View Full Version : General XM Question
creaturecat
12-21-2002, 01:55 AM
Who all has this installed? Does it work well (few or no cutouts, etc). Is it really worth the semi-dorky antenna and the $10/month? I've really been thinking about this, but wondering if it really works well, and if it's here to stay?
BeachCougar
12-21-2002, 06:28 AM
I Love it. I hardly ever listen to anything else. Reception is great except in tunnels.
I just installed mine this past week. It is awesome. Sound quality is great. I do get a few dropouts sometimes when it's raining. I do believe I need to align my attenna better to fix this problem. I have the Terk SR1 glass antenna. Which system are you thinking about? I have the Pioneer 903 and a Pioneer head unit.
CatMan
12-22-2002, 02:30 AM
I also have it and love it. I put it in my car probably about seven months ago. I haven't had my CD's in my car for about six months now. And just so you know, you don't necessarily have to have the antenna on the outside of the car. I have mine on the rear deck and it works just fine. I'm not sure, but it might cut out a little more than normal (never had it on the outside, so I can't really test to see if it drops out in the same places), but it still hardly ever goes out unless I'm surrounded by really tall trees or buildings.
creaturecat
12-22-2002, 04:10 AM
I'm actually not at the point of a specific system. Are y'all using XM with stock head units or aftermarket head units? I like my 6-disc in-dash changer an awful lot -- I'd hate to lose it.
If you plan on using an XM receiver with your factory radio you'll need an FM modulator. The modulator produces the sound of the XM receiver through an unused FM frequency. The sound quality is good (better than fm) but not as good as a direct connect like i.e., Pioneer XM receiver and a Pioneer XM ready head unit. I recommend getting what I got Here (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EHe1y8rvfpO/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=130FM903XM). It comes with a little controller. I used this with my Sony head unit for 2 days and then I upgraded to a Pioneer XM ready head unit which eliminates the controller. Down the road if you plan on getting a Pioneer XM ready head unit you can still use this receiver with an ip-bus cable ($30). BTW there is still a $50 mail in rebate with this unit. There are other recievers you can buy other than the Pioneer like Alpine and Sony. Confused yet?
BrantlyJ
12-23-2002, 11:24 AM
I've had XM since the day it came out. Works great. Sound quality is awesome. In Des Moines the only time it drops out is going through downtown. The tall buildings block the signal.
Catman, yes it does drop out more in the back window compaired to on the roof. I currently have mine there now but once I get the windows tinted I'll have to move it to the roof as the tinting has some kind of metallic crap in it to prevent fading....
Brant
I was a test car for xm in florida and it is great you can never be bored with it always something good on to listen too