Satellite Radio - Recommendations?

I have had my XM for a while, first with a Roady and then with another that also is no longer being made. Both of my radios are out of production and though you might find a Delphi dealer selling one on the net I think you might be able to do better getting a more modern unit.

I agree with getting a portable unit to move from car to car. I have antennas in both our cars and the RV. The install is not as clean looking as the in dash receiver but I enjoy the XM in all the cars on long trips. When I purchased the second radio I wish I had purchased a second power supply.

The need for a second radio was not from being moved from car to car. I was playing with wiring.
John

Just installed a Kenwood car radio in my Class C. The radio does everything a person could want one to do. I purchased the radio from Crutchfield.com. They supply free mounting accessories with free shipping. They will match your wiring to the radio with the proper adapter cable and mounting brackets. Just about plug and play. I installed my sat antenna in the over head vent under the plastic dome. It sits on the dome vent screen with a washer under the magnetic antenna mount holding it in place on the screen. I've had sat radio for years, I like channel 5, 82, and 114 the most.

My installation was in a 1998 Ford E-350 dash. Crutchfield's adapter cable fit existing radio plug in dash and radio fist time. You will have to buy the Sat adapter receiver. It plugs into the back of the radio. Remote with the radio operates everything.

My wifes 2011 Ford Ranger came with Sirius XM Radio. She tried it and loves it. Found out that if you tell them you are canceling they give you a better deal to stay.

I probably would not get one as I listen to MP3s most of the time. I have over 4,000 albums and a few hundred old time radio shows in my MP3 library and about 1,500 songs on my play list (around 80 hours of music) so I don't usually get a repeat on most of my trips. If I do get a repeat it's a song I like anyway.

KristinU wrote:
Has anyone been through this decision process lately? What did you end up with and are you happy?

Kristen,

I have had Sirius Sat Radio for over 10 years. It is probably the best Christmas present that I have ever given myself.

Starting out, I used a unit that we could transfer between our 3 cars, the RV, and the house. That way, wherever we were, we had the sat radio service.

Then we got Sirius on our Dish Sat TV so we didn't need it in the house.

A couple of years ago, I bought a Miata (daily driver and towed) that had an in dash unit, so I transferred my subscription to it. It was GREAT in my daily driver, but I missed it in the RV and in the wife's car.

That Miata got totaled and the replacement I bought did not have Sat Radio.

A couple of months ago, I bought a Sirius Stratus 7 (Radio Shack had them on sale for $30). The picture (scroll down) is about the actual size of the TOTAL unit. It transmits to the FM car radio. Nothing else to buy.

I transfer this unit between our now 2 cars and the RV by using 2 3M removable Command strips to stick it to the dash of whatever vehicle we are in.

This works VERY well for us.

I think that you will find that the cost of an IN-dash unit will be prohibitive. The units that are advertized as Sat Ready are really not. You must by another unit that really carries the brains of the system. I have priced them in the $250 range.

As far as antenna placement, in the RV, the antenna lives under the bed in the cab over. In the car, it goes up in the sun roof, and in the Miata, it sticks to the trunk. Yes... There wires to deal with, but I can put up with a LOT of that for the $400-$500 cost of an in dash unit.

PM me if you want more details and/or pictures.

Tim

There is a model of satellite radio that we have been considering getting that allows the receiver to be used in multiple locations (SkyDock or Onyx I believe they are called.) We were thinking of getting it to use in the camper and in the tow vehicle while driving. We use the factory receiver for satellite in our daily driver cars right now so I can't speak much to an in-dash model that works well.

- Randy

Contact sirius/xm and ask them anout the radios that also have recording capabilities. You will love the portability and capabilities. We have two of them that go from rv to car to truck to house. IMHO it is the bestway to fully utilize the service. Plus for those times you cannot get a signal, the recorded content can be switched on soyou still have your favoeite music

My 2010 F150 Truck came with Sirius XM Radio and I probably would have never got one on my own. It sure is a neat system to have when traveling. I also have the TRAVEL NAV AIDE with it as well. Great MAP service including WX service. Cost $24 a month I think... Love my 'WILLYS ROADHOUSE' radio...

I too use PANDORA all the time here in the house listening to Internet Radio...

It is just like the rear Tail gate Step that also came with the 2010 Truck. Wouldn't leave home without either one now haha...

Roy Ken

If your real concern is running down your phone batt while playing pandora, I would just use a phone charger to solve the problem. I actually use my Ipod Touch to stream pandora since I only have a basic phone.