O.K’s you guys helped me buy the DH the PSL Laser, table saw, some drills, a generator, impact driver, air compressor and I can’t remember what else. So.. now for his BD I would like to get him the Sirius Radio since he is aways complaining about the music he has to work with.
Which one should I buy. He wants it in his truck, also at home and also in the cottage.
Is there such a thing as getting one unit for all 3 places or are their packages, there doesn’t seem to be much choice here in Ontario.
Replies
You might go to sirius.com and look at their packages and options. They have a pretty good selection there, better than a lot of the electronics stores and some clearance bargains are available at times. Hope that helps.
Still lurking after all these years.
I just bought an XM for my truck. I think you can buy installation packages for each location, and the receiver unti will sanp into any one of them, so you only have to have one subscription, and all your preset channels stay on one unit.
It was not a difficult install, but I had to take part of the dash and console apart to get to the back of the radio so I could install a y-fitting on the antenna wire. I am disappointed in the volume level ... I have to have the XM turned up twice as loud as the truck radio. It's like the XM needs a pre-amp or something.
I bought one of the cheaper units from Best Buy, and it work well. But the channel preset system is sequentioal. I can keep puishing the selector button, and it steps through the presets in order. I can't go backwards, and I can't just push the button for channel 151. I would buy a unit with preset buttons next time.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I don't know about Serius but XM will mail you a unit. My XM worked fine around the Niagara area of Ontario. I assume it will work farther north. It works in Alaska.
BTW Serius and XM are merging so there may not really be any difference other than frequencies/hardware soon. I bet the programming will merge.
I'm a sirius subscriber.
You can buy docking units for different applications. including portable boom boxes. I have the Roadmate I think it's called, nice unit and you can rewind back 25 minutes if you miss something.
The new stilletos are actually the most feature rich and portable. They are a small unit you can carry around with you and they sell docking stations for the car and home to charge and give you better signal strength. They are also MP3 players which means you can store your favorite programs. Not sure of the gigs on the but I believe I've heard like 48 hours. They are a little pricey but they offer whatever you need in a satelitte radio reciever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sbqIyeed4g&feature=related
You might wanna hold off a bit before making a purchase....or at least buy an inexpensive "start-up" unit if it's the subscription to satellite radio you want to give.
Sirius and XM are in the midsts of a merge. From what I have heard, it's going to be great for the consumer. The best of both worlds type of deal.
Only problem....the systems currently available will only be able to receive signals from their perspective networks. So if once the merge company begins to start airing a mix of stations....the current units will not be equipt to take advantage.
I can't speak to Sirius, as I am an XM subscriber......but I can't say enough good things about satellite radio. Was stuck with terrestrial radio for an afternoon last week and could not believe how many commercial breaks I suffered through. Even those satellite stations that air commercials, aren't nearly half as bad as terrestrial.
The unit I own is the "MyFi"....came with everything to enable me to listen through headphones (like a walkman).....connect to my car.....and my home stereo as well. There are better units out there now....mine is a good 4 yrs. old. I plan on updating to a similar unit, once the merge I complete.
But I highly recomend satellite radio.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I'm sure you've been listening but......................
Although the name will most likely change to Sirius, Mel will be the CEO and the chair of the board will be the XM guy.
XM has, for lack of a better term, more bandwidth. And as such theeir equipment will most likely become the standard.
Of course, I haven't been able to listen since the 24th because our bandwidth here is so low that two dixie cups and a ball of yarn would be faster.
Actually....haven't caught much of either...O&A or R&F....of late myself. Basically just unavailable during that time of day w/ vacation, and now work.
Seems like this merger has been dragging out forever.
Long as my subscription rate doesn't go up, I'll be happy.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
The radios that can tune in both Sirius and XM are a few years off. I don't know why, but they said on the Stern show that designing and building that type of radio will take a while (I think it was the day Mel Karmazin was on).
In the meantime, millions of people own current radios. They don't expect that everyone is going to go out and buy the new radios when they come out. They plan to offer the most important programming (like Stern) on both types of current radios.
