XM satellite radio anyone?

[BKunic]

I'm toying with the idea of getting the XM satellite radio. I'd rather have the XM than the Sirius simply on account of some of the programming. I still can't get over the hang up about having to pay ten bucks a month for radio (which has always been "free"). But given a little more time I might be able to get over it.



I was wondering if anyone has gone the XM route, and if so how they have liked it so far and which receiver they got for the CTD. I think they have three or four receivers available and I was wondering which one works best with the 3rd gen trucks.



Hope you have a great '04,



Bryan

 

[AGrubbs]

XM commander installed

I have an XM commander installed in my truck for about 2 weeks now. I like it a lot. I also have the XM skyfi unit intalled in my house. .



The control unit for the commander fits in the cubby hole next to the 4x4 control knob. I have the main box under the dash with the RF switchover box. It required a set of special cable adapters because the truck does not use a standard co-ax fitting. I have the satellite antenna fished thru the rubber of the drivers side door and up to the roof of the truck just above the front of the drivers door.



Seems to receive very well, better than the sky-fi unit did and the antenna is smaller in height.



If interested I could post a couple of pictures of the setup.

Also, if you are still hung up about paying for content, its not that far different than paying to watch TV which you could watch for free over the air. . some people pay for cable or satellite service. . so they don't have to be stuck with 4-5 fuzzy 'local' stations on TV. . Same with the XM or Sirus. . you are paying to get more content and to not be stuck with the local mindless chatter. . specially on any early morning commute, which seems to bring out lots of 'morning' shows that have 2-4 people sitting around giggleing at bad jokes. . instead of playing music.



PS. Its nice to be able to tune to a channel and listen to clear, clean music for 6-700 miles and not have it fade out while you are traveling. Only time I have had it drop out is when I parked along the north side of a building. . I moved a few feet more north, and it was back again.



Good luck! Hope that helps.





AG

 

[StephenThomas]

I Use XM...

I have an Alpine Head Unit installed in my truck with the XM Sattelite System. It's the 2nd truck I've this system installed in. I've travelled coast to coast with it and enjoyed digital quality music, news, sports, comedy the entire way. I love this system and rarely do I ever even listen to my CDs anymore. I too did not like the idea of paying a monthly fee... . but now I know it's worth it.

 

[obie1]

Satellite XM

I have had satellite XM for almost 3 years and never regret it. As a matter of fact the reason I got it was for jazz listening. Now in the Houston area they have added a jazz station. (imagine that!!). But the great thing is NO COMMERCIALS... ... isn't that great!



Don't have to listen to some wet behind the ears child tell me of what I have already experienced in life and what I need to buy from their sponsors.



Long trips make XM indispensable. there are C & W stations, Old rock stations, Frank Sinatra type stations, comedy stations and talk show. even a NASCAR station.



Wouldn't be without it recommend the Alpine units (especially if one is looking at upgrading the sound system) but the Commander units are great since they allow one to see the artist and the name of the song.



enjoy the "great driving machine" and great tunes. What else would we want?

 

[jzaremski]

I had it for about 6 months and dumped it. No complaints with the selection, and the quality was okay, but it wasn't for me. I'm the type that wants to listen to something specific, so I found myself going back to CDs before long.

I still can't get over the hang up about having to pay ten bucks a month for radio (which has always been "free")

people said the same thing about cable tv. 'course, radio isn't all that "free" when you consider a lot of it is the same Clear Channel tripe all the time.

 

[silverram03]

I've had my XM for about 8 months and have nothing but good things to say about it. The only time it doesn't work is when you are in a car wash bay or parking garage. I spend about 2-3 hours a day comuting and love having commercial free, talk free radio. Wish I had it in my work truck. Favorite staions are 80's, 90's, Nashville, 20 Hits, Classic rock, Ethel and 22.

 

[BKunic]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm already over paying the ten bucks a month. I've been with the Dish Network for almost seven years now and wouldn't be without it. Plus, it seems like a small amount to pay if it keeps you from having to listen to the babbling idiots. Just got a few more questions regarding the XM setup...



1. I take it that there is an external antenna. If so, how is it usually installed, up on the roof, rear window like the early cell phone antennas, or. . ?



2. If you want to use it in multiple vehicles do you have to buy and install a receiver for each vehicle and are you dinged the ten bucks per month for each vehicle?



3. What did the receiver and installation cost?



4. Best place to mount the receiver? On top of dash, below, or?



5. Does the receiver plug into the in dash radio/CD player?



Thanks again,



Bryan

 

[AGrubbs]

Hi Bryan,



It all depends on what you want to do with the unit. The Delphi Sky-Fi is about the most flexable way to go, and it is the lower cost of the 3 delphi units. The Sky-fi unit fits in a cradle and can be moved from one place to another by just removing the display unit.



The mounting cradles are not all that cheap, but they give you the option of using the display unit in a home system, a boombox, or in a car. I have my skyfi on my home entertainment system. The Roady is a little more costly, but seems to be smaller than the SkyFi. ( I don't have a roady so can't say for sure ) The Commander is the one that I have in my truck, and I like it a lot. Since my truck came with a CD instead of a cassette, I could not use the cassette adapter that comes standard with the SkyFi or Roady. The commander has its own wired FM modulator so you just tune your truck radio to the commander and there you go. For a truely portable system, the roady with a wireless FM modulator would be real cool. At an outing or party, everyone could tune to the FM channel you have your modulator set on and could listen to the same program comeing out of a number of cars/trucks or boomboxs!



