Just got my Versa! Looking for XM recommendations, help

[tsm]

Just picked up my sapphire blue, 6MT SL Versa. My wife and I love it. However, since I get to drive it every day, I'm going to go bonkers without my XM radio.

I've seen all the issues regarding replacing the stock stereo. The thing is, I tried out the bluetooth integration and I was surprised at how good it was. I mean, seriously better than I thought it would be. Sounds fantastic too. I was dubious considering my experience with bluetooth headsets.

Anyhoo... Until there are some kinds of adapters or wiring rigs on the market that can allow me to hook up the Versa's bluetooth system to a different head unit, I'm looking at something a little more temporary.

Has anyone used any of the hand held XM (Or even Sirius) players? Is a car kit really necessary? Couldn't I just use the aux in the same way I'd do with an iPod or other mp3 player? Not sure how good the reception would be, but I'm not sure the hand helds are limited to outdoor use, so there shouldn't be any need for an external antenna, is there?

[Ever Victorious]

Yes, you could use the aux with a portable XM unit.

Question: Why not spring the extra $$ for the Nissan OEM XM satellite unit? it's $300 for the kit, and it integrates fully with your stock stereo and, unlike a portable unit, can be controlled via the on-wheel controls.

That's what I did in my V... it was nicer than trying to route the wiring for my wife's Roady2 and make it look neat. Plus the antenna on the Nissan kit is a permanent unit, so you can take it through a car wash without worrying about it.

[tsm]

I considered it, but you know Nissan. It's $300 for the unit, but then they'll want another $200-300 for installation. I can get a Pioneer Inno for about $200, maybe less if I look around a bit and if the aux in works fine, all I really need is a power adapter.

Eventually, I want to do a full change of the stereo system and if I went with the Nissan XM system, I'd be out a lot of money. For now, I just don't want to lose the current bluetooth system. As I understand the current status. There are wiring rigs for the steering wheel controls, but there isn't any adapters for the bluetooth. The controls are on the steering wheel and the mic is in the roof near the mirror.

The only other units with BT would negate all of that and I'd have to use the system on the headunit. I'm hoping that sooner or later there will be some aftermarket product to connect everything up.

[cyberdeity]

I have an XM Nexus, and also ordered the XM upgrade for the Versa from the factory. I do not intend on subscribing to the in-car XM after the 3 month freebie expires. This is because the portable is sufficient for what want.

Here's the catch tho (with the XM Nexus). If you want to stream LIVE radio, you'll need the car kit. If you want to record radio in the home cradle and just play that while in the car, you only need the aux cable like you mentioned. Since the Nexus can hold up to 50 hours of recorded radio, it's more than enough variety for me. I simply record stuff over the weekend in the home cradle, and then listen to that material during the week. (50 hours/5 day work week = 10 hours of music per day which covers my commute and work time).

XM also has a portable which can stream live radio without a car kit, it's called the INNO. I don't have one of those, so I can't speak for what the reception would be like (I suppose you could velcro it to the dash so that the built-in antenna can get a clear sight to the sky).

I'm sure Sirius has similiar hardware for both scenarios. I prefer the portable over the built-into-car due to the fact that I can then use it at home/work too instead of being limited to the time in the vehicle.

[tsm]

I just wanted to add to this thread that I grabbed a Tao portable XM Radio from eBay.

It works fine through the aux connector. The good thing with the Tao is that it doesn't have an internal antenna, but comes with a wired one that you can just put on the dash.

Sure it looks like crap, but it ran me $60 total. That was worth it to me as a temporary solution until I can find a way to completely customize an audio install that includes the factory installed bluetooth controls.

[waltersi]

I have am audiovox XM Plug and Play I mounted it under the stock radio just above the cup holders had to drill 2 small screw holes to mount the bracket. I bought a 12 volt extention outlet rated at 15 amps same as power port in car, it also gives me 2 extra power ports in case I want to plug in my air compressor or electrict coffee cup. I was able to bury the wires under the center consol. The antenna runs under the dash and is burried under the weather stripping all the way back to the hatch out the back and next to the stock antenna.Don't use the built in FM transmitter because in NYC there is to much interference. I went to radio shack bought a sterio wire for $6.00. Works great Another thing about a plug and play radio you can tke it out of one car and put it in another I also bought a boom box for the radio so it's compleatly portableXM wants another $6.00 a month for a second radio subscription I think not $150.00 is enought

[Jemdawg]

Wow, your setup is just about exactly mine, right on down to the extension outlet. The only difference is that I use a roadie.