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XM Radio from Coastaletech

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by DPIStorm, Dec 23, 2007.

  1. DPIStorm

    DPIStorm New Member

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    XM Radio Questions...

    Anyone install the XM radio module from Coastaletech?

    Thoughts? is it a nice unit - integrated, etc? How hard is the install? I've been looking for the install instructions, but have been unable to find them.

    http://www.coastaletech.com/xm_radio_in_prius.htm

    Secondly, I already own a XM2Go radio which i will use in the office and at home. Does xm offer a discount for multiple radios? or will I have to pay full price for the car radio as well?
     
    #1 DPIStorm, Dec 23, 2007
  2. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    I can't answer your first question, but I will suggest you do some research before buying from Coastal. Their customer service record has been quite spotty. Many report good results, but others have had poor service.

    As for your second question, I'll assume you're talking about monthly service and not hardware cost. (The latter is controlled by vendors selling the hardware, not XM.) XM does indeed discount monthly service for each additional radio after the first: $6.99/month, vs. $12.95/month for the first subscription.
     
    #2 JimboK, Dec 23, 2007
  3. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    You can take a look at https://www.metrotpn.com/documents/PDF%20Files/Prius/Eddie's%20XMRadio%20Install/PriusXMradio3.2.pdf
    (or http://tinyurl.com/3rmjo )to see how it's done. Actually if you go to http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11607 and click on the PDF, that's a much easier way to get to the radio itself. Basically you plug the cable to the back of the radio and run it back to the truck area, where the unit itself is.

    If you don't want to use Coastal, Factory Interactive sells the same unit. You can see it at http://www.factoryinteractive.com/PriusXM/
     
    #3 aaf709, Dec 23, 2007
  4. DPIStorm

    DPIStorm New Member

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    Ok a couple of more questions...

    So basically - I could purchase the XM Radio Kit, as well as the DICE Ipod integration kit, and easily install both at the same time?

    Is that correct? It looks like the connectors are literally right next to each other?

    Also, is there any difference between the XM Radio offered at CoastalETech and the one here at the prius shop, and the factoryinteractive one?

    Anyone know? I'm tempted to get the DICE at the Prius site as well as the XM Radio here - saves on shipping, etc.
     
    #4 DPIStorm, Dec 24, 2007
  5. kabin

    kabin Member

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    I was wondering as well. Are the dealer installed systems better? They claim some aftermarket units send info via the car's FM band and I recall those don't sound as good. :eek:
     
    #5 kabin, Dec 25, 2007
  6. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    DPI, I can't tell you too much about those hardware units. I bought a Vais Tech unit, which at the time seemed to be about the only one with a 16-character display (vs. 10). See this thread for more. I used the dash disassembly instructions in the first link provided by aaf709 above.

    Kabin, some of the aftermarket units, like my Vais Tech (as well as most of those mentioned here), integrate with the factory sound system. Their sound quality should be as good as factory XM. Other aftermarket units work through the car's FM system via an FM modulator, and the sound quality does suffer as a result. I previously had one of those -- the Roady XT -- that I replaced largely to improve the sound quality.
     
    #6 JimboK, Dec 25, 2007
  7. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    #7 Danny, Dec 25, 2007
  8. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    Actually the DICE and XM use the same connector on the back of the radio. The DICE unit comes a "Y" harness; one end connects to the radio, one to the DICE and the remainder to the XM.
     
    #8 aaf709, Dec 25, 2007
  9. DPIStorm

    DPIStorm New Member

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    Any interference using them like that?
     
    #9 DPIStorm, Dec 26, 2007
  10. DPIStorm

    DPIStorm New Member

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    I would have purchased it there, but I was under the impression it was the older version? The other sites talk about how they have the new for 2008 xm radio?

    I mailed a couple of questions, but never got a response from pc :(
     
    #10 DPIStorm, Dec 26, 2007
  11. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Yes...maybe.
    I have the DICE w/XM and the OEM NAV. When all 3 are connected and used I get frequent errors/crashes. I've finally gotten fed up enough that I ordered an FM modulator that will connect to my iPod mount and will use that for listening to the iPod and will sell my DICE.
    This thing crashed things bad enough a couple weeks ago that, while driving to KC, I couldn't even access the MFD or NAV to find my hotel. While disconnected I have no problems at all.
    I should add that as long as I don't use the NAV that things seem to usually (?always?) work right, but once you get the NAV data going through there it just goes bonkers.

    Let me also add that this only seems to be a problem for the "Old" model MFDs like found on the '04/'05 MY, the newer MFD have a larger data capacity and don't seem to have the crashing issue.
     
    #11 efusco, Dec 26, 2007
  12. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    We ship the latest version from Toyota - it works for all models of Prius. Sorry about not receiving a response, we've had a ton of emails recently and Nichole is trying to get out from under the mountain that has been created.
     
    #12 Danny, Dec 26, 2007
  13. DPIStorm

    DPIStorm New Member

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    Bummer!

    Ok, i'll research the Dice install to see if anyone else has done them both without interference. If so, i'll order the dice here for sure :)

    maybe you should note you have the same version as the others -- the same one installed for 08 prius's or whatever the other sites are saying?
     
    #13 DPIStorm, Dec 26, 2007
  14. Toreador

    Toreador New Member

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    Danny, with your XM unit do I have to take the radio out of the dash to install the XM?
     
    #14 Toreador, Jan 29, 2008
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