I've had Sirius for over two and a half years now. the car unit ...all you do is plug it into the cig lighter and suction cup to the docking unit to the winshield .
The antena is a magnet to the roof. I can switch the entire unit between cars in five minutes. Super easy to install. You can buy the units at Radio shack or what ever's by you. Super easy install!!
I bought everything new off of Ebay super cheap!! I scored TWO boomboxes at about $40 each...the car kit for about the same and the reciever for $20. I switch the reciever between boom boxes (room to room) and the truck.
Couldn't be easier!!! Or cheaper.
Oh...and forget the Stilletto...(sorry Gunner). I read a lot of the reviews on Amazon and too many people have issues with it loosing the signal. I'd love one...if they worked well or someone just gave me one : )))
The XM and Sirius merger already happened but no one's saying exactly when the hardware will take effect. Sirius was the winner in that merger btw.
Sirius has Howard : ) so if DH listens to Howard thats's the station right now...if he listens to Opie and that other guy XM is the one.
The reception I get on Sirius couldn't be more clear. Crystal clear!! I'm on LI in NY if that makes any difference...friends in Ca. say it works great for them too.
DH WILL need the boom box besides the car kit if he wants to listen on the job...Try Ebay!!
http://www.sirius.com/
http://electronics.search.ebay.com/sirius_Satellite-Radio_W0QQdfspZ32QQfromZR4QQsacatZ60204QQssPageNameZWLRS
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
...all you do is plug it into the cig lighter and suction cup to the docking unit to the winshield .
How do you get the signal to the car radio? One option is a cassette tape adapter, but my truck didn't have a cassette."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I believe all of the portable units have a built-in FM modulator that you can use to listen to your Sirius or XM radio on your car's FM radio. But the FCC required them to severely limit the power of all of these transmitters a couple of years ago. Now they're not of much use.
There are companies that make direct-wire adapters that connect to the back of many modern head units. These give you the best signal quality you'll get short of removing the radio that's in the car and replacing it with one that is Sirius or XM ready.
There's also a relay device that temporarily interrupts the connection between the head unit and the antenna whenever the satellite radio is on. This allows the new, weaker modulators to still function satisfactorily.
I just plug it into my lighter...then I set my radio station to one of the half dozen stations they suggest.. there's a little lever on the docking cradle you slide to the radio station number. I think the one I use is 88.3 FM. They give you several choices. All you need a radio built into your vehicle. I can takethe entire set up from my truck and move it to my Jeep in five minutes or less and do the same thing.
If you don't wanna be bothered with Ebay or some online comapny to buy a system like Sirius.com or one of a million other sites you can get a set up from Best Buy or Circut City, Radio Shack..etc etc and have it running almost immediatly. There's a number on the back of the reciever you buy....you call Sirius to subscribe...they'll ask you for that number and they'll connect you almost right away.
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
I have one of the original Sirius for the truck and house. I have been meaning to upgrade, but have not got around to it. It works great, but I had to mount an antenna extender outside of the house to get consistent coverage in my area. The sportster 5 has a lot of good features and is not too bad on price. My nephews wife didnt have great luck with the Stileto inside, but that was a while back so I assume they have improved this feature. I think the merger is going to take a while yet, but that is just speculation and my feelings of the legal system.
The XM/Sirius debate would boil down to largely whether he is a sports fan or would like Stern or Bubba the love sponge (BTLS). I think XM has better sports coverage, but no Bubba or Howard. If he is a bit of a pig (I hope you get what I mean) many find Bubba very funny. He can be pretty funny at times, but it is not generally a station women ever like.
Good luck.
Brad
Mine is movable...from the car to my desk.
Buy the most expensive stuff you can get your hands on, get his friends some too. I bought that stock at $7.00 +
hmmm, I bought in at .46, sold in the $7, maybe you bought my shares?
Heaven only knows.........
This is the one I have. You can take it anywhere. You can walk around with it b/c it has it's own antenna. You can use a cassette adapter for home or car. Or you can buy the car install kit.
Best of all, you can record songs/programs off the radio or downlowd from your computer. It is also an MP3 player.
