XM Radio Options?

There are actually 3 solutions. Eddie Bell also offers XM radio.

From the numerous posts on this site about XM, the instructions offered appears to be the only difference, aside from cost:

PriusXM includes a DVD showing detail instructions for pulling the dash apart and installing XM.

Coastal offers instructions that don't require less of the dash to be ripped apart but requires more finessing to get the XM cable plugged into the back of existing OEM radio.

Eddie's instructions are in .pdf format and can be downloaded for free.. His method is similar to Jon's at PriusXM.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but they are all selling the same unit which is manufactured and sold as XM radio for the Toyota Solara.

As for Sirius, do a search under Electronics and Audio. A poster has recently installed this type of satellite radio...

 

There's two ways of running the wires:

The antenna that is included with the XM unit is an old style antenna. It's large, about 2-1/2" on each side. It also has a large wire that connects it to the unit. The wire is about the size of your typical, in house extension cord. The instructions state to run the wire up and over the weather gasket for the rear hatch and then tuck it into the interior trim that runs along the inside of the hatch leading down to the cubbys in the cargo area. See Eddie's manual, I think there's photos in there.

I opted to replace the antenna with a newer one. Several companies make them. They can be found at:

http://www.xmfanstore.com/showproduct.php?id=roadyant

The antenna is much smaller as is the wire. I placed the antenna on the rear of the car and routed the wire through one of the rubber conduits that go between the car body and the hatch. From there, I laid the wire in the interior trim piece that runs along the rear of the headliner. Much cleaner install. Don't have the wire running up and over the gasket, and no, don't have to mess with the headliner at all.

The smaller antenna requires an adaptor to plug into the XM unit:

http://www.xmfanstore.com/showproduct.php?id=splitter

 

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Has anyone compared the reception between this TINY antenna and the regular one?

 

Reception is generally good except in bad weather. It tends to loose its signal more often in bad weather but seems to pick it back up pretty fast.

 

The mini antenna has worked fabulously for me.

I put it on the back lower left of the roof of the car...right where it meets the hinge to the hatchback.

What I have trouble with is positioning of the antenna wire in the car and position of the XM device. Since I am using a SkiFi it is FM modulating to get the sound in. That technology is much more testy and staticy.

Ryan

 

I use the Terk XMicro2, which is pretty damned small. Not as small as the one from XMFanStore, but I have not had a single problem in bad weather so far.

http://www.jjielectronics.com/browseproduc...ar-Antenna.html

You will need the adaptor to plug into the XM unit:

http://www.xmfanstore.com/showproduct.php?id=splitter

I didn't like the old skool hockey puck XM Antenna that came with the XM Kit - and the Terk XMicro2 was the thing for me. Very small - and nice looking too.

 

There is another option....a portable like the xm2go or the Roady. It's not integrated, but not expensive and it's easy to install. Just run the antenna wire to the back. I have the Pioneer and the antenna is very tiny and sits right behind the regular antenna.