XM radio - do you like it?

fishman · Mar 8, 2004

I thought this post was appropriate for those of us who live in rural areas or travel extensively therein. I'm tired of not having decent music to listen to and always hunting for a mediocre station at best. I've been looking at the XM radio as a possible solution to boredom during those long hours behind the wheel. In particular, I like the looks of the Delphi system that supposedly can be switched between cars and also hooked up inside to existing home audio.

So, those of you that have a system, either factory installed or add-on, like I'm looking at: Do you like it and is it worth it? Any hidden costs besides the monthly fee that one needs to be aware of?

Bob_Skurka · Mar 8, 2004

I have the Alpine XM radio. I like XM, but I don't really care for the Alpine unit I have. It is small and fits where I needed it, which the Delphi would not do. But if I had it to do over again I probably would buy a different unit that swapped between cars and home. As it is, we drive the wife's SUV when we take trips and on the weekends because my car is far less practical (convertible with small back seats that are hard to access) so the XM only is used during the week when I take the commute to and from the city.

I will say that it is nice to hear the same station wherever I am. As I drive home the Chicago stations are crystal clear at my office but become staticy as I get near my home. That issue is resolved with XM. And now XM is adding local traffic and weather for many areas so that also resolves another issue.

Spencer · Mar 8, 2004

Bob, I listen to WBBM and WLS on the AM band all the time. Can you receive those on the XM system?

Spence

BillyP · Mar 8, 2004

WLS...that brings back memories. I listened to that when I was a teenager. I've often wondered, now, how I was able to pick it up in Oklahoma?

Bob_Skurka · Mar 8, 2004

WBBM and WLS are, to my knowledge, NOT available on XM.

I listen to WBBM for their traffic & weather when I need that, then switch back to my XM. As for WLS, that is sort of the dinosaur that just won't die, it was my favorite station when I was a kid, but I have to admit that I don't listen to much AM band radio anymore. When I drive down to Indianapolis for meetings, I listen to WLS pretty much the whole way there if I use my wife's car. Other than that I pretty much limit my listening to the XM radio in my car, or WBBM if I am going into Chicago and need to get a traffic report.

But, for those of you who remember the OLD WLS crew, Uncle Lar & Lil' Tommy put out their ANIMAL STORIES on CD and we do listen to those in our offices from time to time.

Docsknotinn · Mar 8, 2004

I have a factory Bose unit that came in my Duramax. I was a little skeptical about the XM at first. It didnt take long to be a firm believer. You can drive all day and never change a channel. There are sooooo many channels it is amazing. The best part is the sound quality is much better than FM. I think it is the best thing since sliced bread /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Mar 8, 2004

I thought BURMA SHAVE was the best thing since sliced bread? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

fishman · Mar 8, 2004

So the add-on units play through the stereo via an FM modulator. Just turn to the correct station and you're listening to XM. Seems to me I heard that this was less desirable than a direct feed to the system when I was looking at adding a cd changer a few years back. Does anybody know this for a fact?

Bob_Skurka · Mar 8, 2004

fishman. . . I believe you are correct about the FM modulator versus the direct feed. Mine unit is the FM type. Like I said earlier, I would not recommend my unit.

By the way, mine comes with a HAND HELD INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL that can be used to control the unit IN ADDITION to the dash mounted control. Is it just me or is that the most assinine option to use inside of a car? Do I really need to fumble around while driving looking for a remote so I can point it at the dash and change the channel? Car gadgets are really fun when they are USEFUL and help you keep your eyes on the road, but I find this thing to be inane. Maybe I'm just crabby today.

Docsknotinn · Mar 8, 2004

I have heard that from other guys who are using them. I wish I could tell you more but mine was built in by GM as a integral part of the Bose system that's in it. It was a $425 option for the XM alone so I think the add on units are the same price. Some of those I have seen you can take to your desk or inside to play. I think that would be ALMOST as slick as a Burma save /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Junkman · Mar 8, 2004

I know nothing about it except that I had invested in the stock when it first came out. When it went up, I took a profit and got out. Foolish me... had I stayed in for the long haul, I would have done a lot better. However you can't get hurt taking a profit. I am waiting for it to come down to get back in because I see it as a good stock that has a good future. Your opinion???

