Author Topic: XM / Sirrus? (Read 532 times)

MwXX · « **on:** December 27, 2004, 10:00:04 AM »

Ok sound dudes...

Im "thinking" about this move in the car...

Got a nice sound system, and was wondering what the "out in the field" quality is on this....

Honestly, is it worth it? Set up and annual fees? Is it worth the install?

Opinions please:aok

AKS\/\/ulfe · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2004, 10:04:13 AM »

Yes. It's like comparing a movie out on regular broadcast vs one being shown on HBO in HD with 5.1 surround when talking about regular radio vs satellite.

I installed mine myself, they are fairly easy. Just magnetic antenna that sticks to your car, run a wire into the car (requires figuring a good route first, then running it) and that's pretty much it.

You buy the reciever unit and there's a monthly charge - prices vary for the units and the monthly rate also varies depending on what type of plan your purchase.
-SW

indy007 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2004, 10:10:03 AM »

I'm a fan of Sirrius. SW has it right, it's night & day between regular radio. High quality, better stations, no commercials. I got a login from a friend who works at their help desk. I listen all the time at work. You can't get Shade 45 anywhere else

I only don't have it for the car because I play too many subscription online games & don't need 1 more monthly fee to be paying.

guttboy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:02:04 PM »

I gotta give the vote to XM.

My rationale....XM now has the SKIFI2 reciever. It can be used in your car or home via either the FM modulator (tune to a radio freq and voila!) or you can use the tape adapter.

The SKIFI2 also allows you to pause the live radio, rewind it, and replay it over and over...for those of you that like to listen to things over and over.

The unit also allows you to save your favorite songs or artists. What happens is if lets say you choose AC/DC....you hit the button then whenever AC/DC is playing on ANY station there will be a small beep from the reciever and it will show you what channel and what song it playing. If you would like to listen just hit the XM button and it tunes you to that channel! VERY COOL FEATURE THAT I LOVE!!!!!!

You can also get stock quotes, sports scores, etc on the scrolling display.

I have friends that have both and the ones that have the sirius models (and older XM Skifi) wish they had the SKIFI2.

My 2 cents but XM very worth it in my book.

Regards

Reschke · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:06:05 PM »

OK woopdee dooo Shade 45...what a waste of human talent that DA Emeniem is...my opinion only BTW.

BUT enough about him. Which service between XM and Sirius is the better of the two? What are the pros and cons of each one and do you still have the option of recieving a local station once you install this receiver for the satellite radio? Only for local sports talk is why I ask about that.

AKS\/\/ulfe · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:10:12 PM »

You can also get stock quotes, sports scores, etc on the scrolling display.

Just what we need. More retards on the getting distracted.

Reschke,

XM has two satellites in orbit, Sirius has three. Meaning better coverage while driving. I think the music on Sirius is better, I've heard XM's line up and it was alright but Sirius is better.

There's two methods to recieve XM or Sirius over your head unit's speakers. One is by direct connection via RCA type cables. This would go into your auxillary connection. The other way is through radio waves, by setting your reciever to a particular station (88.1 to 88.7) and listening to it like a radio station.

There are also head units that come with the XM or Sirius stuff pre-installed.
-SW

Gunslinger · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:26:24 PM »

OK well here's kind of a techie type question,

I know with FM transmitter type antennas you need a ground plane (like the center of a metal roof) in order to transmit and recieve properly (the roof aids in bouncing the signal).

I have a Jeep with a fiberglass hard top.....will the magnetic antenna work if it's off to the side like a regulare broadcast AM/FM antenna?

guttboy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:50:09 PM »

Gunslinger,

I use the mini antenna that comes with the SKIFI2. I have it either resting on my dash or on the cupholder on the front of the dash. I have no problems getting a good signal and the transmitter portion is in the control unit which in my Lincoln is right in front of the center console. No problems with reception to the FM stereo channel at all. It also broadcasts for quite some distance...my wife and I and our jeep club went out more than once and when we were out of FM reception for local channels we all listened to 88.1 and everyone heard what I was broadcasting...to about 1/3 of a mile.

As far as functionality in a jeep...well in my 93 wrangler with a soft top...I place the antenna on the dash next to my GPS and it gets reception just fine and there are no problems transmitting to the FM channel.

In our jeep club there are a few guys with Sirius and a few guys with XM. I have found really NO difference in the signal quality for either service.

