I'm in the market for a satellite radio, and I'm torn between the Delphi SKYFi2 (XM) and the Sportster 4 (Sirius). XM seems like a better service to me than Sirius (I have no interest whatsoever in Howard Stern - in fact, his presence on Sirius actually makes me want to AVOID that service - plus XM has some channels that Sirius doesn't that I think I'd listen to), but SERVICE PLANS ASIDE, and thinking purely hardware, I'm wondering which peice of HARDWARE will be better for me and my MINI. What I need to know specifically is:

If you use the FM transmitter option, how well does that work/sound? I know in crowded urban areas finding a clear channel can be a problem, but I live in central Ohio where I have free stations (I think).

How's the visibility of the display in the daytime and at night? they both seem very legible (although the Sportster does seem to LOOK a bit better overall).

How's the ease of operation re: programming channels and using the unit while in motion?

How do you mount your unit in the car? Suction cup bracket? Included adapter?

If you use the unit alongside a MP3 player, how are you using it? I use the AUX-in cable for my stock HK stereo with my iRiver MP3 player as it is. Can I, say, use an analog splitter to run both audio sources into the stock head unit? Is there a better way?

How about home/office use and accessories? Will I need an external antenna to use the unit in an office building? Can I use the unit at home?

Thanks in advance!

 

I have the sirius sportster and love it. I've never used any XM product so my point of view is kind of one sided. The FM trams is fine i've never had any problems with it. It's only hard to see when the sun is directly on it. Buy a Panavise InDash Mount 02-04 Mini Cooper 75146-102 from ebay it will be about $30 and it's easy to install. I'm not sure about XM but you can listen to Sirius over the net so thats what i do at work and Home when i want to listen.

 

Well, my work blocks both XM and Sirius at the firewall, so listening via web isn't an option...

I was looking at both units at Best Buy last night and the sales guy there was just clueless - I hate that. In one breath, he told me that if I try listening to the unit in my office building (3rd floor office) via the boom-box adapter would be "no problem" and in the next breath he told me that I had to mount the car-kit antenna outside the car (as opposed to placing it on the dash board) because the WINDOW might block the signal! Which one is it, pal? Sheesh!

Has anyone used either unit in an office environment and can speak to the ability for the portable unit to pick up signal indoors? Honestly, I'm in my office lots more than I'm driving, so the ability to use it inside is a key decsion factor.

Thanks!

 

My opinion is a bit biased so take it for what it is worth. I've had a number of XM products, Roady2, Roady XT, MyFi, and an Inno. I have an inno currently in my MINI and I love it. XM I think is great since there is a ton of commercial free music options and lots of talk radio options.

When it comes down to it, the hardware is pretty much the same between the two. Although I don't believe Sirius has a purely portable unit where you can listen to live satellite radio and not be attached to a base or something like that. But the big decision is whether you like the programming they each have. For instance I'm big into baseball and hockey and XM provides awesome coverage of both. If you are a football fan then Sirius would be better suited for you. Again it really depends what you like.

For the best connection for either Sirius or XM I would connect it into a Aux port before using the FM transmitter. IF you have to use the FM transmitter there are adapters out that that you can directly connect your antenna to what ever unit you buy this way the radio will only pick up the transmission from the satellite radio unit rather than FM signals from outside the car.

I don't know how easy it is to install a sirius radio but I can't imagine it is more difficult than an XM unit which is pretty easy to do if you want to do it yourself otherwise do like I did and go to Circuit City and have the people there install it for you. You can't see any of the wires for my Inno.

As for visibility, obviously night time it will be very visible. During the day time I have no problem with any of my XM units but if you want to be able to read it, either put it close to the drivers side or get a unit with a large LCD.

I have not used my Inno indoors other than my house and I can get decent signal in the house but I have not tried it at the office since I can listen to XM radio online. My guess is it wouln't work well indoors since there are a lot of metal beams and power lines in my building.

Again I am biased toward XM since I have it and love it. But if you have any questions about it I'll do my best to answer them.

