XM & Sirius Satellite Radio

scottm123

"Have you received any information on replacing XM with Sirius ? I would like to do the same."

No...

I had called a guy at a local shop who referred me to someone else, and this went on and on until I found some guy named Steve at "Sun and Sound"

He said that it was possible, that he could get Sirius working through the Nav screen in the MDX as it does with XM, but that he would need to research for the part #'s again.

I never heard back from him again... even after chasing him and leaving messages.

Time to continue my search, and I have a Sportster installed in the corner of the driver's side dash for now.

Oh... I also let XM expire and dont miss it one bit.

Mr_Shiftright

I've been streaming the Sirius broadcasts online--with a good speaker system, it doesn't sound too bad.

rockylee

Shifty, which system is better -Sirius or XM ????

I had XM, and my car wasn't equiped with the Navi-traffic deal and it's limited based anyways for Megaoppolis area's anyways. But someday it might get expanded and then what ?

Rocky

blane

Shifty,

I've also been streaming satellite radio online. In my case it's XM.

http://xmro.xmradio.com/xstream/index.jsp

I listen at my office, using a Dell Soundbar with tiny speakers under my monitor. Obviously not a great system, but it sounds just fine 18" from my ears. With the volume up it can be heard well across the room.

Mr_Shiftright

It's a nice bonus to have the streaming.

I don't know which system is better...I don't suspect either has a decisive edge on the other. I picked Sirius for a few particular channels that XM didn't offer.

rockylee

Okay, thanx for your opinion since I've never tried out Sirius before.

Rocky

justin12

Anyone know which brand or model of Sirius receiver will work with a prewired Audi A4 stereo? Is this easy to install by yourself?

trucker50

I agree the customer service at XM is better. I too had both but due to some programming preferences I let XM expire and kept Sirius.

One thing if you subscribe for a year or longer at a time. If you decide to end your subscription early with XM, you can call and cancel and they will reimburse you for the remaining months on your contract. End your Sirius subscription early and you have to pay an early termination fee, like cell phone providers charge.

Like I've stated before XM just seems better organized, form their customer service to their programing.

One thing I did after being with them for a while is switch my billing from my credit card to direct billing sent to my home. It seems to help if you have billing issues not having the credit card as the middle man. It's to easy for them to pre-charge you for something you've decided you don't want on the credit card.

I do love my satellite though I would hate to be without it!

manybmws

My Mazda and apparently other car makes are affected by a Sirius outage that has lasted a week a this point. I got this e-mail today:

Dear SIRIUS Satellite Radio Subscriber:

It has come to our attention that some subscribers have experienced interruption of service during our latest channel update. The interruptions occurred after a system-wide upgrade that we downloaded to all SIRIUS receivers last week, including a revised channel line-up. And while it affected only a small number of receivers, we know that this offers little comfort if one of them is yours.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Please know that we are working with our automotive and electronics manufacturing partners to resolve the problem as quickly as possible and get back to delivering you the more than 130 channels of music, sports, talk and entertainment that you've come to expect and enjoy.

Again, we apologize for this inconvenience and ask for your patience as we repair the problem. We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more and will update you no later than the end of the week. Thank you for subscribing to SIRIUS. The Best Radio On Radio.

Sincerely,

Michael Moore
VP/Customer Service

nippononly

that channel upgrade - it seemed to do it more than once, and on one of the occasions, it completely wiped out my presets. That was a bummer - I had to reset them all. But it has been fine since then. I was just listening to it when I went out to lunch today.

badreligion

I have had nothing but bad experience calling XM also. I have given up on that, and now only use their(flawed) web page to pay/make changes. When I started my service, I asked(3 times I repeated it) to be put on the monthly plan. When I go to pay my first bill its $130. Turns out they signed me up for the yearly plan(even tho I paid for my first month over the phone). It took 3 calls and 2 emails for them to change it to monthly. Now, their online system won't show my current balance, and they haven't emailed me back about that. I am strongly concidering Sirius, but would hate to have to give up Fungus 53 and O & A.

carnaught

...... I am strongly concidering Sirius.....