Bob_Skurka · Mar 8, 2004

I just read a story, I think from Forbes Online, but maybe from the Motely Fool, that said the long term outlook for Sirius and XM is pretty bleak.

fishman · Mar 8, 2004

Do you mean that the companies will go under or that they just won't make that much money. I'd hate to buy a radio that's worthless in a couple of years. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PBMAX · Mar 8, 2004

fishman, howdy...
The wife and I used to share a Delphi unit. For now its kinda all hers.She has the dash mount serface kit and the FM modulator as she still has her factory radio in the lil honda civic and it is CD and has no physical inputs on the back. The modulator which i installed connects between the antena and radio. That is the antena plugs into it and the modulator plugs into the antena port on the radio. Sound as good as your typical FM stereo tuner to me.

She loves it. I replaced my factory radio in my 96 explorer with a Pioneer MP3 cd player and have not purchased the fm modulator for it. I will probable by Belkins small battery version sold to work with the Ipod by Apple. for trips. Until I decide to buy the xm head unit that goes with my Pionner. Since I tend to let her keep the XM. That or buy another Delphi unit for me. But that is on hold till I get over the purchase of the DWAY sys.....on the other thread. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In general we love it. $10 mnth plus $6.99 for each additional unit last I heard.
We have had it for just over a yr. I recevieved the equipment xmas before last and once she had a chance to use it U see were it ended up. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

She's always a gittin ME!!!!

BTW I used to use the o'l casset adapter with my factory radio. Sounds fine but is one more cord to deal with. We use the casset adapter and my car kit on ocasion with a boom box (portable Cd/casett player) on the weeknds on ocasion around the yard and at the lake(the boat house roof makes a great ground plane!!!. Just pick up th cig. lighter adapter ad Rshack fop $10 that plugs in,all in one unit looks like a power supply with a cig socket in it. works fine.

rdln · Mar 8, 2004

yes, I like it and would recommend it.

stonebase · Mar 8, 2004

fishman,

I think its great. It's practically all I listen to!! When I bought my truck back in '02 I switched out the factory head unit for an XM ready Alpine head and new speakers. Not sorry one bit. The system really rocks with XM. There is such a variety of music whatever your mood, even talk radio, comedy and sports such as all the NASCAR races, etc. Now as of March 1st they have gone commercial free and have added the traffic reports in major cities.

My wife was so envious that when we bought her new truck this past fall she insisted that the dealer find one equipped with the factory Bose/XM unit. We're a 2 XM family now!!!!!

John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

RET · Mar 9, 2004

As Bob S. said earlier, the add-on units that use an FM modulator are much less desireable than the direct-feed units.
When the signal is converted to FM, then you lose a LOT of the original near-CD quality. I made the mistake of adding a CD exchanger to a car a few years ago that utilized an FM modulator and added a TV to the family minivan that uses FM modulation....will never do that again. Quality is not even as good as cassette.
When I get XM sometime in the future, it will definitely be an integrated system with NO FM modulation.

dmccarty · Mar 9, 2004

Fishman,

Both Sirrus and XM have been loosing huge sums of money for
years. XM is doing better but they are not making money. XM
has a MUCH larger installed base than Sirrus. I looked into
getting XM a year or so ago but I did not like the options to
get it in my truck. XM is the service to buy. XM has a chance
to survive. I don't see how Sirrus can with its market share.
If my truck came with a XM reciever built in I might get XM.
But I just did not like the options to hook up a "standalone"
receiver and I was not going to by a new radio/CD/tape unit
to just get XM.

My two cents,
Dan

Bob_Skurka · Mar 9, 2004

fishman . . . If I recall correctly, Sirius has a subscriber base of something like 365,000 members and XM is in the 2 Million member range. The economies of scale obviously favor XM over Sirius. However, XM has some bad satellites and XM uses ground repeaters that are owned by one of the national radio(?) conglomerates. Replacing the satellites will be very expensive, and the ground repeater issue is someting that, for the long term, may be a questionable business practice because they are relying on one of their competitors to keep their signal strong.

So, if I understood the article correctly, it was not favorable as an investment to put money into the companies. As far as putting a $200 unit on your dashboard, I think that is another issue completely. The radio you put in your car has a life span of about 5 or 6 years (when you trade your car in), my guess is that the new digital radio broadcasts may not be available in 5 or 6 years, and XM will likely be the strongest player in the NATIONAL BROADCAST COVERAGE market for some time to come.

PBMAX · Mar 9, 2004

Now I anin't by any means a audio guru but I can't tell any major difference between sound of the XM via FM modulator verses the CD in my wife's car. Granted now it is a lo end factory cd and 4 speaker sound system..... not enough to give up the portable factor to me any way....but to each there own I suppose... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But I have yet to hear it over my new Pioneer cd player (which will except Pioneers XM head unit in the back) and after market speakers in my explorer...