 

Oh one more thing to add. For home use XM makes a signal repeater. So if you can get a signal from one point in your house, you can then set up the repeater at that point and use your XM anywhere in the house. And I mean anywhere. I have my repeater on the top floor of my house and I can get signal in my basement with it.

 

Well i don't know if you want to do it, but both Sirius and XM have units that can be used with out being pluged into the base. But they both run about 300.00.

 

Almost everyone you ask will only have experience with one service or another, so their opinion will be biased. I am a SIRIUS subscriber myself, and I'm very satisfied with it, so there you go.

What you really need (content-wise) is someone who has lots of experience with both. I have a coworker who does. He has XM installed in his car (Chevy Impala) because it was the only factory-installed choice. His wife has SIRIUS in her vehicle and they have SIRIUS at home. I asked him about his opinion of the two... and he said that the programming on SIRIUS is far superior in his experience, and he would have had SIRIUS in his car if he had a (factory-installed) choice.

So there you go - one less-biased opinion! Keep in mind, if you're a sports fan, that with the exception of MLB, SIRIUS has all of the major sports coverage.

As for Howard Stern - he's only on two channels out of several hundred, so easy to ignore, even easier than before when he was on broadcast radio. However, if you think Stern is bad, just wait until you hear Opie & Anthony on XM. Much, much worse, if you find the shock stuff offensive. Here's an example:

(WARNING: Link contains disturbing content, primarily vomiting)
Break.com - 2006 Egg Nog Challenge: The Baby Bird

Kinda makes Howard seem tame, doesn't it?

I'm sorry I don't have an opinion on the hardware, since I have the OEM SIRIUS receiver in my MINI, so it's all integrated in with the existing head unit!

 

Honestly, 90% of the programming on XM/Sirius is the same - I've heard both and music and talk-wise they're alike. Honestly, though, the thought that Stern (who I loathe) might get a few bucks out of my subscription is in and of itself enough to kill Sirius for me, and I'd need to see concrete benefits to Sirius that XM does NOT offer to make that up. I don't care about sports and I bet I'd never lisen to a single game - it's all about music and talk radio to me, and honestly, since XM has Air America, I would be leaning that way even WITHOUT the Howard Stern thing.

As for installation, they do seem really similar - power, antenna and audio plug - it's not rocket science. I was wondering if anyone found anything they particularly liked/disliked about the HARDWARE, but it sounds like overall people are happy with the units. I guess I'll just have to buy one and be sure I can return it if it can't get proper signal in my office.

QUESTION: has anyone mounted the antenna pod on the dash close to the windscreen? Unlike the tin top, there's no room for it on the cabrio near the OEM radio antenna. Looks like it would be simplicity to run the antenna through the center dash board grille.

 

Have you ever listened to Howard Stern? If you have then ok but most people who don't like him have never listened to him. Don't base your choice on that at all. Even howard has said if you don't like what hes doing find something on Sirius you do like. But it sounds like your minds already made up. So go buy XM and wait for them to go out of Business like everyone keeps saying there going to do.

 

Then why are you even entertaining the discussion? Did you even watch the video link I gave? If Stern doesn't get a few bucks of your subscription, they will (if you choose XM). One way or another, part of the package deal of getting a satellite radio subscription is that some of your money will go towards "questionable" content.Well, you just threw out the most obvious "concrete benefit" right there by ignoring sports... which is fine, but I'm just saying... I also believe (especially after talking to my coworker) that the music programming is better on SIRIUS, but that is a very subjective thing to determine.Umm OK - then instead of even considering SIRIUS hardware, why aren't you just asking to compare the different XM hardware receivers?

SIRIUSly... (sorry, couldn't resist) I don't know why you even brought the competition up!LOL, it's funny, because people used to say that about SIRIUS! I haven't even been following the predictions lately - it sounds to me like they are both doing well, but the full impact of HD Radio (on both satellite radio companies) will be the most interesting to watch, as receivers for that become more commonplace.

 

OK, maybe I wasn't clear with:

"SERVICE PLANS ASIDE"

...in my original post. Also note that I put the MODEL NAMES OF TWO SPECIFIC HARDWARE UNITS in my thread title... I did NOT sak "Which is better - XM or Sirius?". Guess I'm too subtle.

