XM radio

[aldive]

Is XM radio available yet?

Has anyone used it?

Opinions, please....

 

[zensius]

Are you talking about satellite radio? If so Crutchfield is selling them and the service. I just saw it the other day. But I've no experience with it.

 

[aldive]

Yes, XM is satelite radio.

 

[ChuckyD]

This should answer your question:
Dead Link Removed

Looks phat i think i will end up getting it, when available...

 

[leenjen]

it's good if you are a truck driver and spend a lot of time on the open road. i cant justify paying a monthly fee for the radio. sure the quality is better, but i like being in control of what i listen to anyway. also, what if you are in a weak signal or blackout area. sometimes even GPS will blackout. if your receiver cant get the signal some of the time, that is a waste of money.

like i said, it is good if you spend LOTS of time driving. but if you get tired of your CDs/MP3s, why not just turn on the FM for a little while. then go buy some new cds....

 

[RFR2212]

Well, I bought my alpine head unit awhile back, and it said the XM radio was in service during summer, that they had "launched" it. It seems as though it's just gotten underway, and they need to get that $hit in Chicago, cause I want it!
Pete

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by leenjen
sometimes even GPS will blackout. if your receiver cant get the signal some of the time, that is a waste of money.

Wher do you get a "blackout" with GPS?

I depend on GPS/DGPS for accurate navigation every day on the boats and have never had any problems with the system.

 

[EO]

aldive, I have the same GPS as you. You don't have problems on a boat because, in the water, you always have a clear view of the sky. And if you're using DGPS, that's great, but I doubt people have DGPS in their car!

My GPS is permanently mounted in my X, with my antenna mounted on the inside of my windshield. In rural, hilly areas, as well as downtown areas with tall buildings, I regularly experience momentary dropouts. This isn't so bad with GPS, because you don't need it every split second, but with XM radio - this means you've lost your music. Also, I wonder if these XM radios are 12-channel receivers? If not, then you'll have a hard time maintaining a steady signal. Considering the DoD spent billions of dollars deploying satellites dedicated to GPS - and THEY deliver 12-channel signals - well, I doubt the XM radio industry spent THAT much!

Just some things to think about. I'd wait at least a year because service & coverage will improve and prices will go down. This always happens with new technology.

Personally, I can't see paying for something I already get for free - FM radio!