I'm sorry if there's a post about this, but I've been searching and can't find it. I want to install the PIE converter for a SIRIUS system, but don't know which tuner to purchase. I have a 2006 F150 w/ stock HU. Anyone have some options or advise?

 

I have the Sirius Sportster Replay and it is awesome. But then again, I've never used a different tuner in my truck........so I guess that could be kind of one sided.

 

i installed sirius, you can check my gallery for pics of where i put it!

chris

 

Check my gallery. Clarion Calypso.

 

I'll post some pics today of my sportster. I love it!

 

Pics are up!

Hopefuly it gives you some ideas. I'm using the PIE adapter with the AUX function.

I split the 12volts from the Lighter to power up the PIE and the sportster. I was going to use the PRO-FIT Mounting plate but it would have put the unit to the right of the radio and covering the Passenger Vent.

 

The bottom line is that you can utilize ANY Sirius system with a 'headphone' jack or ANY Sirius system that has RCA output with the PIE... I know of no particular Sirius system that doesn't have one or the other; pending it's an 'add-on' type of system and not a headunit that controls a brain-box.

PIE is still cooking...

RP

 

I use a STARBASE (without using the supplier FM modulator) attached to the blank panel that had the cigarette lighter in it. I simply removed the blank panel from the dash piece, then the cigarette lighter from it to make it flush, notched-out a small opening for the control cable and double sided taped it right to it. I then have the control unit attached to the underside of the head unit with velcro along with the PIE unit. Power for the PIE comes from the now unused cigarette lighter plug (the PIE requires constant power) and the control unit power comes from the fuse panel. Whole process took ~hour and the Starbase fits in that spot perfect. My friend has the reverse sensor switch on his, and it fits on the same blank plate just to the left of it. There are absolutely no cords/lines/cables anywhere to be seen, by looking at it you would think its a factory unit. Only downside, at night the display is blue, otherwise its a perfect fit.

 

So if I add a system like the Sportster, am I using the FM OUT to plug into the PIE? I'm confused as to how the setup works! Right now my girlfriend has a stereo HU that is Sirius ready, with a Sirius tuner for the same brand. The Sirius text is displayed on the HU.
I want a display like the Sportster, but to turn on and run through the AUX button on the stock stereo. I don't want the crappy FM modulator running it though because of the static. What wires do I need to get this to work?
If the Sportster has a built in Sirius tuner, doesn't that mean it plays through the FM???? Then I loose quality?

Sorry!!!!!!!!

 

NP on the questions bud. Better to ask than to be suprised.

I'm not familar with the sportster so, I'm not going to be much help there. Stay tuned and someone will step in with no problem.

I do know, for a fact because I used to run a PIE system prior to switching head units, that you will need to, somehow, get your output into a RCA plug. The PIE unit accepts a right and left channel RCA (white and red -- you have these on your VCR or DVD player probably... but, with a video system, there's typically a YELLOW one too -- this is just audio so, it's just RED and WHITE).

If the sportster, or any other audio appliance, has a headphone jack (mini-plug), you can easily pick up a mini plug to RCA connector to connect the PIE. I'm not sure what the FM OUT on the sportster is...

As for your girlfriend's setup (since it's sirius ready), all you'd need is a Sirius brain box, an antenna, and the connection between the brain box and the head unit. My old Pioneer DEH-P7400 was connected to XM in exactly this manner (via an IP Bus cable).

I hope that helps a little bit...

RP

 

Thanks for your patience!

I found this is probably the connection you're refering to which uses FM OUT jack to RCA plugs...
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pie35rca6mm.html

Just to confirm...The plug and play tuners basically have a built in Sirius brain box, similar to what my girlfriend is using now. I will not have to buy an additional brain box if I get a plug and play tuner with an FM OUT jack?

Lastly, will I lose reception or hear static with this setup? I know the plug and play tuners operate off of FM frequencies, which proved to be poor (that's why I returned it). Will the setup I'm talking about still require me to tune my stock radio to a certain frequency or will it act like an AUX device and play the music similar to having a CD changer, for example?

 

You can pick that exact item up for about a quarter of that price at Radio Shack.

I believe you're thinking correctly but, I'm not sure how your girlfriend's set up is operating. Odds are, if she's running Sirius through her headunit, she has a brain box mounted 'somewhere' in the vehicle. I don't think any headunits have satellite capabilities 'built in'... but, I may be wrong.

Your 'plug and play' unit will not have a brain. It'll all be in the Sirius unit.

The advantage to running Sirius (or XM for that matter) through a head unit that is satellite ready is simple; you get functionality and control through the head unit without anything else having to be installed in sight (again though, the brain would be somewhere). Some, however, like the functionality of a portable unit that you can switch vehicles with etc... hence, the XM MyFi is a popular option for XM in that it's 100% portable...I have one (MyFi)and it'll be on ebay soon as I've since jumped to Sirius... Sirius with a head unit that controls it (hence, the reason I removed my PIE unit).

Sorry... I kind of rambled there.

The PIE unit basically eliminates the static although, some have reported various problems with using them (I think that most concur that it's a quality problem with the PIE being manufactured though). Problems consist of poor quality sound or loosing a channel among other things.

No, you will not have to tune to a certain frequency with the PIE. You'll simply hit the AUX button. The sound quality, trust me, is 100X better than a FM modulated setup (which would be what would require you to tune to 87.7 or whatever FM frequency).

RP

 

Thanks for all your great info!