XM & Sirius Satellite Radio

crwmlw

Hi all I have the RB1 navigation radio and 10 disc changer in my '02 Grand Cherokee and was thinking about getting the factory sirius radio that installs to the Head unit, My question is how is the reception? Im a little leary about dropping $300.00 for the kit only to find out its bad. Please help. Here is the kit.
http://www.justforjeeps.com/ausisarasy.html

crwmlw

looks like only Sirius has the setup to go directly to factory head unit, XM I would need a tuner that mounts on the console. I like the clean look.

mtngal

crwmlw - what is the terrain like where you are? Terrain does effect reception.

There is no static - you either have a signal or you don't. In SoCal driving the only place I have a drop is when I go through a tunnel (northbound I-405 merging to the I-5). I sometimes have drops at my office - my window faces north and the building next to mine does interesting things that causes interference with regular radio signals.

I ended up changing to regular radio this weekend when we were driving through a narrow canyon and had a large Sierra Nevada mountain blocking view to the south. The more than normal drops were an unusual distraction for me.

The main reason I chose XM is that at the time they were the only one who was offering traffic reports and they were a bit cheaper. Now that Sirius offers traffic reports (which I hardly ever listen to any more) I'd probably just flip a coin.

hypo74

I am new to this forum, but you folks might be able to answer my question. I purchased a Sony receiver not to far back and it is XM ready. I also have a Kenwood Sirius 902CX tuner. Is there and adaptor that i can purchase that will make it compatible with my headunit. My unit has changer control and an input for the satellite input. Any feedbackwould be very helpful. Thank You

voicemailking

have a 2003 lexus es 300, best buy is double talking me that i need a modulator for an add on unit, which they claim they do not have, i really do not want to change the head unit as the factory look is a lot better IMHO...Any advice as to what unit i can get to get the best soundetc..and where can i get proper installation short of going back to lexus..I live in Fort laud florida...thanks!

:confuse: :confuse:

greasykid1

Had Best Buy install XM recently. They installed a Roady2 plus a direct connect antenna modualtor ($30). This gives an improved quality of XM signal. Total cost was approx $175. Excellent sound.

voicemailking

was your car radio xm ready???? Mine is not so installation entails a bit more..they want over $300.00 for the sky fi 2

:confuse: :confuse: :confuse: :confuse:

tidester

... we're all enjoying our new emotorcons!

tidester, host

greasykid1

My car is a 2001 Mercedes E320. Radio not XM ready.Installed Roady2 because of its size and features.

blane

tidester:

Is it my imagination, or have the new emotorcons taken their toll by slowing down page loading a bit?

I wanted to mention that concern on another board, but I can't locate the one that used to discuss the Townhall website. Can you please aim me towards it?

tidester

Hi, Blane!

If the emotorcons are slowing things down then it's only a very tiny bit! Many other factors contribute to how quickly pages load and the computer folks are constantly finetuning the system to make it as efficient as possible.

Here's a couple of handy links: Forums Discussion Finder: Get Directions Here and Forums Software! Your Questions Answered...

tidester, host

crwmlw

Thanks for the response. im In Chicago.

xmdude

I have the XM Myfi and I absoulty love the thing, as it is so versitle.

stever

"America Online and XM Satellite Radio announced Monday they have joined forces to create a new online radio service that will debut this summer to an audience of 100 million consumers"

XM Satellite Radio and America Online Join Forces (Inside Line)

Steve, Host

utter

Interesting... and here I thought AOL was going to go belly up a few years ago. They seem to be making a come back or at least a significant amount of moves like this and VoIP.

stever

One theory is that since AOL is a closed system it's a bit protected from the slings and arrows of connecting to the net with just your OS and browser, and that attracts and keeps customers. Who knew :-)

Steve, Host

4lilprinces

Hi...

I've googled this to death, but can't seem to find an answer. I have a 2004 GMC Yukon with XM radio integrated into the system. I love the reception (great for those long, desolate drives to Vegas!) but, as far as programming goes, I would much rather have Sirius. Does anyone know if there's an easy way to convert it? Is there a chip or something I can switch out? Or is it just a pipe dream? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
4lp

dklanecky

As far as I've heard, the two systems are mutually exclusive.

