Make the XM Commander Match your interior =)
12-07-2003, 09:20 PM
#1
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Make the XM Commander Match your interior =)
Here are a few pics to show you what I did to my XM Commander to make it blend a little more with our interiors. All you have to do is take your XM Commander apart with a small torx screwdriver and slip a piece of clear red plastic film. ( I got this idea from my buddy JDaled...he did this with his Music Keg). You can get the plastic film for less than two dollars at a craft store (Hobby Lobby in the US).
I tried covering the small LED's on the buttons too, but it didnt work.
The cool thing is... the white part matches the liquid crystal of the speedometer and odometer at night =) And the orange is...well...it matches perfectly =)
The pics are a little blurry..but u get the picture...no pun intended =)
I tried covering the small LED's on the buttons too, but it didnt work.
The cool thing is... the white part matches the liquid crystal of the speedometer and odometer at night =) And the orange is...well...it matches perfectly =)
The pics are a little blurry..but u get the picture...no pun intended =)
12-09-2003, 08:35 PM
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It sounds very good...not quite CD sound.. but better than FM... But it looks like it is supposed to be there.. unlike my old dephi skyfi...
=)
=)
12-09-2003, 10:01 PM
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Originally posted by Dugless
Freakin awesome!!! Exactly what unit is that?
Freakin awesome!!! Exactly what unit is that?
12-09-2003, 10:27 PM
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Its all good... The XM Commander hasnt received much press... Even if you go to Best Buy, they usually have those big junky lunch box sized Sirius things.... The best part about the XM Commander is it is small and perfectly matches our interior...
12-10-2003, 03:22 AM
#10
Wow, that looks very good! 
It seems you took out the ashtray and the cig lighter - was that hard to do?
I'll probably use the same location to mount the control panel for my MP3 player. I don't smoke so I don't care much about the ashtray, but would prefer to take things out without breaking anything :D
It seems you took out the ashtray and the cig lighter - was that hard to do?
I'll probably use the same location to mount the control panel for my MP3 player. I don't smoke so I don't care much about the ashtray, but would prefer to take things out without breaking anything :D
12-10-2003, 04:29 AM
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Hey flyboyindy. looks great.
Good to see it works. I want do similar thing to Alpine Headunit to match green interior of my VW Polo G40.
Can you tell me more about the color film? Is it selfadhesive?
rgds
Tobi
Good to see it works. I want do similar thing to Alpine Headunit to match green interior of my VW Polo G40.
Can you tell me more about the color film? Is it selfadhesive?
rgds
Tobi
12-10-2003, 08:14 AM
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flyboyindy - It looks like you had some custom work done to put mount that XM Commander in the ashtray. Did you do it your self or have a shop handle it? Is that fiberglass or some other material?
12-10-2003, 10:28 AM
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It looks like the ash tray cover might come down to cover the unit . . . true? Is the power port/cig lighter still available or is it being used for power?
12-10-2003, 10:04 PM
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Here is what I did: I cut the ashtray out, and using a moto tool cut a piece of black plastic that I got from a binder from staples. I made a template. ( I will try to pull it out soon and make a copy of the template and post it.) I cut the hole in the center so that when i put the two halves of the XM commander back together, it would secure it in place. To get the color, you just have to cut a slip of the red celophane and slide it behind the plastic shield.
You dont need any adhesive, it stays put nicely. You cant close the lid, which is the only thing i dont like, and knowing me I wont rest till i have a solution where i can close the door. I got the film from Hobby Lobby. It is actually "Fruit Basket Wrap"...
If you have any other questions im on yahoo or aol all the time...chat me up =)
You dont need any adhesive, it stays put nicely. You cant close the lid, which is the only thing i dont like, and knowing me I wont rest till i have a solution where i can close the door. I got the film from Hobby Lobby. It is actually "Fruit Basket Wrap"...
If you have any other questions im on yahoo or aol all the time...chat me up =)
12-12-2003, 06:02 PM
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Nice work flyboy. Too bad the RX-8's audio system is not Sirius ready like the rest of the 2004 Mazda audio systems are supposed to be. I guess that way you can choose between XM and Sirius and since your install looks stock, that is not bad at all.
I am installing a new XM ready Pioneer head unit, xm tuner, speakers, and amp in my Miata next weekend. Hope to have and RX-8 someday to add XM or Sirius too as well.
By the way, I added you to my Yahoo messenger list so if you get a new notice, it is probably from me.
Kirk
I am installing a new XM ready Pioneer head unit, xm tuner, speakers, and amp in my Miata next weekend. Hope to have and RX-8 someday to add XM or Sirius too as well.
By the way, I added you to my Yahoo messenger list so if you get a new notice, it is probably from me.
Kirk
Last edited by hondas2k; 12-12-2003 at 06:11 PM.
12-14-2003, 08:38 PM
#17
"...I'm a Dapper Dan man"
Nice install and yes the colors really do go with the reat of the dash! Congrats!
I was entertaining the idea of using the upper center dash panel for the nav display and intergrating the socket for the removable/swappable Delphi XM reciever like the one in the commercial that shows the guy driving his red convertible right into his office and then removing the control console and installing it in his desk top unit.
I was entertaining the idea of using the upper center dash panel for the nav display and intergrating the socket for the removable/swappable Delphi XM reciever like the one in the commercial that shows the guy driving his red convertible right into his office and then removing the control console and installing it in his desk top unit.
Last edited by Rotary Nut; 12-14-2003 at 08:45 PM.
12-16-2003, 06:28 PM
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8 w/ Trunk Monkey option
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I don't usually post unless I've got some kind of real input, but I have to break my own rule this time. That is an awesome looking setup and a nice job with the red filter. How does it look for you during the daytime? Is it just as visible or does it take more effort to read the disply, etc.?
