
From: Anaheim Hills, CA
Re: XM Radio questions
Originally Posted by traderfjp
Thanks for reminding me that I could mount the antenna to the rear deck. I did that in my 99 Maxima and received decent reception. How does your Roady sound broadcasting over FM? Is there static? While an auxillary tuner, like yours works, I still think it's ludicrous that we have to play these games and compromises by using FM. I'm sure the signal is compressed too.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 655
From: Anaheim Hills, CA
Re: XM Radio questions
Regarding roof mount... I didn't want to start prying that black trim piece out, so I didn't know if I could mount the wire under it.... Thus, my decision to go to the rear inside deck. I hadn't thought of mounting on the dash hump, that probably would have worked well! Oh well... it's done, and it looks decent where it is!
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 38
From: SF Bay Area
Re: XM Radio questions
Personally I think you'd have to be a little crazy to pay $900 to install XM in your hybrid. Unless you are seriously in love with having control of the radio through the Nav system, I can't see any benefit to it.
For a lot less you can get any one of a number of XM receivers and with the proper cradles, also have XM in your home and/or other vehilces. I have a XM2GO Tao receiver (exactly like the Delphi MiFi) which I used to use in my now deceased Acura and now use in my HCH. The Tao/MiFi/AirWave also has the ability to record 5 hours of programming automatically so you always have fresh "mp3-like" programming in addition to the live radio.
If I was buying today I'd go with the new Pioneer Inno. It is a XM receiver as well as having 50 hours of recording which can now include your own mp3s. Plug that baby into the Aux jack of the HCH and it would take you about 4 or 5 tanks to run out of muisc.
Dan
For a lot less you can get any one of a number of XM receivers and with the proper cradles, also have XM in your home and/or other vehilces. I have a XM2GO Tao receiver (exactly like the Delphi MiFi) which I used to use in my now deceased Acura and now use in my HCH. The Tao/MiFi/AirWave also has the ability to record 5 hours of programming automatically so you always have fresh "mp3-like" programming in addition to the live radio.
If I was buying today I'd go with the new Pioneer Inno. It is a XM receiver as well as having 50 hours of recording which can now include your own mp3s. Plug that baby into the Aux jack of the HCH and it would take you about 4 or 5 tanks to run out of muisc.
Dan
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