satellite radio mount location

[jacal]

Looking at installing a Sirius satellite radio. I want to pick the best unit for integration into the cockpit. I want minimal invasiveness in case I decide in a year or something that I really don't want to pay for radio. I either need a stealth mount or I will need to remove the unit (therefore base preferred) each time for prying eyes.

Options:
-Get a unit that requires a base (would this make it easier to get more use out of the unit by bringing it in the house/cottage etc.?)
-Get a unit that has a remote (would this give more mounting options?)

Locations:
-the "sirius one" looks like a radar detector and might fit in the fold-forward center consol. No base reqd.
-customize the sunglassess holder in the overhead console
-use the included sticky mount and hope it can someday be removed w/o damage

Are the remotes useful? in other words could I mount a unit in the glove box and count on the remote? do you need to see a screen once you are used to these things?


Ideas, thoughts, opinions, pics?


Thanks,
J.

[K6UK]

Check out the PROCLIP mounts. I use it for my Ham radio remote head and it's great.

http://www.proclipusa.com/home/home.aspx?afid=42&admkt=a6a1310a

[expat]

I think you will want to see the screen for at least a few months. There are so many neat stations that you might find yourself flicking around a lot at first and the display helps you know what stations you are listening to and also what songs are being played.

After a while you get used to certain stations and preset them so then the display becomes a little redundant, although I still tend to look at mine from time to time when Im searching for something different than my preselects.

As to stealth, I mounted mine inside the useless (to me) storage bin door in front of the shifter. I cut a hole in the front of it to insert the unit. Its a little low, but again after a while the display thing is not such an issue. I had always intended if I sold the truck to simply buy a new door for the storage bin. All the wiring remains behind the plastic. I've had mine located in this position and in this setup for over a year and am very happy with it. I personally don't like gizmos hanging all over the the place, that's why I wanted it mounted (integrated) into the console.

Finally I use my remote from time to time, but now tend to hit the preselect buttons manually if I want to change stations. The remote buttons are a little small on my unit for my liking. (I have the Sportster model BTW). I am unsure if the remote will work thru the glovebox. It doesn't seem too strong a signal generally.

I use the FM reciever mode thru the standard JBL system which is pretty good, but definitely not audiophile quality.

[my034runner]

I think you will want to see the screen for at least a few months. There are so many neat stations that you might find yourself flicking around a lot at first and the display helps you know what stations you are listening to and also what songs are being played.

After a while you get used to certain stations and preset them so then the display becomes a little redundant, although I still tend to look at mine from time to time when I'm searching for something different than my preselects.

As to stealth, I mounted mine inside the useless (to me) storage bin door in front of the shifter. I cut a hole in the front of it to insert the unit. Its a little low, but again after a while the display thing is not such an issue. I had always intended if I sold the truck to simply buy a new door for the storage bin. All the wiring remains behind the plastic. I've had mine located in this position and in this setup for over a year and am very happy with it. I personally don't like gizmo's hanging all over the the place, that's why I wanted it mounted (integrated) into the console.

Finally I use my remote from time to time, but now tend to hit the preselect buttons manually if I want to change stations. The remote buttons are a little small on my unit for my liking. (I have the Sportster model BTW). I am unsure if the remote will work thru the glove box. It doesn't seem too strong a signal generally.

I use the FM receiver mode thru the standard JBL system which is pretty good, but definitely not audiophile quality.



That's actually a really good idea Mark. That storage bin is totally useless. I wish I would have thought of that. I have to replace my Starmate, as it has a short at the point where the plug go's into the unit. The problem is internal. I'm sure I could have it fixed, but why, they're cheap enough. But I think I'll use your idea too, thanks.
By the way, where did you run the antenna to? Do you have pictures of the install? I imagine you probably have a write up in here somewhere.

[expat]

Antenna wire I ran thru headliner (actually mostly just along drivers side door) then out thru the headliner at the rear (near tailgate) and onto roof.

I think I wrote something up but maybe its errr..at another forum.

I might write up a quick one for here.

As long as you have a dremmel its really easy to integrate into the storage bin. I didn't have one at the time and used the old school approach - a hot knife and lots of patience :shocked:

It is screwed in thru the back of the bin which holds it very secure but if someone really wanted to steal it they could just pull out the bin and take the whole unit but its pretty stealth where it is.

[my034runner]

Antenna wire I ran thru headliner (actually mostly just along drivers side door) then out thru the headliner at the rear (near tailgate) and onto roof.

I think I wrote something up but maybe its errr..at another forum.

I might write up a quick one for here.

As long as you have a dremmel its really easy to integrate into the storage bin. I didn't have one at the time and used the old school approach - a hot knife and lots of patience :shocked:

It is screwed in thru the back of the bin which holds it very secure but if someone really wanted to steal it they could just pull out the bin and take the whole unit but its pretty stealth where it is.




Cool, but do you have a photo?:rolleyes:

[expat]

Yeah I might have, but you gotta ask nicely otherwise go search yourself. Don't give me no F'n rollling eyes biatch. (subtle humor!)

[expat]

I'll hunt my files for the photos. I did this a while back so I will need to update my photobucket storage first. On the other forum I just copied the photos straight from my HD which you can't do here.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Sirius%20radio%20instal/Siriusradio002.jpg

[expat]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Sirius%20radio%20instal/dcdb73a8.jpg

[expat]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Sirius%20radio%20instal/90d8a5d5.jpg

[expat]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/Interior%20shots/SiriusCBGPS.jpg

Everything off the dash!

[expat]

It might be worth noting that some of the satellite systems come with changeable color screens. The Sportster can change to orange which is close to our stock JBL system and other small orange lights. If you are interested in making an instal that looks kind of stock, then you might want to check out screen color choices before buying.

I've seen radio systems that change thru a variety of color including red, blue and green.

Just a heads up.

[Teampez]

I got a Sirius for Christmas, (well about a week before) as others have said try:
http://www.ram-mount.com/
http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/mount.htm (I have this)
also might be interested in some of these http://www.panavise.com/f/presses/index.html
but heres my set up:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/Ric4rnr/bumper/IMG_2954.jpg

[expat]

If you buy/have Sirius now, they have a deal on Playboy magazine for just $1.00 per month for either magazine (paper copy) or digital (emailed to you).

Ahhh Sirius...LOL

[my034runner]

Yeah I might have, but you gotta ask nicely otherwise go search yourself. Don't give me no F'n rolling eyes biatch. (subtle humor!)

:lol: :moon: :moon: :jester: :roflmao: :roflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
YOU'RE FUNNY!:oink:

[my034runner]

Thanks for the pics. Cool idea. I need to take mine back to Costco and see if they'll exchange it for me. They have a different model now, but the new one looks like it would work perfect in there.;)