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Sirius Radio Questions

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by BellBoy, Feb 15, 2008.

  1. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    I've finally decided to NOT wait for all of the BS with the Sirius merger to work itself out. I have a S50 in my center console and I'm tired of risking my life every time I want to change the channel.

    The g/f has decided to pop for the unit for a birthday present and I'm trying to figure something out. I can see this in the PC shop and I'd like to know if there's a difference between that and what I've been able to spot at my dealer as a Toyota part number that I can order. I think that the dealer part is more expensive since I think it is requiring a wiring harness in addition to the Sirius module and the dock that it plugs into and then into the car. Does the PC shop's item have everything I need for my 2006 pkg #8?

    Also...installation. How difficult it is to do it by myself? Are there any step-by-step threads here--I didn't find anything in a search. Should the antenna go inside (as I've seen in some posts here) or outside?

    Thanks in advance. :)
     
  2. PriConvert

    PriConvert Prius Convert

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    Search the forum for "Sirius Installation". The installation instructions are posted under a reply to my same question as yours. After reading them over, I had the dealer install the radio. My total, including the radio and labor was slightly over $400. Works great. If you take the vehicle to the dealer, make certain you ask that the antenna be placed on the roof rather than the dash. IMHO, it works better and looks much nicer; especially with the Shark Fin. Let me know how it works out for you.
     
  3. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    Thanks! Found them and downloaded them.

    Out of curiosity...how much did the dealer charge for installation? I am going to buy the radio unit--I just picked up the SC-C1 from BB and now I'm waiting for the TOY-SC1 unit to show its face. It does look pretty complicated to do myself, so I might have to go with the dealer or their agent.
     
  4. PriConvert

    PriConvert Prius Convert

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    I'm not certain about the labor since the charge included everything. Considering the MSRP of the radio, I think the labor was about $120 or thereabout.
     
  5. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    An update for anyone that's interested...

    I picked up the SC-C1 Sirius unit and I was waiting for the TOY-SC1. After calling NUMEROUS dealers and people that supposedly know their sh*t and getting nowhere, I finally found Directed's website and called their customer support. I finally got a straight answer: the TOY-SC1 is currently in testing with Sirius and is due to be released from testing at the end of this week. Whew...finally! So all of those jerks that told me they could have it for me in a couple of days were just trying to get my business.

    The only place that I could find that could tell me the truth was dogstarradios.com--which I found here as I just decided to look through just about every thread in this forum. They are offering a "invite only" special preorder link on their site (here). I contacted them through chat first since their order line was busy and the guy verified that I don't need an invite to get the lower pre-order price of $49.95 ($99 is list price, btw). They're thinking/hoping that the unit should be available around the first week in March. When I placed my order I was told that there were about 30 people ahead of me, but that they expect to get everyone taken care of in the first shipment.

    So now I get to wait. :( But I do have a place already picked out to do the install since I don't feel confident after seeing the step-by-step install.

    I'll give a shout out when I'm notified when the other module comes in.

    Edit: Oh! And since I have to wait, the SC-C1 unit that I got at Best Buy for $70 (since I was in such a hurry) is going back after I found a better deal online at tss-radio.com for $55 shipped. :)
     
  6. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

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    Try CircuitCity, I got the SC-C1 for $38.62. On the list at Dogstar, waiting on the TOY-SC1 Connect adaptor myself. I called Directed on 2-19 and they said delayed till mid March. I hope your intell. is correct.
     
  7. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    Hmm...interesting. I went to CC.com after reading your post in another thread and they had it for about double that--you must have stumbled onto some sale or something.

    Besides...for some reason, I was having problems finding stock around L.A. So I saved money over BB and that'll have to do me for now. ;)
     
  8. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    Since you got more from your call, I figured I'd call again to see if I got the same info. Yep...I was given a March 14th date for release. When I pushed on how solid the date was, I got a chuckle and they said, "it's always subject to change."

    Ah well...the waiting is the hardest part as Mr. Petty said. ;)
     
  9. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    TOY-SC1 Update: for those that care, I've heard from a couple of different vendors that the TOY-SC1 could be available for purchase as early as tomorrow.

    tss-radio.com tells me that they should be available for purchase starting tomorrow. dogstarradios.com tells me today that they should be in next week and that they should be able to go through "most" of the pre-order list. Hmmm...that puts me towards the end of that list. :suspicious:
     
  10. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

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    I heard the same thing from Dogstar . I hope it's true. I may soon (finally) have a factory like, fully integrated, 16 character, Sirius solution, for less than $85.00, in only a few days !!!!!!!!!!! Patience is a virtue.
     
  11. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    It's official...it's out on TSS-Radio right now.

    Patience might be a virtue, but boy it ain't easy to wait until next week when I can get it NOW. :dizzy:
     
  12. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

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    My patience was about to run out....
    Great update, Thanks. Notice the manual is available for download and viewing. It's neat the way the tuner and emulator connect together to make a single unit. And quite small they both are...
    Now I gotta decide where best to put it, and if I want to remove and replace my sharkfin to put the sirrius antenna under it.
     
  13. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    My patience ran out...I ordered one from tss-radio. :cool:

    Here's how my brain was working then--I order it and I get free shipping and it shows up mid-next week. If I don't hear from dogstar by that Friday that mine is shipping (or if they don't even have it yet), it's going into the car over that weekend and I cancel the dogstar order.

    On the other hand...if dogstar gets it when they say and I have one with my name on it, I'll return the first unit to tss. I explained the situation and they're cool with it as long as it's unopened and returned within 30 days. So either way I should have it up and running around next weekend. :)
     
  14. peakay

    peakay Junior Member

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    anybody have the required coupon code on tss to get the preorder special??
     
  15. TomTom

    TomTom New Member

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    I have a 2007 with the input jack in the console. I just ordered a Sirius Sportster 4 and hope to install it under the radio behind the plastic door or failing that remove that door and install it there. Has anyone done this? If so, how did you run the wires? Toyota has made the whole dash basically sealed and I am reluctant to drill holes so I can hide the wires. Help please if you have any good advice.
     
  16. TimMan

    TimMan AC or Bust

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    What should I install Sirius or XM???

    What is the consensus Sirius or XM radio in my Prius?

    I want to be able to integrate w/my display and not have any addl on my dash.

    I am unsure if I can plug in and hide behind the dash somehow and use my display to surf the radio.

    Anyone out there have a suggestion/recommendations???

    :confused:
     
  17. peakay

    peakay Junior Member

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    FYI, I went ahead and bought one and it processed wihtout the code.
     
  18. TimMan

    TimMan AC or Bust

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    Anybody!????????

    What is the consensus Sirius or XM radio in my Prius?

    I want to be able to integrate w/my display and not have any addl on my dash.

    I am unsure if I can plug in and hide behind the dash somehow and use my display to surf the radio.

    Anyone out there have a suggestion/recommendations???

    :confused:
     
  19. PriConvert

    PriConvert Prius Convert

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    TimMan, I've had both XM and Sirius and I prefer the Sirius line-up. Although there are similar channels on each, like CNN, I'm a Howard Stern fan as well as a fan of Bubba the Love Sponge; they are on Sirius. I prefer the comedy channels on Sirius and really enjoy all the NFL games on Sirius. I know that XM and Sirius might merge, but why wait. I'm certain everyone has their own opinion...but count mine big-time for Sirius. (I also think the sound quality is better on Sirius...but I'm also certain others will disagree.)
     
  20. BellBoy

    BellBoy Member

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    What PriConvert said. ;)

    Hopefully the merger will go through soon and it won't matter. Sirius all the way for me.