XM radio released yet?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kente777 @ Apr 10 2006, 03:12 PM) [snapback]237685[/snapback]</div>

You've been able to get one that works with the MFD since the 2004 model first came out.

CoastalEtech and a few other sites sell it, but you basically just order an XM kit for a Toyota Solara from your local dealer and it plugs right in. Note that Coastal and others may sell it for less than your local dealer, however.

Just search the Forums for "XM radio install" for all sorts of threads discussing it.

 

I was waiting for the xm kit, but now may just buy the pioneer inno.

http://img.xmradio.com/innodemo/index.html...aign=innolaunch

 

How does the Inno hook into your car audio? The website was slim on details.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(talonts @ Apr 12 2006, 05:22 PM) [snapback]238725[/snapback]</div>

I have the VaisTech SLX installed in my Prius and it works perfectly. The only limitation on characters is the MFD. It is great being able to see the whole artist and song.
http://www.vaistech.com/slx.html

I had the Coastal XM before this. It worked great, but for whatever reason, the display is limited to 10 characters.

The SLX needs the Terk XMDirect. The price varies wildly for it, so if you do go this route, it pays to do some shopping.

http://homepage.mac.com/brusso/PriusRadio/PhotoAlbum46.html

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SLC-UT @ Apr 12 2006, 08:11 PM) [snapback]238839[/snapback]</div>

It seems to have an fm transmitter built in.

 

I have been waiting for the Toyota XM for the Prius as well. I want the full character display, and my understanding is that all of the other models limit the display to only 10 characters.

Any word on availability?

/Jim

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(flynz4 @ Apr 15 2006, 08:07 PM) [snapback]240303[/snapback]</div>

The Vais SLX does not limit the characters.
http://www.vaistech.com/slx.html

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobR @ Apr 15 2006, 06:17 PM) [snapback]240335[/snapback]</div>

On their website states text is 16 characters. Better than the 10 character limitation of the other unit, but I read somewhere that the upcoming Toyota branded unit has 30 character capacity for artist line and song line.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsf @ Apr 16 2006, 12:53 AM) [snapback]240445[/snapback]</div>

I noticed the 16 character limitation as well. I think the full implementation would be 32 characters. Does anyone know if Toyota released theirs yet?

/Jim

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DocToss @ Apr 13 2006, 12:17 PM) [snapback]239309[/snapback]</div>

If it's like the Pioneer AirWare, there's a base which can supply power and connect to your audio (mine came with a cassette adapter). There is also an FM transmitter.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(flynz4 @ Apr 17 2006, 01:53 PM) [snapback]241068[/snapback]</div>

I talked today with the salesperson who sold me my 2006 Prius. I'm also getting a Camry Hybrid. I don't have specifics, but I asked her about the Toyota XM status and she said they're experiecing "bugs" with both the XM and Siruis units.

Not sure if it's related to the static I've seen other people having on other threads.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Truffles @ Apr 21 2006, 02:09 AM) [snapback]243017[/snapback]</div>

According to my Toyota Dealer, the Prius XM radio install kit was released today. He placed an order for me. The radio is a seperate item...

No word on release of the Sirius Kit...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ Apr 21 2006, 08:14 PM) [snapback]243427[/snapback]</div>

Wish my Toyota dealer had a clue about this... I've mentioned what I've read her on PriusChat to him several times and he still doesn't know about the XM install coming.

 

Just FYI for all of you...I had my seats and door panels removed for after-market leather, so I carpe'd the diem and installed the Solara XM into my Prius during that time. It took three hours instead of the advertised two, but that was largely my needing to dismantle the dash three times for various screws, bolts and stupidity.

Having the seats out may have made the cable run to the back of the car a lot easier, but I did need someplace to sit occasionally, so bring a lawn chair or something if you do it that way. (I'm guessing most of you won't.)

I couldn't wait for the new XM, so I'm saddled with the 10-character limit, but I really don't care. The add-on cost just $250 and I'm REAL happy with both myself and the built-in XM. Baseball and hockey scores thankfully don't exceed the display limitation, so life's OK.

Most of all, I now know how the dash and the back panels come apart, and that knowledge is golden. Especially when you leave a bolt behind.

So the answer is, yes - someone in the LA area did the install. But no - he doesn't want to do it to your car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobR @ Apr 13 2006, 12:26 PM) [snapback]239101[/snapback]</div>

Where did you install the Vais interface?

Where did you install the XM Direct receiver?

Where did you install the antenna?

How do you change from the Preset display to individual song/artist text information?

How do you change channels?

Thanks

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kente777 @ Apr 10 2006, 03:12 PM) [snapback]237685[/snapback]</div>

I'm intrigued by the person who posted that his dealer is now able to order the XM Radio. My dealer hasn't gotten that far yet.

I called Toyota and after an interminable wait to talk to a real person was told that the problem was that XM had not yet provided the units to Toyota and that Toyota was being supplied by XM.

I then called XM and they said they would have to check higher up the management ladder and get back to me, which they did. They said that they didn't know when the XM Radio would be available for the 2006 Prius and that the problem was with Toyota.

I always thought Toyota was stellar in working with its suppliers but they're not living up to the reputation in getting us the Sirius and XM Radios even those Coastaletech has been able to supply radios for the Prius for several years. Unfortunately I live in California and I don't want to install it myself and Toyota management advises against installing the Solara unit in Priuses.

In this case Toyota blames XM and XM blames Toyota so no one is willing to take responsibility for getting this obvious add on to drivers across the Toyota fleet.

Still all my friends have Prius envy (we have two of them) so Toyota engineers get it right even if Dealer support in the US appears to be lousy.

Tomorrow, armed with the posting that says that at least one dealer has been able to order the unit, I'll go to my dealer to see if Toyota met its April availability commitment or if the responsible Toyota managers need a round of retraining.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ Apr 30 2006, 01:14 PM) [snapback]247589[/snapback]</div>

I have the XM Direct receiver and the SLI in my glove compartment. The SLX is tucked behind the radio.The antenna is installed right behind the AM/FM antenna.
The cable for the antenna is very thin and long; I was able to run it along the passenger side all the way behind the radio.
I have the SLX setup as Sat Radio. It acts exactly like the factory satellite radio, except there is only a limitation of 16 characters. So changing channels, presets, etc. is exactly the same as the factory unit. I'm planning on doing some tests as a CD Changer and see if I like the way it acts better.
Here are a few pictures of it in action:
http://homepage.mac.com/brusso/PriusRadio/PhotoAlbum49.html

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobR @ May 1 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]248015[/snapback]</div>

What is the SLI?

Vais indicated in an email that they hope to have a Sirius version in the next two months...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ May 1 2006, 09:56 PM) [snapback]248296[/snapback]</div>

The SLI is Vais Tech's iPod interface.
http://www.vaistech.com/sli.html

I set the SLX up as a CD Changer. It is amazing that Vais was able to squeeze all of the XM Radio information into the CD Changer interface. This is a great option if your radio doesn't have the Sat interface.
I'm going to leave the SLX on Sat Radio.
I was also able to squeeze the SLX and SLI behind the radio.