Customer Reviews

AudioVox XM XAPV2 PowerConnect Vehicle Kit for the XMp3i

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

(UPDATED) This kit comes with 2 methods to connect to your car stereo: 1) using an AUX jack or 2) using the PowerConnect feature (FM transmitter) built in to the XMp3i player itself.

After receiving the XMp3i for my birthday, I ordered the car kit so I could enjoy satellite radio in my vehicle (2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer). The cable for the antenna is nice and long, so you can run it from your dash, all the way to the top/rear of the car, with a little leftover. All of the cables plug into the dock, so you can remove your XMp3i and hide it or take it with you without any hassle. It comes with a remote control, which I thought was silly at first, but after using it, I realized that it's much easier to use the remote when driving, than to use the buttons on the player. As long as you position the antenna like the instructions describe, the reception is just as good as a factory installed XM radio (I've had both).

It comes with two mounting methods (dashboard mount or clips for your air conditioning vent). If you use the adhesive dashboard mount, make sure you know exactly where you want it, since it only comes supplied with a single adhesive strip. Otherwise, you'll have to go buy some of those super-adhesive foam strips made by 3M. Certainly not a deal-killer, but a little annoying.

Overall, the car kit from XM was easy to install. Now I can listen to satellite radio on those long road trips! Hooray!

I am not the most mechanically-inclined indivdual on the planet, so the idea of installing an external antenna on the roof of my car and running a wire through the trunk to the dash was a little intimidating. However, the installation kit has everything you need to get the job done and its instructions were easy to follow. It only took me 15 minutes to get everything properly connected. I was very pleased with the end result. The sound quality from the PowerConnect FM transmitter was better than expected. It's so nice to have Live XM programming in my vehicle with absolutely no interruptions. In fact, I still had a reliable signal even when going under a large freeway overpass.

There is one gripe I have with this device, however. It requires that you run power to the dock at all times, even if your XMp3i is already fully charged. I tried running it without the power adapter connected and the XMp3i would not work very consistently. You'll probably want to invest in a 12-volt socket splitter if you run multiple devices (cell phone charger, GPS, etc.) on a frequent basis. Without a constant power source to the dock, you'll find it challenging to keep the XM receiver working. This is a minor complaint, but I don't understand why a fully-charged unit is not allowed to run off its own battery power.

The easy installation and included remote control make this kit well worth the price. Having the ability to take an XMp3i on the road now adds even more value to my Sirius/XM subscription.

Installed this to replace an XpressRC kit. The mounting holes matched up, as did the antenna plug, so swapping out was simple stuff... Everything included you could want, stick on mount, screw on, and a/c vent mount. Even has a remote so the kids in the back seat can control the radio and drive you crazy. The units best feature is the power connect. It transmits the FM signal through the vehicle power system, which ultimately ends up transmitting INSIDE you in dash FM receiver, and provides great signal strength. Much better than the previous clip on the antenna kit. Works well, and is simple to install with a great quick install guide.

Lighter power adapter is NOT universal. The cigarette lighter adapter that comes in this PowerConnect kit for the XMp3 doesn't work in my year 2000 BMW 3-series. It is too short and the shape is too thick. Other adapters I've had are tapered and longer. When I emailed XM 'Tech Support' - their only suggestion was to buy more equipment and see if anything else worked. XM user support has gotten awful.

Everything works great except that the knob that is supposed to tighten the ball and socket joint that makes the radio tilt won't hold it steady. I've tightened it until I was afraid I'd break the plastic, but the radio still flops around when I press a button.

Other than that, the functionality of everything is great. I get a great signal and great sound all the time, except in understandable situations like entering a garage.

I've used several FM transmitters in the past. Many have the problem of being overwhelmed by local transmissions but this one is a special piece of junk. If it isn't tucked down out of sight so no other broadcasts can interfere then it gets overwhelmed and inserts your favorite static song or garbled gibberish. The FM transmitter is almost worthless. 2nd issue I have is it came defective. When I place the XMMP3i in the dock it will not recharge. Very handy for using in a car. Now, it says in the packaging that I have to call the 1-800 number instead of taking the product back.

I've also owned a slew of Sirius/XM radios over the years and the product falls in line with my expectations. I have to replace the radios about once a year because they have hardware failures (no longer power on, buttons don't work, etc). The programming is good.... when you are not flooded with commercials. I pretty much own it only for Bloomberg and I'm having a hard time justifying the yearly price for just that station.

First of all I bought the XMP3I because I thought great I can use it both at home and on the road. Then I discover I need the additional cost of the PowerConnect Kit. Got that installed and now the audio is not loud enough to hear, reception is good, just can't hear it unless I'm sitting in the car and not moving.

We wanted a flexible antenna/power solution to the XM world. We have three cars and a portable stereo system we use for travelling. This set was the perfect addition to the Mp3 base system that allows us the flexibility to have one system work for three cars or in our hotel room. Reception is excellent and the interface is portable enough to be handy yet unobtrusive. Just what we needed.

the car kit worked well for me but i would reccomend using the auxilary jack as opposed to running your player through the terrestrial radio. if you dont have an auxilary jack i suggest you buy a radio with one because the reception is stable and much clearer.

Arrived quickly; great instructions; installed on 2009 Prius and works great. No visible wires including the antenna. Very happy.