i decided to redo my install a little and change the angle so the unit is easier to see. here is a before pic


and the new

 

Beautiful work again.

One problem: since the photos are taken from different angles, it's hard to see how the "after" differs.

Would you post a pic taken from a similar angle as the "before"?

Also, did you hard-wire it this time? Did that improve the sound quality?

 

i had a feeling someone would ask. yea ill try to take another pic but if you look the bottom of the display was sunken into the console about 3/8" or so into the console. the top was raised slightly to provide a better angle.

oh and the hard wire did help the SQ i especially noticed it in the high frequencies and a little more noticable stereo separation. but i just ordered a line driver to boost the signal. after taking with the soundgate tech he said that the roady and the XM commander both provide about 500 mv signal. and it is noticably less volume than the cd and slightly less than the FM tuner.

the line driver will boost the signal to a full 4 volts which will be more than enough to compensate and is adjustable to you can get it just right.
if any of you decided you need the Line Driver i can get my hands on a group buy for about 30 bucks + shipping.

 

ok i took another pic i tired to get the camera angle the same
here is the old again

as you can see the display is a lot easier to read and you can clearly see the bottom row of full sized characters on the screen.


and the new

 

Does the coin tray just come out that cleanly, and allow you to do this? I have a Sirius receiver in the uppper pocket, but I would like to use the lower on instead if that is possible (which I guess it is looking at your install). Mine controler is about the same size as what you have in these pictures.

 

yes the red pocket comes out easy but you need to do some cutting. in fact you need to cut out the entire guts of the area where the cig lighter and pocker were. the replacement part from acura is 45 bucks which i will be buying to replace this peice before i sell the car.

 

Whoa, you put yours in "not an ashtray". I had circuit city put mine in the larger compartment, just below the radio.

 

if im not mistaken circuit city does free installs, you got what you paid for. and you lost part or all of a valuable storage space.
i think my install looks pretty OEM and very functional. i dont need a coin holder because there is one under the arm rest and i dont need a lighter socket as my passport 8500 is hard wired and mounted under the blue tint of the windshield.

there is an outlet in the storage bin i use for accessories.

did you get the roady or the XM commander?
do you have pics?

 

Awesome job, yet again! Were you using the standard faceplate that comes with the XM Commander? Did you have to cut any of the "not an ashtray," or were you able to do it so that things could be restored to stock afterwards?

I'm very interested in duplicating your install and would like as much info as possible about how to re-create how you mounted the faceplate (and am sure others would like to do this too!)

 

i used the Xm faceplate and had to trim about 1/16th frpm each end.
then i had to compleatly cut all the plastic out of the tray area. the replacement part i am told is 50 bucks and plan to replace it before i turn the car in.

i used a 1/16th inch thick ABS plastic peice using a heat gun bent it into a z shape on the front edge to recess the lower part of the faceplate.
i made an additional 15 degree bend in the top to bring the top of the face plate as hiogh as i could without it hitting the door on the compartment.

i then welded the parts together using a heat tool (like a soldering iron)

i dont want to sound like a smart ass know it all or anything but honestly for me this was a simple straight forward install, i have been doing this for about 15 years. building things with my hands is a talent i have mastered in my earlier installation carrear.
this is definitly not somthing the amature installer would be very successful to attempt.

and as good as it turned out i could have done better now that i have done it once.
if you really want this install i could make arrangements to do it for you if you could send the parts ill fabricate it. it takes me about 3 hours to finish it and i charge 35 an hour.

 

Very nice job BM. If I were to do that I would want it in the same place. One question though: if I were to buy the Roady (with smaller footprint), would it be possible to leave the power outlet in place?

I need two power outlets. Thanks.

 

i dont think you would want to do this install with a roady unless you had the remote. because i belive the roady has a thumbwheel on the upper right hand corner. so flush mounting it would be a bad idea. not only that the roady wires all connect on the side of the unit. again a flush mount may not work and i can tell you that because of the plastic lump on the underside of the retractable door of the compartment you have to keep the install recessed into the compartment or the door will hit the faceplate.

 

OK thanks. This is why I'm going to wait for XM until I buy my next car. I don't want to sacrifice storage or utility, and I don't want it exposed and looking bad. Oh well.

 

I agree with Bass, If you want to do a flush mount, the Roady would not be the way to go. However if you want to use the storage compartment to do a hidden system the Roady works quite well with less componants to worry about.

 

Are you able to close the lid on your XM unit without any resistance?

 

yes it works perfectly

 

Bass Mechanic, you mention a line driver earlier in this thread for $30 bucks. I have installed my XM Commander and definitely need it. Where can I find one? Also, do you notice a lack of treble and stereo separation with your unit?

 

no i dont see any degradation with the line driver in separation or treble in fact im quite impressed with the amplification. im sure it can be measured but to the ear it sounds fine to me.
there was 1 other guy that immed me and i told him i was kinda hoping to order more than 1 unit at a time. if you 2 want to get one ill make an order.

 

Yes, I am interested in ordering one. Let me know how you would like to proceed.

 

hey bass mechanic can you priv. Mess. me your IM fo aol or msn i have both i have some question with the XM Commander Install. i jus dont feel like posting all of them.. but iill understand if u dont give it to me

thanx

 

my AIM is rmscaraudio but if your not on my buddy list you cant IM me. i need to add your handel to my list to communicate

my MSN is bassmechanic@pcisys.net im online right now but its at the office and ill be headed back there at about 7Pm
MST you can send me a message if you want and ill reply when i get back.

 

Bass Mechanic - Am I too late to get one? If not I would like one too.

 

no i havnt ordered yet. we need to coordinate some stuff. everyone needs to send me an email with their address.

 

My AIM is Notoriousreg...Bass