XM radio, What a bargain!

[SoCalDMAX]

I've read all the previous posts about XM and I've been interested in it for a long time. My little sister just got an Escalade just because of the 60mo no interest deal. Although she has yet to figure out how to use Onstar, my bro-in-law and I were all over the XM radio. Great selection, well integrated into the factory unit.

So I searched around for my favorite one, the Sony portable unit with the docking station. I like it because you can pay just 1 subscription and move the unit from car to house, etc. Crutchfield now has the 2nd generation unit that works better and Sony is giving a $75 rebate off the $175 price. This unit needs an antenna, which sells as low as $39.

But wait, that's not all! If you act now, Crutchfield will throw in a home docking station kit with antenna, a $149 value absolutely FREE!! And as an added bonus, they have a limited supply of car docking stations which normally sell for $149 and they're selling for $70 ea.

So being the frugal ba$turd that I am, I bought the unit, 2 extra car docking stations and an antenna. This allows me to install it in the Dmax, the Toyota, the house and the toybox trailer. I may buy another docking station to put in the sand rail if it works out really well.

Total cost shipped was $365, after the $75 rebate comes to $290 total for one unit in 4 locations. The monthly fee is $10/mo, a little less if you prepay multiple yrs, and a second subscription on a family plan would be $7/mo.

Hope this helps!

Regards, Steve

[HD-Nate]

SoCalDMAX, that

[sdaver]

Steve
top tracks(xm42) is where its at.......great channel no comercials...........comedy channels are great to but they are not for kids..........fox news is good but probably a little conservative for the land of granola(what aint fruits and nuts are flakes) :D but there is cnn.........seriously it as a bargin in my book :D need one for the buggy :D dave

[TBC]

I was at Love's truck stop and saw and ad in the restroom for portable XM radios complete with antenna and also for a complete kit that is dash installed. Price looked reasonable but didn't have time to check into the details. Might be something for someone wanting to add a radio. I have a Sirrus and really like it, especially when the receiver only costs me $10.00 new in the box at Best Buy.

Tom

[Alli-max]

congrats SoCal... I am married to ESPN radio and Ethel, channel 47. Only flip over to Jim Rome on AM, other than that, its XM all the time.

[DMAX Daddy]

Alli-Max,
With Jim Rome's return to ESPN, he might be popping up on XM-ESPN for you to listen to. I hope so, I cant get the AM station clearly at home.

I have been TAD to Guam for 5 weeks so far, and going from XM to Guam regular radio has about brought me to tears. :(

[1BADDMAX]

I've had XM installed in my truck for two weeks now and I love it. I highly recommend it to anyone who travels or wants a great variety.

[SoCalDMAX]

Here's an update on the Crutchfield deal!

I received a discount code, so if you use this code and buy $200 or more, you'll get an additional $20 off the order, making the Sony XM radio actually only $80 after rebate and discount. For ex. the car system is $175, plus $70 for an extra car kit would be $245 total. Crutchfield deducts $20 and Sony rebates you $75 so the total would only be $150 to equip 2 cars.

The discount code is: pvccu-agxeu-shjyp.

Regards, Steve

[Wing'n'it]

SoCalDMAX & HD-Nate,
Thanks for the info and reviews on XM. I'd like to add it to my '03 but I perfer not to have an aftermarket receiver. Does anyone know if it is possible to add the factory receiver so all factory controls would work for XM as well as normal audio? The owners manual shows the face plate as the same (I have the 6 disc Bose system), but the dealer would only sell me an aftermarket unit with FM modulator. Says the only way to have it intergrated is to order from the factory that way. Can anyone confirm or deny that this is correct?
Thanks,
Mike

[steve700edgex]

I also have the xm and was wondering if the info button works for all channels or just a few I cant get it to work on mine it only works on a couple of fm channels that broadcast in rds format. is their something wrong with my radio?

[DMax_Doug]

Steve,
Is there any issues with the Sony XM unit you bought filling up the oversize radio whole on GM trucks? I heard some head units are specifically made to compensate for the taller GM radios. Can this be addressed with a faceplate or something?

And how long was that Crutchfield sale on for?

Doug

[SoCalDMAX]

Doug,

I have an MP3/CD/FM/AM unit with an adapter plate mounted in my large factory stereo hole. I've mounted my XM unit (the size of a thick wallet) in the overhead console cubby, where I used to put my sunglasses.

I've got the audio going into the aux jack of the stereo. The antenna cable, audio out and power cables are all tucked into the headliner.

I'm not sure how much longer Sony is doing the $75 Rebate. The free home kit is a Crutchfiled thing, and is limited to stock on hand. The $20 discount code has no expiration date.

I'm still jumping around, checking out different channels. As if I'm not distracted enough driving around! ;) I also bought 2 more of the car units. if I use an AC adapter they can be used at work, etc.

Regards, Steve

[c5dura]

Crutchfield is also running a great deal on the Alpine XM tuner. For $149.95 you can pick up their XM tuner module, FM modulator and both wired and wireless remotes. The unit will scroll the full 16 character artist/song info that XM supports.

I picked one of these up, but will only be using the XM tuner piece and interface it with my 9815 Alpine HU.

As far as an XM antenna, after snooping around on the XM forums, I believe the Antenna Specialists XM-8000F is what you want for a Silverado. This one has a thru-glass coupler that does not require a 12V source and at 12 inches, it will clear the roof line when mounted on the rear glass. It just so happens that Crutchfield is offering this one for a $30 discount, or $69.99. But hurry, they only have 11 left and they don't plan to restock this particular model. (I live in Crutchfield's home town and stopped by to pick up my gear today).

