Howdy everyone!

I've been considering making the conversation to XM radio as I'm just tired of the constant broadcasts here in socal, will likely be making cross country trips this summer, I'm really bad at making ipod playlists I like (past when I make them), and I have the ability to do so right now financially (yay).

I was just wondering where anyone who drives the Escape and uses XM placed their receiver. (I wish that stupid shifting lever wasn't there)

Also, I would love to know how you chose to power it (I would prefer not to have to have the connection to the lighter plug out there).

I think I plan to install it myself (heard horror stories of bestbuy/circut city and don't want to pay a real pro), just looking for some helpful suggestions.

Thanks!

Tom

This setup will enable your satellite ready FORD radio to be able to control the included XM radio with the radio tuner. I have one and it works flawlessly.

That seems like a cool product...but I have the NAV device so I don't think it will work for me.

This setup is for the AUDIOPHILE SOUND SYSTEM only, the cable is different for the basic radio with the SAT button and is apparently not available from Terk as of yet.

The Nav radio will not work with this unit.

This setup is available at a much discounted price from:

http://www.myradiostore.us/xm-radio-...01-frd100.html

XM, although not a necessity, is awesome. For $10-13/month, I really like having it.

XM isn't necessary for cross country driving if you're concerned about FM reception. When I drove from VA to AZ, the only place where I didn't get an FM signal was for about 100 miles across NM. The station I was listening to finally faded out. So I hit scan to find another one. Well, it kept on going, on and on! It didn't find one single station to get a signal off of. I left it on scan. Nearly 100 miles later, I finally got a faint signal that locked on.

I think the best part of XM is MOST of their music channels are commercial free. They advertise commercial free music. So I subscribe thinking I'll never hear a commercial again. Man was I wrong! The ad did say "commercial free music" after all. All of their news/talk channels and the comedy channels have tons and tons of commercials. I think the only commercials I've heard on their music channels are for their own service. And, the 80s and 90s channels have a DJ that does an awful lot of talking during the early evening. He even takes on-air callers! Play the freakin' music already!

When my wife gets home, I'll snap a pic of the XM install in our Escape. It's not hardwired in, but it'll give you an idea of a way to go.

<Best Tank Economy!><Best Tank Endurance!>

I installed the SkyFi2 system today. Put the antenna up on the roof and guided the wire into the passenger door jamb and into the car. Even know it isn't permanently mounted and running from the internal FM modulator of the SkyFi...I'm pretty pleased with the sound quality and stations.

Also, I drove across the country from Anaheim to Orlando last summer and discovered I really didn't like the selection I had at times. I'll likely be doing the trip again this summer...so XM should be a nice addition!

Thanks for your input everybody.
Once I have it all mounted I'll post a few pictures!

Depending on how picky you are about audio quality, I would also suggest the X3-FRDW from P.I.E. I drove Philly to Seattle and got quite sick of the "change the FM modulator channel" game as I hit various cities with overlapping frequencies.

With the X3, I now have a direct line and the audio quality is significantly better and I also have inputs now for mp3 players.

I had to go with Sirus (have to have my howard stern)I no longer listen to normal radio! Some of the the music channels have 2-4 commercials in an 8hr period that I have heard. Plus it costs $12 a month or $200 annually or $500 lifetime, I too was surprised to hear the commercials but they do put the $$$ in the companies pockets..

I picked up the
Sirius Satellite Radio and Car Kit from crutchfield Includes SIRIUS tuner, 10-key remote, car kit • built-in wireless FM transmitter • 5-line display • 24 channel presets • jog dial • 20-song memory • alarm

• <

and $50 mail-in rebate

Best of all it's portable and I can move it car to car if needed..

04' # 5, W/leather & JBL omitted.
"Prius, Just ask the person that drives one"
04' Tundra, 18mpg city & 22mpg hwy.
04' Prius, 60mpg city & 53mpg hwy.

Kenstyle NHW20 AERO Kit

I did the installation! I'm quite proud of myself (other than the ground loop- but I'm 90% done fixing that). I didn't shock myself, didn't blow up the car or break the radio! While I haven't completely finished dressing up the wires, I thought I would share my adventures installing the devices anyway.

Hopefully this will help some of you other folks do an install!

I installed the Delphi XM Skyfi2 system into my '06 Escape Hybrid with the NAV system. Here are the supplies I utilized...

skyfi 2 unit and car kit
braketron CBM (FOR-202-05) [bracket to hold device to the right of the radio]
P.I.E. X3-FRDW Harness [harness to intercept CD changer]
P.I.E. X-3 Multi-Source Aux Input Converter [logic board to allow multiple inputs (CD, iPod, XM, etc)]
female lighter socket w/ quick connect cables
RCA to mini-jack 6 foot cable
ground loop isolator

I started installing without all the pieces because I first wanted to test the XM without it being fully integrated (and because I was excited). Even here in Southern California the FM modulator wasn't terrible.

I installed the antenna above the windshield and lead the cable in the weather stripping around the glass. I found the best tools for getting under the stripping without hurting it or breaking any important seal was a penny and a dime!


I then continued leading the wire down the windshield and entered the passenger area via a convenient opening in the weather stripping.


In the mean time, I removed the radio using the removal tools (those things can be quite annoying) and found the 12v lead. I wanted the XM to turn on with the radio and shut off as the radio does when a door is opened and not before. For my '06 NAV system equipped Escape Hybrid this wire was the yellow/black wire. I suggest being careful choosing where you put your ground. I chose the lazy route (using the quick connect devices into an existing ground cable) and this gave me a nasty ground loop problem. [When I go to fix the problem back there I'll take some photos]

After the electricity was all set for the SkyFi, I then began the installation of the PIE devices. Make sure you find the right cable under the passenger seat. Anything that is bright yellow should be avoided. The cable intercepts the connection to the CD changer and is very easy to install.


I didn't really find a great place to hide the unit, I suppose you could place it underneath the center console, but the intercepting cable is very thick. I know I'm blocking the foot level vent there... but I don't usually care for people who are sitting in the back seat and its never that cold here in Southern California.

I fed an RCA cable from the mounted XM unit down under the center console to the P.I.E. unit. You only really need to remove the fasteners on the passenger side of the console to slip the cable under.

Sorry these pics are not the most amazing, but once I've sleeved the cables and fixed the ground loop problem I'll get some good ones.


Full Size Photos (link to flickr photo stream)

The audio quality is quite good. I'm happy with the way the XM and iPod sound. I'm full of answers for most questions... if your thinking of doing an installation like this I'll be happy to provide any insight I can.

Tom

Tom,
I talked to an audio/stereo/XM Radio tech near my house about Terk's new adapter for XM that might work with the 2005 Nav system...part XMDRDS100. It will interface with the NAV display using the RDS signal. The problem is no one seems to have it in stock yet. What do you think?
link:
http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/s...4946&langId=-1
Let me know...
Barry