XM Satellite Radio

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:58 pm

I went to Car Toys last night to see about getting an Alpine Head Unit installed with XM Satellite Radio. Both of the units are "XM Satellite Ready". The two units I was thinking about purchasing cost $300 and $325 including basic installation.I spoke with the salesman and asked him how much it would cost to have either unit installed in my Vibe. He had no idea what a Vibe was so he wanted to take a quick look. I let him take a look and we went back inside for him to figure out how much the install would be.I had to find a seat it was taking him so long to crunch the numbers on what I figured would be a straight forward install. I could see them charging me a few extra bucks (around $30) for any parts that would be necessary to make the system work. The salesman also mentioned I would need a satellite antenna. I'm thinking the total is going to be close to $350 or $375 tops. He hands me his business card and then dashes into the back. I look at the back and this guy wrote down $800 for the first unit and $825 for the second! I'm like what the $#@$#@ is costing $500!!!!! Of course the salesman is no where to be found.Is this typical installation charge for a system that is supposed to be "XM Satellite Ready"?

esjones · Post by **esjones** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 11:08 pm

quote:I'm like what the $#@$#@ is costing $500!!!!! Of course the salesman is no where to be found.Is this typical installation charge for a system that is supposed to be "XM Satellite Ready"?I can't help if you want an in-dash installation. But Sony makes a nice XM unit that sits atop the instrument panel and can be removed for home use, too. It is a DIY install.

illusion · Post by **illusion** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 3:38 am

Sounds to me like $800 is a bit insane.Note: I don't know hwo much these examples may vary in your areaAround here (KC,MO), a standard install fee should usually be $30-$50 for labor, then probably $10-$20 for the wiring harness, and about $20-$40 or so for the dash kit. He may have also been pricing with the XM tuner and antenna install. I'm not sure about the Alpine pricing, but the satellite radio tuners I've seen run anywhere from $100-$200, and the antenna would be another $50-ish. Then there's installing both of those. $800 is still insane pricing for a stereo install. What I would do is just buy the head unit, install it yourself: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=769It's not that tough, and shouldn't take long to do, then you can add the XM stuff whenever you get around to it. Just my $0.02

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 5:32 am

quote:Is this typical installation charge for a system that is supposed to be "XM Satellite Ready"?I can't help if you want an in-dash installation. But Sony makes a nice XM unit that sits atop the instrument panel and can be removed for home use, too. It is a DIY install.The Sony PnP units are no longer offered for sale, they have been discontinued since the release of the Delphi Reciever.You'd be better off going to Circuit City and having them do the install. The headunit is straightforward, and installing the XM module is only as hard as installing a changer. Most often the reciever is put in the trunk.What I did was install the Delphi using an RF Modulator with the stock Nav system. If you have any questions about XM, visit http://www.xmfan.com, they know everything over there. Or just send me an email or something. Hope this helps!

esjones · Post by **esjones** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 11:18 am

quote:What I did was install the Delphi using an RF Modulator with the stock Nav system.GOT PIX????? How does it sound? Are you satisfied with the stock speakers that come with the nav system?

msmyer · Post by **msmyer** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 11:26 am

quote:What I did was install the Delphi using an RF Modulator with the stock Nav system.GOT PIX????? How does it sound? Are you satisfied with the stock speakers that come with the nav system?Yeah....I'd like to hear it!

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 11:41 am

quote:What I did was install the Delphi using an RF Modulator with the stock Nav system.GOT PIX????? How does it sound? Are you satisfied with the stock speakers that come with the nav system?Pix attatched. Couldn't remember if I had posted it here, or xmfan.com.. It's XM, so it sounds great! I'm not too thrilled with the modulator, but then, i'm an audio freak.. Honestly, it sounds as good as the best FM station around, so it's definitely livable! There's a direct-input adapter that goes in-line with the CD changer that i'm looking to get, that way I can plug in straight RCA. I'll let you know if it works.As for sound...i'm noticing that the speakers tend to be best at around moderate volume... I'm a few days away from putting in my dual bandpass box again, and once I have the money, swapping out the cabin speakers with either Polk or Infinity Components..The RF modulator is definitely one of the easiest ways to go.. If I get that AUX adapter, and it works, i'll probably sell the FM modulator and the antenna adapters.

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meathead333 · Post by **meathead333** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 11:47 am

that does sound like a lot. i have sirius, i dont know how different they are. i paid $100 for the portable unit, $65 for the mounting kit and antenna, $12.95 a month for subscribion and about $150 for install, cause i had then custom/hotwire install everything. i thought that was all pretty reasonable. id look around if i were you.

esjones · Post by **esjones** » Fri Jul 25, 2003 4:21 am

quote:There's a direct-input adapter that goes in-line with the CD changer that i'm looking to get, that way I can plug in straight RCA. Tell me more about that. How would it operate? Would you select the CD changer on the nav unit, then the XM would override the audio signal? What would show on the head unit display? Would you have to have a CD magazine installed? I notice that the CD changer is a Pioneer model. I assume that means it has a standard, published wiring and interface specification?

