Satellite Radio questions?

[JCyrbok]

Wife got me a gift card for my B-day to put towards Satellite Radio for my truck. I am looking for opinions of what brand of receiver and mounting options people have. ALso if you have any Pics of mounting locations that would be appreciated. I would like to mount the unit, anywhere but on the dash, if possible.



Also would it be better to go with a head unit that can control the Satellite radio as opposed to adding it to my existing head unit, that is not Satellite compatible.



I'm pretty sure im gonna go with Sirrius.



Thanks in advance,



J-

 

[elandon1201]

I have XM and I like the portable units so I only have to pay for one and can transfer it between vehicles as opposed to the head unit,but what I did was make a Diamond plate l bracket on my 01. I then loosened the dash bezel then slid it in between the bezel and the dash just under the existing radio. I know the Sirrius units ar MUCH larger then the xm's so it may not work, I will try to get some pics this afternoon if you want.

 

[Headshot zod]

I have both. If you don't need the "ipod-like" options I'd avoid the S50. The s50 is a great unit (I have it) but pricey. Its great if you want to record shows with it and upload mp3's to it. They have a couple of newer units that have a play option for up to the last 44 minutes. Great option if you want to hear stuff again.



I would get one of the portable units so you have the option of listening to it in the house in one of the boombox options. Since your truck is recent there is probably a custom bracket available.



Sirius has a new model the SV1 which from what I can see doesn't allow you to plug directly into your car stereo and only use the fm broadcast option. My brother and I use the s50 that way. I have tried plugging the sirius and the xm units in directly and they don't sound as good. So I need to find a better way to do this. The SV1 looks nice and convenient and looks like a radar detector. Probably the easiest unit to switch in between vehicles.



I think this is the best bang for buck if you remember to mail in the rebate which knocks off 30% off the list price.



I hope that opinion helps a bit

 

[elandon1201]

I also Read XM is going to have some portable mp3 units in March that play live satellite radio all the time not just when docked. And have 50 hrs of audio space, looks like the wife will get mine and i will be upgrading!!

 

[csutton7]

I've had XM since it came out---chris

 

[Headshot zod]

I can't wait to see the new xm radio.

 

[elandon1201]

O&A Party Rock!!!!

 

[Dual EE]

I just got Sirius last month and I really like it. I got the sportster plug and play model so I can transfer between vehicles and the boom box. My buddy has XM and after he and I went on a road trip, he will be switching to Sirius.



The sportster unit is kind of big and mounting on the windshield I did not feel was a great option. So I got a bracket from Crutchfield that mounts to my stock stereo mounts. It hangs off the end of the dash above the glove box.

 

[JCyrbok]

Dual EE, if possible, could you post a pic of the mount in your truck, sounds like what I would want. I really dont want it up on the dash or windsheild. If you cant post a pic, if you could post a link or part number for crutchfields that would help too.



Thanks

J-

 

[JCyrbok]

Dual EE u can disregard I found it on Cruthfield's site and that looks like it would work great. How do u like it??



J-

 

[Dual EE]

The mount is ok. It didn't allow me to mount the unit exactly how I wanted.

I wanted to use all four mounting holes on the back of sportster mount unit. But because of space, I had to move the unit up on the mounting bracket and only use two mounting holes. This just allows you to see more of the bracket then I wanted. In order to use all four mount holes I would of had to turn the unit side ways. The bracket works and is easy to install. It does require you to file down a plastic lip so it will fit flush. You will not see this when the basel (sp?) cover is put back on. The unit is also aways away from the driver. So get used to using the remote control when driving. I pretty much stay on the same channel so that not a big issue with me.



If you want pictures I will see if I can do it in the next few evenings.

 

[JCyrbok]

Dual EE you dont have to go out of your way for Pics. The description was enough.



Anyone else have any other mounting suggestions so that the unit is not on the dash or windshield?



Thanks

J-

 

[McLaughlin]

I have an roady2 XM unit which I mounted on the dash cupholder using the provided doublestick tape universal mount. I can pull the XM unit out and replace it with a cell phone holder without changing anything else. I can send pics later if you would like.

 

[Dual EE]

Here is how I have my Sirius installed.



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[blkdragon]

I've had XM for just over a year now and it is great. I have tried both XM and Sirius and really liked XM better. My unit is a little older so it is a bit more bulky than the newer ones. I have the SkiFi. XM offers you Opie and Anthony, every MLB game and many other options. They did have like six NASCAR stations, but I think I heard that Sirius picked them up this year. Just my personal preference after trying them both.

 

[DPellegrin]

I have XM and Sirius and I have to tell you Sirius is not very good the units the have are huge and I cant stand Howard Stern he is washed up. O and A party Rock!!!!

 

[jeepit]

OK. I have been on the Crutchfield sight and I can't find that mount for the sportster. Do you have a part # or where on their site can I find it??

 

[jeepit]

DUAL EE, Found it!! Their picture shows it mounted just above the cigarette lighter and below the radio. Not like you have yours. Did it not work for you to mount as Crutchfield has it pictured? Maybe it is because you have a pre 98 model dash??

 

[Dual EE]

Jeepit,

It must be because a different model year or that I have the Infinity sound system. The mount is a little tough to find on their site. Anyone else looking, search under "vehicle specific mount".



To thoughs who installed the Antenna,

Where did you exit the vehicle at with the wire/cable at? I went through the top of the club cab rear window, but I noticed a little water running down the window when I was washing it this weekend. I thought that soft rubber would be pliable enough to seal out the water, but I was wrong.

 

[McLaughlin]

Jeepit,



To thoughs who installed the Antenna,

Where did you exit the vehicle at with the wire/cable at? I went through the top of the club cab rear window, but I noticed a little water running down the window when I was washing it this weekend. I thought that soft rubber would be pliable enough to seal out the water, but I was wrong.

Put my antenna at the front of the dash under the cover because it was too cold out to mess with. Seems to work OK. Only have had it drop out a handful of times in the last month and those are usually only a few seconds long. It is a bit annoying when it drops out but I'm not sure it is worth the risk of developing a water leak to position the antenna in a better place. Also with the snow we sometimes get here, I'm concerned that I'll catch the antenna wire when brushing off the truck and scratch the truck or break the antenna.