Also, why did you change the location from the dash to the windshield? Was it because of the reception only, or was it the looks too? I just am having a hard time picturing an antenna on the outside of the windshield. I live in Orlando, FL so I am not dealing with any mountains or uneven terrain. It is just pretty much all flat. I cannot see that much of a difference with 2 feet from the dash to the windshield. I think pictured would speak wonders.

I also purchased my kit from Integrated Solutions, but in a little regret because I just saw the Vais sale they have in the Group Buy section. The Terk XMD-1000 is also only 13 dollars at Circuit City after rebates. Oh well. I just hope that the Vais module is the latest version that has all of the quirks worked out. Was yours the latest version?

 

Thanks for the info surteco. I'll have to give them a ring whenever I receive all of my equipment. My hope was that you were in the Raleigh area. But i'll drive to Greensboro to have good quality work done. Will be worth the drive if it comes recommended and was done right.

 

Mine was not the latest version. I dropped the car off at lunch today and they are putting the new modules in. I will pick it up about 5. The reception on the top of the windshield prevents the roof from blocking out the signal when the car is going the oposite direction of the sat signal. Also reception is always better outside. Additionaly, I just did not want this on the dash. Just a preference. I will try to get you some pics tonight and report on the new units. Regards

 

If you call ahead and schedule, It probably only take about 1 t 2 hrs. Especialy since they have had my car to experiment on. Regards

 

Sorry, was your unit knew at the time, or does Integration Solutions send out-dated models to customers? I can understand that an update had been made since the original purchase date, all I am really worried about is if they sent the correct version when you order it. I get mine on Wednesday. It has been shipped. The good news is that if it isn't what it should be, they offer a 30-day guarantee in which I could return it, and go to Vais directly and get it for cheaper. I want to do this anyway to save money, but I won't if it is the latest version.

 

Sam, to answer your questions, the problem was not in the Vais unit it was in the Sirius unit. The Intergrated solutions package consists of several things. 1. The Vais module. 2. A Sirius or XM tuner. 2. An antenna. 4. Necessary interconnects for the Lexus.

The "Loading" issue I had was the Sirius unit trying to reload chanels after they had been lost. This is normaly done only on the first start up.

I may be wrong, since this is the only unit I have bought from Intergrated, but I believe it was the Sirius unit.

Intergrated sent me a complete new kit. The Sirius unit in the new kit was different in apperance. I am attaching a picture of the OLD unit that was taken out. If the unit you receive looks like the one in the picture, I would check with Intergrated before you install it.

I have not had a chance to try the new unit, however if I have problems I will send you a message by this time tomorrow. It worked great after I had it activated in my driveway tonight.

I am sending photos of the antenna in addition to the 1 photo of the Sirius unit. Aparently the file size of the photos is too large so they will be in the next mesages. 5 in total. I probably did not do this right.

If you look closely the only place the wire is visible is at the edge of the cowl. It is not possible to tuck the wire in at that point, however I do not think anyone will see it.

I glued the antenna to the windshield. I did not trust the tape adhesive due to the location of the antena. You must check for windshield wiper clearance before you permantly attach it is very tight. Also, I put a couple of spots of sylicone on the wire to make sure it did not work its way out.

Looks good or bad, depending on how you see it. For me it is the best solution to a problem that Lexus should fix.

By the way, I am very pleased with the service at Intergrated Solutions. I think they just happened to have a bad unit and I was lucky enough to get it. My experience in electronics is that they are either dead on arival or they last forever.

Remember, you cannot by this complete kit from Vais, they only make the interface so the price you think is cheaper is not the complete kit.

Be sure and look at all the photos.
Regards,
Surt

 

Photo #2 of Antenna

 

Antenna photo 3

 

Photo # 4 Antenna wire

 

Final photo #5 Old Sirius unit after removal from car.

 

Thank you very much for the photos. It looks fine. I am, however, going to start with it on my dash, and hopefully being in Florida I will not have any problems.

I would like to know what your shop originally used to stick it to the dash. I do not really want to put something real adhesive on there where it could melt in the hot sun and make a mess. What did they use for you?

I am getting the XM set-up so my receiver will look a little different. I have already made sure that they are sending the most recent one of those (as the one they are sending is one of two options, and they both have been around for a while). XM is about to release a new one I beleive, but Vais has not made it that far yet.

I was more concerned with the Vais unit itself. There are different versions that have been released, and I want to make sure I get the most recent version of that. The version a few prior to the newest had a problem with "loading" being stuck on the display. The prior version had a problem with the SAT2 preset defaulting to the Weather Channel. The new one is supposed to be good. 4.37 is the latest if I am not mistaking. Let me know how it all works out for you tomorrow. Thanks again for the photos.

 

I think 4.38 is the latest version. I did not have the antenna installed on the dash, just tried it there. The problem is not hills the problem is the top of the car. My first choice was just behind the glass wind deflector in the rear. My installer was strongly against any instalation on the inside of the car. I went against his recomendations and put it low on the windshield. He was right and ultimately I moved it to the top. I absolutely did not want it on the top (just above where it is now) which was his choice. He wanted to paint it white. So I ended up moving it myself to the curent location. I am completely happy with it there. We have a G 500 mercedes with the antenna on the roof. The reception is no better there than on the 430. Bottom line. If you have trees, buildings, bridges etc. etc. you will sometimes get drop outs. Just the nature of sat radio. As a side note, the new unit works perfectly on my drive to the office this morning.
Also, anything you stick to the dash is going to get slimey. I have velcro for my radar detector on the left side of the inttrument cluster. When it is hot, if I pull it off, the velcro and slime come with it. Cleans up easy with Goop Off. Good luck

 

Well my items arrived. Of course with the path that technology takes, the day I received my stuff, a new version of the Vais was released. I got 4.37 and 4.38 was released. I called Vais and the good news is that this would not affect my car. It was for a Toyota radio. This did, however, bring to my attention that technology changes on these things, and fast. Surteco, where did they install the componets (sirius receiver and vais module) in your car? Are they where the dash has to be removed? The vais guy said that he recommends a place where it can be easily reached like up under the passenger footwell. Let me know where your's are. Thank you.

 

Is it possible to determine the version from the head unit -- i.e. its already installed?

 

Just wanted to make sure folks knew Vaistech is running a group buy for the next couple of weeks.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=306481

Moose, I had my vaistech (Ipod variety) installed in my LS430 at Tweeter in Charlotte. If you're near here let me know and I can shoot you contact info for my install guy - he's very good.