XM vs. Sirius

[maddmic]

All, Curious what your thoughts are on the great debate. I have a '03 GT and went to a local chain. They advised me that there was a wiring harness for Sirius that plugs in directly to my existing stock HU (M&T BTW). In addition to this, they told me that Sirius is offering their Kenwood tuner for free (a supposed $250 value). Also, I was looking at the programming and I find it a bit disturbing that XM does not offer the NFL station. I know it sounds like I'm leaning towards Sirius, but in the past I've been anti doggie. Give me some ideas here if you would please.-thanks-

[NSimkins]

Quote, originally posted by maddmic »Curious what your thoughts are on the great debate.Thoughts will vary per person. Quote, originally posted by maddmic »I have a '03 GT and went to a local chain. They advised me that there was a wiring harness for Sirius that plugs in directly to my existing stock HU (M&T BTW).I wasn't aware of anything of this nature, at least from when I setup Sirius in my Vibe. It sounds cool. There are a couple audiophile members here that will be able to chime in on that one.Quote, originally posted by maddmic »In addition to this, they told me that Sirius is offering their Kenwood tuner for free (a supposed $250 value). Also, I was looking at the programming and I find it a bit disturbing that XM does not offer the NFL station. I know it sounds like I'm leaning towards Sirius, but in the past I've been anti doggie. Give me some ideas here if you would please.The great debate.. that's for sure... at least with us Satellite Radio people. As a whole, both services are awesome. Digital signal, coast-to-coast coverage, great programming, etc.! When it comes down to it, you will want to look at the programming available with each carrier and choose which you would like to have access to. As you mentioned, Sirius has all the NFL games covered, among others. XM also has their own share of exclusive content.Best thing to do is visit both websites, Sirius and XM, check out their programming lineup, and choose based on that.We can get into the debate of which sounds better, subscriber count, etc. but I personally believe with either service, they'll be around for awhile and have their own equalities.My setup includes a Kenwood HU in my Vibe with a Kenwood Sirius tuner directly connected to the HU (not a portable plug-and-play unit). I've had my Sirius sub for about a year now and will renew when the time comes. I also have a plug-and-play unit hooked up to my home theater system which is also portable to bring along if I'm traveling and not in my Vibe. Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

[pwarren4]

The simplest way I have heard it put is:If you are a sports fan: Sirius is the way to go.If sports aren't that important to you: XM wins.I chose XM and have never regretted it.Since joining the XM nation, I cannot see myself going back to FM, and my CD collection is basically collecting dust. I had to drive my wife's van for about an hour the other day and was experiencing de-tox symptoms - it was NOT pretty, took me 6 days to get the ringing commercials outta my head, and the sound of the stupid DJ's was unnerving! Sat Radio rulz

[Jahntassa]

I'll go with both Nick and Pwarren.Sirius - SportsXM - Music / talkBut that's at least what i've found. XM is putting mostly all of it's focus into having a very round and capable music background, Sirius is pumping most of it's finances into covering sports (NFL, NBA, NHL), though you'll have to go with XM if you're a NASCAR fan.As I work for Circuit City, i'm fairly well versed in most things Satellite radio. I'm kinda curious about their claim that they can directly plug in that kenwood tuner to your radio. They could, if you use an FM modulator.Depending on which Kenwood it is, if it's the standalone tuner (just a box with no controls on it), that usually costs about $150, the FM Modulator probably $80, and the antenna $50. If it's the Here2Anywhere, I can't remember...probably the tuner $100, and the car kit $50.I'd reccomend going with the newer hardware, either the XM Roady or Commander, or the Sirius Shuttle or JVC unit. Both the newer Sirius units have built-in FM modulators, which (as far as I know) is the best way to get sound into the M&T radio. (Though we are looking into a new interface by PIE which should allow total direct interface http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=10961 )But, as far as which service to go with? It really depends on what you listen to. I'd reccomend exactly what Nick said, go to the different sites, and listen to some samples, or go to your local Circuit City and play with the equipment.If you have any other questions (such as technical ones), let us know!

