Here Today... Gone To Hell!

does anyone have it?

and if so, can you provide some feedback/advice?

specifically,

is the reception good?
should i have it installed by a "professional"? (is it true there will be a wire connected to the roof of your car?)
is it easy to unhook from car to house?
would you recommend it?

any thoughts would be appreciated.

My "kit" is wrapped, under the tree, now.  I've done some investigating though, so have some answers.

Reception will vary by the location of the repeaters in relation to your drive.  You can look here for a list of them:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6536948#post6536948

You can pretty much bet, unless you live in the absolute Styx, that reception is going to be as good, and probably better than, your local radio station.  Of course, a lot depends on terrain, etc.


Installation by a professional doesn't seem to be necessary, unless you're buying a whole new "head" unit for your car.  I've looked over the installation instructions (you can find them on the Sirius web site as well as on the web sites of many of the units manufacturers) and, shamed to admit it as I am, have looked over Martha Stewarts install "guide" (you can find a link to it here: http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29198 ).  It looks pretty easy and I'll be doing it myself.  Your comfort level with that type of stuff might vary, so you'll have to decide on your own.  I was quoted about $120 for installation, and installation alone, and given how simple the process seems, I decided to save the money.

The "unhook" part is based on optional equipment.  You'll need either a docking station in the house (with an additional antenna installed on the premises with a wire running to the dock, I think), or a "boom box" set up (which has a mobile antenna already) where your unit will "dock".  The actual move from car to house is super simple.  It's like removing a faceplate from your car stereo, walking it into the house, and then putting it back on.  Couldn't be easier.

Would I recommend it?  I would, even though I don't actually have it yet.  I did get a chance to demo it, and XM, and couldn't really discern any differences in their product other than the sports they offer (XM has MLB, Sirius has the NFL) and the coming of Stern on Sirius (the selling point for me).  But the quality and variety I was able to sample through the demos was impressive!

thanks! i appreciate the help. i'm gonna check out that martha stewart link later today.

i was listening to the music stations last night through their website (3 day free trial). awesome stuff. stern is a big reason i'm probably gonna get it, but the sorry ass state of music on the radio today (at least in philly) is another reason.

Serious?? Martha Stewart?


I have Sirius, I got it last year as soon as I heard Stern was switching.? He's the reason I got it, but I listen to tons of other stuff too.? The music is great, the comdey channels are usually pretty good.? The other fun thing is that you can program songs into the memory and it will alert you when they are being played on any channel so you can switch over.

I didn't install mine, I had a friend do it.? But it seemed pretty simple if you have any mechanical abilities whatsoever.? I don't know if all the receivers are the same but mine plugs into the car power outlet, so if you don't have more than one , it could be inconvenient.? Like if you had a cell phone to charge, you'd have to unplug the radio.? I have 2 in my car so its no problem.? There is a wire to work around the car and an outside reciever. My friend was able to tuck the wire in on mine so I can't even see it.? ?

As far as the reception, I've never found an area where I can't receive it (except in the gas station or under an overpass).? I've driven all over California with no problems.? I also can take the receiver into my house and dock it in there.? It works fine in there too.?

LOL!

He means the link I posted.  It's a link to a link to a video showing Martha (with special guest Richard Simmons) explaining and even sort of doing the install of a Sirrius Radio set up in a car.  Seeing that video was the cincher for me.  If MARTHA can do it, I figure I gotta be able to.

I wouldn't instantly assume just because Martha can............
That woman is a freak of nature, and she probably got her car installation skills from her cell mate who taught her the finer points of car stero theft (everyone thinks that fancy little hand knit parka was all Martha got from Prison).

TOO funny.  :rofl:

I got Sirius about a month ago. Its awesome. Stern and NFL games were the reason I did not go with XM.

Hooking it up was easy, for the car you may need to be creative with routing the wire from the antenna to the reciever.

XM has just over 5 million subscribers. ?Sirius has just below 2.2 million subscribers. ?

Both XM and Sirius have 100% commercial-free music channels.

XM has 160 Digital channels, Sirius has over 120 Digital channels.

XM features Major League Baseball and NASCAR Racing. ?Sirius features National Football League and NBA. ?Both cover hockey and college sports.

XM features Opie & Anthony, Ron & Fez, Bob Edwards and Air America. ?Sirius features Howard Stern, Bubba the Love Sponge, Bill Bradley and Jim Breuer.