The head unit in your vehicle may or may not be capable of receiving a SIRIUS signal, but the SAT tuners are definitely not switchable, yet. If you look online at aftermarket head units, they all seem to be tied specifically to one service or the other. I've not seen any that could be switched from one to the other, but I've heard rumors that that may be possible in the future.

Try some of the online autio sound places for more advice, Ccrutchfield is always pretty good with information.

I bet you could sell your head unit and the XM parts to another GM Yukon owner, maybe through e-bay or something like that? I'm guessing that your head unit is an easy fit to a lot of other GM products.

robr2

VW and Audi are offering both Sirius and XM. The new Jetta I saw recently has a place to plug in the reciever for which one you want. If you decide to change providers you go and and buy the other receiver. Though at $600 each I highly doubt they'll give you a credit on the old one.

dklanecky

Thanks for the update on Audi and VW, but his question was about a GM product, which I believe has an exclusive agreement with XM.

mtngal

As a possible inexpensive solution - does your head unit have an aux jack on the back? If so, then what about getting an add-on unit (whatever Sirius's equivalent of the Roady or sky-fi is) and hooking it up to the back? You don't have the luxury of having the controls through your head unit, but it might be an inexpensive way of getting Sirius, rather than changing out the whole thing (which I think might be your only other choice).

utter

Anyone have experience with the portable XM radio and its quality through car/roaming?

lobsenza

Yes, it can be done. There is a part available. I don't remember the details off hand, but I can special order one from one of my suppliers.

pao

the myfi works very well...again yuo can use the built in FM modular..but I would recommend hard wiring to your head unit.....more XM info at ww.xm411.com a great place for info, updates, and general info on XM...as well as tech questions...and an in house store for all sorts of items

joeyk

I have an 2004 A4 and I want to install Sirius in it. I believe the car is sat ready (it has an antenna on the roof) but I want to see if I can save on the price relative to what the dealer would charge me. Are there kits that would provide for an easy personal installation?

lobsenza

There are definitely aftermarket options available. They have pros and cons. They usually are less expensive.

pao

check out http://www.xm411.com and the myradiostore http://www.myradiostore.us/ there...for all XM ready equipment. I twill give you an idea of whats available and info on where to go as well as advice...cheers and good luck

mojo1

More XM questions from a new Murano owner: I finally got the XM tuner installed in my 2005 Mo. The Bose headunit was prewired to accept this tuner and I have the SAT button integrated in the dash. When I tune to an XM channel all it shows is "XM - CH 123" (or whatever channel number I am on). It does not show the channel name or the program/song name like my old aftermarket XM tuner did. My Mo is back at the dealer today and they just called me to say that there is a button combo on the headunit that I can push and it will temporarily display the channel/song info, but I will have to do that for each channel or song I listen to. Do you know a way to make that info stay on the screen? Also, when I press the genre (sp?) button for, say, Sports...my old system displayed all the sports channels and I could pick from the list. This unit just tunes you to the lowest channel number in that genre and doesnt present the whole list. Again, do you know how to make this function? I have checked with Nissan, Bose and XM...nobody seems to know....OR CARE! Help! :mad: Do you know where I can find any info on how to control this unit???

pao

Im not sure you can..I have an OEM XM in my 04 Malibu Maxx..been an XM listener for over three years now..and the aftermarket headunits to allow the title to scroll..like you mentioned..I have to do the same button pushing to get the music category, artist and title.....if you hold the button till it beeps ( on GM Models)...it holds that line..but only that line...it doesnt scroll between them like you are use too.....apparently that feature isnt present in any of the OEM head units....

erickpl

will scroll the names. Of course they aren't OEM with anybody. My GM does the same as PAO's.

-Paul

mojo1

Thanks for the reply's... Do you guys know where to find info about how to control the unit? My Murano Owner's Manual devotes a single paragraph to some very limited info...not real helpful. The Nissan site has nothing (that I have been able to find). The XM folks dont get into hardware...only the service itself. I cant find a Bose model number on my dash to know what to tell Bose when I get in touch with them...

erickpl

calling an Infiniti dealer? The Murano is the essentially a FX35 right? Seems like Nissan folks generally go through Infiniti to get answers like this.

