Ok - here's the question.. not really a tech question, but more one for the experts in the forum.

First, this is the forum I used in order to get my SNHOND3 hooked up, and my MP3 player running. Very happy with my Iriver CD Player and the car, but now I'm looking to go XM. Here's the catch - it's a lease - and I don't intend to buy it out.

The first question is which unit should I go with considering it is a lease? I love the look of the XM commander, but I don't want to place it in that secondary "Not an ashtray" area because I don't want to screw it up for when I return the car. Moreover, I just got a GPS unit for my Treo 600, and that requires DC power. Right now I'm using that one (the one inside the Glove is being used for my IRiver player, but that can change).

I don't really NEED to have the MP3 player going if I have XM, but it would be nice. Moreover, it would be nice if I could use the SNHND3's feature of the 6 Changer control to go channel up and down on XM.

I want the world, and I want to do it with no work. So what does everyone reccomend? Is there a solution that would work best for us leasers? What's the best way to mount the XM antenna? Help?

 

Hi and welcome!

As far as alternate mounting locations are concerned, you could go this route: http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8938

For power, you could always just tap into the wires going into the power outlet. The wires running to the power outlet in the armrest are easily accessible by removing the cover by the shift boot.

 

I saw the sunglasses area before - but to be honest... not TOO worried about the whole mounting situation. It could honestly be freely in the car.. Again - my biggest concern is returning it to the dealership in a few years, and not paying any fees. The fact that I'm a non-navi I know makes it a better situation for me, but I dont' know about ripping apart the "not an ashtray". Can it be put back together rather easily? Is tapping the power easy? And as far as removing the covers and such - not that much of an expert.. I am a novice when it comes to car audio, but very proficient with home stereo and computer innerds... so I'm sure I could muddle my way through - just depends on if I'll like the outcome. I'm guessing the XM Commander any way you shake it is the way to go?

And as far as the antenna - how is that run? And where's the best place to mount it? Or - am I better off just letting a shop do the whole shabang and not worrying about it? (Not CC or BB, but a custom audio shop where they will ream me ) :shit:

 

you could also catch power off of a fuse in the fuse block located in drivers side kick panel. just make sure the fuse only has power when the key is in the on position.

 

All of the covers and storage bins can be disassembled and reassembled without any damage or causing issues with your lease return. You don't really need to do anything with the "not an ashtray" if you don't want to do a custom install like some of the others have. I would just put it in the CD storage compartment if you're not worried about it looking "stealth". Most of the covers and compartments just snap into place. The "not an ashtray" is held in by a couple screws. If you want some specifics on how to remove the panels, just take a quick browse through the A&V section or if you're stuck feel free to ask.

Tapping power is really easy with these suckers:


The main power wire slides through one side and you insert the wire to your xm commander in the other side then squish the cover closed and the wires are now spliced. No soldering or special tools required.

The antenna is best mounted on the rear deck near the brake light. Several others have used this location with good success.

 

cue79, My car was origionally a lease also, until i decided to buy it out. But while it was still a lease I installed my xm commander into the "Not An Ashtray." So I did not have to destroy the one that came with the car, I purchased a new "Not An Ashtray. It only costs about $60, it is well worth it to, then you dont have to have your car torn apart while fabricating that panel.

 

Do not use fuse taps. They can damage the fuse box.

 

And I will look at that link when I get home to see what I can do with it..

Ok - and what's the best way to run the wire through the car for the antenna? I'm a novice so any help / description would be helpful. Thanks.

 

So you did put it in the "Not An Ashtray spot - and it doesn't tear things apart? Putting the Cig Lighter DC plug back in is not an issue even if you take that whole section out? I can certainly see doing it for the length of the lease.. but I guess I just want to make sure that when it goes back that Acura will be satisfied that everything works..

 

I did the same thing with the XM Commander and the "Not an Ashtray" bin. I bought a new "Not an Ashtray" bin for about 50$ from the internet and installed the XM Unit in that, and I keep the old bin in my closet for when i sell the car later on down the road. I think its worth 50$ for a niceer install, even if its a lease.

To answer your other question, yes it pretty much guts out the inside of the ashtray bin , meaning that you couldnt re-use it later after the XM Commander was in there. Just buy the extra bin and keep it around. Its very simple to just pop the new ashtray bin back in when you return the car.

 

Ok - I can do that.. What's the web site? Also - does that knock out the DC adapter there too? I forget how wide the XM Commander control is. I'd like to keep the DC intact as my GPS for my Treo 600 plugs in there

Cool beans - and everything behind the scnenes will work.. not that I care that much.. I don't think they check that stuff when they get the car back do they?