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

Factory XM Radio INSTALLED

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by jenlynmc, May 24, 2006.

  1. jenlynmc

    jenlynmc New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2006
    19
    0
    0
    I got a call today that my dealer had received the factory XM radio for my 2006 Prius. Once I picked myself up of the floor, I set an appointment and drove over this afternoon and had it installed. It is working fine, but I need some lessons to use it! I thought I'd tell everyone who has been posting (like me) wondering about the availability.
     
  2. SteveS

    SteveS New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2005
    188
    0
    0
    Location:
    Upper Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jenlynmc @ May 24 2006, 07:27 PM) [snapback]260591[/snapback]</div>

    Prices? How does it work? Functionality?
     
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Post some photos. Esp. of the display of the title and any other interface buttons and such. What about features and things. I know there are a LOT of people interested in this.
     
  4. abjrjrm

    abjrjrm New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2005
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, Ca
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 24 2006, 04:47 PM) [snapback]260606[/snapback]</div>
    What was your installed price? I just made an appointment for tomorrow with my dealer - he quoted me $299 parts and $130 labor to install. Most important - how many charachters do you get!!!! Thanks!
     
  5. dvdirv

    dvdirv Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2005
    144
    13
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I had my XM installed today as well. The total came to $499, broken down as $199 (XM tuner), $100 (mounting kit), and $200 (labor).

    The dealer originally wanted to charge $315 for labor but I asked them to match Toyota's estimate.

    You do get more than 10 characters for display. However you need to press "TEXT" in order to read the display, otherwise it just shows your 6 pre-programmed channels per page (3 in all).
     
  6. jenlynmc

    jenlynmc New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2006
    19
    0
    0
    It was $595 installed. That was the price I paid in March when I bought the car and they "ordered" it for me. I get 16 characters on each display line. There are two display lines, one for the song and one for the artist. I'll post some photos in the AM. I tried just now, but it is too dark and they don't show up well.

    It worked fine on the way home. I didn't like that it kept going back to the consumption display from the audio display. I will store some presets in the morning and test the scan and up/down. The owners manual doesn't give great instructions on the type scan, but I hope I can figure it out. If there is an auxiliary manual that comes with it, I wasn't provided that. I plan to call the dealer in the morning to find out. I'll also pull the paperwork and see if it has item #s.
     
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The switching back to Consumption is a user adjustable function...I think under the INFO button, but I always have to poke around to find it.
     
  8. YBLee

    YBLee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    54
    1
    0
    Location:
    Assonet, MA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    How does it sound relative to the FM Radio? I have been using XM for years with direct connect via Aux and and Alpine Net and also with FM modulators either built into the head or external via the type that insert ib the antenna lead. Antenna lead is better but more work! Intergration is great but for $600 it needs to sound great too!
    Also, just spoke to a dealership in Norwood, MA, they said they will not be installing XM in any Hybrids due to the complexity of the install! What is that all about? Anyone else run into that?? I'm starting to think the new Pioneer portable at $399 +$39 for car kit is a better deal and much more flexible a product. Thoughts appreciated.
     
  9. 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(YBLee @ May 25 2006, 10:31 AM) [snapback]260941[/snapback]</div>
    I have the Pioneer AirWare portable and am currently using the cassette adapter (I have a 2005) although I'll be going to the DICE as the 2005 doesn't have the AUX input. It really sounds great. It cost $200, which helped in the decision. :) If the cost for an installed one were lower, I would've gone with that. Of course, with the Pioneer, I can use it also at home and outside.

    As for installing a built-in being hard, several on the list have installed it themselves. The one's available have a 10-character limit, but cost about $299.
     
  10. jenlynmc

    jenlynmc New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2006
    19
    0
    0
    It sounds better than the FM did so far. My FM reception always had some static.
     
  11. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2005
    1,407
    10
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YBLee @ May 25 2006, 01:31 PM) [snapback]260941[/snapback]</div>
    Do the install yourself, then it would only cost $200 to $300. Many people, including myself, have installed the Solara XM radio into our '04 and '05 Priuses. It's not that hard and takes maybe 2 hours because of how careful you are likely to be.

    Search this site for XM and you ought to be able to find dozens of articles describing how to do it.
     
  12. YBLee

    YBLee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    54
    1
    0
    Location:
    Assonet, MA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thx aaf709. I may just do the install my self. Couldn't be that difficult I guess. I have only seen threads that have dealer installs. I will search for the "do-it-you-selfer" if I can find the excitement in it! Otherwise, the flexibility of moving from HB to MC to Home is very cost effective. Thinking!!!!!!

    Thx Marlin. I'll be on the search this evening. BTW, what is the Solara XM unit?
     
  13. jenlynmc

    jenlynmc New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2006
    19
    0
    0
    Thanks for the tip about the screen switching back. I found the button. Now I am completely happy, riding in the cute prius listening to the xm.
     
  14. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2005
    1,407
    10
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YBLee @ May 25 2006, 04:47 PM) [snapback]261047[/snapback]</div>
    The one that everyone here has installed so far on the '04s and '05s is actually the XM radio for the Toyota Camry Solara. There are a variety of places that sell it as a kit for the Prius, including a Toyota dealer in Cincinatti (I think) at www.metrotpn.com, Factory Interactive at www.priusxm.com, and Coastal Tech at www.costaletech.com

    It just plugs into a port in the back of the Prius radio and each vendor has slightly different instructions about where to actually mount the XM device. My guess is that the new Prius one is probably the same radio, but with an official mounting bracket and location.
     
  15. itsnice2be

    itsnice2be New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2006
    2
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jenlynmc @ May 25 2006, 09:29 PM) [snapback]261127[/snapback]</div>
    I can't find the button to prevent the screen switching back. Could you give step by step instructions? Thanks!
     
  16. 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(YBLee @ May 25 2006, 01:47 PM) [snapback]261047[/snapback]</div>
    Here's the installation instructions from Metro (which Marlin mentioned). This is not the only way, but it gives you an idea. The nice thing about these instructions is that it shows you how to remove the rear seat (bottom part) in case you want to install seat covers. :)

    P.S. If that link doesn't work, go to http://www.laaudiofile.com/bta6100.html and scroll down about 1/2 way to the paragraph entitled Just What We Needed. Then click on the link in that paragraph.
     
  17. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2005
    1,407
    10
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
  18. itsnice2be

    itsnice2be New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2006
    2
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(itsnice2be @ May 26 2006, 11:47 AM) [snapback]261317[/snapback]</div>

    I found it! Skip the instructions. Thanks ! :)
     
  19. YBLee

    YBLee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    54
    1
    0
    Location:
    Assonet, MA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Had anyone tried one of the external XM units through the AUX input and if so, does the intergrated unit sound any different or better?
     
  20. ambrothe

    ambrothe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2005
    99
    5
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jenlynmc @ May 24 2006, 07:27 PM) [snapback]260591[/snapback]</div>
    Where is the antenna installed? I'm just curious as to where Toyota dealers are putting the antenna with the official Prius XM installation. I put in the Solara kit a year ago and put the antenna inside the spoiler so it is completely hidden, I'd just like to know where dealers plant it as well.