I'd like to share my experience with the XM Radio kit from Coastaltech. First I'd like to say, I order the XM Radio and it was delivered 4 days later. I've read the posts concerning late or non-communication, but my purchase for the XM radio could not have been smoother. The installation instructions were excellent. The installation required about 4 1/2 hours to complete. I'm no speed demon, but I spent 40 minutes trying to get the XM plug into the back of the stereo. If you have a big hand you can forget doing it without taking apart the dash. I have very slim long hands and it came in handy during the installation. I wanted to mention the installation of the XM connector for one reason. To succeed, I crammed my hand into the narrow opening and was able to align the connector, but could not reach it to push it in. I used an 18" Drill bit from the bottom side using it as a lever and pushed the connector in until it snapped. For anyone planning or performing the installation this information could be invaluable. I think I celebrated for about 15 minutes after realizing I would not have to take the dash apart. XM brings up the quality of the JBL system. I'm used to the BOSE system in a Denali, so I'm a little disappointed in the JBL system in comparison. I'm going to look to add a sub-woofer or something to add bass to the system. So any ideas, please reply. Installing the cable after getting the connector in was not difficult, but time consuming, since I did not want to break anything on my new Prius. One other thing to mention, when removing the back storage box. The bottom screw is a plastic clip that looks like a screw. Turning it with a screw driver does nothing except mess up the fake screw head. It simply snaps off with upward preasure. I'm thrilled to have the XM Radio back and would recommend installation for anyone that has the time and patience to complete the job themselves. Just another proud owner of an excellent car! 2006 Silver Prius - NAV with XM Radio I hope these details will help someone else in the future. ---Kent
Do you get more than 10 characters line of text on song and artist? I heard that limitation was based on the XM radio not the MFD. I had the unit in my 2005, but for the 2006 I have been waiting for the new one from Toyota because that is supposed to not have the 10 character limitation.
Unfortunately, I have found that the 10 character limit is a true. I was not aware that any changes were in the future. I might have waited, but truely I missed the XM radio enough to install it with a 10 character limit for both the text and song artist.
I received an XM Radio (Roady XT) & 3 months subscription as a gift. I was thinking of using the plugs in the glove box - for power & sound - for now to see if we would keep up the subscription. But I need to see if there's a special adapter or something to make it work that way. Anybody else know for sure? Currently it's on the home stero (had to buy the kit) and it works great.
I plug my roady in the console dc outlet and in the aux input. I just put the antenna in the console also. Even with the antenna in the console the reception is pretty good. I am waiting on the toyota xm solution.
I'm using a MyFi while waiting for the Toyota unit. Using the Aux jack in the center console and the antenna is on the dash at the right front. Works fine. For power, I and others using an iPod experienced hissing when using car power. Other threads discussed. I am just using MyFi battery.
I was using the Delphi MyFi, but whenever it needed charged the hissing in the radio drove me crazy. That's when I ordered the unit from Coastal. I'm satisfied, but I like the XM in our Denali, it scrolls for long names. In reality, I usually don't care a whole lot who sings the song. I'm not a music buyer other than the XM subscription.
Where did you put the antenna? Was the antenna cable run to the exterior of the car? I have been looking at the Coastaltech XM and am glad to hear that it came quickly.
For the people waiting for the Toyota XM unit, do you expect that you can add the XM unit to your current 2006 Prius? Do dealers usually accomomdate that? Thanks, Still waiting for my 2006 pkg #8
From what I received on another post: "Yes - According to My Dealer Sounds like the March XM Radio option will be available for all 2006 Prius with the Type I (JBL) sound system." And it sounds like there will be no 10 character limitation.
The funny thing about this is that it only takes 15 minutes or so to take apart the whole dash. And then it's real easy to plug the cable into the back of the radio. The only two panels that are hard to remove is the driver side air vent next to the door, and the air vent to the right of the MFD (which you had to take off anyhow). The rest of the panels just pop off with very little effort.
My hands are about as big as they come, and all I had to do was remove the glove compartments and the air vent, as per the Coastaltech instructions. It took me a while to get the connector on there, but it was worth it, because even if it only takes 15 minutes to take that dash apart, I know when I put it back together, I'll end up with parts left over!
My fear of taking the whole dash apart was that I'd end up with rattles that I could not fix. I'm happy with the installation, but had I known it was eash to take the whole dash apart I would have considered that method. ---Kent
For those who believe they need a subwoofer try this first: Increase both treble and bass controls while leaving the midline tone control alone. I am experiencing great bass and treble response this way. I am finding no need to install a subwoofer as a result. Cheers
Thanks for the suggestion. I have played with the settings moving both the bass and midline up and did not like the sound. I will try your suggestion before looking at a sub-woofer. ---Kent
Grettings! I just received my factory XM radio kit from Discount Toyota Parts. The one thing missing, however, are installation instructions. Would any of you be willing to share a copy of yours? thanks, Evan