With either service you will be fine in my opinion. I like XM's programming better than Sirius's, I LOVE the skifi2 functions...especially the favorites one, and the blue glow that the skifi2 has is cool in my opinion.

As far as having 2 or 3 satellites...well I guess perhaps more is better but I have not seen any difference in reception or signal quality for either company.

One thing to note....XM has a much larger consumer base than Sirius. Not saying that Sirius is bad or lacking in customer support but it has much fewer subscribers. Again not stating that Sirius is bad just tossing that fact out there.

I thought that satellite radio was a fad....but I drive alot and really love the XM that I have....dont know how I would do with out it while doing 12 hour drives here in the South West.

Another cool feature that XM has is that for selected cities it gives you traffic/weather reports. You tune your XM to that channel and it gives very nice traffic and weather...gives you commute times on highways..notifies you of accidents/congestion...average speed of traffic on sections of highway. I used it in Phoenix and loved that functionality.

Like I said you cant go wrong with either one but I prefer the XM to the Sirius.

Regards:aok

indy007 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:55:50 PM »

XM has a larger customer base for sure, they've been around longer. I like Sirrus's music & formats better though. There was a big article about it in Wired a few months back. The guy who came up with Sirrus is the same guy that invented the plug-n-play format of modern radio.. well, he's the reason we get force fed the same songs 10 times in a row, on every station you turn to. He's not happy that he killed "real" radio. He's trying to bring DJ personalities back to it, and I must say, it's been really entertaining so far.

guttboy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2004, 12:55:54 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Reschke
OK woopdee dooo Shade 45...what a waste of human talent that DA Emeniem is...my opinion only BTW.

BUT enough about him. Which service between XM and Sirius is the better of the two? What are the pros and cons of each one and do you still have the option of recieving a local station once you install this receiver for the satellite radio? Only for local sports talk is why I ask about that.

Reschke,

You have no problems recieving local radio stations. They are independent of the XM or the Sirius unit. The XM unit (sirius also I believe) can transmit on many FM freqs. What I do is put a preset on my radio to 88.1 and that is my XM freq.

You can also use aux inputs (that is a hardwire mod) or you can use the tape adapter (XM I know has this pretty sure Sirius does as well but not sure) and listen to the satellite via the tape.

As far as Pro's/Cons look at my other posts here for info if you have any more ???'s please ask!

Regards:aok

kevykev56 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2004, 01:07:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunslinger
OK well here's kind of a techie type question,

I know with FM transmitter type antennas you need a ground plane (like the center of a metal roof) in order to transmit and recieve properly (the roof aids in bouncing the signal).

I have a Jeep with a fiberglass hard top.....will the magnetic antenna work if it's off to the side like a regulare broadcast AM/FM antenna?

From the Sirius website a Manual for installing one of the antennas. In a nutshell it says to mount them on a smooth flat surface such as the roof or trunk.

Also here is a good Link for info on the two companies and satelites. It seems that yes Sirius does have three but one of them is always outside of the listening area as it orbits around the earth.

I am sure there are many different kinds of antennas from all the manufactures. The manual I linked to tho says that it would be Ok to place it off center if other options not available.

What about the option of mounting it on your hood in front of the wipers? It wouldnt look the greatest but it would be functional.

RHIN0

guttboy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2004, 01:14:32 PM »

Hi KevyKev,

I used to live in FWB and my wife is from there! I still have a house there too!!!!

As for mounting the antenna....if you want to hardmount it you can, however I transfer the XM between vehicles and into the house at times so I would not want to hardmount it.

I dont have any problems just laying the tiny antenna on the dashboard.

Regards!:aok

doc1kelley · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2004, 09:38:53 AM »

Well my two sons chipped in and bought me the XM receiver and vehicle adapter and the boombox and it's great! I live in Indianapolis and haven't had to stretch out the antennea in either my vehicle or my computer room and get perfect reception. I'm a fan of '80's music and now I can listen to my hearts content. I love the "No Commercials" format.

All the Best...
Jay
awDOC1:D

Masherbrum · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2004, 10:07:44 AM »

While you guys are griping back and forth, I'll make a point.

MwXX, IF you listen to Howard Stern, he WILL be on Sirius next year (2006). If you don't listen to him, I still prefer Sirius.

Karaya

Gunslinger · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2004, 10:30:26 AM »

thanks guys,

I've been thinking of getting this not because I drive alot but because there is very few good radio stations were I live. I would probably go with Sirrus because the Kenwood CD player I have allready has a built in controller and that would save me some money.