Sirious Or X-M?

[DFrank]

After hearing lots of people say how good they are, I am ready to get satelite radio. I have no idea what the differences are, so i would like some input.



I know XM presently has commercials, but they are set to be commercial free in a little over a week.



Should i get an FM modulator or hardwire it? I like the idea of being able to bring it inside. Can this be done W/O FM?



I've seen folks talk about a lifetime subscription for sirious. Do they both offer that? $400 seems steep, but pays off in under 4 years.



Are both of the comanies sound? i. e. will either turn into a "betamax" down the road?



My car toys dealer here quoted me $250 for a unit, an antena, and a modulator installed. Do i need all of that or can i just plug it in to the back of the CD player (has changer capabilities, with "mode" button)?



Thanks for sharing your thoughts or experiences.



Dave

 

[klenger]

I'm going with the Dodge Sirius unit in my new truck. I like the direct (no FM modulator) connection and full control from the stock radio. Bad news is, the lifetime subscription went up to $500.

 

[evldsl]

I'm going with the navigation/cd in mine.

 

[CClayton]

Dave,

I had Xm in previous ford truck and currently have Sirius installed in 2003

2500 laramie truck. The radio/cd player

in the ram was Sirius satellite ready

with the "raz" designation. I have complete control of system via steering wheel

controls. (professionally installed).

If you don't mind the look of after market

install then I would go with XM's Delfi

ski-fi unit that can also fit the portable

"boom box". The unit has a lot more info

on channel,artist,song title then my unit

does. I've heard analysts that follow

satellite radio state that both companies

"are here to stay" and that their

potential is huge!Sirius has a slight edge

in music lineup, but not much!Most of

the programming identical with a few exceptions. With commercial free Xm it

makes the decision easier. Enjoy!

 

[RGardner]

Next fall sirius will be carrying all the NFL games if that is important to you.

 

[EDenton]

I have Sirius incorp. with the RAZ factory radio. the only difference between the two systems is Sirius doesn't carry Nascar.

 

[davidclark]

There are several units that are portable to go in and out of the house/office and car for both satellite systems.



To use line in, you need to confirm that you have AUX IN jacks on your receiver, otherwise you are stuck with the FM modulator. Sometimes there is interference with the FM modulator if there is a radio station on those freqs (around 88. x). That is usually only low powered college radio on those if you're around a college town.



I have the Sirius Audiovox PnP2 unit with the RCA type car mount. They have a boombox for it, but is hard to find in stock at the moment. Still waiting for that, they also make a docking station to connect to a home system. The receiver was $100, dock $50.



Shop around, there are lots of options for receviers and mounting and portablility.



Lifetime subscriptions with Sirius are for "the life of the recevier" that is the unit, not you... Be aware of this! (Not sure about XM) I went with the monthly charge until I decide if I like it enough to continue with it.

 

[Pugster]

Wife & I have Delphi XM radio w/FM modulater kit installed by a local aftermarket dealer. Very satisfird with install. It's like having a in-truck concert while driving down the road.

 

[BWaddy]

Originally posted by Fred1

Wife & I have Delphi XM radio w/FM modulater kit installed by a local aftermarket dealer. Very satisfird with install. It's like having a in-truck concert while driving down the road.

I had that system installed in my Excursion. I was very satisfied with it. Now I just need to get one installed in the 2500.



Bret

 

[BKunic]

Dave,



About a month ago I posed the same question here. Since then I went with the XM Delphi unit. I now have it installed in all three vehicles and love it. I can pop the receiver out of the mounting cradle of one vehicle, and plop it down into the mounting cradle of another vehicle. You get hit with the $10/month for every receiver unit you have. This works great for me as I can only drive one vehicle at a time.



The main difference between XM and Sirius is the programming. You can "test drive" the programming of each by listening via their web sites. Sirius has more NPR and sports, and I don't need either. For me the XM was the way to go and I am extremely satisfied. Bought it at Best BUy and had them install it. At first I was a little hesitant about having the small antenna on top of the roof and runninng a wire into the cab, but now it doesn't bother me. They run it in via the 3rd brake light, sealed it up good, and it's great.



When I posed my question here a month ago, one of the gentlemen who responded said he had the antenna installed on the dash. He claimed that he still had good reception, but the installers told me that it woudn't be as good. Personally I don't think it matters as long as it can see the satellite. They were I'm sure covering their butts, and doing what they've been trained to do.



You'll love the programming, the lack of commercials, and the sound quality. I never listen to conventional radio anymore.



Also, starting in February, all XM radio channels will be commercial free. As to your concerns about XM going the way of the Betamax, I wouldn't count on it as XM is a whole lot bigger than Sirius. I'm sure it is only a short matter of time before most all new vehicles come with it. It's just a matter of letting the masses know about it.



I got the Delphi receiver, the FM modulator and car installation kit. Took them about an hour and a half to install it. Works great in my CTD, I highly recommend it.



Good luck,



Bryan

 

[Red Ramrod]

I have Sirius in my truck through a aftermarket deck. Both my wife and I love the programming on Sirius. On a 6000 mile trip we did not listen to the regular radio or cd's once. We only lost reception for a few seconds total on the trip.



Before I decided to replace my entire system, I did a little research and found this

Soundgate Interface which connects directly to the factory radio. You can then get a free Kenwood Sirius receiver, add the antenna and you are done. The stock deck would then control the satellite. I am not sure what info the stock deck would display. Our aftermarket Kenwood in dash deck will display song title, artist, channel and many other items.



I agree with above statements about the programming. Sirius had the edge but XM is now also going to be commercial free. XM currently has a lot bigger market share but I think they will both be around a while.



One thing we really enjoy about Sirius that XM does not offer is the ability to listen to satellite radio over the computer. I am currently logged into Sirius listening to my favorite music. You can then interface your computer with your home stereo and have it live in both the vehicle and home under one subscription at the same time. I have DSL so leaving the computer on the internet is no big deal.

 

[DFrank]

Thanks to everyone who spoke up. Ramrod's post makes me lean towards the sirius version. I like the idea of having the same music accessable from my computer without bringing the unit inside.



How do you have your computer connected to the stereo? My mac only has headphone or speaker out jacks. Is there a good way to get RCA style outlets from some type of USB adapter?



The link above was misrouted to a humorous post about traveling with powerstrokes. Can you try the soundgate thing again?

 

[CClayton]

Both Xm and Sirius offer a reduced monthly rate of $6. 99 for each addional

subscription. I'M considering buying a

portable Sirius unit with boombox.

 

[Red Ramrod]

Sorry about the links before. Clicking to fast I guess. Here is the link to

Soundgate



I have not yet connected my computer to my home stereo as I need to get the cable pulled in (vaulted ceiling ). I may do it wireless but do not know how well that works. I have never been happy with wireless signals in the past.



Here are some links to connect a computer through the speaker outputs.

PC to home stereo thru speaker output

another brand thru speaker connection on computer



Here is a link to connect through USB.

this works thru USB

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I have had XM for about a month. Before that I listened to XM over the internet extensively at the "sample site" . The Sirius sample site would boot you off after 20 minutes. I just emailed XM with the suggestion they expand or extend internet service to subscribers.



I'm sure they are both good. Although the NFL/NBA is very tantillizing, I am mainly a news (FOX and BBC) and talk radio person. The final straw was when XM offered the free home adapter set up for the roady for $120 and had the lower monthly rates. That way I could have XM at on the road, at home, and the office inexpensively. I have no complaints with the FM modulator. Albeit I did mark the Soundgate site for future reference.



Enjoy