TERK Toyota XM interface $99

Thanks all for this thread. I just installed the Terk kit in my 2006 Prius and used the 3 months free promo code.

I, too, installed the hardware just forward of the MFD. I just popped the JBL center speaker out and slid in the components (after the dash, radio and MFD were removed). Fairly easy!

So far I am happy... for the price I can't complain too much about the 10 character annoyance. Although with today's technology I don't understand why there is a character limit.

I could never justify "paying" for radio, but local stations are driving me crazy with commercials. But with these promos... what the heck!

 

Here are a couple of photos of my Terk XM installation. The main receiver box is attached with some double-sided sticky foam bits and a couple of tie-wraps. In the close-up, you can see where I drilled a hole into the ventilation duct support for one of the tie-wraps. The smaller interface box is attached to the receiver box with more double-sided sticky foam. I also put a bit of self-adhesive vibration-absorbing mat on the other side of the receiver box, so it would not rattle or buzz. (It is a rather tinny box.)

The antenna is on the back of the roof, and I ran the antenna cable back under the right-side door sills, etc.
The detailed illustrated instructions that a couple people have posted were indispensable- I would never have attempted to tear into my dash without them!

Doug

 

I just installed mine in my 07 NO JBL. It works great...I don't have an AM-SAT button, but the AM button cycles through the SAT presets and AM (obviously...it's not like printing "SAT" on a button is magical). I wrapped the units in hobby foam to cushion against vibration, and zip-tied them in place. I hope heat isn't an issue.

I did have one scare when I turned the car on...I got the red exclamation point of death, and the icon on the MFD that means "take to dealer immediately." I turned the car off and back on, and after the third try, it went away and hasn't come back. Weird.

Thanks to all for posting your pics and advice--made it very easy, and thanks to Eddie for the great walkthrough of taking the dash apart.

 

Hey

Can somebody PLEASE tell me the headunit number on their prius 2006 base (no option) in the US.
This number is right between the words toyota and CDS under the volume button


Tx

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny @ Jan 18 2007, 09:45 AM) [snapback]377267[/snapback]</div>

Ill take one....

 

I can confirm that the Terk XM Direct definitely works with the 2006 Prius with the "Package 3" MP3/WMA (non-JBL) radio, which is not the "satellite ready" radio. I installed it, thanks to momanz' boldness in ordering it even though it wasn't listed as compatible! and also to Eddie Bell's excellent illustrated instructions.

Even though the Package 3 radio isn't the "satellite ready" one, the XM Direct system works fine and exactly like it would if it *was* satellite-ready. You just press the AM button repeatedly and it toggles through AM/SAT1/SAT2/SAT3. It automatically detects when the satellite controller box is installed and adds SAT1/SAT2/SAT3 to the rotation. The kit also includes a pass-thru cable so you can add an additional accessory (like maybe a CD changer or something?)

I used to have a Roady, but this Terk kit is sooooooooooo much better. Integration with the Prius' own radio, having interaction on the MFD and the text display... it's just night and day different, and easily the best $99 you can spend. And yes, the $99 kit does include absolutely everything you need to make your Prius have XM (but you do, of course, have to activate and pay for the subscription).

A few things on the install -- Eddie's instructions are 46 pages long, but I found that I didn't have to use almost half of that. The XM Direct controller box and receiver both fit snugly behind the radio. Momanz' picture shows the receiver wedged in behind the radio, and the controller box down below that; I found I could get both the controller box and the receiver behind the radio. (Maybe the "satellite ready" radio is larger? I don't know, I just know that the Package 3 radio had enough room behind it to fit both components). I wedged 'em in with a bit of shipping foam to avoid rattle, and strapped 'em in with cable ties.

Also, Eddie's instructions have you mounting the receiver in the back of the car (the hatch) and removing the rear seat and running the cable the length of the car. You can avoid all that if you just mount the receiver and controller behind the factory radio. Makes the install much easier. You also don't have to remove the rightmost Instrument Panel Register Assembly No. 2 (page 11) or route the cable behind the glove box (pages 20-26); those are steps in preparation for mounting the receiver in the rear of the car. I stopped at page 27 because the install was done, so everything from 28 to 46 is, IMHO, not necessary. But the level of detail he goes to in those instructions is phenomenal; hats off to him for doing so much work and posting it freely for us to use!