Make the switch if you would like to go from the frying pan into the fire, as far as customer service is concerned.

klizmaaa

I honestly have never had a problem with Sirius customer service or have ever been hurt by any service interruptions. I called them yesterday to activate the stereo in my car after my 3 months free ended and it was really quick and the customer service rep was great, really nice guy.

I choose Sirius because of Howard Stern, and I dont regret it one bit, the talk radio on Sirius is great, the music could honestly be better but its not worse than any pop/rock radio station on regular radio, maybe its my music taste :confuse:

carnaught

........the talk radio on Sirius is great, the music could honestly be better but its not worse than any pop/rock radio station on regular radio.........

A rousing endorsement (LOL).

Mr_Shiftright

I find the Sirius music selection very interesting if you take the time to look around...the station out of the UK (forget the name) and Shuffle and Disorder are kind of fun. I also like Raw Dog comedy a lot.

dirkwork

I've had nightmare with Sirius customer service. We paid for a year, then when I added a radio to the account they started billing for both radios month to month, and the web site only lets you Pay when the service gets cut off accidently, you can't print out any account info. Same for customer service, they seem to only be good at taking orders and not figuring out billing errors. I actually spent 25 min on phone trying to get problem corrected and the manager on the line hung up on me (said "hold on"). I've spent a LOT of time trying to get it straight and never been so frustrated in my life with a company. You take their word for it or go home. My receiver also is a POS and the line out doesn't work, the company tells me to take back to store and they don't carry it anymore, the company won't service it, so I end up using inferior FM modulation which defeats the whole point of better sound quality. Other than that, we like the programming.

I actually wrote a letter to the CEO of the company after the guy hung up on me and have yet to hear back from anyone, and yes, my radio is still disconnected. Arrrghhhh. The prospect of calling and spending more time with the morons on the phone is not appealing, unless you really like a sharp stick in the eye.

carnaught

I actually had a very similar experience with Sirius. It included more than 30 min. on the phone, not including hold times and a conversation that terminated with them hanging up on me. Fortunately when I called back I had a more receptive person.

Conclusion: This is no way to run a business with the worst customer service I've ever dealt with.

jensb

I started with Sirius but they talked too much for me on the music channels--and spent too much time advertising for their other channels. So I switched to XM where I've been much happier--they just play music and don't talk. But now it's new car time and I can't seem to find a car I like with factory-installed XM. Does anyone know if I can buy an '07 BMW 3 series and then get an in-dash XM system installed? I don't want any extra boxes stuck on the dash (like I've had to do with my current car). Same question re: Lexus 250. It has no satellite option. BMW has Sirus. Thanks for thoughts--I get conflicting information from the dealerships and XM customer service.

blane

jensb,

This should help for the BMW 3 series:

http://xmradio.com/xm-direct/index.xmc

Although the Lexus 250 (presumably the IS 250) is not one of the many Lexus models listed on the XM Radio website as having factory installed XM, you should read here:

http://xmradio.com/whatisxm/inyourvehicle/looks-like.xmc

mthexuma

I have had XM for a week now and wouldn't go back to regular radio.

I carpooled all summer with someone who had Sirius but choose XM.

I hate that Sirius tells you what channel you are listening to after every song. I think I know what channel I put it on and don't need a reminder every five minutes!!!

I think XM is much better. I have the Roady XT and I'm using the FM modulator, the sound could be better but I don't feel like taking dash apart to hard wire it.

The Last count had XM at 7+ million subscribers and Sirius at 6 million. I now know why XM is liked more.

duke15

My wife has XM and I have Sirius. We both agree that the music is better with XM, but I wanted the NFL network, and you can only get that on Sirius.

duke15

I bought the Siruis radio option with my Mazda RX8 almost 6 months ago. The first 6 months were free, and now I have to renew. They want $12.95 per month. I told them that I could get XM cheaper and wanted to know if they had a better deal, but they only offered the standard longer committments. I'm not sure if they know that my factory radio only receives Sirius, so I'm not sure if that makes my situation unique to Sirius, or if that means nothing.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get a lower price, or am I stuck at this price?
Thanks!

klizmaaa

The Last count had XM at 7+ million subscribers and Sirius at 6 million. I now know why XM is liked more.

Actually Sirius has been growing alot faster than XM from what is being written in the papers. I think in about a year and half they will be neck and neck maybe even sooner.

