Satellite Radio (XM/Sirius)

[NSimkins]

Has anyone here had any experience with any of the 2 major satellite radio services? I was looking into their services as well as the hardware required to be able to listen to satellite radio in your vehicle. Please let me know if you have or if you have any comments on the services. Also, if you have, what type of equipment do you use and how is the reception?XM Satellite Radio: http://www.xmradio.com/Sirius Satellite Radio http://www.siriusradio.com/

[mu_ohio]

Head Unit http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pione ... 14,00.html XM Receiver http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pione ... 27,00.html XM Antenna http://www.terk.com/ These are the 3 things that make up my XM radio setup. A friends sells both and actually has XM in his car, and Sirius in his wife's. If I could go with either one, I'd stay with XM. XM has a few more channels, but more advertisements. Sirius is nice since their reception is better from the satellites, but like I said, the channel selection is not on par with XM. Best thing to do is travel over to Best Buy over in Niles I think and try both out.

[NSimkins]

quote:XM Antenna http://www.terk.com/Do you have the Terk roof-mounted (SR2) or glass-mounted (SR1) antenna? I saw this about the glass-mounted antenna... pretty cool:"The TRK-SR1 features TERK’s ThruGlass technology, which passes DC power and RF signals through the glass surface to an interior coupler that is then hard-wired to the XM receiver."

[mu_ohio]

I have the roof mount unit. Already have one huge antenna on the vehicle..

[biggdogg173]

Just a note: I read today that Sirius is in some financial trouble so they may not be around that long.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... m/sirius_4

[NSimkins]

quote:Just a note: I read today that Sirius is in some financial trouble so they may not be around that long.That is good to know. I know I read that XM is in big with GM for the upcoming 2003 model year vehicles. Apparently most GM vehicles will have the XM Satellite Radio support built-in to the factory radio. Definately a good move for XM.. too bad for Sirius. It's never a good thing to see companies fail.

[NSimkins]

Posted for mu_ohio:

[ullbergm]

looks nice and clean, did you do the install yourself?

[mu_ohio]

Yeah, but I've done this so many times in the recent future so it wasn't bad. This vehicle is probably the best though for installing stereo equipment.

[ullbergm]

how hard was it to get the cable to the antenna?

[mu_ohio]

It was very easy actually. I simply ran the cable down to the liner seal. I pulled the seal out and ran the wires under the liner down the side and then down to where the spare tire is. From there I ran it to under the rear seat where my XM brain was located. I can post some picks if anyone is interested.

[NSimkins]

quote:I can post some picks if anyone is interested.Please do!

[mu_ohio]

Since it gets dark so early I haven't had a chance to get good pics. I'll try tomorrow.

[NSimkins]

quote:Since it gets dark so early I haven't had a chance to get good pics. I'll try tomorrow.Did you ever get pics of this?

[mu_ohio]

I still haven't had a chance yet. The only ones that I have are the ones earlier in the post. I will try later this week.

[mitro]

I have the exact same equipment in my Grand Am (except my HU is the DEH-P840MP same as the 8400 just badged as "premiere" and has a longer warranty). I've had XM for about 5 months now and frankly, don't listen to many CDs anymore and RARELY listen to any FM. The reception for me is very good and I even have my antenna INSIDE my car. The only time I ever get drop outs (and not all the time) is when I'm in my garage or very briefly when I go under an overpass. I make a point to recommend XM to anyone who spends more than 10 minutes in their car per day.For more xm/sirius info check out www.clubxm.com

[DopeVibeGT]

Hey Mike. See ya made it over here, too. LoL

[mitro]

Yup.

[CaCathy13]

the only thing I hate about that radio is that the volume knob is so slippery. There are no grooves or notches in the dial, it's perfectly smooth....doesn't make turning very easy sometimes...I need friction, dammit!

[Mr. Poopypants]

What fills in that little space underneath of the receiver??quote:Posted for mu_ohio:

[mitro]

quote:What fills in that little space underneath of the receiver??Posted for mu_ohio:Whatever you want. Typically they are designed to hold 2 CDs

[mu_ohio]

The space is actually double din size so they give you a little pocket. I haven't used it for much besides a temporary place to hold receipts or parking passes.And yes, it is a double din if you install the kit in that fashion. With the picture below, I'm using the pocket which has a different surround ring. Just if anyone was curious FYI, still haven't had a chance for pics. I've been driving the Mazada6 lately and haven't seen the Vibe but on a few occasions.

[ragingfish]

Does anyone know if the receiver unit (I know the tuner and antenna go into a central receiver or decoder or something) is small enough to shove into one of those side compartments (where you can reach in to behind the taillights?) Does it generate any heat that might not got properly ventilated under the rear bench?

[mu_ohio]

A perfect place to hide the unit is under the rear seats. You will have plenty of room and it's easy to find a ground. The side capartments are possible, but to mount them, you will have to drill into something and then the ground needs to be put into the body. You can easily run the connectors to the back seats. Since it's sunny out today I'll try to get some good pics.

[ragingfish]

WNBC's morning show did a quick rundown on satellite radio, hardware, and the two providers.Here for your viewing pleasure.Sorry mac users, I only have software to encode in Windows Media format. Please save bandwith. Right click this link and "Save As..." Please don't stream the file. WNBC Today In New York: Satellite Radio (3.73 MB, WMV)

[NSimkins]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »WNBC's morning show did a quick rundown on satellite radio, hardware, and the two providers.Thanks for taking the time to capture and post the clip. It was generally informative and gave the basic rundown of both services. Thanks!

[ragingfish]

Capture was easy...go go gadget Windows Movie Maker!

[geezer]

One big advantage that Sirius has over XM is that Sirius lets you listen in on your home computer at no extra charge so you get a lot more use out of your monthly fee.

[ragingfish]

Yeah...but I have the home kit for XM, so it's kinda the same...just requires the antenna and all...it came free (or rather will eventually COME) with my roady...

[pwarren4]

I would like to announce...I am now tuned into the beautiful world of XM Radio!I have completed the installation in Slick and in my home, thanks goes to all that have shared info here and at http://xmfan.com/ I found the resources amazing.A special shoutout to ragingfish - his contributions are astouding.I went with Delphi SkyFi))) and FM modulator and am very pleased with the performance.Pics to follow!

[RcRacer440]

I have Sirius while my Dad has Xm. He was pretty mad when I told him I ordered the Sirius because it would have been cheaper if we both had XM, but after he saw how my sirius was so much easier to use and had way more stations than him he wanted to switch. We both have the plug n play units and I have the Fm transmitter which is kinda staticy so I am trying to figure out if I can put an audio input into my factory moon & tunes reciever. Definitly sirius is the way to go.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by RcRacer440 »I am trying to figure out if I can put an audio input into my factory moon & tunes reciever.Nope.