XM features Glenn Beck, Matt Drudge, and Dr. Laura. ?Sirius features G. Gordon Liddy, Michael Reagan, and Mike Church. ?Both have Laura Ingram.

XM features Air America (Al Franken, Randi Rhodes, Janeane Garofalo, Rachel Maddow, etc.) ?Sirius features Alex Bennett Bill Press, Thom Hartman, Stephanie Miller and Lynne Samuels. ?Both feature Ed Schultz.

XM features MSNBC and CNBC. ?Sirius features NPR. ?Both feature ABC Radio, CNN, C-Span and Fox News.

XM has traffic and weather for 21 markets. ?Sirius has traffic and weather for 20 markets.

XM rock music hosts include Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Chris Jericho, and Rancid. ?Sirius rock music hosts includes Steven Van Zandt, Dave Mirra, Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, Lance Armstrong, CKY, and Marky Ramone.

Those are some basic facts. ?Im an XM subscriber. ?From what Ive read, XM has the deeper playlist and better hardware (especially in the portable unit department). ?But obviously, the best thing to do is check out both yourself: Free 3-Day XM Radio Trial (http://xmro.xmradio.com/xstream/index.jsp) and ?Free 3-Day Sirius Trial (http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Page&cid=1018209032790). ?I dont think either completely reflect the actual program list (since both use syndicated programs theyre unable to feature online).

You forgot Martha Stewart!!

Why would anyone want to listen to a NASCAR race?

Why would anyone want to listen to any sports event? :confused:

NASCAR fans?

'Cause I spend a good 2.5 hours per day in my car driving between work and home.? Sometimes, there's stuff on (specifically the NCAA tourney) I want to follow.? Better listening to it than nothing at all.

From the 3 day trials, I didn't notice much difference in depth of playlist.? Though it would probably be tough to tell over just 3 days.  In addition, I tend to listen to the rock and classic rock channels and didn't really sample much from the other channels...which might also explain why I didn't notice much of a difference.

On the hardware front, starting this year, that gap has narrowed quite a bit.? I'd still say the XM hardware is a bit better (smaller with better displays) but the new Sirrius hardware has caught up a LOT this year.? Both the Sirrius replay units are winners, IMHO.

How much per month?

The plan I have is $12.95 per  month.  I think you can opt for other plans where you pay several months or a year at a time and get a discount.

There is also a lifetime plan. One payment of 499.99 and you never get another bill.

damn.

you're right, the rock and classic rock stations are pretty much what you would hear on the radio.

i am a fan of hair metal and heavy metal, both of which you rarely hear on the radio in philly. so to be able to hear gnr, the crue, bon jovi, etc. was awesome. not to mention a station that mixes old metal (slayer, maiden, etc.) with new metal - all stuff you never hear on any station in philly. 

then there are a stones, bruce and elvis stations. i'm big fans of all three, especially the stones. and on that station i heard 2 old songs you rarely hear on your typical classic rock station ('out of time' was one of them).

then i flipped over to the 'classic' hip hop station and heard some awesome songs from the 80's that you never hear on the radio as well. 

i'm looking forward to getting it set up.

I almost got this today Sirius .

I was watching the feed of Howard stern and thought about it.

Why didn't you get it?

I just could bring myself to spend ,that much money on myself.

Yea...that'll stop ya.

pilferk - if you don't mind me asking....which model did you go with?

i'm about to pull the trigger today (it's a xmas gift for the wife). i haven't done any research - all along i was planning on getting the sirius sportster.

http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=ProductAsset&cid=1115038984993


but then i saw this sanyo and it seems like a better deal cause it comes with BOTH the car kit AND home kit.

http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=ProductAsset&cid=1093551683404

i'm not in to all the features (playback, search, etc.). just want quality performance, with easy use in car and home.

do you think there is a major difference between the pug n play models???

again, any thoughts would be appreciated.

I went with the Starmate Replay.

The sportster you're looking at is good, too,  but I wasn't crazy about the button layout or display. I actually looked at the Sportster Replay.  In addition, given where I'm mounting the unit, the smaller /thinner the better.

I'm not a fan of the Sanyo model.  It's too big and clunky for my tastes. In additon, home reception is not a big selling point for me.  I've also heard stories of problems with the power adapter (though not many of them) on the Sanyo model you're looking at.  In terms of reception, etc, if the aesthetics of the thing don't bother you, Go for it. 

thanks for your thoughts!

that's a good point about the size of the unit. i'll probably go with the starmate or the sportster.