| TheWorm |
Just finished installing a SkyFi2 in the X. Used the car kit along w/a Blitzsafe adapter. I know there have been several threads on installing a number of different units, but I don't believe anyone has posted pics the install location I used.
IMO the Commander and Roady2 are better form factors for clean installations in the X (since they're significantly smaller), but the feature set and user interface on the SkyFi2 were the deciding factors in my case.
I considered a number of alternative mounting locations that have been outlined in other posts:
- To the left of the radio stack, covering the VTM and trip reset buttons as outlined here.
- Under the radio stack by removing the "not an ashtray" (no pics that I could find).
The left-of-stack install looked OK but the unit was partially obscured by the steering wheel and I found reaching around to control the unit a bit awkward. Below the radio stack looked great, but I didn't want to lose use of the "not an ashtray" nor the cubby by mounting down there. I was also concerned with placement that low given the propensity to look @ the device.
Sooo, I installed it on the Panavise phone mount to the right of the stack, and will move the phone down someplace onto the center console. From a usability perspective, it's IMO the best location and has proven easy to access, see and use. It's not the most "stealth" install but that was a tradeoff I was willing to make after test fitting for a couple of days.
Approx 3" of wire is visible in this configuration as the antenna, line-out and power wires head down from the unit to the cubby area (to the right of the accessory outlet and tucked between it and the side of the cubby area.
Some notes:
Powering the unit from the center console outlet. The wire is just long enough to feed through the console toward the front, coming up under the plood trim piece around the gear shift. I notched a very small 1/16" or so hole (not visible, as it's on the front side) in the plood for a pinch-free power wire feed. Also needed to drill a 1/4" hole in the bottom of the console (under the CD holder) to feed the power line through there (along with removing the cupholder and gear area trim piece). NOTE: this unit takes 6v and you cannot hardwire without Delphi's hardwire kit, else you'll fry the unit.
Using line-out Y adapter and a Blitzsafe. Removed the lower center cover (basically the top part of the cubby) for access and tucked the excess wire behind the cubby/under the radio, then reinstalled the cover (so neither the Blitzsafe nor wires are visible).
Antenna is mounted on the pax side of the front crossbar, routed through the end cap, under the channel trim, down the windshield (used screen spline to secure as I've long implemented the DMor wind fix) to the fender, under the weatherstripping, then behind the dash (under/behind the glovebox), coming into the lower cubby from the back. It's helpful to shine a flashlight from the backside of the dash into the cubby area to see possible wire routings. Outstanding pics and instructions for the roofrack antenna install are here. There is another excellent thread w/antenna mounting behind the roof antenna here but the roofrack install requires less time given the need for trim removal and wire routing from the rear of the car on the latter install.
On to the pics just to give folks an idea of what it looks like. Light shot: |
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| TheWorm |
| Dark shot (brightness on the unit not yet adjusted for night use, but you get the idea) |
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| TheWorm |
| View from pax seat area |
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| ScottyB |
Nice job Worm. I just gave my wife the SkyFi2 for Valentine's Day and have been deliberating on the install. I like your positioning of the unit, although I'm going to see if she would prefer this ProClip. She's a little concerned about the SkyFi2 in plain view and theft. I think I may just leave the antenna inside on the dash for now, with the option of the crossbar mount.
Did you get the home unit as well?
Off to order the blitzsafe! Great job, thanks for the pics!!!:2: |
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| laborlitigator |
| Bravo Worm! |
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| TheWorm |
Glad it helps. I eyeballed that ProClip mount for quite some time. MrsWorm preferred the higher-up mounting location (formerly occupied by her phone), as did I since I figured she'd be pressing XM buttons more than phone buttons. Her phone is now mounted just to the left and a few inches aft of that ProClip in your link...and I used the mounts that came with the SkyFi to do it (saved $30 on the ProClip:)). I think I had to drill 4 holes in the included mount to accomodate the AMPS pattern on the phone mount.
FWIW, you can easily (just as easy as a cellphone) pop the SkyFi out of the holder and stick it in the center console; that's what we do when parking someplace for an extended period.
We didn't get the home unit as we rarely listen to music indoors since having kids...all we hear are the themesongs to the Wiggles, Sesame Street, Arthur, Clifford, et al.
Good luck with the install! |
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