If you are looking for more info than you can stand to see about XM, go to the XM forum board at www.xmfan.com. There are sections with pictures on installs in various cars and trucks. Also to look at more details on the 3 delphi units, you can check out www.xmradio.com.





Hope this helps get you the info you are looking for!



AG

 

[obie1]

Antenna

Best place to mount the antenna is on the roof. The installer comes in behind the third brake light. Be sure the installer tightens the screws well or it will leak. Installing a "through glass" loses DB "headroom" because of the tinted glass emissivity. (It cuts down on the strength of the signal)



The "connection" to the factory radio is through the FM antenna. The unit can be adjusted to some low FM frequency typical 88. 7 or 88. 9 (this is adjustable).



As to which unit it all depends on what you want, portability (Delphi); fidelity (Alpine).



XM offers a discount for more add ons don't quote me but I think its around 9. 99 for the first, 6. 99 for the next/rest.



Enjoy the truck and the tunes... ... ... .

 

[ThomasCook]

XM Commander

After much searching and gnashing of teeth, I bought a Terk XM Commander. I don't regret it at all. I mounted the antenna on the back of the cab, snaked the antenna wire down the door weatherstrip to the front of the truck, and in the access hole for the FM antenna. To insert the FM modulator, I unplugged the external antenna from the internal jumper behind the right side kick panel. It was as if it was made for this. !!

I mounted the electronics in the glove box, and ran the controller to the left side of the factory radio and stuck it to the dash with the high strength foam tape that came with the unit.



As far as programming goes it's great, and the dead areas due to terrain and buildings are always in the same spots. XM uses geostationary satellites, and Sirius does not.

 

[StephenThomas]

On my 2001 I had the terk antenna installed on the roof through the 3rd brake light. Reception was outstanding, but I did have a little leak which was easy enough to fix.



On my 2004 I have a smaller digital terk antenna installed on the dash by the passenger pillar. I haven't noticed any reduction in reception -- and now I don't have to be concerned about a leak.

 

[BKunic]

Thanks everyone, that was all good information. After the first I'll get the ball rolling on the XM radio. It will be so nice not having to listening to the babbling idiots, especially in the AM!



Thanks again,



Bryan

 

[StephenThomas]

I haven't listened to local radio in ages. Never had Sirius, but XM rocks. I hope you like it too... .

 

[StephenThomas]

I haven't listened to local radio in ages. Never had Sirius, but XM rocks. I hope you like it too... .

 

[NSperduto]

Re: XM Commander

Originally posted by ThomasCook

After much searching and gnashing of teeth, I bought a Terk XM Commander. I don't regret it at all. I mounted the antenna on the back of the cab, snaked the antenna wire down the door weatherstrip to the front of the truck, and in the access hole for the FM antenna. To insert the FM modulator, I unplugged the external antenna from the internal jumper behind the right side kick panel. It was as if it was made for this. !!

I mounted the electronics in the glove box, and ran the controller to the left side of the factory radio and stuck it to the dash with the high strength foam tape that came with the unit.



As far as programming goes it's great, and the dead areas due to terrain and buildings are always in the same spots. XM uses geostationary satellites, and Sirius does not.

You have any pics of the receiver attached to the dash?

 

[BKunic]

StephenThomas,



Would you have a photo of that antenna installation on the dash? If I go that route, should I position it as far forward as possible?



Bryan

 

[ThomasCook]

XM installation

I have posted pictures of my installation in my reader's rigs gallery. Here is the controller.



#ad

 

[How'dHeDoThat]

XM vs Sirius

I can now say I have had both and without doubt I like the...





Sirius... . HANDS DOWN!



I was even reported as saying how much I liked my XM Previously and not that XM is bad, cause it's not, The Sirius is just so much better!



The stations are better, the music choices are better, and I was told the reception was going to be a problem and it hasn't been.





Also, most of you 3 Gener's are already Sirius ready on your factory stereo's. That is how I got mine was with the purchase of my 04. (Dodge is running a promotion right now with free Sirius install and free lifetime subscription with a new truck) The Sirius (hidden) unit plugs right into your stereo and your stereo controls it.



I can be a judge of both for my own taste as I now have XM in my 01, my wifes Expedition, and my daughter's Tahoe, as well as Sirius in my 04.



James

 

[BKunic]

How'dHeDoThat,



Wish you hadn't said that, as now you got me thinking about the Sirius. I believe its $12. 99/month v. s. the XM's 9. 99/month. Aside from the programming choices which are subjective in nature, what are the big reasons to go with Sirius? Don't you get the same reception with both? How about commercials - the same or does one hammer you with more?



What I like about the Sirius from reading your post is that the Gen 3 trucks are compatible. What exactly does this mean?



I have to make up my mind on this and get one of them installed, because here in Kalifooornya all we can get now are Mexican stations and it's driving me crazy!



Bryan

 

[How'dHeDoThat]

Get what you pay for IMO

Sirius is far superior in the program selection and no commercial channels line-up... In fact XM now has commercials on some of it's "commercial free" channels! What a sell out!



I have more favorite channels than I have presets (12) on Sirius.



SO... if Sirius was 20. 00 and XM was 10. 00 I would get Sirius.



In fact my wife wants her Xm changed out for Sirius now!



James