fyi 2001+ sentra sirius radio install

[sentraman01]

just experienced frustration with xmas gift. received sirius radio subscription and sv2tk1 mobile sat radio receiver from santa. unit would not power up when installed per instructions; returned and received new unit. this one "worked" with power, antenna and FM extension cables connected. this unit is presented as a "temporary/removable" mount so an owner can use the receiver in alternate locations-indoors, other vehicles etc. I could find no arrangement for suitable mounting with the supplied bracket and cables. My Sentra is the GXE with OEM AM/FM/single disc CD unit in dash. Bracket supplied with unit will only mount correctly to flat surface; there is no flat surface on dash. Will not fit under middle dash cover; forget the spot under the A/C controls since it doesn't fit and if it did you lose cupholders/storage. Might fit inside of console between seats which may as well be on Mars for operation. Cables for power, antenna and FM extension lead in three different directions with no provision for routing or security. Instructions for magnetic mount antenna put antenna(with attractive SIRIUS LOGO) 6-1/2" ahead of rear window glass on roof of carattached by hair-thin cable routed(per instruction)under window seal into trunk(?).

Let's enumerate the problems with this "universal" installation kit. Power connection is a "cigarette lighter" plug which is approximately the size of a pepper mill and has no power connection indicator so you never know whether it has 12 v or not. "Universal" cable is about 2 meters long so I guess you long just wind up the excess and put the included twist tie on it.Receiving antenna on roof of vehicle-then find a way to get the lightweight cable from the roof to the dash through the (recommended) trunk without damage or sources of interference. So far, power on and signal in. Now signal out since this unit has no amplifier or speaker capabiity. Employ the low power FM translator which is subject to all types of RF interference and can only be established by experimentation or buy an auxiliary antenna adapter and connect to your existing receiver. At any rate you are up to three cables into the side of the unit which trail off to wherever like around the shifter, across the A/C vents or up your nose where they will get broken or help you to crash. Or utilize an input connector in your existing audio unit which of course my OEM unit does not have; alternately buy and install a new unit with auxiliary input.

So add it up. No practical location for the(admittedly compact and high quality)receiver. Horrible, clumsy, damage prone cable connections to the SIRIUS receiver unit. Receiving antenna or cable will surely be destroyed or stolen in Orlando(New crime capital of US despite what Disney says.) Poor compatibility with existing (perfectectly satisfactory) system.

Every car audio manufacturer in the world builds on standard chassis, with standard connectors and wiring harness and adaptors. This rig won't fit on a DIN chassis: power requirement is 5v(?)in: it has individual connectors for power, antenna, line out, and rf out with no adapters supplied. Installation on my Sentra would mean major modification to the interior and likely replacement of existing audio components. All this is for a subscription service which will only deliver content beyond my control. I think you can see that it will never happen.

So my advice to Sentra owners--forget SIRIUS until they build a real unit.

If you think this is a rant you may be right. I have earned my living in television broadcasting as a news photographer and operating engineer since 1976 and know electronic equipment as a means to a livelihood. The SIRIUS SV2TKL1 unit w/vehicle kit is consumer grade equipment designed to fit anything in general and nothing in particular. The Nissan Sentra is designed and built to a standard above that of the SIRIUS gear; don't modify your car to compensate for the bogus design of this satellite receiver system.

FYI 2001 sentra 1.8 AT running daily 120 mile commute since 0ctober 2001 122000+ miles no breakdowns or shop days off consistent 32 mpg in the Hell of I-4/Orlando no wonder i don't want to screw it up with cheap electronics.