Where to install XM Commander?
 

Hello,

I am going to purchase the XM Commander, I would like to ask everyone where they would mount it? I dont like it in the console because it's too hard to read while driving. Is there maybe some way to mount it where the ashtray goes? Not sure if it will fit in the panel in the lower half of the radio (no cassette in my 8).

Any suggestions would be great!

-RX8J

xm commander
 

I just put in a xm commander myself. Sorry I do not have any pics but I put mine over the lighter and ashtray cover. In my opinion this was the most logical choise for me because it is in a very natual location that you can easly see and control with out taking your eyes off the road, second I don't smoke so th ash tray was wasted space.

How did you mount it?
 

caseyb7777 ,

how did you mount it?

I have a couple questions:

1. Will the commander fit inside the ashtray cover? I know the ashtray and lighter are in the way, but if I removed the ashtray and was able to "gut" the inside components, is there enough width to close the cover over the commander? What I am thinking is that I can remove the ashtray and lighter, but leave the cover. I will have to fabricate a panel to mount the commander on, but if I am not in the car, I can flip the cover closed and nobody will know that XM is even in the car (except for the antenna on the outside that is). Is this possible?

2. Is there enough width under the radio (where the cassette player would be -- I dont have one and it's a blank panel)? I was also thinking that if it would fit, I could customize the shinny black lower panel on the radio and somehow mount it there. That spot looks way too small to me, but I am not really sure how large the commander actually is.

You help is appreciated!! Thanks for the reply.
-RX8J

I had mine done at Circuit City. They put it in the ashtray. The lid closes. They did a pretty good job. It was only $80 for the install.

The wre you see coming out is for my MP3 player.

Mounted on what?
 

That looks fantastic! Is the ashtray still behind that, or did they gut out the whole thing? I cant tell from the pic if it's just that thin, or if they did some minor surgery??

-RX8J

They cut out the part that separates the ashtray from the lighter. They also had to take out the lighter. It takes up most of the space.

Where does the mp3 player plug into? Did you do the tape player hack? Also, how does the cover flip down with the mp3 wire coming out of there?

Yeah, my friend soldered the wires from a headphone jack on the back of the cd player. The cover does not close completely with the wire coming out, but it almost does.

Both the MP3 player and XM really sound good.

Here is a picure of both the MP3 player and XM.

CD Hack?
 

Are you using the CD hack where you had to create a blank CD that plays while you listen to the MP3 player?

-RX8J

I installed mine into the sunglass holder overhead. I had no problems with it.

Yes, I am using the CD with blank tracks.

They only charged me 50$

i had mine installed in the same place...love it there...looking at making a face plate to make it all look like part of the car though...

Liquid, I have the exact same setup as you with my commander in the same location. Let me know what you work out for a face plate. I would be interested.

thanks,
Dean