Tell Me About Adding XM Radio to Car

[HLAuburn]

I have an XM radio that came with my car and I love it. I think DH would really like one in his car too, since he has a long commute to work.

I'm really not too tech savvy, so can someone explain the least expensive and easist way to get him XM in hi car? I'm just looking for something basic here, so he can at least access the talk stations and doesn't have to go through a big install process.

Thanks!!

 

[MineMail]

Does his existing car radio have an "Auxiliary" jack that lets you plug in an iPod or MP3 player? If so, you can buy a portable XM radio and use it anywhere.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8956061&st=xm+radio&type=product&id=1216424112917

I have XM and DH has Sirius. Since the two companies merged, there have been some great sales on equipment, so keep an eye on circulars.

DH had Circuit City replace our old car's cassette/AM/FM radio with an HD radio/CD player. They did a great job for a small installation fee, but since they went through bankruptcy, I wouldn't take a chance on using them. Best Buy offers the same service.

 

[Frantasmic]

You can purchase a small XM radio and a suction cup and attach the radio to the front windshield. The problems are with the wires. You will have a power wire and an antenna wire. The antenna wire is "supposed" to be routed through the car and attached to the outside. I just wrapped everything up and leave it on my dashboard, where I get XM access about 98 percent of the time. However, it doesn't look real tidy.

My total cost for all that was about $60.

 

[ChrizJen]

Yeah, actually it looks like if you go with XM and go from their website, the portable radio is actually the cheapest option right now. The radio is $59.99 when you purchase a 3 month subscription for $38.85. And it comes with a car kit, so he can use it in the car, or portable with a headset. This is the absolute best price I've seen on one of the portable receivers!
http://shop.xmradio.com/xm/ctl10600/cp49770/si4151790/cl1/skyfi3_with_vehicle_and_wearable_kits

But, that requires some installation (which actaually isn't really all that difficult). If you prefer to have it installed for you, I would go with Best Buy like the previous poster said.

Good luck! I had Sirius, and then I bought a new vehicle with XM, so I just switched my subscription. I NEVER listen to terrestrial radio. I can't stand listening to the endless commercials!!

 

[Christine]

I bought a portable XM radio about a year and half ago. I paid Best Buy to install it because I didn't want the wires all over the place. They did a great job and I don't remember it being overly expensive for the install.

 

[Scurvy]

I have one of the portable radios in my car. I ran the antenna wire myself and it goes under the floormats and most people don't even notice it. It plugs in with a cord just like a cell phone car charger, so that also isn't a problem. Mine broadcasts onto an FM channel so I don't have any other wiring to deal with. And of course it has the added bonus of also working in the house. I didn't think I would use it much when I was home, but I use it all the time. In addition to listening to music on it, I also often start listening to something like a football game in the car and then finish listening in the house because it isn't being broadcast on television.