Satellite Radio in my Insight.
Updated 6.6.07
Several weeks ago, I was considering purchasing a satellite radio system. I was tired of the local radio trash and constant commercials. At the time, Sirius was the carrier for most SEC football and basketball games; so that was going to be my choice. In the space of two weeks, it was announced that XM and Sirius would be merging into one company and the SEC announced it was moving all broadcasts to the XM network. So much for Sirius!
I posted a few inquiries and ask questions about reception and how to secure the magnetic antenna to an aluminum body. I received several responses to the antenna question with different solutions. While at Best Buy recently, I noticed they had a good sale on a XM radio with a good rebate to boot – So I took the plunge and bought it! The final cost, after I get the rebate check, will be 1/3 the manufacturers suggested retail price. It took about 15 minutes to activate the radio online, then another 15 minutes to drive to the school parking lot (away from the trees and the house) and wait while the activation signal is sent from far above me. I was connected! The magic of modern technology strikes again.
I have not listened to local radio in my Insight since.
My biggest concern was reception. The instructions say that the antenna should be mounted on the roof to provide the clearest view to the satellites and the best reception. I did not want to use an industrial grade double-stick tape on the glass or aluminum body panels unless I had to. As a trial run and taking advantage of the slope on the windshield, I put the antenna inside on the dash at the base of the windshield on the passenger side and ran the wire under the door threshold, under the passenger seat and under the side panel of the center console. The radio is mounted on one of the aftermarket units that sits in one of the cup holders (it is a close fit). The radio is easy to change the stations using the preset buttons while your hand is resting on the gear shift knob.
Reception with the antenna inside on the dash is pretty good. I do lose signal strength under large trees, under bridges and when driving downtown on the narrow streets, but I think that would happen if the antenna was mounted outside on the roof. The radio comes with a built in FM transmitter that sends the signal thru the stock Insight radio on one of several FM frequencies (it also has a cassette adapter, but that is just another wire to deal with).
There is one downside. The normal Insight dash is a dark color and the cup holders are black. The XM radio face is shiny aluminum and really stands out when you look in the window – it almost shouts “Steal Me”. I have a piece of black cloth to cover the radio when I am not in the car. I am trying to talk my wife to sew a black cloth bag to slip over it. That is easier than disconnecting the radio and its two wires (antenna and power) every time I leave the Insight.
Update 5.24.07 - I did get the black cloth bag made to cover the radio. The bag blends into the background so it is barely noticeable. I do not even have to remove the bag now that I know where the preset buttons are. I have posted additional pictures, with the new 'security bag' at:
http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s94/sc2000nst/.
Earlier in the week, before I knew about XM's 24 hour satellite issue, I bought a small 25lb. capacity magnent and moved the antenna to the rear window glass. The magnet held the antenna firmly in place. The problem with that layout is that someone could move the antenna and the magnet would drop to the deck. When the XM signal was restored to full power, the reception was a little better than the dashboard location - not so many lost signal moments when going under trees and overpasses - but not enough to keep the antenna on the outside. So I moved the antenna back to its previous location on the dash.
BTW - I have owned my Insight 6 months and have yet to see another one on the highway.
SC2000nst
2000 Silver 5 spd #5490
Coastal South Carolina
Satellite Radio in my Insight - Updated
