XM options?

[Cosmacelf]

As others have pointed out, not including a satellite radio option for an adventure vehicle is just dumb. Not sure who made that call, but yeah, get a clue.

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[NY_Rob]

As others have pointed out, not including a satellite radio option for an adventure vehicle is just dumb. Not sure who made that call, but yeah, get a clue.

Add to that no "snow mode", LED headlight lenses that freeze over, etc...

They had many years to develop the vehicle but left out some very obvious "should have" items considering the intended use for the vehicle.

 

[Cosmacelf]

OK, got the R1S back from the car audio shop. They did a great job, hiding the satellite antenna back where all the other antennas are placed (at the top back of the vehicle). They tapped into the antenna coax cable so they were able to feed the FM signal directly into the Rivian's FM module (located under the middle dash just above the screen) for static free sound.

So we now have a no compromise XM tuner integrated into the vehicle's audio system (the Rivian thinks it is just an FM station).

They tried to put the small XM tuner controller into the center console, but couldn't figure out how to get access to it properly without taking the seats out, and they didn't want to start throwing fault codes when seats get disconnected, so they just mounted it under the dash console vents, which works fine (small rectangle below):

The Rivian's FM software thinks the station is a Spanish music station

 

[COdogman]

muy bueno!

 

[NY_Rob]

Looking good!! Now you can go off grid in style ?

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

They tapped into the antenna coax cable so they were able to feed the FM signal directly into the Rivian's FM module (located under the middle dash just above the screen) for static free sound.

So we now have a no compromise XM tuner integrated into the vehicle's audio system (the Rivian thinks it is just an FM station).

Isn't this, by definition, a massive compromise? Several compromises, really. I guess the best-case audio quality of XM is low enough that this may not be an issue, for you?

 

[Cosmacelf]

Isn't this, by definition, a massive compromise? Several compromises, really. I guess the best-case audio quality of XM is low enough that this may not be an issue, for you?

Its my wife's car and she uses it for listening to broadcast news. So, no, no compromises for that.

 

[atebit]

Add to that no "snow mode", LED headlight lenses that freeze over, etc...

They had many years to develop the vehicle but left out some very obvious "should have" items considering the intended use for the vehicle.

Like we used to say on the Tesla forums, “Not A California Problem”.

 

[NY_Rob]

Like we used to say on the Tesla forums, “Not A California Problem”.

I'm good with that if it was only sold on the left coast... but since there are 49 other states, some considerations should have been made.

 

[Deleted member 7086]

Thanks for sharing. Any idea how difficult it is to access the FM module? It might be possible to attach an FM Direct Adapter (disconnect) there to eliminate static and use the standard magnetic SMX antenna. Any pictures?

 

[Tsunami]

Not sure why you need an XM tuner at all. If you have XM for a car already, then you should have streaming included. If so, then you can stream XM through the app and BT in the car. I actually love Spotify as the main in my R1S because I simply logged in on Day 1 and all my playlists are now available. That said, I do like XM and stream it through BT. The app is cool too because you can set up all your same favorite stations and access them in the app on a favorites tab. All in all super simple.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Not sure why you need an XM tuner at all. If you have XM for a car already, then you should have streaming included. If so, then you can stream XM through the app and BT in the car. I actually love Spotify as the main in my R1S because I simply logged in on Day 1 and all my playlists are now available. That said, I do like XM and stream it through BT. The app is cool too because you can set up all your same favorite stations and access them in the app on a favorites tab. All in all super simple.

This only works if you have a cellular signal strong enough for a data connection. That’s not always a certainty and it can be much less likely for people adventuring far from pavement.

 

[Tsunami]

Actually

This only works if you have a cellular signal strong enough for a data connection. That’s not always a certainty and it can be much less likely for people adventuring far from pavement.

For now you have free WiFi in the R1S until Rivian decides what to do about charging. But yes in the wilderness you are limited.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Actually

For now you have free WiFi in the R1S until Rivian decides what to do about charging. But yes in the wilderness you are limited.

The Wi-Fi also relies on cellular data for a connection. No cell service = no data for Rivian infotainment. If your phone doesn’t have service then you can’t stream from phone to Rivian via BT, either.

While GPS relies on satellites to calculate your location, everything else built into the Rivian which connects to the Internet relies on cellular data. Without cellular data you can‘t get updated maps, traffic, streaming music, etc.
edit: missed a comma

 

[Tsunami]

The Wi-Fi also relies on cellular data for a connection. No cell service = no data for Rivian infotainment. If your phone doesn’t have service then you can’t stream from phone to Rivian via BT, either.

While GPS relies on satellites to calculate your location everything else built into the Rivian which connects to the Internet relies on cellular data. Without cellular data you can‘t get updated maps, traffic, streaming music, etc.

Agreed - was not saying otherwise.

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