XM vs. Sirius
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XM vs. Sirius
I have been thinking of getting satellite radio and have been having trouble picking witch one. I do know that I want the receiver that I can take out of the truck and put into a boombox for when we go camping. XM is about $9.99 a month and Sirius is $12.95 so, price is not that big of a deal. Please give some of the pro's and con's of both. Thanks.
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Originally Posted by jpfreak73
I have been thinking of getting satellite radio and have been having trouble picking witch one. I do know that I want the receiver that I can take out of the truck and put into a boombox for when we go camping. XM is about $9.99 a month and Sirius is $12.95 so, price is not that big of a deal. Please give some of the pro's and con's of both. Thanks.
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Just a matter of programming preference and styling of the unit you like. Personally, I like XM. I know Serius has the NFL contract, but I am more of a college football guy so the XM college sports channels are among my favorites. XM has far more subscriber too so you can imagine how creative they get. Check out the programming guides for each vendor on line. It should help in your decision making.
As for units, I have the XM Roady II. It has a wireless FM modulator (modulators in general are a pain) so at least you don't have to add one, or even worse, use the cassette adapter (does anyone even own a cassette anymore?
) Personally, I like the small size of the Roady, as compared to the Serius model. Not sure what it was, but it was huge! XM also gives you a home adapter which you can plug the Roady into. One other benefit of the Roady is the small size of the antenna. It's about 1" by 1.5" and about 3/4" tall. It's magnetic, and will hold on for life. I drive through a car wash and it doesn't come off.
The obvious benefit is the reception. I love it when I am in Mexico and can listen to a football game. I'm sure you'll be much better off with either option.
Good luck!
As for units, I have the XM Roady II. It has a wireless FM modulator (modulators in general are a pain) so at least you don't have to add one, or even worse, use the cassette adapter (does anyone even own a cassette anymore?
) Personally, I like the small size of the Roady, as compared to the Serius model. Not sure what it was, but it was huge! XM also gives you a home adapter which you can plug the Roady into. One other benefit of the Roady is the small size of the antenna. It's about 1" by 1.5" and about 3/4" tall. It's magnetic, and will hold on for life. I drive through a car wash and it doesn't come off. The obvious benefit is the reception. I love it when I am in Mexico and can listen to a football game. I'm sure you'll be much better off with either option.
Good luck!
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Thanks 10 banger.
I was looking at that Roady II on the XM site. Do you use the cigarette lighter adaptor or can you wire it to the truck. It would look alot better wiring it to the truck. That system looks like it covers all the things that I would need.
I was looking at that Roady II on the XM site. Do you use the cigarette lighter adaptor or can you wire it to the truck. It would look alot better wiring it to the truck. That system looks like it covers all the things that I would need.
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I have thought about hard-wiring it on more than one occasion, and had all intentions of doing it that way too. But...well, I can be really lazy sometimes.... 
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Actually, I have it mounted immediately above the cup holder, which is so close to the auxiliary power adapter that once it is plugged in, I can't see the wiring.... I spend more time switching between XM Comedy and ESPN radio that I don't notice the wiring.... <o></o>
<o></o>
As for the antenna, I mounted that immediately above the exterior bed light and ran the wire through the light seal, into the head liner and down the passenger side A pillar. It then goes behind the dash and pops out right next to the unit by the stereo head unit. I suppose I could run a line to a switched 12 volt lead for the power. I could probably use the very same line that powers the auxiliary plug...
Or, not... I'm sure I will never get around to it...
<o></o>
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>Actually, I have it mounted immediately above the cup holder, which is so close to the auxiliary power adapter that once it is plugged in, I can't see the wiring.... I spend more time switching between XM Comedy and ESPN radio that I don't notice the wiring.... <o
></o><o
></o>As for the antenna, I mounted that immediately above the exterior bed light and ran the wire through the light seal, into the head liner and down the passenger side A pillar. It then goes behind the dash and pops out right next to the unit by the stereo head unit. I suppose I could run a line to a switched 12 volt lead for the power. I could probably use the very same line that powers the auxiliary plug...
Or, not... I'm sure I will never get around to it...
<o
></o>
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Stanly County N.C.
I have had XM for just over 1 year and love it. I think the programing is better, they offer multi unit discounts, can pay by the month and now they will cover all major league baseball games in 05. They have over 2 million subscribers and sirius has less than 1/3 of that. Opie and Anthony are on XM and next year Stern will be on Sirius if your into either of them.
I have my antenna on the dash, not even up on the roof and have great signal 90% of the time
I have my antenna on the dash, not even up on the roof and have great signal 90% of the time
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Northwest, Arkansas
I have used both services and it really is a matter of choice. Sirius has more commercial free stations then XM but XM has more total stations. I find that XM is getting more and longer commercials and that can be a little annoying. But Sirius doesn't alway start all the shows on the hour or half hour which too can be annoying. Look over them both and pick the one that works best. One thing about Sirius is that if you subscribe to them with your truck unit you can access their website and listen on your computer without another charge or unit. XM does not allow this.
I have had my units hard wired in to my truck and it turns off when I turn the truck off. That way I don't forget to turn it off. I know it has a timer that will shut them off after a set amount of time but I don't always trust that to work.
Both are great and a lot better then ordinary radio so as said before just check out the programming and make a choice.
I have had my units hard wired in to my truck and it turns off when I turn the truck off. That way I don't forget to turn it off. I know it has a timer that will shut them off after a set amount of time but I don't always trust that to work.
Both are great and a lot better then ordinary radio so as said before just check out the programming and make a choice.
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From: Rocky Mountains
Each service has free 3-day online trials that allow you to stream all their stations to your computer. I just did it 2 days ago to decide which to hook up to my new system. All I did was listen to their blues stations though - and XM's blues were much more to my liking.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by moosekingranch
It pretty much comes down to programs. Sirius has better sports coverage.
Oh, yes, Sirius does have the rights to NHL but NHL owners have locked out the players union and it's looking like this season - and maybe even the NHL itself - is gone.
Looking at Sirius' web site they are more interested in touting Howard Stern. Sirius' stock price is also only about 10% of XM's. Don't mean to start a "satellite radio" war but I'm more inclined to go XM.
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Nice thread ..I have been debating this also within my head ...
being a Chicago Fire fan (soccer) ... has Major League Soccer signed on with either ?
Nascar is my main ...MLB will be good listening while driving ....
Since I am going to be a Hired Gun , I need "down time" on my log book ...maybe I'll get a satellite dish and just be "down" while NASCAR is on TV ...
anyone carry a dish on the road ?
being a Chicago Fire fan (soccer) ... has Major League Soccer signed on with either ?
Nascar is my main ...MLB will be good listening while driving ....
Since I am going to be a Hired Gun , I need "down time" on my log book ...maybe I'll get a satellite dish and just be "down" while NASCAR is on TV ...
anyone carry a dish on the road ?