[ragingfish]

You can always do what I did:I tried both out. I bought my equipment from crutchfield, and subscribed to both services. My only financial loss was the sirius activation fee, which was only $10 or something IIRC. Anyway, subscribe to one, try it out. Then try the other, see which you like better. Crutchfield allowed me to return my equipment for a full refund within 30 days, no hassle. And because I'd spent over $199, shipping was free, so I didn't lose that either (whcih you normally would if you paid for shipping and then returned stuff).Personally, no offense to current fans, I hated Sirius and ditched it after only a few days. I have XM right now via a SkyFi install, and coulnd't be happier. My head unit is XM ready, but I opted for the skyfi because I like the 5-line display for scrolling stations, and I also have the home kit and the boombox, so I can pay one sub and take the music anywhere.Here's a pic of my current setup:All in all, though, you can't go wrong with satellite radio, regardless of which service you pick!

[CaCathy13]

I love my XM. When I drive my beater, I really miss the XM since I have to listen to the "real" radio. My XM tuner I think was like 150ish and my radio about 170ish. I got a magnetic antenna that was 30. My boyfriend has XM in his car, I have it in the Vibe, and we got the Delphi in the house. We REALLY like Xm.

[savedbyzero]

XM all the way!

[ColonelPanic]

I currently find myself in a position where I have to decide between the two. Dad called this afternoon out of the blue and said I'm getting some sort of satellite radio for xmas/my birthday...Hmm... Not only do I have to figure out which carrier, I also need to figure out what I want for the hardware side of it. I have moon & tunes, and I am not planning on getting a different HU any time soon..Decisions, decisions! Edit: Actually, the more I compare the two, I'm leaning toward Sirius... From what it looks like, XM doesn't carry any NPR programming, something I'd like to have... And a good jazz station - how's Sirius for that? The ones on XM are alright... So now I just gotta find the hardware.

[steves76]

I have the sirius and love npr programs I believe they have 3 channels for them. Car talk being my fav. plus were getting Stern in a year

[Mr. Poopypants]

As far as sports AND music, you gotta go Sirius, if you are just looking for music, then it's up in the air, you are looking at about the same amount of music channels.

[ragingfish]

XM has PR...It's called XMPR...channel 133...Quote »Partners include Public Radio International (PRI) and its station partners Chicago Public Radio and WGBH Boston; American Public Media (the production and distribution arm of Minnesota Public Radio); and Boston public radio station WBUR.It's not TRUE NPR, but it's still public radio...http://www.xmradio.com/program...h=133

[cdFxer]

Whats the diff in per month charges between the two?

[ColonelPanic]

Sirius is $12.95 and XM is around $9...

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Sirius is $12.95 and XM is around $9...$9.95. Both have a deal where if you have multiple radios in the account, the next few radio subs are only $6.99

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »$9.95. Both have a deal where if you have multiple radios in the account, the next few radio subs are only $6.99Or $7.50 if you prepay for 5 years!

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Or $7.50 if you prepay for 5 years! Only you have the money sitting around to accomplish that, Mike.

[GMJAP]

A friend of mine got Sirius and signed up on some kind of promotional deal - $500 for lifetime subscription. He said it's available till the end of the year.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »Only you have the money sitting around to accomplish that, Mike. FWIW, I rarely have that much sitting around, I just paid it off the CC slowly...

[Jahntassa]

Lifetime of the unit on that, btw. If the unit dies, then that's $500 down the drain. Search around on xmfan.com if you think i'm kidding...Quote, originally posted by GMJAP »A friend of mine got Sirius and signed up on some kind of promotional deal - $500 for lifetime subscription. He said it's available till the end of the year.

[ragingfish]

I think it used to be $500 for the lifetime of the listener, and then they realized they were hurting themselves...Can't swear to that though, but I remember when I was researching satellite radio, it never said "lifetime of the unit"

[cdFxer]

Thank you on the prices! Quote »Or $7.50 if you prepay for 5 years!Hmmm, I like the sound of that. I paid the lifetime deal for my RePlayTV. It is only a matter of time though until they toss in some angle to get out of that.