Need to get a deck, looking for Sirius Sat & USB
 

Hi,

I haven't put in an aftermarket stereo in a car for a long time. There are so many more choices out there than there used to be and I am lost as to where to find what I need.

Basically I'm looking for something with USB (or SD memory card) slot and built-in Sirius Satellite radio. I went to futureshop the other day to have a quick look at what's out there and the sales guy told me you can't get decks with built-in Sirius, you have get a deck that is satellite ready, then buy a box that is suitable for the stereo and another box to plug the antenna into. Seems kind of weird to me.

Can someone shed some light on the subject?

Also, does anyone happen to know how many DIN my Cherokee has (it is not a grand Cherokee)? It's definitely bigger than 1, but not sure if it is a full 2 or not.

Thanks in advance for your help!

yeah, you need to purchase a separate receiver for the satellite radio because it needs to decode the signal. the only way you'll get one built in is if you buy a new car from the factory that comes with the option. as far as i know there aren't any aftermarket decks that come with this option, or if there ever will be. sirius is a broadcasting company, not an electronics company.

i had sirius but i got rid of it cuz i didn't really like it. i went back to using my ipod.

Thanks. I've had sirius for over 2 years now and love it. The radio in Ottawa sucks plus I get to hear a lot of music I wouldn't otherwise be exposed to. I just don't like having the separate box stuck to my windshield so I wanted to get something integrated but it doesn't sound like that is available.

I'm still a little confused though. Does it go deck-decoder-antenna, or is there another box in there too?

I'm with you, I love my sirius.
the box is just a small decoder that you hide anywhere in your car, it's made for the deck you buy (must be satellite ready).
for alpine its sir-alp2, the antenna for the sirus hooks up to is and another goes to the deck, then power and ground, it doesnt need to be seen as the deck displays all the info.

So the antenna plugs into the sir-alp2 and then that plugs into the alpine deck? The guy at futureshop told me you need a deck, 2 boxes and then the antenna, so I am still confused.. :confused:

it's 1.5 din

you need the actual sattelite receiver, to which the antena hooks up.

then the receiver goes to another box, which goes to your HU.

let me correct myself.

with new decks you dont need the extra box.

all you should need is the antena which plugs into the sat radio receiver and then receiver plugs into your head unit.

the receivers are specific to the brand of the HU you have. You can either buy the receiver directly from the SIRIUS or you can buy them from the HU's manufacturer.

if you get the receiver from SIRIUS you might get a deal on subscription.

one box, you buy the box the antenna comes with it, the only extra thing you'll maybe need is the cable to go from the box to your deck, done!...only one box, not sure what the others are talking about two boxes?
here's the one I'm talking about
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...aLp1-f_dg.jpeg

you run power (alt) ground, the antenna then a cable from the output to your deck, thats all.
the input is if you have a changer.....or whatever

SO I've done some more research and figured it all out.

Deck's that say they are satellite ready need a decoder box from the same manufacturer. You then need the sirius receiver box that the antenna plugs into. That's 2 boxes which is what the FS guy meant.

Now there are decks out that come with "Sirius-direct" which means the deck has the "decoder" part built-in, and the only external box you need is the Sirius receiver that the antenna plugs into. I was looking at the Sirius receiver box in the store and that is what it said.

So I think I have a handle on it now. Thanks for the help!