XM Radio

[Russinator]

Hello all. Does anybody have a XM radio in there PU?  I have one in my TV, I love it and I'm thinking of getting a unit for our PU, I'm leaning towards the Skybox. I was hoping some of you might have that unit [or a different unit], and would recommend it - or not. Thanks in advance - Russ

[PopUpMomma]

We are thinking about the same.  Our son has one in his truck and for his birthday, we bought him the "boombox" adapter thing so he could bring it in the house and use it.  I'll let you know how it works.  He loves his XM radio too.  Makes me want one too.

Hello all. Does anybody have a XM radio in there PU?  I have one in my TV, I love it and I'm thinking of getting a unit for our PU, I'm leaning towards the Skybox. I was hoping some of you might have that unit [or a different unit], and would recommend it - or not. Thanks in advance - Russ

[chasd60]

I have the Roady with the wireless FM modulator. I can put it in the camper and plug it into a 12V power outlet. My hybrid has an AM/FM/CD player and I just tune it to 88.1 FM to pick up the XM signal. I bought a 12V outlet from Walmart so I can use it in my house with my home stereo. Some people complain the output isn't too good with the FM modulator but it is fine if you go into the Roady setup and max out the gain feature.

[JonesFamilyJayco]

We have XM in our family van and I really enjoy it now, but I am sad that they lost the NASCAR contract.  This happened after we got our XM and I believe Sirus gets it in 2006 or 2007.

[douglasfamily7]

We love our satelite radio when camping! The antennae gets gets good reception even inside the PU at most sites, but it so easy to run the wiring outside through the velcro as well if you need a better line of sight in the woods, etc.. We chose Sirius instead of XM, because I liked their sports programming a little better. (better Big 12 NCAA football coverge). I am an Oklahoma alumni and have to listen to Sooners on Fall Saturdays even when campng. We chose the Boombox option and can use the same base unit in our house, car and PU too.

[carlstone00]

We have XM in our family van and I really enjoy it now, but I am sad that they lost the NASCAR contract.  This happened after we got our XM and I believe Sirus gets it in 2006 or 2007.

That's what I hear.  So Sirius will host NFL and NASCAR soon.  I guess that makes my decision on which to buy easier.  If anyone is a Howard Stern fan, he will be on Sirius too.  I have also heard that the music and other programming on Sirius is better.  I don't know though, since I don't own either yet.  Good luck and happy tunes!!  ♪♪

Carlstone

[Azusateach]

That's what I hear.  So Sirius will host NFL and NASCAR soon.  I guess that makes my decision on which to buy easier.  If anyone is a Howard Stern fan, he will be on Sirius too.  I have also heard that the music and other programming on Sirius is better.  I don't know though, since I don't own either yet.  Good luck and happy tunes!!  ♪♪Carlstone

It all depends on what kind of music you like to listen to.  I chose XM because it has a more ... ecclectic variety of music.  Sports wasn't important to me (I know -- don't shoot me!).  But I do enjoy the Discovery Channel & some of the news programs.  I got the new "My-fi", so it's even more convenient, since I can use it like a walkman.  Came with hook-ups for car and home, and I went a step further and got the hardwire kit & had that installed in my car.  LOVE IT!

Laura

[labontefan]

I can't make it without my XM!! I've had an Alpine XM tuner in my vehicle for almost 3 years. I also bought the Delphi SKYFi with the boombox so I could listen to XM in the PU. Then I added the home kit so I can listen to the SKYFi here at work (which I'm doing right now).

BTW, if you get the boombox, they now make a DC adapter for it. You can plug it into the DC outlet in the PU and save on batteries if you don't have AC power. (The boombox will eat up D cells in a hurry!)

I may be getting rid of my SKYFi and accessories though. I now have the MYFi XM2Go portable. I bought some small battery powered speakers, so I can listen to the MYFi without having to use the headphones. With the home kit I can listen to it here at work so I don't really need both the SKYFi and the MYFi. And if I get rid of one, I can get rid of one subscription, since the monthly fee is going up next month.

(The company I work for [Crutchfield] sells XM equipment so I get to see all the newest toys--and we get some great deals from XM and the manufacturers. That's why I have so many tuners! LOL!)

[dee106]

we have the xm, in the car, and home, and got the skybox, which is great! the best thing they made. light portable, does ,cd, fm/am, and its easy on the eye , looks like a normal portable radio.
 i like listening to the old radio shows, and the local and long distance traffic/weather report. So we know what we are driving into. If all the XM users complain to Nascar about only allowing one company to air there shows. They might change their ways. I wrote to XM and to NASCAR.

[labontefan]

I was disappointed to see that NASCAR is moving to Sirius also. However, the changeover doesn't occur until 2007. I'll be interested to see if Sirius remains financially solvent enough to pay the megamillions they agreed to in the contract.

XM got a big head start on Sirius since they were available a lot sooner. Sirius has been boasting that they now have a million subscribers, but XM hit the one million mark a couple of years ago and is up to about 4 million now.

From what I've heard from people who should know, Sirius is not yet operating in the black. They're trying to attract more listeners with new programming, including the NFL, Howard Stern, NASCAR, etc. However, all those new contracts are costing big bucks. Howard doesn't come on board till 2006 and NASCAR won't be there till 2007. I imagine a lot of listeners who might switch for those reasons may wait till the programming is actually available--which doesn't do anything to bring in money now.

If Sirius is still around in 2007 and if NASCAR does make the move, I may reconsider and get a Sirius tuner in addition to XM, but I don't plan on giving up XM.

Besides, the switch means that Sirius will be carrying the races instead of XM, but doesn't mean that XM will have to give up all their NASCAR programming. I'm sure they'll keep a lot of their current shows. (And I can listen to the races on good ol' FM if necessary!)

[douglasfamily7]

You're right that XM had a major jumpstart on the market and Sirius is trying to catch up. There was an interesting article in our local newspaper business section yesterday highlighting the two companies competition. XM is now offered as standard on Hyundais and Sirius is now offered as a standard feature on Land Rovers and Jaguars. I believe XM is an option in GM cars and Sirius an option if Fords. They are definitely fighting it out head-to-head for subscibers as well as programming. Both are currently operating in the red in 2004 with XM losing 642 million and Sirius losing 712 million. Sirius expects to be operating in the black by 2007 and XM by late 2006. Hopefully as satellite radio catches on with more and more subscribers the market will be big enough for both of them.

[RumRunner]

I read in an article that it costs $120 million a year for the rights to air the NFL games.  Sirius must be looking to really take over the satellite market from XM.  I don't what it costs for NASCAR, that wasn't mentioned.

[MTNDAVE]

Gotta have my music.  In the past it was either take the boom box and hope for a signal and drag countless CDs along.  Those days are gone.
 
Since momma got me the Sirius for Xmas I gots it in the truck, all over the house, at the office and on the 'puter too.  Ain't picked up to play but maybe 2 CDs since.  Life is good !!!!!
 
Already have the camper set up too.  Just move the receiver from the truck to a base in the PU and hook up to a pair of Altec self powered computer speakers (FREE castoffs from an old 'puter).  Takes up less space than a shoebox and sounds great.  Can't get much easier.
 
 :M:M :M:M

[dee106]

I read in an article that it costs $120 million a year for the rights to air the NFL games. Sirius must be looking to really take over the satellite market from XM. I don't what it costs for NASCAR, that wasn't mentioned.

" In 2007, Sirius Satellite Radio will have exclusive deals with two of the biggest sports in the U.S., NFL and NASCAR. XM currently carries NASCAR races on their channels, but will lose the racing coverage in 2007 when Sirius