noozguy

Anyone tinted their windows with an XM antenna on the rear package shelf? If so should I stay away from metal tint? Any suggestions?

dp5

I am looking at purchasing an ES 350 and was talking with the salesperson about this yesterday. He said that it is best to use ceramic vs. metallic tint if you have the XM installed on the rear shelf. With this scenario, he said that the reception was very good. He recommend against using Sirius. The antennae is a large triangular shaped antennae that is placed on the front windshield and many car owners don't want something so intrusive. He said that they purhase a special after-market antennae for Sirius that goes on the back shelf to try and provide good reception without an obvious antennae but the reception was always spotty. The salesperson said the installers alwasy groan when someone requests Sirius because, even though they warn the customer that they will experience reception problems, the customers inevitably call and complain after taking delivery.

My wife has XM on her vehicle and the reception is great. I think I like the content of Sirius better and was planning on buying Sirius but I've decided to go with XM now. I'd get really frustrated if the service dropped with every overpass I went under.

Hope this helps.

lexuslover

i have the sirius tuner w/ XM antenna on rear shelf. the dealer also recommended not using the SIGMA windshield antenna b/c of the size and less aesthetic appeal. in any case, i have carbon based film (no metal) and the reception is very good. i rarely lose reception, except under very low overpasses. high freeway overpasses are generally ok. here is a pic

noozguy

Yeah, mine is on the back shelf currently... It's too close to the C pillar though and I am going to have the dealer move it to the center area. I loose reception all the time. I will go with ceramic tint like you guys reccomended. Thanks

Eternity3G

I just got my tint.. (Madico Mac3000) and it works great with Navi and AM reception. I don't have XM or Sirius, but I heard it works great because the Metallic-y finish is actually a ceramic rather than metal. Thereforth, no interference with reception. I heard Sirius has a major reception problem with Lexus period so try to stay with the XM. (also Huper Optik is a great company) Keep in mind though as the Ceramics are VERY expensive. I believe retail from a GOOD installer runs about $700-1,000.

kenne74

My audi was the same way reception was ok not great without tint, once i installed tint reception went to hell and was very intermitten. I would recommend mounting on the outside of your car and put a piece of thin cloth in between the antenna and car to avoid excess scratching of your paint.


Ken