The New CommanderMT is Here (almost)!

My van has had XM Radio put in when it first came out back in 2001. The original setup was a Pioneer car stereo with the GEX-P900 XM turner under the front seat. It was a great first-way to experience all that XM had to offer initially. The Pioneer integrated tuner was quickly replaced with a Skyfi, which added significantly more info to the display, as well as a way to flip through the channels to see what else was on without switching form the current channel. This unit was recently replaced with a Skyfi 2, and I enjoyed the better screen on it, as well as the occasional use of the pause feature when listening to talk programming such as Opie & Anthony.

Before – Van Dashboard with Skyfi 2 Installed


This weekend, I took the next step and replaced the Skyfi 2 with the brand new sleek CommanderMT by Audiovox. My main reason for doing it was to see just how easy the installation is, as well as cleaning up the clutter on my dash that the Skyfi installation created.

In the Commander MT’s box, you will find a dock for the XM Mini Tuner or CNP2000 with the tuner cartridge, a remote display unit with a six foot cable, a vehicle magnetic mount XM antenna with 20 foot cable, a remote control, a 12 volt power supply cable, and an FM modulator (XMFM1) to connect to your car stereo, and some miscellaneous mounting hardware.

Installation is relatively simple as long as you are comfortable with opening up your vehicle’s dashboard, and are able to locate a switched power source to run the CommanderMT. First, you should find a convenient place to locate the Mini Tuner dock, which you will need to access whenever you want to pull the subscription cartridge module to take with you and use in another location. This Mini Tuner dock also has the 4 necessary connections on it to make the CommanderMT function.

CommanderMT’s Mini Tuner Dock


There is only a positive and negative lead on the CommanderMT, which should be connected to a 12 volt power source in your vehicle that is controlled by the ignition key. Please DO NOT connect the CommanderMT’s positive power lead to an “accessory” or “remote” lead from a car stereo which only sends a very small current to an auxiliary electronic component telling it to turn on, but not enough power to actually run it. If you do this, you will spend a good long time trying to figure out why the CommanderMT is not powering up.

Once the power is hooked up, you can connect the display unit and power it up. Be sure to slide in the Mini Tuner cartridge into the dock, as well as make a decision on how you will run the audio into your car stereo. If you are lucky enough to have a line level auxiliary input on your car stereo, using a standard audio cable, make the connection between the Mini Tuner dock and your car stereo. Mount your XM antenna on the outside of your vehicle. Plug the XM antenna into the Mini Tuner dock, and you will be all set to listen to XM. At this point, go into the menu and make sure that the FM Frequency is set to OFF, otherwise the line out is disabled and you will get no audio out of the line out.

Make sure you set the FM Frequency correctly.


If you will run the audio into your car stereo, find the XMFM1 FM modulator, and plug that into the Mini Tuner Dock’s antenna jack. Then plug your XM antenna into the FM Modulator. The XMFM1 FM modulator can then be plugged in-line to your car stereos FM antenna. You may need an adapter as some vehicle’s FM antenna jacks vary slightly. You can find these various FM adapters at MyRadioStore.com. Once installed in this manner, simply match up the FM Frequency on your CommanderMT with your car stereo and you are rockin’.

Completed CommanderMT Installation


I simply used some Velcro to stick the display unit onto a flat part of my dashboard. For added value, Audiovox has tossed in two other mounts which you can use. One is a flush mount, so if you are good with custom installations, you can have the display unit snap-in to your dash. Or, if you have any other XM mount with a T-slot on it, there’s an included clip you can use as well.

Beautiful 4-line display on CommanderMT


The CommanderMT has a very crisp 4-line display, 10 buttons for preset or direct channel entry, as well as a display, menu, jump and preset/direct buttons. The buttons react a lot better to the touch than the original Commander, giving you a “click” type feedback so you know you pressed it.

As for features and function, there’s nothing new. You get all of XM’s programming, Tuneselect to let you know when your favorite song/artist is on another channel, sports and stock ticker Infoextras, etc. You can set these to scroll of appear page-by-page as on other models.

I loved the fact that I regained a lot of dashboard space (and a cup holder) by getting rid of the Skyfi 2, although I do miss the pause feature some. The CommanderMT also has excellent sound quality, as well as a very strong line level output.

In my opinion, Audiovox and XM overlooked one thing. There is no “accessory” lead that if I wanted to, I could hook up to my car stereo’s “accessory” or “remote” lead to have my CommanderMT turn on only when I turn my car stereo on. Currently, depending on how you power it, it will either always stay on if you power it from a constant power source or turn on and off with your vehicle if you power it from an ignition controlled power source. I recommend the latter as you may forget to turn it off one day if its power from a constant power source and a dead battery may be in your future.

Remote and additional mounting accessories


All in all, it’s a very sleek unit; with an excellent display that it very legible. Controls are simple, clean and easy to use either on the display unit, or via the included remote control. The best part of the system is that we now have the smallest offering from XM to be able to pay for one subscription, and literally put it on our key chain to take from home to car via the Mini Tuner CNP2000.

Unit will be available at www.MyRadioStore.com around June.
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www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!

Just got word that it will be priced at $169.99 MSRP, but that is still tentative.
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www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!

The next radio for my car will likely be this one. The Mini Tuner is something I'm already using at work and on my home theater receiver, and look forward to being able to use it in my car too. I'm toying with a couple of possible locations for the display, but I think I only have one real place to put the cartridge dock. Power will probably be my only issue, but I might just tap my cig lighter, as I believe it's ignition-controlled.

Now, I just need one of the Audiovox mini tuner clock radios.

Wow, I have like 2 SkiFis that need to be replaced and I love the idea of the cartage tuner. Cannot wait for this thing to become available.
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I void Warranties
If it ain't broke, take it apart and fix it.

Ziggy,
Can you tell me if the size of the display is different from the old commander? I install these into Porsche and the compartment in front of the gear shift is a great fit for the old style. Did they keep the Tune Select feature?
Thanks, Jim

the commanderMT looks pretty cool.

When are these babies coming out? What about the new 'dual-screen' XM radios?

I want this radio. It offers seemless, Clutter free dash. I also like that is uses the mini tuner so the owner can have a car unit and home unit (mini tuner/CNP dock needed) like a neural audio reciever and have just ONE sub. I want one.