Advise on XM Radio Needed

[Daman858]

I would like to get my wife an XM radio setup for Christmas. (I know, it's late!) I would like to have a portable unit that she can use in her Toyota Solara convertible or her Ford F-350 pick-up. So many of you are up on these things, I was wondering if you could recommend a nice unit at a nice price.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all!

[gunny]

Check out Sirius too. Same idea, different company. Got one, like it. Have the mobile mount and move it between vehicles.

[rickcavanaugh]

All of the units have +'s and -'s. Overall they all do the same thing. Get you a radio signal. Each will have a different selling point. The question is, will you EVER use that feature.

My biggest gripe with the portable units (go car to car or hand held) is how to interface with the car stereo. The FM transmitter mode works, but the audio is not as good and as more people get XM or Sirius you get more interference from another vehicle. Ipod connections in adjacent cars can also interfer. I use mine on the bike and my car a Mini Cooper (same as a BMW for the interface). I use the CD changer interface and every time the CD changes, the music cuts out. If there are no CD's in the changer, it will not work. I have not had a Cassette unit in a car for over 20 years and do you want all those wires?

The next issue is mountains, trees hills and tall buildings. Sat. signals do not go through these. It works great on the highways and the midwest were there are no hills. But in the hills and twisties in the Maryland the signal will cut out. If you are right next to a building, it will not work. In downtown Baltimore, the signal is ground based and is much stronger. This terrestrial signal makes it a little past 695.

As to the XM vs Sirus debate, I have used both. Unless you are into a sport were listening to a specific sport is important or Howard Stern or what ever is important, they are very comparable.

The unit I use is the Skyfi II using XM.

[DavidTaylor]

The SkyFi or Roady XT should work fine, then just install a car kit in each vehicle and move the head unit between them. If you can a find car kit with a wired FM modulator that goes in line behind the car radio get it. Most have wireless ones that work OK but can get static or siganl dropout of a over the air station is on a nearby frequency

[chordoran]

I have the roady2 (which I think was replaced with the Roady XT). When I went to buy a 2nd car kit so I didn't have to keep moving the antenna, power cord, etc. I ended up buying another radio with the car kit for less than just the car kit itself.

My original plan was to move the original unit between the car and the bike, but I ended up just activating the 2nd radio for the extra 6.95 a month. For the extra 23 cents a day, the convenience was worth it.

XMRADIO has a promotion going where the Roady XT is $0 with an activation. I believe the deal is good until 12/30.

I bought my daughter a Pioneer Inno for Christmas. It is a completely portable unit which can also capture the broadcast for playback later. You can also load it up wth MP3s and use it like an ipod. Don't know how well the reception is until we hook it up.

Good luck with the shopping!

[rkirker]

I have the Roady XT in the Jeep and picked up a second car kit which I installed in the stingray in front of the tape player (it dont work nomore). I also use the built in FM Transmitter in the RoadyXT on the LT and have not had a issue the Fm transmitter seam to be stronger then the older units.
I also added a third power adapter for the unit as it runs on 6 Volts and not 12V :(

[RVB1019]

I have three Sirius Replay and units- 2 in 2 cars and one I use on the LT and in the house. I used it from Long Island NY to Stecoah NC without a loss of signal. Occasionally, I had to change the FM radio frequency but nothing too annoying.

I used a Hoon Hardware mount on the left handle bar. I've been meaning to take the tupperware off and hardwaring it to either the maplight or the front power outlet. Right now, I have the power wire tucked in the tank bag and under the seat to the rear power outlet.

One note, I did have a problem with a loose power connection on one of the units. I simply called Sirius and they replaced it in three days.

FWIW, your not going to go wrong with either company's units. It's the old Ford/Chevy debate. They both get the job done.

[Bandit]

if you are a cheap #@$%$^ like me, you could buy her a skyfi receiver for a grand total of $9.95 from two wheel radio:

http://www.twowheelradio.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=xmproducts

i bought one and it works great. it leaves a lot of money for car kits and fancy antennas.

[tvguy]

I have 3 XM units and love them... Like posted before they are great for listen to music without commercials. Whether you need to listen to Stern or Oprah , just buy the one with the best program package...

[Ed Kopping]

Info only, the FM modulator is less stong in the XT vs. the older Roady2. This is right from XM radio help personel. Too many complaints fron non-subscribers having bleedover from subscribers. The Roady2 is a better choice if the FM modulator is a necessity.

[Coot]

I have a 2000 lt with the cd changer in the bag and a cassette deck in the compartment on the fuel tank. I am using a Delphi myfi portable which fits perfect in the tank compartment, no need to worry about rain.
I ran the antenna wire out of the compartment by just letting it lay in between the cover and the rubber sealing gasket and have the magnetic base stuck to the left speaker grill. I use the cassette deck interface and get no bleed over from other stations or have to find another fm setting that is empty with the fm modulator. I added a xm to the car and use the fm modulator, it sucks compared to the one on the bike, no casette deck in the car.
I found the xm unit I am using on the bike new for 119 dollars, it comes with a car and home kit and has a built in battery. It will record off the xm broadcast but this one doesnt let you put mp3's on it. It works great and unless you look close you would never know it had xm on it. I mounted a 12 volt cigarette lighter outlet under the seat.

[STARFIGHTER]

Roady XT goes from bike to car to house........no probs so far