Real time traffic?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
Real time traffic?
Our 06 has the hideously large black triangle device near the top of the windshield. From my research on the forums, that is supposed to be the XM or Sirius satellite receiver. Since XM and Sirius merged a few years ago, can I still subscribe to service to get real-time traffic results on the Nav? Most of the time I rely on Waze or Google Maps on my phone for navigation with live traffic. Just curious if I can get the same feature for the built-in Nav in case our daughter is using my phone for movies.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 70
From: Illinois
Post a pic of the "large black triangle device near the top of the windshield." XM satellite radio was a dealer-installed accessory in '04 - '06 LS. Neither the satellite receiver nor the antenna was located near the windshield.
Edit: XM satellite radio does not reflect real-time traffic on the LS Nav screen.
Edit: XM satellite radio does not reflect real-time traffic on the LS Nav screen.
Last edited by Tom57; Oct 4, 2016 at 02:11 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
The '06 that I just picked up has a puck on the left trunk lid, and I found that there is a demo Xm station. I would take a free trial, but likely would not pay. My wife has had 6 mos for $25 for over 4 yrs...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
Post a pic of the "large black triangle device near the top of the windshield." XM satellite radio was a dealer-installed accessory in '04 - '06 LS. Neither the satellite receiver nor the antenna was located near the windshield.
Edit: XM satellite radio does not reflect real-time traffic on the LS Nav screen.
Edit: XM satellite radio does not reflect real-time traffic on the LS Nav screen.
Thanks, Tom. Here are some photos:
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 70
From: Illinois
I don't know what that is. It is not an OE satellite radio antenna, and it doesn't appear to be any of the after-market satellite radio antennas currently available (most are so-called "micro-size" now). 10 years ago, satellite radio antennas were larger, about that size. It could be an after-market SAT antenna. Do you have SAT radio, either OE (through the OE radio, by pushing the "AM" radio button), or an after-market product?
Where does the wire run and connect? Is it a current wire or antenna wire? Do you have a cable tracker / wire toner to "listen" if current is passing through the wire with ignition "on"?
Where does the wire run and connect? Is it a current wire or antenna wire? Do you have a cable tracker / wire toner to "listen" if current is passing through the wire with ignition "on"?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
I don't know what that is. It is not an OE satellite radio antenna, and it doesn't appear to be any of the after-market satellite radio antennas currently available (most are so-called "micro-size" now). 10 years ago, satellite radio antennas were larger, about that size. It could be an after-market SAT antenna. Do you have SAT radio, either OE (through the OE radio, by pushing the "AM" radio button), or an after-market product?
Where does the wire run and connect? Is it a current wire or antenna wire? Do you have a cable tracker / wire toner to "listen" if current is passing through the wire with ignition "on"?
Where does the wire run and connect? Is it a current wire or antenna wire? Do you have a cable tracker / wire toner to "listen" if current is passing through the wire with ignition "on"?
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...-xm-and-sirius
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-question.html (post #4)
I just tested the AM-SAT radio band and the screen indicates "Deactivated". CH255 just says "SiriusID" but doesn't show an actual ID number that I can use to subscribe to Sirius. Probably doesn't help that I tried to get a signal with the garage closed. Too late to bother backing the car out for a clear path to the sky. Will retry tomorrow morning.
Does HD radio quality really sound better through the Mark Levinson system? Honestly, I think FM radio in my wife's 06 ES330 sounds better than the hyped-up ML reference system.
Last edited by FatherTo1; Oct 4, 2016 at 09:04 PM.
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Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 70
From: Illinois
Tom, it appears to fit the description of the Sirius receiver that was used for some LS and GS models:
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...-xm-and-sirius
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-question.html (post #4)
I just tested the AM-SAT radio band and the screen indicates "Deactivated". CH255 just says "SiriusID" but doesn't show an actual ID number that I can use to subscribe to Sirius. Probably doesn't help that I tried to get a signal with the garage closed. Too late to bother backing the car out for a clear path to the sky. Will retry tomorrow morning.
Does HD radio quality really sound better through the Mark Levinson system? Honestly, I think FM radio in my wife's 06 ES330 sounds better than the hyped-up ML reference system.
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...-xm-and-sirius
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-question.html (post #4)
I just tested the AM-SAT radio band and the screen indicates "Deactivated". CH255 just says "SiriusID" but doesn't show an actual ID number that I can use to subscribe to Sirius. Probably doesn't help that I tried to get a signal with the garage closed. Too late to bother backing the car out for a clear path to the sky. Will retry tomorrow morning.
Does HD radio quality really sound better through the Mark Levinson system? Honestly, I think FM radio in my wife's 06 ES330 sounds better than the hyped-up ML reference system.
I researched the topic before I recently bought: a used XM satellite tuner made by Pioneer designed specifically for the LS and a few other Toyota vehicles, the Lexus wire harness and a micro satellite antenna. I DIY installed it. (I'm about to install another XM tuner in my '05 CL.) Lexus dealers originally installed the larger XM antenna on the left rear trunk deck lid - as indicated in the satellite radio instructions. I have a newer "micro" antenna concealed in the high mount 3rd brake light assembly. The XM tuner is installed in the upper right trunk behind the panel. I can appreciate your angst with that large ugly rectangle Sirius antenna attached to your windshield.
Regarding HD (digital) radio ... while the quality of the source of music / sound is important in determining what you actually hear, there are limits to the ML sound system (as well as the human ear). I don't think HD radio would offer noticeable improvement in the sound quality - particularly through the ML amplification and speaker system.
Last edited by Tom57; Oct 5, 2016 at 08:13 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
Regarding HD (digital) radio ... while the quality of the source of music / sound is important in determining what you actually hear, there are limits to the ML sound system (as well as the human ear). I don't think HD radio would offer noticeable improvement in the sound quality - particularly through the ML amplification and speaker system.
Driver
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 106
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
I have the same box on my windshield. I always noticed it and thought that it was all a part of the rain sensor. Mine is placed exactly the same way as yours on the windshield.
Last edited by legend921; Oct 5, 2016 at 08:36 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
Thanks, John/Tom, for sharing your experiences with satellite and HD Radio. I didn't realize HD Radio is free programming.
I tried to activate a Sirius trial this morning but was unsuccessful. The SiriusXM site doesn't recognize any of the radio IDs I enter. It let me sign up for a trial based on my VIN but then it couldn't send out the activation sognal...probably because the VIN option assumes the unit is OEM and factory installed.
I tried to activate a Sirius trial this morning but was unsuccessful. The SiriusXM site doesn't recognize any of the radio IDs I enter. It let me sign up for a trial based on my VIN but then it couldn't send out the activation sognal...probably because the VIN option assumes the unit is OEM and factory installed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
Legend, I'm still convinced the device is for satellite but I can't seem to retrieve the correct radio ID from the system to activate a trial. The SAT1 audio mode appears to let me cycle through channels 0, 184, and 255 only...so I assume that indicates the unit is capable of pulling in a satellite signal.