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BoilermakerFan · 11-04-03, 10:28 PM

Well I can only speak from my experience with the Delphi SkyFi unit, but there are basically four ways to add XM radio to a system:

1) A specialized, brand specific add-on tuner for a vehicle aftermarket head unit, i.e. a Pioneer XM tuner for a Pioneer head unit or an Alpine XM tuner for an Alpine head unit. This is the most expensive option, but typically gives the best sound. Drawback is it's not portable between vehicles or the house.

2) Aftermarket XM reciever with a FM modulator through a car's OEM or Aftermarket head unit. This is an option for all of the standalone XM tuners such as the Sony PNP, SkyFi, and XM Commander. The drawbacks are that if the installation is not done well, ground loops will occur and the reception and sound quality will be horrible.

3) Cassette adapter. This is the standard output option for the SkyFi's car kit. It works ok and it would be an option for the Axim as well, but how many peeps or cars come with a tape deck anymore?

4) A mini jack to RCA male adapter cable plugged into an AUX input of the head unit. The head units usually require a special adapter to convert the CD Changer input on OEM or aftermarket decks into an AUX IN for the RCA jacks. This is what I did with my SkyFi and my Kenwood deck. I actually have a module that Kenwood makes that has two CD Changer inputs and an AUX IN so I could have 2 twelve disk MP3 changers and my SkyFi as inputs into my deck. Depending on your vehicle, this is typically the best price/performance/sound quality option and you could disconnect the mini jack from the XM receiver and plug it in to your Axim to play selected MP3s. BUT, this is not an option for an XM receiver in a rental car. The only option for a rental car would be a Delphi Roady with the FM transmitter similar to what you have now with your Belkin unit.

Go to Delphi's web site: Delphi.com

Check out their info and spend time on XMFan.com

If you want to check out satallite radio w/o a large investment, go to Hertz, rent a car, and request the Sirius satallite radio option. They come with an Audiovox receiver ported through the a FM Modulator so you can experience satallite radio. If you like the experience, then I would recommend that you take the next step and buy a SkyFi or Roady an join XM.

LMK if you have anymore questions. BTW, my user ID on XMFan is BoilermakerFan as well...

11-04-03, 10:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
BoilermakerFan Aximsite Prospect Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well I can only speak from my experience with the Delphi SkyFi unit, but there are basically four ways to add XM radio to a system: 1) A specialized, brand specific add-on tuner for a vehicle aftermarket head unit, i.e. a Pioneer XM tuner for a Pioneer head unit or an Alpine XM tuner for an Alpine head unit. This is the most expensive option, but typically gives the best sound. Drawback is it's not portable between vehicles or the house. 2) Aftermarket XM reciever with a FM modulator through a car's OEM or Aftermarket head unit. This is an option for all of the standalone XM tuners such as the Sony PNP, SkyFi, and XM Commander. The drawbacks are that if the installation is not done well, ground loops will occur and the reception and sound quality will be horrible. 3) Cassette adapter. This is the standard output option for the SkyFi's car kit. It works ok and it would be an option for the Axim as well, but how many peeps or cars come with a tape deck anymore? 4) A mini jack to RCA male adapter cable plugged into an AUX input of the head unit. The head units usually require a special adapter to convert the CD Changer input on OEM or aftermarket decks into an AUX IN for the RCA jacks. This is what I did with my SkyFi and my Kenwood deck. I actually have a module that Kenwood makes that has two CD Changer inputs and an AUX IN so I could have 2 twelve disk MP3 changers and my SkyFi as inputs into my deck. Depending on your vehicle, this is typically the best price/performance/sound quality option and you could disconnect the mini jack from the XM receiver and plug it in to your Axim to play selected MP3s. BUT, this is not an option for an XM receiver in a rental car. The only option for a rental car would be a Delphi Roady with the FM transmitter similar to what you have now with your Belkin unit. Go to Delphi's web site: Delphi.com Check out their info and spend time on XMFan.com If you want to check out satallite radio w/o a large investment, go to Hertz, rent a car, and request the Sirius satallite radio option. They come with an Audiovox receiver ported through the a FM Modulator so you can experience satallite radio. If you like the experience, then I would recommend that you take the next step and buy a SkyFi or Roady an join XM. LMK if you have anymore questions. BTW, my user ID on XMFan is BoilermakerFan as well...