Anyway, this is my first post here and I just wanted to say thanks to PriusChat for leading me to this Terk XM Direct solution. It's fantastic.

 

I am thinking of grabbing the $99 XM solution for my 07 w/ JBL. Has anyone figured out the logic to the 10 character vs. 16 Character limitation? From reading the many posts about the XM install everyone seems to have different results…I *THINK* the character limitation is tied to the head unit you have (nearest I can tell) but I'd like to ask anyone that has an 07 w/ JBL if they have installed the $99 Term solution and if it will in fact get you 16 characters.


If it's not the head unit that dictates the limitation, what is?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hryb @ Feb 19 2007, 03:08 AM) [snapback]392751[/snapback]</div>

I believe the limitation has to do with how the interface communicates with the head unit. The radio in the 06/07 Prius is the same and there are reports in this thread that the Terk unit will only display 10 characters.
It's hard to complain about the price.
If you want 16 Characters you will have to get the new Toyota factory version or the Vais.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobR @ Feb 19 2007, 09:25 AM) [snapback]392814[/snapback]</div>

Anyone got a part # for that Toyota XM receiver? I assume it can be a self install like the Terk solution? Is the increase in charachter count the only plus?

 

I just bought and have not yet taken delivery of an 07 with package 5. I want add XM and have looked at Factory Interactive and Coastal Tech and others, they all run 295 or so and seem to be the same except for antenna and instructions.

I like the $99 Terk solution and don't really care about the character count, but have three questions:

1. You say the only difference in the Terk XM is the character count, I take it that all the other features work, e.g., presets, control buttons on wheel and voice activatation?

2. I like the idea of an on-dash XM antenna, but can't see how it could be as good as an outside antenna, is this an issue? What about the micro-antenna's. I have seen posts on this but don't remember and think they were not recent--sorry if reasking a beat up question.

3. I live in south Florida and would really like to get the traffic-nav, but I have only seen it on the Alpine and I think the Garmin. Since I have the factory navigation system, I am not going to toss it and pay $1,500 + to get the Alpine. I called XM and they were brain-dead on this (and all the above--useless-they wanted to sell me a miniXM for the Prius that needed a home docking station). Can I get traffic-nav with the Terk or anything else (of course if I pay the extra subscription)?

By the way, great forum--it made an impact on my decision to buy the Prius, now I am excited and hope to be able to contribute in the future.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gsjmia @ Feb 26 2007, 08:50 PM) [snapback]396991[/snapback]</div>

I tried mine on the dash mainly to reduce the time and hassle of routing the cable through the car. (I installed the radio myself.) I figured I had nothing to lose by at least trying it. A side benefit would be not having to worry about the long-term effect on the paint on the roof. I've had it there for about two months, and so far so good. I plan to leave it there permanently.

 

I have a basic "07, package two, and have tried, unsuccessfully, to install the Terk $99 xm unit. The first time I put it in, I got Sat 1, 2 and 3, but after I buttoned up the dash, I got nothing. I took it all apart again, tried several times before contacting XM fan store who sent me out a new unit.
I put this one in, very carefully, and got nothing. I called an radio installation store here and they said they had tried the same thing with a Prius and could not make it work. Several people say they have made it work with the same equipment I have. Any suggestions? Could it be in the radio itself? I still have am, cd FM 1 & 2, etc., but not Sat. I love my Prius and would love to have XM, especially at the $99 price.

 

Does anyone know how this unit will interface with the Lockpick from Coastal Electronics? I know the Lockpick unit has a female connector for other things that need to plug into the radio via that one long connector that the Lockpick uses. Just wondering if there are any compatability issues at all.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrbogie @ Mar 15 2007, 04:19 PM) [snapback]406256[/snapback]</div>

My advice...try again. I know it's a pain to take the car apart. When you put the dash back together, it's possible that one wire was pulled loose, or something. Try it again and see if you get a signal when the car is dissasembled. Also, try "paging" through the bands first with the AM button, then use your mode button on the steering wheel. It seemed like it took mine a few minutes to "discover" it.

I can verify that I have an 07, Package 2 (or B), non JBL, no NAV, and it works in my car.