Where should I put my XM radio?

[Meighan]

So, I'm getting my old Skyfi 2 xm radio installed in my 2007 Versa next Tuesday, and I'm trying to think of where I want it to be... has anyone else installed this unit in their Versa? Where did it get mounted? Suggestions..? When I had it in my civic I just used the vent mount, and I didn't like that.

Thanks!

[jfanaselle]

I've never been a big fan of the larger XM radios (like the Sky Fi 2) because it just seems like there's no good place to put them. If I were you, I'd use the Sportscaster. That's what I have right now and I mounted it against the back of the cup holders. It's very out of the way and looks nice. Plus the orange illumination matches all of the interior illumination.

However, since it sounds like you already have this radio, I'd recommend mounting it between the steering wheel and the driver's side door, up on the dash just behind the defrost vent. The only thing it will block is the little triangular window. I've seen a few different people on this forum put a GPS module there, and I plan to do the same as soon as Sony releases the new Nav-U navigation unit.

[Ever Victorious]

I received a Samsung Helix for christmas (which is also kinda big). the short length of the DC cable limited my mounting options. the only good place for it was just to the right of the climate controls on the passenger dash side.

Since the Helix has a remote control, I don't need to reach over to change channels.

[Meighan]

jfanaselle - Do you have pictures of your install? I'm not a fan of the big Skyfi2 either, but it's what I have... some background on all of this, when I bought my Versa last summer, the reason I upgraded to the "tech" package ($1000 extra), was because the salesman told me that it came with built in XM radio. They delayed my delivery of the vehicle, and when I finally took possession it was after hours and no one showed me how to activate the radio. After days of them looking at it, turns out, there is no radio built into my 2007 Versa! The salesman was looking at the chart for the 2008. They offered me a refund and to buy the 2008, but would not give me the 1% financing that came with the 2007... that would add a lot of money in interest and I wasn't interested in that, after fighting with the dealership they agreed to pay for me to get my current XM radio (the Skyfi) installed professionally, which is what I'm FINALLY having done next Tuesday. I like your idea of on the dash to the left hand side.

Ever Victorious - My Skyfi has a remote too, I have to find it though..! It's around somewhere in the box of stuff I pulled out of my civic when I sold it.

[lain]

My uncle called XM radio and program ran by a 12year old. He hates the music they play on there. So now he has both XM and Serius Radio (however you spell it). Serius is for music and XM is for the sports. A friend of mine use to have his mounted next to the stick shift....don't know how things have changed with the hardware...this was 2-3 years ago.

[Meighan]

Well, I like XM. I'm happy with their programming

I'm in Canada though, so perhaps the channels are different..?

Either way, I just want to have it in my car again, without it looking "messy" with wires and vent clip mounts, etc. I was quite disappointed when I found out my car didn't have the XM built in as I had been led to believe.....

[versaspeed.com]

Check out this website, maybe there is something there that can help you out.

http://www.ram-mount.com/

[jfanaselle]

Meighan..

I'll take some pics when I get home from work today. I won't be able to post them up until late tonight, so check the thread tomorrow.

The install looks really clean but it took me awhile to get used to looking down so far to see the display.

[Lanthom]

I've got a Samsung Nexus and I mounted mine to the outside of the little CD holder door. I had to tap power and install it behind the radio because of the short cord.

I concealed all the wires by drilling a hole in the top of the cubby and then they come out the door. The door still closes fully and makes for a nice clean install. If I ever trade the car the hole doesn't affect the use of the cubby since the hole is on the top.

I'd post pictures but my digital camera is MIA.

[jfanaselle]

Ok... here are some pics.









You can see that I ran the wires under the panels where the dash meets the center console. It looks really clean. I hooked up a female power outlet under the dash and tapped into the electric for the radio so that I could plug in the power wire that came with the XM radio. I simply used a piece of Velcro to hold the radio in place, and with it mounted as far left as it would go, and the cup holders off-centered like they are, I've never had a hard time putting a cup or bottle in the holder.

BTW, you can find this radio brand new on ebay for under $30 shipped. If i were you, I'd just sell the Sky Fi that you have and pick up one of these and call XM to change it over. You'll just need to pay a new activation fee ($15) and you'll probably notice that the Sportscaster doesn't have as many features, but it works great and fits perfect!

BTW,

[arco]

A cheap cup holder mount (like those found on ebay) might be a good option too.

I never use the front cup holders on my Versa, so that's where I put my Roady.

[Meighan]

jfanaselle - wow that looks really good! really clean, and I love that the orange matches the rest of the interior lighting. I don't know how my big skyfi2 would look down there though... I have a feeling it wouldn't look as nice :/