Siriusly Annoyed In My Quest For Satellite Radio -- Advice Please!

[K8-EEE]

First let me admit I am completely clueless about such matters. But I'm also a music nut and an Air Am fan jonezin' big time in L.A. so decided to take the plunge with satellite radio.

Having made the decision to go with Sirius, I thought the plug & play option was the best because then I could use it in the house and the car, right??

However I was distressed to open the package and find a little BAGGIE OF SCREWS. HUH?? Drill-phobic ME is supposed to DRILL HOLES IN MY DASHBOARD? I don't think so. It's not like I have a Porche or anything but I am fond of my little Saturn and don't wanna make swiss cheese out of it.

So then somebody told me just use the sticky tape stuff...but then is it going to fly off the dash and hit one of my kids in the head or something?? Plus it's UGLY! It looks like a freaking CB radio from Smokey and the Bandit. 10-4 good buddy!

But what is my choice other than to replace my existing radio which I like? When they do that do they have to take out the CD player too? I have a 6-disc CD player that I love. Then I have to get a separate unit for the house and add another $7 to the monthly fee right? So if I don't Go Ugly with the car it will be twice as expensive.

Wow those jazz stations on Sirius are GREAT! You can sort of take a little tour of the stations on their site. Wonderful stuff!

[Not Me]

1. I agree with you

I bought my car last year, and it had a factory am/fm/cd/xm radio in it.
For that reason, I chose XM over Sirius. I could get a Sirius converter with fm modulator (requiring me to set a preset for the Sirius tuner) and then tune through the Sirius box. That's more than I want to do. So I stay with XM.

Although, my next car (given Sirius continues to rock XM) will have a similar integrated radio with Sirius.

[K8-EEE]

8. The XM Stations Look Good Too...

But, somebody here told me there was a Clear Channel connection...gak!

Yeah my next car I'm def getting a Sirius ready set up...siriusly!

[geniph]

12. Clear Channel doesn't have any significant investment in XM

They provided like 2% of the original investment, but they've almost completely divested since. They control none of the programming.

I'll never go back to terrestrial radio, myself!

[Zinfandel]

17. Murdoch (Fox news) does in XM...Buy Siruis

[KharmaTrain]

23. And Where Do You Get This From?

XM is billions in debt and Clear Channel has quietly been buying up that debt...as well as banks associated with them.

Also many of the Programmers are from CC stations and the main rep firm XM uses is Katz...also owned by Clear Channel.

While I might not own your home, I own the mortgage, you tell me who owns what.

It's been widely reported that Clear Channel wants the FCC to relax rules that would prohibit them from buying control of XM, similar to Murdoch buying DirecTV...but right now it's not economically right. Yep, go ahead and buy that XM radio...add to the subscribers and move that date closer.

Personally, there's nothing on radio that's worth the expense of either the radio or the installation. When I get my fill of hate radio, or inane music stations, I always have a ton of CDs at the ready that make the drive ever so pleasant. At home, I pop on internet radio...CD quality, a wider variety of programming that satellite will ever offer, it is supporting INDEPENDENT broadcasters and it's FREE!

[K8-EEE]

24. But The Radio Is A One Time Expense...

Then you just have the $10 a month, A BARGAIN to not hear any more commercials....EVER! And I LOVE the music programming....a coffee place that I go to plays the "Luna" station (I think that is XM) and every song is fab latin jazz gold that I wouldn't hear anywhere else. Love love love it!! There's no good music on the radio anymore and even NPR is bugging me. Totally mesmerized by those stations on the Sirius site -- you can listen to the free, sort of a sampler. Great stuff!!

I dont LOVE the idea of paying for programming....I like the idea of totally cutting the FCC out of my life!!

[KharmaTrain]

You're Not Cutting Out The FCC...

As long as the signals travel through the air, it's controlled by the FCC as XM signals are.

I used to say I'd never pay for TV, either, and now spend a kings randsom for more channels than I'll ever know existed. However that's not the case with radio.

