Satellite Radio?

[Pens]

Anyone have Satellite radio in their VX's? If so what rig did you go with and how do you like it? I am moving up north and they don't have any good radio channels so that seems to be the best fix.

[VehiX]

I went with the XM / Delphi Sky Fi kit. Did the install myself. It's a very stealth install with NO wires showing anywhere!

I hid the FM Modulator behind the dash next to the glove box and routed the antenna wire out through the roof where the stock antenna is so only about a qauter inch of wire can be seen. Still using the stock radio though

I enjoy XM a lot, ever since I installed it I have not touched the AM/FM or the CD changer!!

I got the home kit and the car kit. I like this setup better then the permanant in car ones as I can swap the Sky Fi from my VX to my home stereo (or to anyones house!!!) and have satelite radio all day long!!! Great for parties and such

Cost was $100 for the hard ware and the install was free because I did it myself. Cost is $9.99 a month and WELL worth it!

Commercials with XM are minimal!!! You pay more for Sirius because there are no commercials but I find I never even hear them on XM and if I do it's for like 2 seconds and then music resumes! The commercials are really just for the station you are listening to, no annoying ones at all. I have a remote control for this unit as well but forgot to snap a pic of it.

Here are some pics of my install. Don't mind my dirty azz VX as I have not cleaned it in weeks but I figured I'd snap some pics for this thread so you can see

Any questions feel free to ask.

[Pens]

Thanks for the reply and pics. How do you get the sound to your speakers? Do you have that cassette adaptor or does it hook into your stock set somewhere?

[VehiX]

My radio is all stock and I use the FM modulator to get sound to the head unit. The FM modulator connects between the stock antenna wire. the signal is then transmited from XM to FM and I need to use one of three radio stations to get the signal.

There is NO static at all with this set up as long as your ground is good! The only time I lose signal is when I am in a tunnel. I occasionally lose signal around thickly settles trees. Sometimes the signal gets blocked but this is minimal and only lasts a few seconds. ALL sattelite radios will experience this though so don't be discouraged.

Here is a pic of the FM modulator that sits behind my dash and conencts to the antenna wire:

[RalphDog]

Just to put in my two cents.

I have the Delphi with car adapter and cassette and cigarette lighter kit (got both pieces for $100 as part of some promo). The wires are all hidden fairly well, but I will admit the FM modulator looks better. Also I used an Antenna Specialists on-glass antenna (highly recommended).

One more thing, Pro Fit mount makes a mount kit for the Rodeo that fits the VX perfect. If you go with the Delphi Unit I would really recommend it for an extra $30.00 (You can but it at xmfan.com).

I also am very happy with XM, it's a great toy for less than $10 a month.

I think I remember JoeBlack posting that he has Sirius in his VX so he could probably give you a comparison.

[bliptrip]

I put the antenna for my Sirius radio right on top of the dash. The reception is still great, and it keeps the roof line looking normal.

If you're choosing between Sirius and XM, XM does sound a little bet better because they don't compress the signal as much as Sirius. But you do get a lot more commercial-free channel options with Sirius.

-Phil

[ScottinMA]

I put a sony CD XM receiver in place of the stock system. Didn't care for XM modulated systems and decided to go for the best quality sound. Haven't played my FM radio since.

Scott

[Pens]

Ok, I bought my radio and all the goodies to mount it in my truck, including the FM modulator. I looked at the pro fit mount but it looks like that will be in the way of the glove box once the radio is installed and with my boy riding shotgun, I should keep it away from his kicking feet!

I tried putting that bad boy everywhere on that truck and nothing worked as well as in between the seats like Vehi-x's mount. I did have to remove my cup holder that was utilizing that space but sacrafices must be made. The only other place was on the right of the steering wheel tight against the dash but due to the angle of the dash the bracket I have won't give me the correct angle.

Anyway, I will have it wired in on Monday, paying an installer to do it is far better than me screwing it up. Thanks for the help guys.

[RalphDog]

I understand your concerns about your son, but just so you know the Pro Fit Mount places the unit right next to the radio and nowhere near the glove compartment.

It's good because it makes for a very clean install, as well as allowing you to tune your radio while keeping youe eyes on the road. Also, you don't have to worry about spilling something on it as you do if you put it between the seats.

[Heraclid]

JoeBlack does have Sirious in his VX. Niv and I were in Daytona for a beach meet with Joe yesterday, and Joe was hanging out a while longer (and left for there on Friday), otherwise I'm sure he'd have thrown in his two cents by now. He seems very happy with his.

[Joe_Black]

SIRIUS ROCKS! No commercials, NPR Radio streams, awesome, awesome, AWESOME! Got the Kenwood setup FREE when purchased at Best Buy courtesy of rebates. Had to only pay for antenna which sits near the center of hood insert which allowed routing of cables through existing firewall opening. Really adds to the VX look! Tuner is under the seat and FM modulator under center console. Controller is mounted under the CD changer in the ECU cover. Simple install that almost looks OEM, with FANTASTIC programming!

[Heraclid]

Like I said, the man kinda likes it. :-)

[Pens]

Ralph, Doesn't it mount off of the right side of the radio? Depending on where it sits, it will either be in the way of the airbag or the glove box. Maybe I am looking at the wrong rodeo model, what year did you use?

I did set it up as kind of a trial today and I wasn't pleased with the wash out from the sun when I put it down between the seats. I also didn't like having to look down when driving, so I see what you are saying.

It would be nice to mount it under the six disc changer but I don't see an easy way to get that done.

[Joe_Black]

Here's a few SIRIUS installation shots for you, hopefully some ideas may come to mind.

Controller mounted on ECU cover...


Antenna on hood insert...


Tuner under drivers seat...


FM Modulator under center console...

[Amack76]

everyone did excellent installs,worthy of applause, but am i the only one who sees sattalite radio is a rip off, and let me tell you why.

1. you either pay 9.99(xm) or 12.99(sirius) for radio, um hello yes it may sound alot better, and yes you see the title of the song be displayed, but its still radio, and you can't control it.

2. unless its being controlled by an in dash player it should be out of the question because is hard to find a place to put the control box. the guy who has it mounted in the middle of the console WILL BE TAKING HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD!! and the other who has it mounted on the hump under the cd changer cant see it anyway and defeats the whole purpose of having a display.

3 looks can be decieving, depending on your set up, you could need 3 or even four parts to hook it up inyour car (antena ($60) rf modulator kit ($40) Satilite reciever ($120) and satilite controller ($80 to 150 or a new radio). thats alot of money.

alternate choice to sat radio is an mp3 changer. i have the kenwood music keg http://www.kenwoodusa.com/excelon/excelonKeg.jsp that hold 40 gigs of mp3s that plugs right into my after market radio ( most kenwoods it will work on) or an rf adapter controll box kit can be purchaced for $119. besides the tons of music i have you can make up to 999 playlists that are 999 songs long so the music never stops i paid 385 for the top of the line one but the smaller one should be about $280 and has ten gigs