Also I dont think that Sirius will offer you anything cheaper than the 12.95. I have never heard of them giving anyone lower prices. Sorry

stickguy

I called XM last week to find out when my subscription runs out. Ended up falling for a free radio promo. Well, $10 for shipping, and I signed up for 6 months of family plan (another $6.95/month) for a Delphi mini unit, with the car kit. Guess what the wife is getting for XMas (for her van, it came with my Accord and I am hooked).

Currently listening to XM107, Special XMAS. Nothing but oddball, humerous, and often plain strange Christmas songs. I never realized before just how many varients of "white trash Christmas" have been recorded over the years.

blane

Here's a link to an interesting article in today's NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/01/technology/01satellite.html?th&emc=th

You may have to log on for free access to read it.

cdnpinhead

Interesting. Thanks.

I was introduced to XM back in April when I rented a GM car for 10 days and drove all over New England on business. Really enjoyed it.

The next car I'll probably buy is affiliated w/ Sirius & I just got an XM plug & play portable to use in my present car & can take with me for business rentals.

If they merge & end up with everything on one (or both), those who are trying to choose might jump on board.

blane

Ah, a '65 MGB. A man of my own heart. I loved my '64 and '66 MGB's. For whatever reason, Morris Garage didn't offer XM radio, just some Smiths unit.

cdnpinhead

. . .just some Smiths unit.

Oddly, just a day or so ago I was pining for Smiths gauges, as I gazed upon the sorry situation that is my present instrument panel.

My old "B" had the dual-purpose oil pressure/water temp gauge, plus mechanicaly-driven spedo & tach. Each was built much like a watch, & the matte black finish worked very well. Not so much the plastic situation I live with today. I'm sure those gauges cost 25X (in adjusted money) what we deal with now.

Yeah, I'm an old fart, but I still love to drive, and listening to something while I do it is a key factor. XM & Sirius are a plus, but I have no idea which will previal. The merge makes sense to me.

FWIW.

scottm123

I let the 3 month free XM subscription run out on my Acura MDX.
They keep sending me new offers which I decline.
The last was for $4.99 a month with 3 free months.

So far, I haven't given in and stickin with Sirius.

blane

scottm123,

Was that "stickin"? Or "stuck" with the dog.

XM's great. And having a satellite radio cleanly integrated into your new MDX's dashboard is clearly a better option than an ugly hang-on unit.

How long was the $4.99 a month good for? If it was for three full years, I would have grabbed it.

rockylee

I was thinking the same thing. I hope I get that sort of an offer from XM when I buy my next car.

Rocky

perna

I let the 3 month free XM subscription run out on my Acura MDX.
They keep sending me new offers which I decline.
The last was for $4.99 a month with 3 free months.

So far, I haven't given in and stickin with Sirius

Good call. I tried XM for 8 months, it was a joke compared to Sirius. The rock and decades channels are 100x better.

XM is great if you love obscure B-sides, though. I'm also bitter at XM because they killed Liquid Metal, which played quite a bit of the rock I like.

My wife feels the same way, which is why it pains her to be buying a Saturn Outlook in a couple months. Until the gadgeteers figure out GM's new in-vehicle network, she'll be stuck using a plug-and-play.

avalon7

I have a a 2006 Toyota Avalon w/factory installed sirius radio and internal antennae on front window. The reception is generally poor always fading in and out. Do other people have this problem with Sirius? or is there a problem with my antennae or Sirius modualtor in my trunk? Any help would be appreciated.

Mr_Shiftright

it depends a lot on your geography and on obstructions. You can forget about reception near overpasses, tall buildings, etc.---it'll fade out, also driving on winding roads in a deep valley, etc. On a freeway however, it should be consistently good (unless you go under a large overpass).

sb55

I have both XM (MyFi) and Sirius (Kenwood) plug and play in my car. Both have the antennas routed through the sunroof and are magnetically stuck to the roof. The reception is much better for the XM. The Sirius is constantly "acquiring signal" on the same roads where the XM never fades.

perna

I have a a 2006 Toyota Avalon w/factory installed sirius radio and internal antennae on front window.

Toyota FACTORY installs Sirius with the antenna inside the car??? Are you positive the dealer didn't do it?

