Satellite radio recommendations...

[dg39]

We're going to get dd a satellite radio for her car for X-mas. Can anyone who has one give me some recommendations on which one. She mentioned XM Radio, and on their website it says a portable one should be coming out in late November. Not sure though, which one to get her. I don't mind spending $3-400.00 on one, I just want to get her a good one, complete with everything that she would need. I don't want to ask her which one she's interested in as I want it to be a surprise. Any help would be appreciated. TIA

 

[monarchsfan16]

XM is very good in quality. My dad has one built into his truck and also a small one in his house. Is there a store around you that sells car radios? They would be a good place to start to find out exactly which model. Or to learn the differences between XM and Sirius, you can even go to Best Buy (although if there's a car radio store around you they might be more knowlegeable).

 

[Chim Chiminy]

We have XM in our truck and we all love it.
It has two family/kid stations that we tune in to when the kids are traveling.
Our only issues have been losing signal when driving through thick trees.

I know I just saw some portable recievers at Sears. Also, check out the XM and Sirius websites.
They have parental controls also, so you can block questionable stations.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

As a stockholder for Sirius Communications, I recommend them.

 

[Raysplus1]

I have Sirius and love it.

 

[vettechick99]

I had XM for a year and liked it ok. But when I moved to Atlanta, I didn't need it b/c the local radio is good enough. So I cancelled.

Now we are moving to a small town, so I'll need sat radio back. I've chosen to go with Sirius. My best friend has had both and recommended them over XM.

 

[accomp]

We have had XM for about three years and Sirius since early September. A lot depends on what kind of programming she would listen to the most. Besides the company websites, check out www.siriusbackstage.com and www.xm411.com. They are really great about answering all kinds of questions. Good luck!

 

[Papa Deuce]

I had XM and it was fine for a while. Then I had some reception problems that I could not get rid of. I switched to Sirius, and after a problem that was corrected in the 1st week, all has been great.

I love my Sirius more than XM. Plus they have NFL radio and broadcast all the NFL games for free every week, which is HUGE for me.

That said, I also own a considerable amount of Siriuis stock, which I bought after I decided how much I like Sirius.

 

[dg39]

Thanks so much for all the answers. She had mentioned XM, but my dh who is in the process of buying Sirius stock (b/c of H.Stern) is leaning toward that. BUT, she's not interested in Stern or any of the sports, only music. I just came back from Best Buy and they have both. I'm not so sure if the portable XM would be so great as she's very rarely home, so I can't imagine her using it in the house, but, for the few times that she may need a portable, maybe it'll be worth the $$. I do have alittle time to decide, but, now I'll keep my eyes/ears open for any sales. Thanks again....

 

[Papa Deuce]

"Sales" on satellite radio equipment are few and far between unless you get clearance items. However "promotions" for joining either company are fairly routine.

BTW, as far as music goes, and from someone who has had both, IMO it really doesn't matter. The channels have different names but basically you find the same types of music on both services.

On both services the music channels are commercial free.

And both services cost the same -- or did when I signed up --- if you sign a yearly contract.

BTW, I don't know if they still have this promotion, but Sirius had a "Ford, friends and family" promotion, that had car and home equipment for $50 TOTAL.

The deal is that you need to know someone who works at Ford, or at least tell Sirius that you know someone who does.

Just call them ( Sirius ) and find out.

www.sirius.com

 

[dg39]

Thanks Papa Deuce, I just e-mailed Sirius. My dh is insisting on getting a sirius unit as opposed to XM. So now, I'm looking for a complete package unit to purchase, where everything is sold together and I don't have to get anything seperately. One box with absolutely everything needed. Where she doesn't have to ask me for anything else to go with it. I saw that they even have a few deals with there subscriptions. I might do the pre paid one for a certain amount of time as part of her gift, then when that is up, the bill will then become her problem. Unfortunately, I didn't see anything on the site about the Ford promo. Would have been nice to save a few $$, but, thats ok. Thanks again....

 

[Papa Deuce]

I had to CALL Sirius to find aout about the promotion. It definitely is not listed on the web site. Good luck in whichever one you choose.

 

[bubba's mom]

OPIE & ANTHONY on XM rule!!!!