-Paul

blane

mojo1:

I'm sure that your installer can provide you with the brand and model number of the XM tuner that they installed. In fact, they should have given you ALL of the literature that was packaged with the unit. Your questions will probably be answered somewhere in the owners' manual that you may not have been given.

fullcourt

Has anyone run there sat receiver through a pre -amp before running it through a factory stereo?

pao

are you referring to one of the delphi or other Sat radio receivers...or the sat componet tuners that are on the market now for inclusion in a true home system?

http://www.myradiostore.us/i/largeimage.php?item=polk-audio-xrt12&s=inset

or

http://www.myradiostore.us/i/largeimage.php?item=delphi-skyfi-2-sa10101&s=add1inset

I would think running thru a preamp would not make a difference since you would be connecting it thru one of the aux channels...correct?

crwmlw

I live in Chicago, Il. I have the factory Mopar Sirius installed to my RB1 Navigation radio last week, so far so good. The problem comes in from time to time where the signal drops for a sec or 2 on the expressway where its wide open and a clear sunny day???? Whats up with that?

pao

depends on if your signal is primarily sat or one the repeaters in the area....how often does it happen?.....Im an XM fan....and dont generally have that problem in a wide open area........

crwmlw

It actually happens afew times a day

crwmlw

Ok I installed the Mopar Sirius satellite the other day to my RB1 Nav radio, I did it exactly as the instructions stated. Here is the problem, after having it a few days now everyday I get 1 or a couple of times where it loses the satellite signal, especially today, there was about 5 minutes on the expressway where it wasnt getting a signal. The funny part is Im actually in Chicago Il, A metro area. Is this common?

dklanecky

I believe you need an un interupted view of the southern sky in order to receive SIRIUS broadcasts. I don't think they're using terrestial repeaters, like XM does to avoid this exact issue.

pao

i think you are correct..thus an advantage of XM.....

fdthird

Sorry, but you are wrong...Sirius does indeed use terrestrial repeaters and in a major city (like here in NYC) they kick in very easily giving you seamless service.

Scratch the XM advantage!

crwmlw

Ok does it seem like Im the only that has this problem? Or is it quite common? Any ideas on what to check for?

Kirstie_H

I have XM and haven't had this problem at all, so I don't know if it's Sirius-specific. Is there any possibility that the antenna may have become dislodged, or isn't attached securely?

kirstie_h
Roving Host
Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

erickpl

Have you tried putting the antenna somewhere else on the vehicle?

-Paul

pao

I stand corrected....but still an XM fan !!

442455

My wife's 2004 Buick Rendezvous came with a CD/Cassette XM radio which also has the OnStar system. I want to install an OEM 6 disc CD player which is equipped for the XM and OnStar systems. I need to know if a radio from 2003 or 2005 would work without losing any of these features. I have been given a part number of 10348261 which I have been told would work. This is for a 2004 model. Would the same part number radio from a 2005 work? I also got a part number 10333462 from a 2003 model. Would this work? The Buick dealer has not been helpful at all since I am putting the radio in myself and buying one from a non Buick source. The dealer would have to program the radio once it was installed, and he has given me a price for that. Can anyone help with interchange information, or other sources to check? Thanks, Steve

erickpl

You can call XM yourself and activate it. What other programming would need to be done? The GM parts should work, whether or not they are Buick.

Good luck!

-Paul

442455

The vehicles have a built in theft system and the Class II radios which GM is using must be programed into the vehicle, which has a serial number built in. The vehicle than learns this new number and allows the radio to work. This can only be done using a scan tool at a GM dealer. If a radio is put in which is not for the model or year it is designed for, the radio might work, but some features, such as cruise control, warning chimes, etc will not work.

erickpl

about all the stuff the 'radio' does in a GM... kinda silly if you ask me. If you ever replace with aftermarket, you basically have to stuff your factory radio in the dash to keep everything working.

-Paul