From viewing the cd "inside your scion" included with the purchase of my TC, I was under the impression all that is required for hook up of satellite radio (either Sirius or XM) is the antenna and of course the subscription for the service. That the upgraded stereo system that I purchased with the car was satellite ready? (meaning the modules were already there). I was recently informed by the salesman that I will need to have the dealer install the module for the service that I choose & it would cost about $450? Did I hear him right? Or, is all I am required to do is subscribe & install the correct antenna for the service I pick? HELP!

 

The tuner module IS NOT there at all. And it does cost around $450 for the toyota turner part. The radio is "Ready" in the sense that it requires the tuner and then it can control it. The cd is a bit vague on anything technical.

Your best bet is to save the money and get an aftermarket plug n play unit. And plug into the aux input in the armrest area. A good sirius unit is about $100 right now (they have cheaper ones but it doesn't put out as good a signal level for the audio output as the $100 one)..

I think $450 is a bit much to pay for sirius being hardwired into your car. Get the plug n play is what i would do.. Besides the dealer has to take apart your car to put all that stuff in.. Much easier and less stuff to take out with the plug n play.

 

I have been hearing that the sound quality of the plug and play units aren't great. Any word on that?

I just spent the last hour removing my head unit trying to verify whether or not the SIR-PNR2 tuner will work for me. My wife spent a lot of time trying to hook me up for xmas, but she couldn't find anyone at any store that seemed to know anything. So I have gift certificates for best buy to get what I need.

From the looks of the back of my head unit, and from your post...it sounds like the most reasonable option is one of the plug & play models.

 

well that's why you have to look at the audio level output. The cheaper sirius plug n play units don't have a high enough level of output. The new starmate 4 has a very high audio output level, that should sound fine when plugged into the aux input of the tc.

yes if you have an 06 or 07 tc, then it's really easy to plug into the aux port. if you have an 05 tc, going to need to get a PIE aux adaptor

 

I have had sirius for 3 years now and have owned many many plug and play sirius radios....everything from the $30.00 radio to the sirius S-50.......out of all the radios I have owned...believe it or not.....the best sounding one was the $30.00 one I purchaed after my S-50 took a dump which I paid $300.00 for....I also had the replay......which sounded horrible......for some reason.....the $30.00 sirius radio I have now sounds better than any of the others I have owned......just remember one thing....there's an audio out level on all these radios that needs to be turned up.....alot of people don't realize that and complain that there not getting any volume out of their plug n play....here's a link to the radio that I have........best one I've owned for sound quality yet.....

http://www.sirius.com/servlet/Conten...=1128803465284

 

I've owned 2 starmates and they sound horrible.......and your wrong....my $30.00 sirius radio has the same audio level out as my $300.00 S-50 did....

 

hmm well i've seen the specs.. and anyone else can at www.sirius.com and it's 2.0-2.8v (max) for the starmates.. the other was only 0.5v audio output level. So not really sure what you're talking about.

 

If you want the best sound for yoru money, go pick up a single or double DIN Kenwood head unit (I have the KDC-MP532) and the Sirius One Receiver that plus directly into the head unit with a multi-pin cable. Its EASY to install and offers excellent sound. I have had it since a week after buying my TC and love it!

 

Here's another question. I already have Sirius in my car using the OEM HU (got it for free from Longo Toyota), but I just purchased the Pioneer AVH-P6800. I know that I'll need the Sirius Tuner that goes with the Pioneer headunit.

So my question is Do i have to call Sirius and let them know that I have changed to an aftermarket HU.

 

i don't think you can transfer your subscription like that.

the Longo deal is a free trial service.

 

I have already renewed my subscription about 8 months ago. So now I am paying for it.

 

I have an XACT sirius plug and play unit, but kinda hate having all the wires and stuff going from the unit sticking to the windshield and going to the AUX. Is there any sort of tuner box at all that you can buy from say Best Buy that will work with our factory SAT Ready units?

 

if you purchase the xm module from a dealer on ebay (most go for around 260 to 270 dollars) it is a 30 min install. you can place the module under the passenger seat, or pull the glove box and tie-wrap it. i installed it on my stock scion hu before i got my d3 and i was even able to plug in the ip bus connection from the xm module by feeling around the back of the stock hu, so i didn't even have to unbolt it. just do a search for 'scion xm' and make sure it is the oem module.

 

So I have a question regarding these "plug-n-play" XM units you can purchase at the store and their use in the tC

You can power it and plug it into the AUX in from our arm rest. However, you still need to run the antenna. Will it get reception from inside the arm rest if you just leave the antenna in there? Or do you stick it up in the sunroof area when you want to listen and just put it away when you're done?

I use to have XM and I loved it, but I didn't get it with my 07 tC because 1) the install price was a little high... (my buddy just bought a Hyundai and got XM for FREE) and 2) the ugly box antenna they want to stick on your trunk... ugh, talk about ruining the clean lines of the car. I wish they had an external "shark fin" antenna on the roof like some of the nicer European cars have now.

 

A little bit of a late past, but you can xfer it between different tuners if you are paying for it. All you do is call them and give them the new Sirius ID from your new tuner and tell them that you had replaced the HU with a new one and needed a new tuner. Ive done it before in the past and they never had a problem with it.

 

It will not get reception unless its visible from the sky..... Mine is mounted on the tail below the glass, but I am going to be relocating it soon as it scratched my paint and im not happy about it. But it will not work if you leave the antenna in the armrest.

 

Im in the same boat as you guys. (sort of) I dont feel like paying the 450 to have the sirius installed so i figured i would just put it im my arm rest. (like you all) but i want my ant. wires to be pretty much hidden. So unless im missing something on the site... does anyone know how to dismantle the center console to run the wires.