As for the defense of Stern: I've listend to Stern since he was a DJ in Washington DC in the early 80's, and I think that I'm educated in the man's "humor" well enough to make a decision as to what I chose to listen to, thanks very much. If you find him funny, good for you - some people find playing with their own poo erotic, so who am *I* to judge?

As for why I brought up the question... I guess I'll ask again.

"As for installation, they do seem really similar - power, antenna and audio plug - it's not rocket science. I was wondering if anyone found anything they particularly liked/disliked about the HARDWARE, but it sounds like overall people are happy with the units. I guess I'll just have to buy one and be sure I can return it if it can't get proper signal in my office."

Or, to put it another way:

"As for installation, they do seem really similar - power, antenna and audio plug - it's not rocket science. I was wondering if anyone found anything they particularly liked/disliked about the HARDWARE, but it sounds like overall people are happy with the units. I guess I'll just have to buy one and be sure I can return it if it can't get proper signal in my office."

(Maybe the third time will be the charm).

Sorry to be a snot, and I don't post in here all that much (I usually frequent the MINI Talk and Interior/Exterior MODs forums), but do people usually just answer the posts without reading the actal questions in here? If I wanted XM/Sirius partisanship I'd just post on the XM/Sirius forums. I was HOPING that people would comment on the hardware as it relates to use in a MINI (since I'm still not 100% decided on a service plan - honestly I don't give a rat's *** either way). Thanks to everyone that made concrete comments about your installation/mounting findings (ChrisW, wjgianne).

PS- No, Edge, I didn't watch the link. Not only am I at work, so the URL is eitherblocked or inappropriate for here, I'm sure, but from how you describe it, I wouldn't listen anyway.

 

PS - ChrisW: Excellent tip on the Panavise - this looks like a MUCH better mounting option than a suction cup - thanks!

 

Yea that thing is sweet only thing is you lose your cup holder. Which i could careless about but some people do. You'll need a T20,25 and 40 and a it will take about 15 mins to install one tip i have if you do get it. It stead of pulling your down tubes out thru the bottom of the center consol. pop your dash out around your speedo or chrono or Nav or whatever you have and pull your down tubes stright up and out. Its much easier.


I think you can't lose either way and its all about freedom of speach and trying to fight for our right to have it. So pick one and go with it.

 

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

I did. It works great. Reception is just as good as when I had it mounted to my roof.



Here's my old Starmate. I replaced it with an S50.

 

I can get some photos if necessary, but I'm running a roadie XT (with sticky mount on dash) and all the wires hidden in the pass side stereo strut mount. definately beats the stupid (an way overly bulky sirius sporster unit) suction cup mount that sirius uses. You can use the FM transmitter, but for ~$30 you can pick up the AUX adapter kit from you dealer and run it direct (way better reception, and you can really hear the sound difference between the two).

As for chosing between XM & sirius, it mostly comes down to personal prefrence, but after sampling the two I have no ill will towards ditching my sirius for XM (this coming from someone that was a huge Howard Stern fan). The reception was better for me in Northern NJ (sirius would cut out with anything over head, XM just has a random dead spot here and there), also the signal Quality of XM is way better (XM has more bandwith that sirius, and after listening to the two back to back you can really hear how over comrpessed sirius sounds) you might not noticed it on FM transmitter but if you have it wired direct sirius highs sound very tinny and lows muddy IMO, finally while the genere's covered on the channels are pretty similar, I felt that all the sirius channels had about a 15-20 song playlist where as XM played a way more diverse list of stuff (can go days with out hearing the same song)

 

I have a Roady 2 in my car. I had the antenna mounted on the roof. I pulled it off one day to clean and found out by accident that it will stick to the back of the seat, as well as the boot cover...not sure what the actual name of the cover thing is or if you even have one in the vert.

Currently, I have the antenna stuck to the back of my passenger side back seat just to the right of the latch. The reception is pretty good. I get the ocassional drop out on very cloudy days but it hasn't bothered me enough to put it back on the exterior of the car.

Also, I tried using the modulator and ended up switching to the axu input. We have too many FM channels here that are too close to the modulator's assigned frequencies.