"Sattelite Radio" The Good & Bad!

[ab7fh]

XM is awesome. We have been using it for over a year and I barely ever switch to local radio stations anymore.

 

[Travisb]

I have the Sirius and the Navigation Unit (RB1 radio). Both are excellent. My only signal loss is when under something for more than 20-30 seconds. I haven't experienced a loss when in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado while on vacation (camping). The tree canopy must not have been thick enough to block the signal.

 

[RRFinch]

I have XM satellite radio. I like it alot. I chose XM over Sirius because I expected better coverage. XM uses geostationary satellites while Sirius uses several low orbit satellites.

My experience with coverage is I have never lost it unless I go under a looonnnngggg tunnel, or into my metal building shop. I actually have been pleasently surprised at how well the coverage works out. Tees have not been a problem when i expect them to be so.



As far a programming, XM has alot more channels than does Sirius. That probably will change ove time; I expect Sirius will have more, but I also like the programminmg on XM better.



I vote for XM

 

[Patriot Diesel]

I've had XM radio for about a year now. I couldn't be without it. I have about 2000 MP3's (all my CD's converted) in my truck and RARELY listen to them. The only time I listen to local radio is when I want a weather forecast or traffics conditions.



When we travel in my wifes car I really miss my XM... think I'm gonna have to put one in her car too.

 

[CClayton]

I had xm for about a year prior to buying

a new 2500 ram truck. Xm's satellites are

in a fixed orbit so dead spots if any were

consistent. With Sirius's three elliptical

orbit sats. reception can change from

perfect to very minor dead spots on

the same road through the trees.

I chose Sirius in order to utilize factory

changer in Laramie.



Both are great!

 

[GWDiesel]

Satellite Radio

Sirius,and RB1 Nav. radio work's great for us,Just drive and not hunt for A new radio station, when the one you like fades out. The

Navigation radio is almost priceless in a strange area (lost again)

before nav. radio! The more you use it the better you like it !

GWD

 

[CClayton]

I was without satellite radio during the

transition from old Ford 350 V-10 to new

Cummins 2003 Laramie.

I was forced to once again listen to local radio which is crammed with commercials and inane talk. Thankfully we now have a choice!



Sirius or Xm satellite radio.

 

[FlyFisha']

I have it and love it... great for news. I was in the back woods of Idaho and Montana this summer fishing and never dropped the signal once. I do occasionally loose it close to my house, buts it's brief and comes right back in.



Btw, I have Sirius. It's worth the 10 bucks a month!



Jeff

 

[CClayton]

You have to drill a hole in the roof for

antenna! I had mine installed by pros!

 

[HVAC]

No hole in my roof. I have XM and think it's the coolest

 

[jwoelfle]

BHANER... . Where is everyone placing the antenna? Will it work on the dash? Don't really want some ugly little hockey puck on my roof.





I have my XM ant flat on top of the dash, by the passenger side pillar(above glove box) and it has worked flawlessly for a year now. I tried putting it up on my "Shelf-It" but it dropped signal a few times so I put it back on the dash.



Mine is an aftermarket Alpine system.



Jim

 

[CClayton]

If you were to have dealer install Sirius sat. they would use a template which places small"puck" antenna about a foot in from light. I choose to have a local car stereo shop with tons of experience to install mine.

I know my limitations.

 

[BHaner]

Thanks jwoelfle!

 

[mhstevens]

Sirius

I had the Pioneer XM in the 99 truck for three years, enjoyed it and transferred it to the wife's Blazer. Got the Sirius from Tenafly Chrysler (on the web, $259 for the radio and mount plate, dealer quoted $380 when I bought the truck). Plugs right in the back of the stock radio and has read-out on the radio. Installed it myself, drilled the hole in the roof and everything. The antenna isn't too obtrusive and isn't really noticeable. About a 2 hour job all together. Although the Sirius is $12. 95/month and XM $9. 95/month, Sirius is offering a "lifetime" subscription through Jan 31, 2004 for $399. 30 months and its paid its way, no monthly/quarterly bills. As far as content, XM has a better Comedy channel, but Sirius has 3 NPR channels--XM says they will not carry NPR due to the cost. I also got tired of the "promos" XM seemed to have all the time--no commercials on a lot of the channels, but you get promo'd to death. I've seen better reception on the Sirius around town so far (had it about a month), fewer drop-outs than XM. Call me happy with the Sirius, but wouldn't be disappointed with the XM. I call it "Cable TV" for radio--won't go back to over-the-air unless nothing else was available.

 

[Mr. C]

I have the XM Delphi Sky-Fi reciever and I love it!! I am a commercial truck driver and spend 10+ hours a day in my semi then when my run is done I pop the reciever out of the dock in my big truck and and put it in the dock of my little big truck. When summer gets here I'm gonna put a dock in the ski-boat too, 3 rigs with 1 subscription, what a deal!



I have the antenna on top of the cab next to one of the orange "hockey pucks" already on the roof, whats 1 more if you already have 5 up there. I just ran the wire under the rubber winshield trim down the A pillar,no hole needed.

Mike

 

[Turbo Thom]

I have to agree with Mike. What's one more when you have five already? My "hockey puck" sits behind the center cab light and runs down hole for the light, across the head liner, down A-pillar and to the radio. And like everybody else says, the reception stops when the truck is covered by concrete or steel. I'm in construction and it will not work inside warehouseswhen I take the truck inside. Reception stops at the door. Still a very good purchase. I listen to what I will.



. . Preston. .

 

[MHubbard]

well i picked up my new 2004 3500 srw 2wd larime yesterday. Received Sirius for free, yes free specail promo here in southwest. not only system for free but lifetime of system free membership. Not rubbing it in. Do have XM in yukon xl, love it. Enjoyed the sirius driving home from dealer. Do wish they had more comedy channels. Otherwise, good system.

 

[OTRPU]

I use it C2C, not in the trees much. Most my driving is on the Interstates. Drops out through most tunnels. And depending on which way I traveling, will drop out while passing semi's. I'm old, don't drive fast, don't pass many semi's. Big trouble when sitting in traffic jam and creeping along with a row of semi's beside me. But those times I switch to CB to see what the holdup is and which lane to jump to. It's much better than hitting search all the time.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[CClayton]

I'm considering buying a portable Sirius unit in order to take advantage of

the lifetime subscription. I believe

the cost to be about 6-8 bucks a month

for second unit.

 

[Parshal]

I'm considering getting XM or Sirius for my long trips here out west. I'd like to listen to football games but from the posts it looks like there's very little sports coverage. Is there really no coverage for sports?



Is the programming all specific to the provider? I listen to AM radio and conservative talk shows and wonder if I can get the same talk shows on XM.