Does it matter which radio?

[Lonewuff]

I have been reading these threads on the Sat. Radios and was hoping someone might talk about the best one for the bike etc. I am looking at an XM and have looked at the Skyfi2, the Xpress, and the Roady XT. Is there any real difference in performance or function with any of these radios. The only thing about the XT I don't like is it would probably be a pain to work with gloves on, but it is only $48. The Xpress has a wheel that would be easier and comes with a remote (great for the cage) for $79 and the Skyfi2 has a bigger wheel and can store up to a half hour of music playback for $99. But can anyone tell me if there is a "Best Sat. Radio" for use on the LT?

[RMW]

I guess it just really boils down to which one you like best. There were not as many choices when I bought mine in late 04 so I went with the Roady2. Lots of mounting hardware available. The buttons are small but you will mostly only use the presets anyway so its not that big of a deal. Heavy winter gloves are a pain but light and medium gloves allow you to push just one button at a time, most of the time :)

There is also an inexpensive rain cover available for the Roady2 through cyclegadgets.com that works pretty well and prevents you from loosing your tunes in the rain.

I saw the Roady2 being closed out at Circuit City for $9.95 a couple of weeks ago and bought a couple of extra units just in case.

[RSnyder]

I have several friends that are using the XL. The problem they are having with them is they vibrate out of the cradles. One even totally lost the radio. The others have resorted to duct tape to hold them in.

I did note that BMR Products has a bracket and sunshade for the Skyfi. The Sun Shade bolts to the mounting bracket and acts as an "antitheft device. The only draw back with this is you have to disassemble the mount to move the Skifi between vehicles but it will not fall off the bike.

If you are able to find a Roady 2 it has a clip mount and mine has not fallen off the mount yet. I have heard that the Roady 2's audio output is not as good as the SkiFi or the XL. But don't know about this as I have only used the Roady 2.

Good luck with your decision.

[Big_E]

I went with the Roady 2 cause it fit best inside the glove box. That way I don't have to worry about weather & no one can just grab it while walking past the bike. I have it velcroed to the front of the CD player with a short pencil velcroed to the top of it for working the buttons with gloves one.

[Lonewuff]

Rsnyder, the shop here puts velcro on the front of the cradle and the back of the radio when they intall it, so I doubt it would fall off, but I do like the idea of the sun shade. Wonder if it would fit, or if they make one that would fit the XL?

Big-E, I like your idea, but I have already taken up that area with the FRS radio and my cell. Guess I just want too many gadgets on my bike.....Nah!!!

RMW, I looked at the Roady2 at Circuit City yesterday, when I saw the $9.99 price tag, but two guys standing there (customers) both said that the XL had better output than the 2 and both had pulled Roady2's out of their cars and replaced them. I did like that price tag though. :)

[pieceofficer]

You guys keep mentioning the "XL" I am assuming you are meaning the XT.

The Roady 2, and the XT both have remote controls if that was an option you liked about the Xpress.

If you have the XT set up on a resevoir, it would be rather easy to access even with lt to med gloves. The remote would be another thing... The buttons are spaced nicely. If you have the remote in your map case on your tank bag, and depending on your mounting location/battery strength in remote, etc. You should be able to use it through the map case

I just ordered my XT, and It was 79.99/30.00MIR, so 49.99. When It gets here, I am going to be faced with mounting options. Thinking of mounting on the plastic just forward of the Radio/select/pwr buttons on the stingray. Just behind the BMW roundel. In this location, and the remote in the mapcase, it will work perfectly. However, if you haven't had a satellite radio yet, you will find that you will load your presets and you will maybe scroll between 2-3 channels. I typically do not change my channel but once every few days.

If none of this helps, close your eyes and then just reach for them on the shelf and go with what you grab.

[Lonewuff]

Your right, it is the XT, but it doesn't come with a remote. You can buy the remote for another $20, which makes it close to the Xpress on price. I just looked at the BMR stuff and it looks like the shield they show covering the Skyfi2 would fit over any of the three, cause the shield attaches to the mount and the mount is the same for all three radios. None of which makes my choice any easier. So, I may just have to take your advice and close my eyes.