Don't get me wrong, this is ok most of the time, but in questionable areas (e.g. lots of trees, tall buildings), it will be the difference between getting dropouts and maintaining a signal. The antenna relies on having roughly 6" of metal from the car's roof to act as a "dish" to bounce the signal back to the antenna itself.

perna

I have both XM (MyFi) and Sirius (Kenwood) plug and play in my car. Both have the antennas routed through the sunroof and are magnetically stuck to the roof. The reception is much better for the XM. The Sirius is constantly "acquiring signal" on the same roads where the XM never fades.

How old is the Kenwood? Their older plug and plays are notoriously bad; lots of dropouts, and the sound quality is horrendous as well.

If you really like Sirius, try one of the newer ones like a Starmate Replay or Sportster 4. I have the STarmate, and my commute takes me through a road bearing 5-story tall trees. The only time I get a dropout is when I'm driving underneath a double overpass at less than 30 mph or so. The new receivers/antennas are much more robust than the older stuff.

nj2pa2nc

we have both. My husband has sirius in the elantra. He loves Howard and listens to him everytime we use that car. I personally think he is annoying, self-centered.He is always complaining about xm and their commercials. I think sirius has more. My tsx has xm which I think is alot better.

sb55

Kenwood is only 1 year old. The XM is over 2 years old.

blane

Thanks Skip. At last.... a valid comparison by someone running both systems in parallel.

mtngal

Can't believe it - several weeks ago one of our cars had a mishap with a lost bicycle at 65 mph and now the XM tuner in the Alpine head in the Wrangler has died. The rest of the radio works (AM and FM, never use the CD), just XM. I had them re-send the signal but still get "error" on all channels, including channel 1. Do you suppose it might be the antenna? Should I be calling Alpine for a repair (and do you suppose it would be worth it?). I have the Alpine head with the XM tuner built in. I had forgotten how bad it is trying to drive from Vegas to LA without XM!

blane

mtngal,

I agree that it sounds like an antenna connection problem. Probably from hard braking or the impact. I'd be tracing some wires and cables.

gtimk5

I have the same exact problem with the Sirius Radio in my 2007 GTI. Radio forgets it has Sirius, requires restarting the car to get it back. And all the station presets have been reset to CH 184. Nice. Typical VW electrical gremlins. But the car is a blast to drive.

blane

VW? Electrical gremlins? Impossible! I owned two Rabbits years ago. It seems things haven't changed much.

jim53

I just got a 2007 Yukon Denali that came with XM. Is there an easy way to convert over to Sirius and have it fully integrated into the car stereo like the XM is? I don't want to have to use an external receiver and would prefer not to have to put another antenna on the car.

perna

I just got a 2007 Yukon Denali that came with XM. Is there an easy way to convert over to Sirius and have it fully integrated into the car stereo like the XM is? I don't want to have to use an external receiver and would prefer not to have to put another antenna on the car.

The short answer is "no". The new GMs use a completely different network than older ones, so you can't use the Sirius switchover box that the older GMs can take advantage of.

My wife is getting a Saturn Outlook in the spring, and she's resigned herself to XM until the satellite radio boffins figure out the new GM electronics.

jim53

I was afraid of that. Guess I can also wait to see if they merge.

mtngal

Finally got over to my (sort-of) local car stereo place (Paul, do you remember High Voltage?) and had them try a different antenna - no dice. Apparently the Alpine head is much like the Roady, if there's an antenna problem the display will say "antenna." Now the Wrangler is not only XM-less, it is radio-less (radio is on its way to Alpine), and it snowed this weekend, so our commute today was very quiet. At least the freeways were all open and no major accidents on my route, and it looks like enough snow has melted enough to get the Fit out of the driveway.

grutza

Article

blane

Well, when I started with XM it was sticker-priced at $9.95 a month (before multi-year discounts) for a while. That was before they bumped it up to $12.95 per month, because they could. That was only because Sirius was charging $12.95 all along.

Of course, with a merger, the monthly cost will go down. Riiiiiiight. Let's not hold our collective breaths.

Have you checked your cable TV bill lately? With no competitive environment, prices have no place to go but up. That's great for the guys at the top and for shareholders. But bad news for the subscribers.