PS, I think Sony might be getting out of the XM radio biz. Check out these links from the official XM Radio web site, no mention of Sony anymore? Also, Crutchfield aren't listing any Sony gear in their new catalog. Btw, I have nothing against Sony, I own a bunch of their stuff, I'm just passing along what I have observed and don't believe there is anything wrong with the Sony XM unit, but find it interesting that XM Radio isn't listing them as a vendor any more.

http://www.xmradio.com/how_it_works/car_units.html

http://www.xmradio.com/how_it_works/home_units.html

[ 05-06-2003: Message edited by: c5dura ]</p>

[3-Fan]

Steve,

I have had my since last Sony Pnp since last March. I was wondering how you mounted the cradle in the little cubby hole? Did you just set it in there or did you anchor it in somehow? Did you make a face plate for it? Also, I bought the FM modulated unit just so I could have the 12v to 6V converter in it and be able to hardwire to the fuse panel. Does this give off enough heat that I should be concerned about shoving it up in the headliner? Right now I have it mounted below the cigerette lighters in the place where the old GM's had cup holders and have the Cradle velcoed to the dash over by the A pillar. I was wanting to have a cleaner install that what I have. The above the headline there seems to be tons of room to shove stuff.

One more question, I was thinking of getting a new head unit and wondered how my Sony XM reciever would be able to plug into the new reciever? I stopped at Best Buy the other day and the punk kid didn't have a clue how it might tie in. Are there input jacks on the back of the head unit that I could plug RCA cables into it?

One a side note, the punk at Best Buy told me Sony has quit making XM recievers altogether. Said that had some quality issues and had no plns to bring another model out any time soon. He did say that Jensen or Audiovoix or something like that was just about to release an XM reciever that looks just like the Sony's....

[kraemerf]

I just picked up the Delphi SkyFi portable XM unit. It sounds good (running through the tape player), but I'm hoping someone makes an adapter cable for GMs '03 radios so I can get digital sound quality. I plan on picking up another car cradle to use in my other car and wife's car, in addition to the boat. The Delphi boombox looks interesting, as well. Lots of good info on www.xmfan.com

[ 05-08-2003: Message edited by: kraemerf ]</p>

[SoCalDMAX]

3-Fan,

Just read your post, and I just finished up the install of the XM receiver 1/2 hr ago! Talk about timing...

Here's what I did:

1. Mounted the magnetic "mouse" antenna on the right rear of the cab. Ran the wire along the right side of the rear window and into the PS cab vent behind the rear seat. Under the door sills and up into the headliner and to the overhead console.

2. Removed the console and cut (used a die grinder) a section out of the bottom lip on the console, so the XM cradle would sit flat in the console. The cradle extends about 1/4" out from the lip and looks molded in, once the console was trimmed.

3.I found a screw that fits the original hole for the cradle mount and drilled up through the bottom of the console and put the screw into the cradle. The cradle is mounted very tightly in the console, will not move unless the screw is removed.

4. I soldered wires to the cig plug adapter and tapped those into the power cable that feeds the map lights. This power comes on as soon as the door is opened and shuts off ~15min after the ignition is off or the doors are locked.

5. I ran my audio cable down the PS "A" pillar, just because that's the one I removed to run the antenna cable up there.

I don't know how much heat the FM modulator unit puts out, I don't imagine much at all. Te FM modulator should work with any unit, I chose the cassette type because it has a 3.5mm jack output and I use a direct cable to plug into my Aiwa H.U., it has an audio jack right in the faceplate for Aux in.

I'll be going to Mexico tomorrow with my GPS. I'll mark the Lat/long if I lose the signal and let everyone know how far south it works.

Enjoy! Steve

[ 05-08-2003: Message edited by: SoCalDMAX ]</p>

[3-Fan]

Steve,

Thanks for you info.

How are you getting 6V DC into your Sony reciever for the 12V source on your cig. lighter?

Your AIWA head unit has a 3.5mm input jack on the front of the unit? Intersting, I have not run across that unit yet... Do other headunits come the same way? You have to run you input line out in front of your head unit to plug it in?

Have fun in Mexico, don't eat too much HOT salsa. I learned my lesson on my honey moon. Nothing like being curled up in the fetal position on the tile bathroom floor praying that God would take me now.

[SoCalDMAX]

Hi,

Got back from Mexico yesterday, GREAT weekend, XM radio worked great all the way! It probably works a few hundred miles into Mexico.

IRT the 6V, my unit came with a cig lighter adapter. I soldered wires to the cig adapter and spliced them into the 12V that feeds the map lights.

There are several models of head units that come with an aux input jack now. My coworker bought a really nice sounding unit with Mp3 CD capability and front aux input for only $80!

Regards, Steve

[AlanL]

My truck had the XM factory unit in it and when not listening to a CD, I listen only to XM radio... I haven't heard an FM or AM station in about 5 months.

There are a couple of problems that I've encountered, however:

1. My Valentine 1 radar detector will false on K Band seemingly because of the factory XM antenna giving off a signal. Valentine has seen this problem with TERK brand XM antennae, and the factory antenna appears to be made by Terk.

2. I get a lot of "No signal" with the XM radio. It seems to happen pretty consistently based on location, so I don't think its a problem with my radio, as I think that would be more random. Its a bit annoying, however.

I still like the XM stations enough to pay the $10/month and put up with both of the problems above.

-Al