I enjoy the freedom of hearing stations from around the world right at my puter, then find one of the many independent, NON CORPORATE, operated stations...some just a bunch of CDs in some guy's bedroom, but it's his expression and I'm sure my listening means far more to him/her than to a corporate bean counter.

I'll wait til I can get internet streaming into my car, cellphone and PDA (supposedly within the next year) to spend my 10 sheckles a month. Wi-Fi is where it'll end up happening.

Cheers

[KharmaTrain]

30. You're Not Cutting Out The FCC...

As long as the signals travel through the air, it's controlled by the FCC as XM signals are.

I used to say I'd never pay for TV, either, and now spend a kings randsom for more channels than I'll ever know existed. However that's not the case with radio.

I enjoy the freedom of hearing stations from around the world right at my puter, then find one of the many independent, NON CORPORATE, operated stations...some just a bunch of CDs in some guy's bedroom, but it's his expression and I'm sure my listening means far more to him/her than to a corporate bean counter.

I'll wait til I can get internet streaming into my car, cellphone and PDA (supposedly within the next year) to spend my 10 sheckles a month. Wi-Fi is where it'll end up happening.

Cheers

[Maat]

2. They mounted the unit to the floor of my car.

I have the remote velcro'd to a convenient spot on my dash -- on the left side. Best Buy installed it for me for less than $40. Has worked well. Found a small Panasonic unit I put on a bookshelf, and my hubby connected the home docking unit to the stereo. Whole package less than $175-$200. Was for my birthday. Get used to the sound quality -- you'll never go back. Oh, I forgot. The setup uses the tape deck in my car. My tape deck is pretty quiet and I can go back and forth between CDs, the activation of Sirius via my TAPE option (then I use the remote on my dash to set it where I want it)(Velcro's a place for my cellphone and the hands-free too), and any misc. AMs I want to listen to.

[K8-EEE]

7. Hmmm...

My problem with that idea is my passenger's FEET! But if I didn't always have a kid in the front seat I would do that...it's a good idea!

[Misunderestimator]

14. Do you have a Model Number?

Sounds like the deal... am interested in getting one. What's the model?

[spinbaby]

3. I had this discussion with my Saturn dealer

You're pretty much stuck with ugly. The only thing Saturn has that they can put into your dash involves massive labor costs. They only have the XM version anyway. I had some thoughts of sticking it between the seats with velcro but then decided to skip it.

[K8-EEE]

5. Yeah Plus, I Have No Cig Lighter!!

I never noticed it cuz I don't SMOKE! But I have this power port and it's worked with some stuff (like cell charger) but it doesn't work with the damn Sirius thing, arrrrgh.....

[spinbaby]

10. I don't see why it shouldn't work

That port fits a lighter--the lighter just doesn't come with the car anymore. Just like we no longer get an ashtray.

[K8-EEE]

22. Yeah!! Why Didn't It Work??

Does Saturn have some kind of one-of-a-kind lighter thing or something??? The thing just floated around in it.....didn't really connect.

[Jacobin]

4. "Industrial Strenght Velcro"

That's what I use for mine.

Works like a charm and its amazing how strong that stuff is.

Simple to do.

[K8-EEE]

6. Brilliant!

Thanks, maybe I should do that!

[Wheaty]

9. Suction Cup Window Mount

Here is a suction cup window mount

http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/windowMate.html

[ObaMania]

11. Here's a comparison site...

.. in case you haven't seen it yet:

http://www.radiosatellite.org/

My problem is, I bought a XM ready car receiver, but the XM amplifier/receiver (that plugs into my XM ready receiver) and antenna alone is like, $400.+. And it has to be a certain amp. I can't just run out and buy any Delphi that is on sale.

Sirius seems like a better deal both in programming/price/and accessories. If I had of been better informed back when I bought my XM ready receiver, I would have bought a Sirius one. But I was mainly attracted to XM because of the monthly price ($3.00 less than Sirius).

