I have the Delphi Roady with the Delphi FM modulator (not the cheaper FM transmitter) and it works great, sounds almost as good as the best FM stations. You're only other choice is to replace the HU.
As for XM vs. Sirius, that's a personal choice, I had both, I like Sirius programming slightly better for pop music but comedy and classical music were much better on XM. Now that XM has commercial free music like Sirius, the choice is tougher. My main reason for going XM over Sirius was solely based on equipment, you can't beat the Roady for size, easy of use, bright colorful display and portability as I take it from car to car. My kid has the Delphi Skyfi because they have a boom box and she uses that most in her dorm, pops in her car for the 8 hour drive home.
I did use the FM Mod for a short time, it does work much better than the transmitter. I went with Sirius for two reasons, one they have some programing that xm doesnt, and secondly they have more dance channels. As far as the equipment difference, true their used to be some major size differences. But the new clarion, kenwood and then the two piece units like I run have a super small face place that fits perfectly in the little tray in front. They also have boomboxs out, checkout siriusbackstage.com its full of info. BTW its worth paying for the year of service, you get 3 months free, which makes the cost the same as xm. I posted pics awhile ago, if u do a search on sirius or sat radio it should pop up. Really the best way to figure out what is best for you is to listen to both online it is free and you will notice some differences.
I have Sirius and use the FM modulator that came standard with the Audiovox unit that I have. I hear nothing over the FM that I would deem unacceptable except, I get mighty annoyed sometimes with the DJ BLAB on the stations...I mean, like really, I dont need a DJ coming on and telling me what songs I just heard...I can read what they are and who did them on the unit...if I wanna hear some DJ blabbing, id turn on regular FM
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There is one technical issue with Sirius and that's reception. XM uses geostationary satelites that are a fix distance from earth and orbit at the same speed that earth spins so it's very stable and consistant reception. Sirius satelites are geosynchronous satelites that stay in one orbit while the earth spins around so they are only in view for so many hours a day, that's why they need 3 satelites vs. XM's 2. During this orbit, their distance from earth hits an apogee (high point) of 29,000 miles from earth and a perigree (low point) of 14,000 miles. In theory, the Sirius system has a higher angle that it can transmit too and overcome obsticles better than XM but because it's distance and location vary greatly by day, sometimes reception is great, sometimes it sucks. As an example, with XM, I can drive under most freeway underpasses without a problem and it's consistant, if I get a drop out in one spot, I always get the same dropout all the time. With Sirius I got dropouts most of the time, even a single overhead power line can make the signal drop for a short moment sometimes, othertimes it's great. I found it irritating and was one of the key reasons I returned it.
If you are not sure which to get, get both, return the one you don't like. That's why I like to buy this kinda stuff at CC, they'll take it back up to 30 days later.
There is one technical issue with Sirius and that's reception. XM uses geostationary satelites that are a fix distance from earth and orbit at the same speed that earth spins so it's very stable and consistant reception. Sirius satelites are geosynchronous satelites that stay in one orbit while the earth spins around so they are only in view for so many hours a day, that's why they need 3 satelites vs. XM's 2. During this orbit, their distance from earth hits an apogee (high point) of 29,000 miles from earth and a perigree (low point) of 14,000 miles. In theory, the Sirius system has a higher angle that it can transmit too and overcome obsticles better than XM but because it's distance and location vary greatly by day, sometimes reception is great, sometimes it sucks. As an example, with XM, I can drive under most freeway underpasses without a problem and it's consistant, if I get a drop out in one spot, I always get the same dropout all the time. With Sirius I got dropouts most of the time, even a single overhead power line can make the signal drop for a short moment sometimes, othertimes it's great. I found it irritating and was one of the key reasons I returned it.
If you are not sure which to get, get both, return the one you don't like. That's why I like to buy this kinda stuff at CC, they'll take it back up to 30 days later.
Im not going to become a sirius rep for sure, but I feel I have to really disagree here. true xm uses more repeaters than sirius because of the exact reason u stated, but you forgot to mention that sirius uses an additional sat. more than xm And if your in a metro area odds are now that there is a repeater as well. Mileage will vary, depending on how the system is mounted but once I found a good place (the rear deck) reception is pretty darn good, powerlines never cause an issue. It really comes down to preferences, when I purchased mine xm was still putting commercials on, something that made no sense to me, now that they have dropped them I am already hooked on sirius. Some of the hosts are great and as I stated before have some channels you cannot get anyplace else. The other cool thing is when im in the office I can listen all day via the internet for free as part of my subscription with sirius. W/o knowing you the best place I would start would be what types of music u listen to most often and see who has the most music styles you like and dont be swayed overly by look of the machine either way because really your getting it for the music/programing. BTW you might want to check out the Jvc unit it looks and sounds pretty sweet. The other thing to remember if you see a bigger unit is that it gives you more info onscreen and is a hell of a lot easier to read. For home I use the Audiovox PNP its called and when you change the display I can see who is playin clear across the room.
I'm using the XM roady and I use the cassette adapter. I set the unit in front of the cubby, it fits nicly with the bracket provided, just slipped into the cuby. I drilled one hole in the back of the cubby to run the wires thru. I put the cassette adater in and ran the wire behind the radio down to the cubby and pluged it into the unit.I also hard wired the power cord by splicing it into the radio power wire. Since I do not use the cassette player this works great. just turn on the unit and push the tape button.
I have xm in my company car,
the only reasonm i went with the xm is because at the time the other didnt have the head unit that you could take anywhere. i ahve the fm mod and it works perfect. i will also tell you that i am extremely happy with the xm, not a single problem in 9 months. i use it every day all day. i rarely listen to standard radio anymore. i would put it in the m3 or the slk but not wanting to mount it anywhere especialy in the slk anyone have any sugestions or pics of mounting in the mb???
thanks
I have the XM Commander -- fits neatly over the cubby. I stuck my antenna, upside down, under the plastic shelf between the rollbars. Invisible, and works great with the FM modulator.
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