By request, here are some pics of the Vais unit in my IS350.

SAT1 main audio display screen. Note the 10 character limit on station names.



SAT3 main audio display screen. Note that none of the presets will store a station. Presets 5 and 6 allow you to adjust the line levels.



"Text" display of a station. Note the 16 character limit.



Antenna mounted on the parcel shelf.

 

Nice to have it factory integrated...

Need scrolls and a nice antenna. F Lexus!

 

Does this VAIS unit work with that new Stilleto 100?

 

You could use it on the AUX input. In order to have the full factory - like funcionality you need to use one of the supported units like eclipse or alpine

 

Any idea how/where they mounted the Vais SLS & Sirius units? I know you did not install it yourself, but wondering if you had any idea where they ended up putting them. Thanks.

 

Kaslead, do you have the ML system?

Also, I'm trying to figure this whole thing out for my Sirius solution.

Sewell Lexus sells a Sirius unit for the NAV/ML system that will integrate with no quirks. Correct?

Vias sells a unit that will integrate Sirius and my Ipod but appears to have some quirks. Would having the ML systems eliminate any quirks?

 

I haven't found the units yet, but I imagine the only possible places are the trunk and in the dash. Not sure if there is room in the dash, though. I started to take apart the trunk a bit last night, but only found the ML amp or some other related hardware. I'll try looking again today for it.

Also, I have no idea how to access the extra input from the installation. I'll call the dealer to get in touch with the installer if I really need it.

 

Yes, I have the ML system. I would not say there are no quirks with the Vais unit. I mentioned some above....the major ones are station names randomly disappearing (in the SAT1 pic I posted, I lost the name for preset 5 today, only way I found to fix is to re-store the station) and less than great reception. Nothing major enough that I wouldn't have installed knowing in advance.

 

I'm 99% sure that it is all in the dash. There are cable length limitations, so the dash is really the only possibility from what I understand. I haven't taken mine apart yet though.

 

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Guys, to confirm, we do have a Sirius kit for the IS models with Mark Levinson to which mounts entirely in the trunk area (right side) although we are not supplying the antennas for these kits. For then antenna, most of the Lexus owners are purchasing these antennas from their local Best Buy or Radio Shack and placing the antennas under the carpet on the rear package tray. Installation is very simple and can be completed in just a half hour.

Recently acquired, we now have a Sirius kit for the IS models without ML. Our test car has the radio ID number P1809 which can be seen in the lower right hand corner of the radio. We have not tested this unit in non-NAV IS models as of yet. With this kit, the installation is performed in the dash with removing the radio and plugging in the correct harness, then running the SIGMA antenna (the larger triangular Sirius antenna) up and around and mounting the antenna to the interior of the windshield. Installation instructions are not available at this time for this unit.

For those of you who have further questions, feel free to contact me directly and I'll give you answers to any technical questions you may have.
Darrel 214-353-2826 or Ryan 214-353-2860

 

Kaslead-

Some of your problems could be related to where you have your antenna. If your antenna is not in constant contact with a Sat, or a groud relay, then you will lose station names and the like. The reason that most are put on the roof is because your vehicle acts as a booster for your antenna. When the magnet is in contact with the metal, it will enhance the signal strength. If the antenna is in the car, especially on carpet, the outside metal, surrounding fabrics, and the carpet, actually acts as a buffer not allowing as strong a signal. This could (and I would suppose is) also be why your reception isn't the best.

I could be wrong about your situation, but I do know this is why all the cars that are Sat ready have some ugly thing on the roof. The car manufacturers certainly wouldn't ruin the lines on some of their cars if they didn't have to unless that is the only way to get good quality.

 

Ok,

I purchased the Sirius kit from lexus parts and once I figured out that the XM kit and harness had to come out completly, install wasn't too bad. I've very happy with the way it integrates with my car (2007 350, Lux, ML, NAV) and I have no issues with the controller setup.

My ONLY issue is that, as many have done, I placed the antenna on the package shelf under the rear window, and I'm not at all happy with the signal strenght. Going under a bridge will guarentee a cutout, passing a truck will cause a cutout, and I have cutouts for no obvious reason. My question is what can be done to fix this? Anyway to mount a sirrius antenna 'inside' the XM sharkfine? Would a larger antenna on the package shelf make a difference? If I can resolve this, I'm 100% happy with the kit.

Thank for any input.

 

Lexus-Parts,

Does the Nav/Non-ML unit install behind the dash or is that for the Non-Nav/Non-ML. I am looking for a unit that is like the ML unit you have which installs in the trunk.

 

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Here is the factory sharkfin antenna off the new IS...



The new IS (the GS is the same) has a pre-drilled hole in the roof for this shark fin antenna to which is for the Lexus Link. The GS XM shark fin antenna is not yet available so we're not able to see the fitment of whether you replace the existing OEM antenna with a new consolidated antenna or if it's just a wire harness that plugs into the existing antenna wire.

 

For those of you who do not have the Mark Levinson sound system, then the correct Sirius kit will be the one that is required to mount behind the radio.

The only Sirius kit for the IS that will mount in the trunk will be for those IS models that are equipped with the ML package.