one wolf

Greetings,

Newbie question here - I have tried searching the forums, no avail... I am on the cusp of being a new IS 350 owner (very excited). I understand that since the car I'm interested in is already on the dealer lot, that it missed its opportunity to have satelite installed in port (which is rediculous - even Mazda cars all come satelite ready nowadays. Dadgummit Lexus!). But in any case, my questions:

1. Is XM the only choice or is Sirius an option? I prefer Sirius but can live with XM.
2. Antenna - is it already in the little shark fin centered on the roof in front of the rear window? Please say yes... if no - then where do they install it?

Thanks!

iKenn

iTrader: (1)

1) i dont know
2) yes, it should already have the shark fin i got my IS350 2 weeks ago and got a shark fin but no XM. i think the shark fin is standard on all new IS's

jsquared

1) sirius is also offered.
2) the sharkfin is standard on the 07 and 08 models (thank god cause i absolutely hate it - i have an 06)

other options are to put the little nub/wart looking thing on the roof or on the trunk somewhere. i think some members may have put the antenna under the trunk lid so it can't be seen too with pretty good results (just doesn't work in garage, underground parking garages, etc). that's what i plan to do if i get satellite in the future.

Zeus69

iTrader: (1)

Sirius is available and I'm getting it next week on my new 350. I'm told the car will need to be dropped off since installation may take 3-4 hours . Regardless, it will be good to have again since I missed Howard and the NFL..

istundra

iTrader: (2)

1. XM & Sirius
2. XM - Shark Fin Antenna, Sirius - Internal Windsheild antenna (however, some have modified the XM Proprietory AMP Plug to fit Sirius Tuners for Shark Fin).

one wolf

Thanks for the help. So if the XM antenna is already installed, what exactly is it they're installing for $750? Is it something I could do myself?

jejagua

A lot of us have done our own XM module installations. Self-installing is $300 vs having it dealer installed for $700-1100 .

Some prefer to install an after-market receiver to gain additional features, like recording / caching, receiver portability, etc.. but you have to mount the control head unit / receiver and external antenna. I'm not sure if the shark fin can be used on an after-market receiver...and if I understand correctly, will not work with Sirius.

The module is installed in the passenger side of the trunk and requires removal of some of the panels. A mounting kit is required that contains a bracket and a cabling harness that interconnects with the factory amplifier.

There is a real good thread that I'm having trouble locating, with pictures that a guy took during his self install of the XM factory module. The module integrates nicely with the nav, but speaking as a long-time XM subscriber, the Nav interface could be improved a bit. Still, it's tolerable.

I'm unfamiliar with Sirius...

one wolf

Thanks jejagua! I'll keep hunting for the thread also - sounds very good. I'm definitely interested in a solution that integrates with the existing NAV. I don't care enough about the cache features, etc. enough to install a tack-on controller. In addition to installing the box in the trunk - do you have to run a wire to the dash? Or is it just the box in the trunk? Guess I'll have to wait until I can find the thread huh...

Lama

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=297124

one wolf

Thanks! Man this place is great

istundra

iTrader: (2)

Also don't forget the XM Antenna for Sirius Radio. KCCraash installed Sirius Radio using Sharkfin (XM) Antenna.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&postcount=331

revitupwio

Another vote for installing it yourself. I suck at this sort of thing, but for $290 shipped, I was going to give it a shot. It really is pretty easy using the thread that Lama provided. I already had the sharkfin (as you seem to also), so going slowly & with less-than-dexterous hands, it took me about 2 hrs.

MrChuckFL

VAIS tech is now offering a cable that will allow you to use the sharkfin antenna with either Sirius or XM.

http://www.vaistech.com/ecart/agora.cgi?product=10

It is a little pricey at $59 but better than chopping the cable or using the puck on the dash.

I just ordered one. Guess I will find out how well it works when it gets here