oblio98

Here are some pictures of my "quick" installation of my SIRIUS S-50 for those who may be interested. I am sure there are better ways to do it, but I wanted it quick and dirty.

NOTE: There are 6 pictures. Give them a chance to load!


I decided that I did not want the unit visible, because it would take up leg room no matter where I put it, so I decided to sacrifice the lower section of the storage space. I had a "Y" connector for the DC Outlet. I had to drill a large 1 1/2" hole in the plastic cover to allow the adapters to fit into the lower space.
The second outlet will be to charge my Nextel Phone. The base to the S50 was just bolted to the cover with lock washers, washers, and nuts.



Here is the completed power installation. One for the phone, one for the S50.
Giving up the lower half section is not that big of a deal (unless you want to store a laptop there), because once you plug something into the outlet, you can't open the hatch anyway!!




The rear cover of the console just snaps off. I drilled a hole for the antenna wire in the plastic area, then routed it down to the carpet, snapping the cover back in place. The wire then goes under the rear fold down seat into the trunk area.




There are two easily removable access panels that allow the wire to be routed up to the weather stripping. I tie wrapped it to an unused connector/relay. I think this might be where the back up sensors connect, however I have no idea what that's for.




I removed the weather stripping and ran the wire under the header, then just brought it out to the antenna as shown. I no longer had the little wire protector that came with it.



Here's what it looks like now. I now am able to listen to Howard Stern again, so now the RDX is fully road worthy. I am currently using the FM transmitter in the unit, as I don't want to have an exposed wire running to the AUX input on the console.

INSPIRE 32V

iTrader: (1)

Let the RDX modding Begin. looks nice BTW

jaobrien6

Very nice!

I assume the RDX head unit has some sort of AUX input in the back? We need someone (Blitzsafe, Soundgate, etc...) to get cracking on an appropriate adapter.

oblio98

There is an AUX input right in the front on the audio/radio/CD player. However, I don't want to have an exposed wire laying there all of the time, but if the FM transmitter begins to be problematic, I may have to rig something up. Time will tell.

chyllintsx

looks nice man... kool!

rdxsteverino

If you're into high quality sound you should go with the Aux input. FM transmitters add noise and don't have the same dynamic range. The Aux input will give you full CD/MP3 quality sound - same as whatever you're plugging into it. For me it's worth the wire.

jaobrien6

Yeah, I was wondering if there was also an AUX input on the back of the headunit... that way, with an appropriate adapter, you could wire it up into the center console like you have it now, but it would be hard-wired instead of using FM. I'm also not a fan of the AUX input on the front (but I'll take that over no AUX input at all, don't get me wrong! )

chinhman

Does this Sirius setup display song title & artist on the Nav screen?

Thanks for sharing the pics of the setup?

Chinh

SilverJ

nice install dude ---I have the s50 and it is the best radio for sirius by far.
If your a stern fan its a no brainer to buy it.
You are missing out big time on sound quality though.....the aux in is far superios to the fm transmitter.
If your only listening to talk it doesnt matter. Why would you want to hide the s50 anyway ? It looks really cool on the right of the dash. I have it on my TL---you can always disconnect it when big people get in your car.

oblio98

No. There's no way to do that. If I want to see what's on, I have to peek!

HEY NOW! I thought about it, but the RDX doesn't quite have the room that a TL has, and I didn't want the wires to be exposed at all. At some point I'll do the aux in, when I get brave enough to disassemble the console and get at that input point inside the console!

Julie8000

I just got my rdx and am trying to figure out the Sirius install as well. Thanks for the pics. I saw on Sirius board some sort of adapter that will allow you to use the antenna for the xm radio for use with sirius. I am trying to figure out the cleanest install of my radio, so the console idea might be good.

Does any one else have any thoughts

Rdxowner

NICE but..YUVE RUINED YOUR RDX:|lol nwayz still nice keep it up

marakbai

let me know about this adapter, I'd love to use it on both my RDX and TSX!
Thanks!

flar

In terms of cutting the fold-down panels in the center storage to allow a pass-through for the power - there is a gap between the front of the front panel and the wall of the compartment that should let the wires get by it to the space below without having to cut anything. Someone did this with the much thicker wire on their Neo install. You'd have to fold the panel down with the power splitter not plugged in but with its wire snaked around the front of the panel and then plug it in after the panel has passed the outlet.

On the other hand, the fold-down panels are probably cheap to replace if you want to undo the damage...

jambonesmokes

before somebody try this, XM and Sirius are merging....no point to this now.

oblio98

True, but it looks like this merger is going the way of the Direct TV/Dish Network merger - killed by lobbiests for the NAB (and in this case Clear Channel as opposed to the cable TV companies)

Either way, drilling a few holes in a plastic flap is hardly radical.

oblio98

Hey, I finally ran the wire for the AUX. I got one of those 90 degree audio plug deals at Radio Snack. The silver trim piece on the side of the console just snaps off. I popped that off, drilled a hole inside the console between the shifter area and the inside console and ran the wire, totally hidden.

It works great, as the AUX input activates the Dolby Pro Logic II circuitry. Now I don't have to deal with the FM fade at times.

geogeer

I would love to see a pic of that cable routing... pretty please

Silverstone

Nice install...

Aren't XM and Sirius merging soon? That should mean that you'd be able to get both services from either hardware at some point.

oblio98

I'll take a few pictures this weekend.

SilverJ

But the approval probably wont happen for another year.

Still-this install is still necessary because this guy is installing the S50 which IMHO is 500 times better than any factory radio(or rally any radio at this point). I have an S50 in my TL(using line in right to the head unit) and its awesome...its like having a Tivo for your sat radio in your car. If your a stern fan the S50 is essential. You can also save any song you hear right to the internal memory...for free. Its awesome.

geogeer

Did you have a chance to snag some pics?
I've been looking at the silver trim piece on the side of the console and think it comes off, but can't really figure out how. I don't want to break it.
Got any tips?