XM radio experts - aftermarket unit

[GoLowDrew]

XM experts: I have another car that don't have X. I plan to get this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...lanceI plan to use it with the FM transmiter (Yes, I know other install methods are better).Questions:- This is all I need for my car, other than a XM subscription, right?- How would you rank the music quality? 10 = best. - I know it will not be as good as the factory XM because it's not built in, but will I be disappointed with this unit?- I read that you can get better transmission by "putting it closer to the car's antenna." Do they mean putting the unit closer to the antenna or the XM antenna only? In this case, the car antenna is in the rear window. So I have to put my unit back there to be best? And operate by the remote?TIA

[vibe007]

1) it has everything needed for the car.2)I would say the quality with a direct connect to the hu is 10 and wireless 83)You wont be disapointed because i'm not 4)The kit includes a sureconnect kit, this is a thing that you connect directly on the antenna, so you're sure that the wireless transmission is always good(not as good as a direct connection to the hu but much better than with nothing)That means that you dont have to place the xm antenna close to the car antenna, the xm antenna is only use to receive the satelite signal, not to transmit to the car antenna.

[GoLowDrew]

Thanks for your detail replies. Just to wrap it up. So when they talk about wires all over the place, they are talking about.- one to power the unit tht plug into the cig lighter.- one that plug into the external XM antenna.- one that need to mount close to the car's radio antennaDo I have everything covered on wires and set up?Last question - Do you think XM radio is an item that will get stolen a lot? Sure we can unplug and hide the unit. But I assume most of the time the XM antenna will still be out. So one would think the whole unit got to be in the car hiding somewhere. Any comments on the security issue? No, I do not have an alarm.TIA

[vibe007]

I have it in a compagny truck with the doors never lock and nobody stole it. But i'm sure that it depends on the area you are living. You are probably the best to know how the people are in your area.

[kunkstyle]

I wouldn't worry about the antenna itself being stolen. There's lots of people around here with them mounted outside of the car. The actual unit is probably more likely to be stolen.

[GoLowDrew]

Quote, originally posted by kunkstyle » The actual unit is probably more likely to be stolen.That's what I mean.

[joejoev]

I've used the SkiFi, Roady2, and RoadyXT in the past. I really liked the XT. Now I have the Pioneer GEX-P920XM hideaway box.I never was impressed with the wireless reception of any of the external XM receivers. (BTW my XT was the first generation XT and didn't have the SureConnect adapter.) I always got some amount of static on whatever frequency I chose, until I bought Delphi's FM Direct kit. I used it with the Roady2 and XT. It's $20 at the XM website and $25 at Crutchfield, just to give you an idea of the price range.I strongly recommend spending the few extra dollars on the kit (Delphi SA10112 FM Modulator Kit). The sound quality is crystal clear. It will completely override the strongest FM radio stations. The kit also gives you a clean installation. It comes with an optional cig adapter that you hardwire to your car and then plug the XM receiver into. It also has an antenna adapter box that connects between the FM antenna and HU. You also connect your XM antenna to the box, which also has an output cable that runs to the XM receiver antenna input.

[bgerlach]

I have a Pioneer Inno and got the Delphi's FM Direct kit - don't forgot that if you have a factory HU you need a FM antenna adapter - I found the one I got on ebay for about $17 shipped to me - here's the part number - METRA 40-GM30I found it locally for about $30-$35 - I was too cheap and didn't mind waiting a few days for it to show up.