Here I am

Want XM and not Sirrius

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Bed Caps????

Powder Coated Step Bars

Status
Not open for further replies.

obie1

TDR MEMBER
Is there a connector and box that can be purchased to replace Sirius with XM?



I have the DVD system and the entertainment system is all inter connected. So I want to retain the factory system, just get the XM without and AUX input?



Thanks in advance :D
 
Terk makes a unit called XM Direct. It allows many of the factory DC decks to control an XM unit. It works ok, but you don't have 12 presets on it, only 11. It was less than $300 installed for me.
 
NBazil said:
Im not sure why you would want XM... Sirius is WAY better than XM... Just my opinion :)



Programming maybe (I have zero interest in sterns, nascar, or martha stewart). I greatly dislike Sirius because of the poor reception. On open highways with nothing higher than me for miles, I keep losing reception. I drive the same routes in OE XM equipped Hondas and Acuras and the signal never cuts out. My dealer says that is normal for Sirius.
 
ohnoitsyu said:
Programming maybe (I have zero interest in sterns, nascar, or martha stewart). I greatly dislike Sirius because of the poor reception. On open highways with nothing higher than me for miles, I keep losing reception. I drive the same routes in OE XM equipped Hondas and Acuras and the signal never cuts out. My dealer says that is normal for Sirius.





I agree I love my XM I have been from coast to coast without a problem, and in big cities like NYC they have repeaters to keep the buildings from blocking the signal
 
Have you not also noticed the sound quality difference? I definitely appreciate XM's better compression scheme that does not have the same distortion in the upper frequencies. I had three different systems (including factory Sirius) hooked up to my truck at one time, and I could easily hear the difference. Note that the XM Direct is basically an aux input into your factory radio, that if I am not mistaken uses the CD changer port.
 
Hlewan:Note that the XM Direct is basically an aux input into your factory radio, that if I am not mistaken uses the CD changer port.







That is how I have mine hooked up, sounds real nice!!
 
ohnoitsyu said:
Programming maybe (I have zero interest in sterns, nascar, or martha stewart). I greatly dislike Sirius because of the poor reception. On open highways with nothing higher than me for miles, I keep losing reception. I drive the same routes in OE XM equipped Hondas and Acuras and the signal never cuts out. My dealer says that is normal for Sirius.

I never really had any problems with reception. Ive had Sirius for 2 years now. . I will never go back to radio. . Its just that I listen to heavy metal and Sirius has better channels for that... And also I like the Stern :D
 
ohnoitsyu said:
I greatly dislike Sirius because of the poor reception. On open highways with nothing higher than me for miles, I keep losing reception. I drive the same routes in OE XM equipped Hondas and Acuras and the signal never cuts out. My dealer says that is normal for Sirius.



I'd agree that your problem is the installation, not Sirius. I use the same receiver in my truck and boat. Had a bunch of trouble losing reception in my boat untill they installed the antenna correctly. No problems with reception now.
 
Foil Freak 1211 said:
I'd agree that your problem is the installation, not Sirius. I use the same receiver in my truck and boat. Had a bunch of trouble losing reception in my boat untill they installed the antenna correctly. No problems with reception now.



That's what Sirius keeps telling me. I guess Dodge doesn't know how to install the stuff (it came as standard equipment in my 06). Dealer says interference (even in the middle of the desert) is normal. On my 23 mile commute to work, it'll drop out at least half a dozen times when XM does not (this doesn't take into consideration when I'm stopped under an underpass, which I then can go to free FM that doesn't have problems there). For those in the area of So Cal, I'm on the stretch of the 91 between 5/91 and Gardena.
 
Got a Airline captain friend who added a Radio Shack XM to his 03 Dodge 2500. Loves it. Said it cost less then $50. 00. I asked about Sirius and he said lots more on XM. Likes to listen to same program on long drives late night through several differant states etc.
 
I would have to agree with the possibility of defective equipment/poor installation for the post(s) about bad reception. I have a factory service manual but I have never looked at the wiring schematics or components for the factory installed systems. I have had Sirius installed in my Ford Ranger since the first week of July 2002. I installed all the equipment myself. Kenwood dash unit, satellite receiver, and Sirius brand (or branded) antenna. With my setup, if the signal drops, it says "Waiting" or "Acquiring Signal". If it were a chronic problem with the equipment, I would look at the satellite receiver box connections, or any problems with the wiring from the antenna to the receiver/decoder box. In the almost 4 years that I have had it, I rarely experience loss of reception. It has probably been in excess of three to four weeks that I can remember losing the signal. I can however, vouch for the compression and sound quality issues. Especially with higher frequencies (cymbals etc. ) and live music were the music drops out and you are left with silence. Well almost total silence. It almost sounds like the hiss of a tape without the Dolby noise reduction turned on. I also think the sound quality issues may be amplified if a premium audio system or aftermarket equipment is used. I have only heard XM on cheasy stock speakers, not high end systems, where recording clarity can make or break music. I am all for whatever makes you happy. I personally prefer the programming and reception of Sirius and the sound quality of XM.



BTW. My friend has a XM equipped 'Burban. I have experienced more dropouts in his vehicle than mine. A coworker has a Isuzu, I mean GMC Duramax, and his XM reception seems to be fine.
 
I think it depends on your location( southern Calif). I had sirus and it had lots of fade out on any road with trees. I just switched to XM with no fade out on the same road. I hated sirus canned sound bites. You would hear the same canned sound bite over and over again.
 
HLewallen said:
Have you not also noticed the sound quality difference? I definitely appreciate XM's better compression scheme that does not have the same distortion in the upper frequencies. I had three different systems (including factory Sirius) hooked up to my truck at one time, and I could easily hear the difference. Note that the XM Direct is basically an aux input into your factory radio, that if I am not mistaken uses the CD changer port.



I have had XM for over a year now. When Sirius came out with Bubba and the blue colar channel (Love that stuff) I went and picked up the top of the line setup.



Never had any problems with reception, but the Sirius sounded like AM radio! With the $$$ I have put into the sound system there was NO way I could stand it. I returned it and put my XM back in. It has CD quality sound! Oo.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top