TLudwig
09-10-2004, 07:10 PM
So I installed XM Direct this evening after I got home from work. Overall, it was extremely easy. A few recommendations for the install process:
1. For appearance's sake, definitely install the antenna on the rear package shelf and run the wire down into the trunk through the hole where the center child seat anchor point is mounted. Mounting the antenna inside the car, rather than on the trunk or roof, will not hurt your sound at all.
2. If you're thinking about getting satelite radio and are looking to get your windows tinted, definitely get a ceramic or other non-metallic tint so that it doesn't interfere with your XM reception if you do choose to mount the antenna inside the car.
3. The tuner and adapter go in the trunk (where the CD changer is). You have to open up the trunk siding (kind of a pain) to get to it. Don't close it back up until you have all your wires/cables running/secured where you want them. This sounds obvious, but the XM Direct installation instructions tell you otherwise.
My impressions so far:
1. Sound quality is excellent. Much better than FM and much better than I thought it was going to be.
2. I really like the huge selection of music, and little or no commercials. If you live in an area with few stations, or an area with a lot of awful stations (like here in Houston), this is a must have. Now I don't have to subject myself to repeated playing of top 40 drivel.
3. Unlike when switching between FM or AM radio stations, there is a slight pause when changing channels on XM radio, but not a big deal.
Next mod: UUC Sway Barbarians
1. For appearance's sake, definitely install the antenna on the rear package shelf and run the wire down into the trunk through the hole where the center child seat anchor point is mounted. Mounting the antenna inside the car, rather than on the trunk or roof, will not hurt your sound at all.
2. If you're thinking about getting satelite radio and are looking to get your windows tinted, definitely get a ceramic or other non-metallic tint so that it doesn't interfere with your XM reception if you do choose to mount the antenna inside the car.
3. The tuner and adapter go in the trunk (where the CD changer is). You have to open up the trunk siding (kind of a pain) to get to it. Don't close it back up until you have all your wires/cables running/secured where you want them. This sounds obvious, but the XM Direct installation instructions tell you otherwise.
My impressions so far:
1. Sound quality is excellent. Much better than FM and much better than I thought it was going to be.
2. I really like the huge selection of music, and little or no commercials. If you live in an area with few stations, or an area with a lot of awful stations (like here in Houston), this is a must have. Now I don't have to subject myself to repeated playing of top 40 drivel.
3. Unlike when switching between FM or AM radio stations, there is a slight pause when changing channels on XM radio, but not a big deal.
Next mod: UUC Sway Barbarians