Is it just me or doesn't anyone including the dealers know anything about getting the "XM Ready" stereos we have wired up? There seems to be a 3 piece system that must be purchased from the dealer and wired in. I was told that the xm can then be operated through the stock radio. Does anyone know the facts? The cheapest I have found for all this is $334 at Majestic Honda online. Also, might it just be better to get an Alpine CDA-9857 for around $270 on Amazon.com and and extra $100 for the XM kit and maybe the extra money for the harness that allows you to use the dash controls on the left of the steering wheel? I imagine you get a much better stereo that way with the xm for about the same price of the Honda XM kit alone. Anyone, anyone.....Bueler....anyone?

 

I installed the Honda XM add on to my OEM stereo. Pretty straightforward install, everything is in the trunk. Majestic Honda has the installation instructions online if you want to see what is involved. I didn't like the OEM antenna, so I went with a small magnetic mount one that I placed on the ledge betweeen the trunk lid and the rear window.

The Honda OEM XM operates just like the radio, and some song info appears on the display. The Honda XM unit has held up for going on two years now. No real complaints with XM, but I think I'm going to pull it out when my current contract is up and rewire the OEM unit to hook up to an Ipod. I'm getting tired of shelling out $120 or so a year for XM.

John