Satellite Radio

thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

For my graduation present, my parents and my brother are going to buy me a satellite radio system for my truck.

Delphi XM and Sirus seem to be the most popular. They're about the same price and seem to offer the same amount of channels.

I need to make a decision and I don't know what to get. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on which ones are the best and what to look for?

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Sirius is the best. More music channels with less commericals. More original programming, exclusive rights to the NFL and NHL.

Sirius is setting the standard for satellite radio. Porsche is installing it into all 2005 Cayennes. No news yet on whether its an option on the 997, but probably so.

mikester · 08-22-2004, 09:19 PM

Commercials?!

I thought one of the ideas behind this was NO commercials as it's a pay service?

Man....

Commercials? No way I'm paying for commercials - that's like paying for commercials on a pay per view movie.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

The commercials are on the talk/sports stations....not the music stations.

The reason for this is obvious...they are picking up national and local affiliate stations in alot of cases...

VaSteve · 08-23-2004, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
$120 / year for something that you can get for free over the airwaves? They haven't quite convinced me yet...

-Wayne

You haven't listened to DC radio much.

If I hear Soundgarden or "Cult of Personality" one more time while I'm working on the car...well let's just say I'll be buying more parts here.

I have XM in both my daily drivers (can't hear it in the Porsche). Worth the money.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Quote:

$120 / year for something that you can get for free over the airwaves? They haven't quite convinced me yet...

Actually...you cant get this type and sheer amount of crystal clear programming for "free" over the airwaves. Thats why I pay for it.

But maybe thats just for people like me, who spend a lot of time in the car.

To put into context... you can stick with the rabbit ears on your TV and get about 10 stations, if you include UHF. But most people, pay at least $700 - 1000 a year to get cable tv, satellite TV etc...not to mention PPV movie charges which will go considerably higher.

... some people pay $300-400 for a Momo steering wheel in an old street 911. Im still trying to figure that one out.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

I just got XM Radio for my wife last June. The reason: the radio station that played our music (80's alternative / punk / ska / progressive...etc) was sold to a Spanish radio station.

There are no commericals on XM Radio - and they have something like 5-6 channels dedicated to 80's music. As well as all other musical genres out there.

It also seems that XM Radio, since has been around a little longer, has more coverage.

We use it mostly at home, and absolutely love it.

-Z.

vash · vash's Garage

so is there alot of cussing and profanity on sat. radio? i mean on the talk shows, or maybe they play the un-edited versions of rap music? just wondering what radio is like without the FCC profanity police.

VaSteve · 08-23-2004, 09:17 AM

Mostly just unedited versions - on the stations I listen to. One of the other stations had on a live caller who dropped the s-bomb, and they didn't dump it out. Kinda cool. Opie and Anthony (who used to be on in NYC until they had listeners have sex in a church*) are supposedly getting their own station. They will air live in the AM and repeat all day. I'm kinda curious to hear it, but not enough so to pay for the extra station.

*The listener later died before going to trial. Weird, huh?

thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by VaSteve
[B Opie and Anthony (who used to be on in NYC until they had listeners have sex in a church*)

*The listener later died before going to trial. Weird, huh? [/B]

Was he struck by lightning?

Given that I will only be listening to music, commercials that are only limited to talk radio is fine.

I like the fact that XM is 9.99/mo as opposed to 12.99/mo with Sirius. But I have heard that Sirius has better sound quality due to having more satellites.

Thanks for all the input.

BGCarrera32 · 08-23-2004, 11:13 AM

XM = financially solvent

Sirius = ripe for a buyout or their gonna tank

Pat S · 08-23-2004, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
$120 / year for something that you can get for free over the airwaves? They haven't quite convinced me yet...

-Wayne

I thought that too but I got a free unit for Sirius so I figured I'd try it. I really like it a lot. Tons of features, and uncensored music. It really catches you off guard to be listing to Alternative on the radio and hear the actual words

Some stations are censored, others aren't.
A favorite feature is the memory function where you can save favorite songs, and when they come on it beeps and let's you tune to it with a click.
The selection and quality can't be beat.

Pat

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

I travel a lot (50K miles per year). I installed a wireless XM in the Cayenne (about 10 minutes total install time). It's great to be able to travel the entire state and maintain the same channels. Ethel is on most frequently, but Unsigned, Fungus, Lucy, Fred and Squizz are good too. The comedy channels are good for keeping you awake on long drives. I don't use the regular radio much anymore.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Sat. radio(XM) was one of the happy surprises that came w/ my last car purchase. I never would have bought it but now that I have it I can't live w/o it.

david.avery · david.avery's Garage

Hey VAStave,

Big O&A fan here as well, listened to them on AAF in boston, and when they were on talk radio syndication...

I am considering getting XM just to hear it... there's an extra $1.50/mo premium, right?

Quote:

Originally posted by VaSteve
Opie and Anthony (who used to be on in NYC until they had listeners have sex in a church*) are supposedly getting their own station. They will air live in the AM and repeat all day. I'm kinda curious to hear it, but not enough so to pay for the extra station.

*The listener later died before going to trial. Weird, huh?

Robert Coats · Robert Coats's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Z-man
There are no commericals on XM Radio

Actually, there on no commercials on XM Radio *Music* channels. The non-music (talk, comedy, BBC, CNN, etc.) have maybe 3-5 commercials per hour.

Still, I've been a subscriber for almost 2 years and love it. There is so much content, I'm never lacking for something to hear that is enjoyable or at least mildly interesting. Have XM in my work van and the wife's Accord, and hope to install an "XM Commander" in the 911 before the end of the year.

Finally, I'd agree about XM being around longer than Sirrus. I think XM has 3x or maybe 4x the subscribers.

dillinger · 08-25-2004, 07:31 AM

XM here. Love all the choices! I'm on the road mostly every day, so having continuous programming w/o changing for a new region is great.

jm951 · 08-25-2004, 07:41 AM

I've been seriously considering satellite radio for a while and not for the same reasons most get it. I travel a lot in my job and it's really frustrating to find a station I like and then loose it in the next 100+ miles and have to find another. I'm just waiting to see how it's going to shake out between XM and Sirius before plunking down the green.