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[Keylime]

For my wife's birthday, I'm considering getting her an XM satellite receiver. The car she drives right now is a 97 Honda Civic, and it's got an eff-load of miles on it, so I'm thinking an in-dash unit is out of the question.

I see that there are offerings of portable receivers, though. It appears as though it takes the XM signal into the unit, and then transmits that over FM to the car, or through a cassette adapter.

Has anyone used these? Is it essentially pointless to have XM radio if you just going to resend it to the car via FM?

 

[Keylime]

Last attempt! Don't fail me now GAF!

 

[Sanjuro]

Just go to Wal-Mart or something. They have the basic reciever that you can direct connect/cassette adapter/over the air for about $35-50.

If you want to go pricey they sell off of the web site an IPod shaped one that transmits over the air and can be taken anywhere and have HD space to record or store MP3.

It's not pointless when the main reason for getting is a variety of audio which it delivers.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Whether or not it's pointless is up to you to decide. You can buy cheap add-on players and use the FM transmitter if you like, and many people do. Getting one of the portable players is another option, and then you can take the player with you, but realize that you won't get reception indoors most of the time unless there are a good number of terrestrial repeaters near by.

Also, Sirius >>>>> XM

 

[Keylime]

Also, Sirius >>>>> XM

I keep hearing this but it's unclear to me why.

After looking at the two of them the packages seem almost identical, with the difference being which talk shows and sports they have coverage of.

Is there any quality difference between the two or something else?

Appreciate the help.

 

[Sanjuro]

I keep hearing this but it's unclear to me why.

After looking at the two of them the packages seem almost identical, with the difference being which talk shows and sports they have coverage of.

Is there any quality difference between the two or something else?

Appreciate the help.

The two companies merged. Soon you will be able to choose your plan containing which content you prefer (I think mostly the sports will be split up).

 

[Lonestar]

I've listened to both, I like Sirius more than XM, outside of Cinemagic. Movie Soundtrack station, that has no equivalent on Sirius. Other differences are mainly cosmetic, besides talk personalities, and sport breakups (XM now has SEC football on top of Baseball. I think Sirius still has NFL). I feel XM has a LOT of country stations. Too many. Not enough "rock" or similar stations, compared to Sirius.

Both units use various methods of "broadcasting" It'll pump out at a FM frequency for your radio to pick up, use the Cassette Adapter, or plug in a wire into an AUX port if you have one.

I know Sirius has a unit (stilleto) that besides all that, comes with a headset that has an antenna on top of the headset (when worn, it's on top of your head) that can pick up the signal. So you can run or bike, and listen to satelite radio on the go (as long as the battery is charged up)

 

[Weenerz]

Do not get a lifetime subscription, with the stock hovering at $.50 a share, a lifetime might be 6 months.

 

[gigapower]

Sirius has the EPL and UEFA Champions League, plus Left of Center. Only thing XM had going for it was College Sports but now Sirius has that too.

 

[Lhadatt]

For my wife's birthday, I'm considering getting her an XM satellite receiver. The car she drives right now is a 97 Honda Civic, and it's got an eff-load of miles on it, so I'm thinking an in-dash unit is out of the question.

I see that there are offerings of portable receivers, though. It appears as though it takes the XM signal into the unit, and then transmits that over FM to the car, or through a cassette adapter.

Has anyone used these? Is it essentially pointless to have XM radio if you just going to resend it to the car via FM?

The FM transmitter in all XM/Sirius units is weak and doesn't do the job properly. You need a direct connection (AUX jack on car) or the FM direct unit. I have mine wired through an AUX jack and it does the job quite well.

The Sirius Stiletto line is reasonably good and has a car dock option. I have a Starmate 5, which is working well for me so far.

You may want to get an el cheapo receiver if you buy now, as new equipment should be hitting Q1 or Q2 2009 that will receive both XM and Sirius stations.

 

[ToxicAdam]

That's why I will never trade in my old Sirius s50. The FM output on that thing is ridiculous .. no wonder the FCC banned it.