2005 Titan - Sirius Starbase Install (Pic's)

usulsuspct · 09-06-2005, 06:51 AM

Just finished up the install of a Starbase in my new truck. So far I have been very happy with the unit (previous was the Blau SR04.) This unit is night and day better than the Blaupunkt. I have the unit hardwired into the factory AUX input on the stereo, and so far has worked flawlessly.

(I noticed that the Starbase connected through the AUX did not require any amplification - same volume if not louder than CD.)

Here are some pics:

**P's Titan** · 09-06-2005, 08:05 AM

Thats awesome!! Sweet place to put it, I think I will do the same when I get mine. Like the idea as well

K-MU · 09-06-2005, 09:07 AM

Great choice or harware and mounting option...

Can you please take a side view picture, I want to have an idea of how wide that thing is and how wide it will look.

THX in advance

usulsuspct · 09-06-2005, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-MU

Great choice or harware and mounting option...

Can you please take a side view picture, I want to have an idea of how wide that thing is and how wide it will look.

THX in advance

When I get home from work I will snap another picture. The unit is not very wide or deep. I believe it is just under an inch deep. The key to this unit is the tuner is a separate piece that needs to be mounted elsewhere (in my case I mounted it under the existing radio behind the bezel.

smoketitan · 09-06-2005, 11:29 AM

okay that is OFFICIALLY bada$$$

two questions

how do you get that piece off? and second how in the heck di you get your cut so nice

A+++

usulsuspct · 09-06-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoketitan

okay that is OFFICIALLY bada$$$

two questions

how do you get that piece off? and second how in the heck di you get your cut so nice

A+++

Thanks, I think it turned out nice.

What piece are you refering too? If its the Starbase unit itself it is just "stuck" in place with a couple of squares of velcro. As far as getting the cut nice, I sort of cheated. I drilled one hole on the base of the tray and fed my cable through that (the tuner is mounted below the radio behind the bezel.) I made a small slice in the plastic liner for the tray to allow the cable to come through (I need to tweak that a little bit, but it is fine for now.)

grunge311 · 09-06-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoketitan

okay that is OFFICIALLY bada$$$

two questions

how do you get that piece off? and second how in the heck di you get your cut so nice

A+++

I second that, I can think of many LCD dispays I could mount there (clock, my afermarket clock is so dim I can't make it out in glare)

smoketitan · 09-06-2005, 03:02 PM

oh now I see I thought you molded it into place by the picture angle, but now I see you just mounted it to the plastic piece right? and drilled a hole trhough it run the wires

**P's Titan** · 09-06-2005, 03:09 PM

oh sh1t i thought he cut the plastic and it fit in there ? damn that looks even better. I think I will have to follow the leader on this one!

usulsuspct · 09-06-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoketitan

oh now I see I thought you molded it into place by the picture angle, but now I see you just mounted it to the plastic piece right? and drilled a hole trhough it run the wires

Hmmm...I guess that would have worked too!!

Although if I can remeber correctly the unit is less than an inch thick...I didnt want to get to extreme and make any major mod's to the dash (I may want to sell this baby down the line and wouldnt want to have left a gaping hole in the dash.)

I will try and get a pic up from the side so that you can better see that it is just "stuck" in place.

usulsuspct · 09-07-2005, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-MU

Great choice or harware and mounting option...

Can you please take a side view picture, I want to have an idea of how wide that thing is and how wide it will look.

THX in advance

Below are some shots that will hopefully give you an idea of the depth of the unit.

Marc · 09-07-2005, 06:07 AM

Can you give me some examples of why you liked this unit better than the Blau? I am going to go Sirius (as soon as Stern is on) and wasn't sure what unit I wanted.

BTW...looks great!

MENMYJP · 09-07-2005, 06:15 AM

USULSUSPCT. That looks great! I am interested in a similar install for my MP3 player. I want to use the Aux instead of FM modulator but wanted to ask how the sound quality is running through the factory system? Also, did you plug directly into the front of the aux port or did you splice into it from behind the dash? If so what was needed to do so? Thanks in advance!

usulsuspct · 09-07-2005, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc

Can you give me some examples of why you liked this unit better than the Blau? I am going to go Sirius (as soon as Stern is on) and wasn't sure what unit I wanted.

BTW...looks great!

Well there was some real issues with the Blaupunkt, mainly with reception. I have found with the limited use that I have put this unit through the reception issues are not a problem at all. I used to get dropouts caused by just about everything, which was really frustrating.

Things I like about this unit over the Blaupunkt:

1. Unit turns on with car, my Blau required me to push the power button.
2. Menu navigation is faster.
3. Game Alert / Score Update -- Can program your fav. football team and it will alert you when they are playing / score changes.
4. Size, since this unit is a car only unit, the tuner is separate which allows the unit to be much smaller.
5. Reception.

If you are still on the fence of what to buy, check out Sirius Backstage it is a great site dedicated to sirius radio.

usulsuspct · 09-07-2005, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MENMYJP

USULSUSPCT. That looks great! I am interested in a similar install for my MP3 player. I want to use the Aux instead of FM modulator but wanted to ask how the sound quality is running through the factory system? Also, did you plug directly into the front of the aux port or did you splice into it from behind the dash? If so what was needed to do so? Thanks in advance!

I have hardwired the unit to the Aux port (behind the dash,) so I could use the AUX for other items if I wanted. As far as sound quality, I was nervous as to how loud the Sirius tuner would sound played through the AUX port (I have tried MP3 players and they always sounded muffled.) To my surprise and relief the unit sound as loud and clear (if not a touch louder,) than the CD player. So I think it sounds great.

To figure out the connections I spent some time scanning these boards for info on how to splice into the AUX, where to find switched / un-switched 12v power etc...

To answer your question on the splicing of the AUX, depending on your output from the mp3 player you may need a set of RCA pre-amps. (Probably a single headphone type jack from the mp3 player to RCA's to splice into the AUX port.

Trim off the ends of the RCA line and you will see the cable is formed like this:

Outer Cover -> Ground Shielding Wire -> Inner Cover -> Signal Wire

You will need to splice the ground shielding wire from both signal wires into the black cable coming off the AUX port. Then splice in the red / white signal wires into the right (Brown) and left (Black/Red) AUX cables coming out of the port.

Aux Port:
Brown -- R+
Black/Red -- L+
Black -- Ground

Let me know if you need any more info.