Satellite radio... which is better?

actiondcpd · Posted: Mar 23, 2004 5:05 pm Post subject: Satellite radio... which is better?

XM or Sirus? My dad has a Sirus setup in his van that is nice, and I've heard you can get one that has an FM transmitter so you can basically play it anywhere there is a radio. Anybody have pros/cons for either one of these? I'm looking to get one for multi-use... boat of course being one of them.

morphious · Posted: Mar 23, 2004 5:12 pm Post subject:

I like the XM I will be installing on in my boat soon. I am getting the XM Commander setup it is like $160.00 and is will play over the existing radio.

jflock2 · Outlaw Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 234 City: Atlanta

I installed Sirius in my SSV about 2 weeks ago...it's not an FM modulator type...it rocks. Still looking for the right antenna for the system - they need one that fits and blends with the tower. Check out their website: sirius.com.

lakeboarder · Posted: Mar 23, 2004 10:22 pm Post subject:

I read an artical on a high end audio online mag 3 or 4 months ago. They took a bmw and another car (maybe an audi?) on a road trip through colorado and compared the programing, coverage etc. As I recall the biggest difference was in the sound quality because of the digital compresion system used by each company. At the time they said there was a noticible difference and that XM was better. They also said that Sirius was working to improve theirs. I have xm in a car and it's great. It's also less expensive and if you add additional recievers to your acount they are like $6.95 a month. I also just order an SSV and it comes Sirius ready so I'm not sure what way to go , but I will definately get one or another. Here are a couple of links I still had. Couldn't find the really good review but if you search around you might find it. Hope this helps.
http://www.13donuts.com/sat-rad.htm?source=Overture
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/satellite/page2.html
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/satellite/page3.html

jzwake · Addict Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 801

I've owned both,

Same sound quality,

If you like sports get sirius with out a doubt, they have all the free sports packages while XM has nothing. if you hate sports save the $2 a month and get XM.

I can wait to listen to NFL games this fall while driving the boat.

Jet · Posted: Mar 24, 2004 9:01 pm Post subject:

I've got the Xm in my boat, jeep home, office! Its awsome! Go with the XM..

Roo · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 11 City: Lake Elizabeth

I have XM and love it. All music channels are commercial free. 6 more were added in Feb. including a punk channel. Have one receiver and use it in car, truck, boat and home. You can use FM modulator or hook it to Aux. RCA input on stereo.

Blue22V · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 290 City: Double Oak

I hooked up with a Sirius system because of price and 100% commercial free stereo. I bought a brand new older model Jensen system like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3086763855&category=60205

On E Bay. I installed the whole system in under an hour, and it has incredible reception. I liked it so much I added another to my Truck. It is hard to beat a system that is hard wired in, and then is plugged into your stereo system through the auxilliary port wires fur under $50.00! The only thing showing in the boat is the hand held control unit which looks like a CB radio mike.

key · Posted: Mar 25, 2004 9:29 am Post subject:

let me first say that ive got XM in my 04 burban and loving every minute of it!!! so my quetion is, could you add the XM to my boat receiver(clarion), and if so would i only be charged the xtra 6.95 as i read for an extra unit? or would i be charged for a whole new system? last thing, about how much is the XM head unit to add to my boat??? THANKS!!!!!!!

churchy · Posted: Mar 25, 2004 11:31 am Post subject:

I have XM in my boat.

key · Posted: Mar 25, 2004 12:11 pm Post subject:

how does the antenna look on yours CHURCHY? i saw an antenna on another thread for XM that bolted near the base of the tower and it was very ugly!! also read that some one had every thing hid.?.

peca · Addict Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 640 City: Mt. Pocono, PA

i have xm factory installed in the malibu VLX we just got haven't used it yet though.

FatBoy · Outlaw Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 143

How about posting some install pics.

lakeboarder · Posted: Mar 25, 2004 4:20 pm Post subject:

KEY If you add another unit to your account it's $6.99 per month for units 2-5.

http://www.xmradio.com/service_subscription/service_subscription.jsp

Don't know about the compatability with Clarion

Roo · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 11 City: Lake Elizabeth

Not sure if an additional is needed. You can use one unit for all applications. And if you take the time to hook it up it will look clean in all applications. XM has a small adapter that hooks to a little nokia cell clip. It lets you mount it just about anywhere.

Roo · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 11 City: Lake Elizabeth

Not sure if an additional is needed. You can use one unit for all applications. And if you take the time to hook it up it will look clean in all applications. XM has a small adapter that hooks to a little nokia cell clip. It lets you mount it just about anywhere.

lakeboarder · Posted: Mar 25, 2004 10:12 pm Post subject:

That's true, if you only need it in one place at a time you can get some nice units that you can swap back and forth. I'm going to have to pay for the extra since the one we have is in the wife's Mustang GT and there is no way it's going in the boat if she's not with us!

all2matt · Criminal Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 64 City: coralville

I have the sirius in my xterra and buddy has XM it in his cavvy. I personally like my rock and trance stations better in my sirius.

jflock2 · Outlaw Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 234 City: Atlanta

lakeboarder, What kind of antenna are they going to use on your SSV? I put Sirius in my SSV but have not found an antenna that looks good/works well. It really needs to be on the top of the tower - the dash mount will lose signals occaisionally...