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Fri Jul 25, 2003 12:58 pm

quote:How would it operate? Would you select the CD changer on the nav unit, then the XM would override the audio signal? What would show on the head unit display? Would you have to have a CD magazine installed? I notice that the CD changer is a Pioneer model. I assume that means it has a standard, published wiring and interface specification?What it looks like is it's a box with three stereo inputs on one side, a 25 pin connector on the side (that adapts to the 12 pin in/out to work with the changer). It would probably sit right on top of the changer, and it comes with a little remote to select between the changer and the three inputs. So yeah, you'd play the changer with the Nav unit, but I have no idea what would happen with the data (ie, what it would display). As I still have time to return my RF Modulator, i'll put in the order for the interface unit on Monday, probably get it wednesday, and let everyone know!And yes, i'll take pics.

tonyoci · Post by **tonyoci** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 12:48 am

I just had the XM ready,Alpine head unit installed in my Vibe this week by a local car audio place (AMT ?). I did not have the actual XM service installed but I did have an input for iPod installed.The guy was very helpful and had all the info on Vibe's. The total cost was $360 (including tax and install).I would not recommend Circuit City, they did not appear to have a clue about the Vibe and did not have the right parts. They made me nervous.T

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 12:54 pm

The P.I.E. Input adapter is on it's way...i'll post details on Monday when it gets in. Hopefully it'll work!

pacivibe · Post by **pacivibe** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 2:40 pm

Anyone out there with the M&T package ever add XM after you bought your Vibe? If so, how did you do it and how much did it cost? Did you call the Pontiac dealer and have them install the additional hardware needed (if so, what hardware was installed)? Did you DIY by adding an aftermarket receiver/antenna to the exsiting M&T headunit?My Vibe has the M&T radio, but no XM. I'm hoping that my headunit is already XM capatible and all I need to do is have my Pontiac dealer install the extra XM hardware (receiver and antenna?) for a nice clean integrated setup. Anyone know if this is true (and how much it costs)?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 2:49 pm

The 03 Vibes are not XM ready. To install XM, you would need the tuner, the antenna, and (possibly) the 04 HU...I'm unsure if they XM-ready radio is different than the 03 radio...What they would charge you to do an XM install using factory components I'm sure far surpasses what you would pay for aftermarket components...

pacivibe · Post by **pacivibe** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 3:15 pm

quote:The 03 Vibes are not XM ready. To install XM, you would need the tuner, the antenna, and (possibly) the 04 HU...I'm unsure if they XM-ready radio is different than the 03 radio...What they would charge you to do an XM install using factory components I'm sure far surpasses what you would pay for aftermarket components...I have an 04 Vibe, so maybe my headunit is XM compatible. If I can use my existing headunit that would be great, even if I have to pay more than aftermarket. I'm more concerned about having a "clean" setup with no extra parts/cables sticking out all over the place...

TheDude · Post by **TheDude** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 3:27 am

!!800!! damn thats way too much. Im an installer at Best Buy and i wish we could make that much on a simple install like that.Take the Vibe to a best buy, here are the prices for everything you need for XM, with install prices, assuming you already have the head unit.Head unit install~50.99Dash kit(GM-420)~16.99Wiring Harness(70-2300)~16.99Antenna Adapter(GM-6)~10.99XM Reciver~i belive $150XM Antenna~ 49.99XM install(non RF modulated) 55.99So without the price of your CD player it'll be 350 plus tax, give or take a couple extra bucks

pacivibe · Post by **pacivibe** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:46 am

Isn't there anyone out there with a 2004 Vibe that knows if an XM satellite receiver/antenna can be added to the OEM M&Ts headunit/amp for a nice clean integrated setup? Hasn't anyone else wondered about the same thing?It would seem that it theorectically can be done. GM touts the 2004 Vibe as offering XM as a *FACTORY* installed option. The question is:1) Does GM sell the necessary parts to allow dealers or owners to upgrade to XM? (This is something I know Chrysler does...)2) Are there any Pontiac dealers that know how to do the installation? (My dealer's service dept didn't even seem to know what XM satellite radio was, said they'd call me back and never did...)BTW, I've also sent off an email to Pontiac asking about this. We'll see what they say...

XM Satellite Radio

XM Satellite Radio

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Walker)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Walker)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (esjones)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Jahntassa)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (esjones)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (esjones)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Walker)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Jahntassa)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (esjones)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Walker)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Jahntassa)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Walker)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (pacivibe)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (ragingfish)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (Walker)

Re: XM Satellite Radio (pacivibe)