View Image
http://www.circuitcity.com//ssm/Pioneer-inno-trade-Portable-XM-Radio-MP3-Player-GEXINNO2BK/sem/rpsm/oid/166403/catOid/-14581/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do?om_keycode=418331
"It is what it is."
It's also $249. "Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Yeah I know, but it is cheaper than buying 2 or 3 bases to have one in the home, garage or take it to the gym. It was worth it to me.
"It is what it is."
Dats da one I wanna git.....but I'm skeared they're gonna do the XM/Sirius station swap, the day after I buy it!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
what you should probably be more scared of is that the radio prices will probably go down being there'll be a glut of them on the market...and it's in the contract that they're open for anyone to make and sell...I'm seeing on Ebay the Stiletto 100's going for a lot less then inthe stores cept' they suck...not like that XM unit but that unit is a small fortune
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
What is the XM/Sirius station swap?
Sorry.....swap was a poor choice of words....."mix" might be better.
Supposedly, once the merger is complete, Sirius and XM subscribers will be offered "the best" of both networks....being able to listen to them though will require a new radio which is capable of receiving both signals.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
The radios out now will pick up both.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sbqIyeed4g&feature=related
Dats da one I wanna git.....but I'm skeared they're gonna do the XM/Sirius station swap, the day after I buy it!
One of the things Mel talked about when he was on O&A was the concept for possible Alacarte service.
You would basically be able to pick and choose what stations you got up to X number of stations.
We'll see.
My biggest fear is that Mel will ruin the programing the way he did Howards FM show with 25 minutes of commercials every hour.
Thanks for the info, I would like to puchase this a.s.a.p .
I did have a few questions about the boom box. If I purchase this unit does he need to have an antenna fixed or positioned outside or does it just work with a regular antenna. If he takes the boom box to the cottage does he also require an antenna up there. Can anyone comment on the sound of the boombox since there is no bass or treble adjusting features.
I was looking at the Star mate 3 with Boombox or the Sporster3 with Boombox but I don't really see the difference in these units.
Could anyone plse tell me the difference.
The antenna to me is the biggest PITA about Satallite...but ya gotta give and take I spose. You need the antenna they come with which is attached to a 20' wire. If the BB is outside you can leave it attached to the BB but if yer inside I run the wire out a door or window till it picks up the signal. The wire thats attached to the car radio is different so you can't swap it to the BB. I really don't care which tuner I have (ie:Sportster) b/c I don't listen to sports and I don't care about rewinding to an earlier time so those features don't matter to me.
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
oh yeh...look on the Sirius website to see the differences in the radios...that's better then asking here.
and you also get it on your PC included in the subscription for Sirius...not sure about XM
http://shop.sirius.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreDirectory.vm&ctl_nbr=2640&catLevel=1&catParentID=7871
EDIT:Just looked at the current costs for packages and personally I'd only use Ebay like I did to start with...There's deals there for less than half the price.
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
Edited 9/6/2008 4:36 pm ET by andybuildz
Edited 9/6/2008 4:39 pm ET by andybuildz
I still lose my signal to trees in the summer in some places while driving. It's not much, and much less annoying than commercials.
and you also get it on your PC included in the subscription for Sirius...not sure about XM
Same with XM.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
One day we won't need those lame antennas....the future is here (almost)
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
I find my tin foil hat does a pretty good job!
LOL!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
speakin' of which....I wish Sirius' Stilletto worked as god as it sounds but I know it might not...XM'z version for $250 I hear works purty good but I really don't wanna spend that kinda scratch plus I need my Howard fix every day...Just wating for it all to come out in an I-phone one day with no antenna...then I can have all the toys I want in one...yeh sure.
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
Baba Booey!
Baba Booey!
Baba Booey!
hey now
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muhvpNuVN4Y
You can get satelite to stream to your phone. I think you have to do it through their computer site. I did get an offer from XM once that said I could listen to them on my AT&T phone. I didn't take them up on the trial offer. I also seem to think Sirius had the same offer once.
The Dave Stewart interview on Howard was an all time great this week in my opinion. Had me on the floor laughing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sbqIyeed4g&feature=related