I’ve got a a 45 minute commute to work, each way. Sounds like a pretty good deal for folks who are in the car a lot. XM or Sirrius perferences? Thanks in advance …
I have been more than pleased with my XM radio. The only drawback is you can spend a LOT of time toggling between stations. There are just so many. I have a few music stations that often have good songs playing, the comedy station and a few talk stations programmed in. The cool thing is that while 90% of the time it is just ok, that elusive 10% of content can just make your day, and you can’t hear it anywhere else. Like interviews that are all over the place, or for me vintage Eddie Murphy, Richard Prior or Rodney Dangerfield acts, live and uncensored.
Have XM Radio in 3 cars plus a home unit. Love it. Great for long trips to the hinterlands. Only competition I have found for it is my ipod for in car set up. Can go a while w/o hearing the same song. Do like hearing the “DJ’s” on XM when late at night however.
fal7.
We have it here in the store. It’s good. The reception can be spotty in bad weather for some reason.
I’ve been looking at both too. I think I’m going to go with Sirius because the have two different NPR feeds. XM has none. Otherwise they’re so close…
Yup, have it in both of my cars (not the wife’s) and the portable MyFi too for the long runs. Great. I won’t ever go back. Actually, I have had it for 3 years now and was among the first to have it. There are 30 more channels now than when I first got it (only because it came with the car).
I dabbled with Sirius with one of the cars, but prefer XM since I have the “family plan” and siruius has no portable unit as of yet.
You won’t likely be disappointed - get it!
Thanks guys. I think I will have to pull the pin on that one. XM it is.
My husband and I have both, and we both agree that the music and news and general programming on Serius is much better. The only reason we/he keeps XM is that they have all the major league baseball games.
XM has XMPR, with Bob Edwards. Don’t know if it’s a rebroadcast of NPR, but worth a look.
XM has a lot of content and are a better company as far as # of subs, stock price, etc. Plus their units are smaller and more advanced than Sirius.
XM has XMPR, with Bob Edwards. Don’t know if it’s a rebroadcast of NPR, but worth a look.
Unless I’m wrong, Bob Edwards used to work for NPR and got his own show on XM, but it’s NOT an NPR feed.
XM has XMPR, with Bob Edwards. Don’t know if it’s a rebroadcast of NPR, but worth a look.
Unless I’m wrong, Bob Edwards used to work for NPR and got his own show on XM, but it’s NOT an NPR feed.
that is true. bob edwards left npr and is exclusive on XM. i have had XM for a year and love it. HOWEVER…i am moving to Sirius as soon as Howard Stern moves over. it’s true that XM is ahead with head unit technology, but Sirius is catching up. content is pretty much the same as far as i can tell. and sirius seems to be signing more diverse talent.
I signed up with Sirius about 6 months ago. I love it! I did the free trial thing with both Sirius and XM, and I think Sirius’ music programming is superior, though both offer tons of choices.
Sirius doesn’t have a portable unit yet. I don’t know that the XM “portable” unit is lightweight enough for a long run, though I could be wrong.
At $12.95 per month to get it in my car, plus free on the web, I consider Sirius a great value.
Ben
I have XM; if I ran into financial trouble and had to start cutting back I would give up my high speed internet, cable TV and cellphones before my XM subscription.
XM’s “public radio” station features the Bob Edwards show, but gets the feeds for a lot of the shows you’re probably accustomed to hearing on public radio, check here to see if they have what you want… http://xmradio.com/programming/channel_page.jsp?ch=133
My understanding of the distinction between Sirius & XM music programing is that Sirius is much more like FM without commericals. Their playlist isn’t as deep and their DJs yap more. I know that the most common complaint on the Sirius message boards is song repitition. I would suspect that the longer you’re in your car every day, or sitting in front of a radio, the more you would appreciate the deeper playlists on XM. Sirius has been laying down tons of money (that they don’t have) for big names like Stern; if you prefer listening to him (I’d rather listen to my neighbor’s dog bark all night), or want to hear the 24 hour Elvis Channel or Buffet’s Radio Margarittaville or one of their other specialty stations that XM doesn’t have then get Sirius.
Sirius’ hardware is probably 2 generations behind XM’s.
I have the XM portable (the MyFi). Its at least as light as the Garmin GPS receiver that came with my Timex Speed & Distance watch.
I’ve got XM and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well worth the money spent. XM vs. Sirius…toss up but XM has deeper programming, bigger consumer base, and better technology. I’d go with XM if I were you.
I am a member of the XM nation as well. A ton of music, almost to much… I never listen to normal radio anymore… the BEST part of XM is Opie and Anthony ch. 202. They are so funny. For those who have never listened before do yourself a favor and listen. They are live 7am-11am and then they replay the show all day. You need to listen for about 2 good weeks so you get use to all the people who are on the show and some of the inside jokes.
I’ve got Sirius and like it. Whether XM or Sirius make sure you get your antenna mounted in a good place. My antenna is located in the corner on my dashboard and the reception sucks. I am going to have the antenna mounted on the roof.