Oh, plus, I bought stock in Sirius! :crazy:

[geniph]

13. Actually, you probably CAN buy almost any XM receiver...

it's just a matter of getting the correct interface cable. Blitzsafe carries all kinds of cables to connect different headunits to different XM receivers.

Check on the hardware forum at xmfan.com; there's always someone there that knows what'll work.

[geniph]

15. K8-EEE...

check the installation questions forum at siriusbackstage.com. That's the best place to get this kind of advice.

[K8-EEE]

21. THANK YOU!!

DU-ERS...YOU ARE ALL AWESOME...FOUNTAIN OF INFORMATION! It would have taken me forever to get all this info any other way and I'm sure I wouldn't have found a lot of it....THANKS!

[DancingBear]

16. Depending upon your vehicle type

Sirius, I know, sells a mobile adapter kit that allows you to take the unit from car to home and vice versa. I am not sure on pricing, but I'm tempted to say about $100 for the "car" part. I have Sirius for the home, and the (new) car has it factory installed.

I was thinking of the "car' kit for the other car, and I think I remember seeing a bracket that hooks into the dash. That would have to be installed by a car audio guy, I would guess.

The two other options are Velcro (already mentioned) or double sided carpet tape. Cut four little "discs" to size (i think the mounting bracket has four pad feet), stick 'em on, and off you go!

BTW, Sirius carries all of AAR (XM does not), it has fabulous jazz channels, and has a great deep classic rock stream called The Vault (songs rarely if ever heard on conventional "classic rock" stations) for those so inclined - like me.

[Imalittleteapot]

18. All of this is scaring me.

I want to get Sirius and I want the plug and play option to listen in the office, the car, and at home. Anyone have any advice on brand, model etc. Is this something I can handle on the web or do I need to go to a Best Buy or what?

[DancingBear]

19. If there is a Tweeter store nearby

Go there - they will have a dedicated "car audio" person who will help you.

I am a long time audio guy, and even I had questions about what to buy, how to install, etc. The guy at the Tweeter store was very helpful - so I bought my home kit from him.

[K8-EEE]

20. Good Rebate Offer

I got a good rebate offer on the here 2 everywhere player that I just returned because of aesthetic issues, ha...

You buy the radio ($99) and a "dock" for home ($50) and car ($50) and you get a $50 rebate.

That is the way to go for sure if you don't mind dealing with the thing in your car. I got mine at Best Buy.

[Touchdown]

25. The screws are for your dock mount.

I just got this one today. It has a suction cup for your dash....

http://www.siriusradio.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=ProductAsset&cid=1072114056984

If you don't have the JVC, then you'lll have to do with the double stick stuff. The salesboy (well...he really was a boy 16-17 at the most!) told me that the Audiovox doesn't have a suction cup. Make sure you buy the home mount kit as well as the car to get your $50 rebate.

I'm already preset out. No AAR yet...Chan 125 doesn't exist yet.:-(
But so far, I love it. It's been on for about 30 minutes!

Edit: link fixed.

[K8-EEE]

26. Somebody Here Said...

that they saw it on 125 and it was actually 126?? Try that...if that is the case why do they have it wrong on their site...lame!

Yeah the suction cup idea is far far far easier for me that GAK screws!!! DRILLING MY DASH? OMG...no way. I'd feel like I was putting a stake through its little Saturn heart, ha...

[Touchdown]

28. My menu goes from chan 118 to 130.

There's nothing in the 120s at all. I didn't spend $200 for Alan Colmes!

I love chan 22- First Wave...cool. Except I had to turn it off because Human League came on. They always sucked!

[Touchdown]

29. A-HAH!! 125 used to be Sports play by play.

I was looking in the entertainment category. I had to go to sports to see 125. Preset it, and Al Franken is repeating himself.

[K8-EEE]

27. JVC HAS SUCTION CUP INSTEAD OF SCREWS???

WOW! That is a def possibilty...how come they don't mention this in all the descriptions I can't be the only one who doesn't want to GAK put screws in the dash!!