Satellite Radio

[Pitch]

Hey,
new owner of a 2006 SLE Convertible! I've been reading through the manual and I saw that it has XM Satellite Radio installed. Currently though I have Sirius satellite radio. Can I still use the equipment that's already in the car? If not, how big of an operation would changing it out be?
Really looking forward to testing out this car. Thanks,
Hunter

[Down2TheC]

It's sat ready. That just means that the head unit will talk to an OEM SM or Serius unit that will allow the head unit to control the channels and what-not. Several guys on here have the OEM sat and I'm pretty sure it's mixed reviews. The text on the HU is pretty lame and the reception is worse than aftermarket units. But I'm 04 and have no sat so I'd wait for them to speak up. On the flip side, having control from the steering wheel is very important to some. (me)

Meanwhile... if you have a Sirius portable unit, you could pipe the sound into the stereo with the USA Spec unit. $70, 5 min install.

P.S. Welcome to the Solara crowd. Also welcome to the Ragtop subgroup. (We're even cooler ... ask PXLPainter.) Post up an introduction when you get a sec.

[Pitch]

Would the USA Spec. Unit work for connecting an iPod, too? Do you have a link for it or anything? Thanks.

[tribander]

I just installed a TOYOTA Solara Compatable TERK XM Radio last night works great and it has all the functionallity of the OEM unit. Does everything the same paid $99.99 . I have some pictures of install and I'll be posting them soon with further information. Just don't have time now.

[linmk2]

I've just noticed the TERK XM radio. It does seem much, much cheaper than OEM. I'm glad to know that with works well with the factory head. Will it work with the factory convertible Nav set up?

[tribander]

That’s a good question. If you can get XM from the factory then I think its almost certain the TERK XMDTL will work.

[Down2TheC]

Would the USA Spec. Unit work for connecting an iPod, too? Do you have a link for it or anything? Thanks.

Yup. You won't have any control over it though. So you'd have to operate the iPod or XM unit like normal. But the USA Spec ends in two sets of RCA jacks. So anything you can plug into a stereo, you can plug into your HU.

They have iPod connectors that convert the CD Changer speak to ipod speak. So you get sound out and track control from the wheel and HU.

[mekaleka]

I've been looking around on the web and found on the audiovox website that apparently the xmdtlk and xmd1000 are required for the Solara installation. Unfortunately, the spec sheet indicates 2006-2007 only. Can anyone confirm that you need both, and if they would work with the 2004 navigation unit?

[mekaleka]

I just got a response from technical support, and the xmdtlk/xmd1000 is only compatible with 2006-2007 Toyota Solara without navigation, and not compatible with the 2004-2005 Toyota at all.