I'm thinking about adding XM to my car. The one post in reviews was negative regarding the reception in the vette. Anyone have XM what do you think. If good any suggestions on the system to go with.
Thanks, Fletch

 

I was also considering this. But the placement of the antenna seems to be critical. And let me tell you those antennas are downright ugly. I was shown 3 different styles. Didn't care for any of them. There was really no place outside the car that wouldn't look nasty. And the tint on the car was a concern for an inside mount. So I just got a CD player and some new speakers to replace my failing Bose setup.

 

Had XM Installed in my C5 coupe last week and reception is fine. The antenna(Glass Mount Terk) is fugly but necessary. My vette now looks like a Radio Controlled car. I ran wires to front of car parallel to rear defroster wires.
I went the Pioneer add on module route and store my display / control unit in console. While driving I velcro the unit to ashtray flip up cover. Easy Install, tuner module under drivers seat.

My initial grading of this system is as follows:

Programming: A - I have already heard many cuts that haven't been on radio in 30 years but there are frequent interruptions and incessant promos for their service. I don't understand the need for all these promos because the only people hearing them already subscribe to the service.

Sound Quality: C - Nowhere near CD quality, sounds very compressed and many selections lack any stereo separation. I suspect it may have to do with the fact it's using FM Modulator with it's limited bandwith. I was able to do an A/B comparison with my cd player and xm playing same song and it was night and day in favor of CD. Many of the selections sound like mono recordings compared to Terrestrial Radio.

Value: B If you're like me and spend hours in your car daily and have grown tired of swapping out 12 CD's every week (I own 1400 cd's so variety is not a problem) and have limited time to burn more then this is a good alternative. I will not be surprised when their rotation of music gets as stale as commercial stations but for now it's been great.

Usability D The Display only shows 8 characters so info regarding Artist Name and Title of Songs is incomplete. The buttons on the control unit / display are really tiny and display is dim and not adjustable.

If you enjoy music and live in your car buy it, but it's not CD quality and there are commercials on 25 or 30 of the stations.
Hope this helps
RR


[Modified by Roadrage, 6:56 PM 2/24/2002]


[Modified by Roadrage, 8:05 PM 2/24/2002]

 

Thanks Roadrage for your eval. I drive the car seldom so I'll stick with CD for now.
Thanks Fletch

 

I have XM and I think its great. However I do drive about 50,000 miles a year for work and live in MS where there aren't many stations to listen too. So $9.99 a month is worth it. If anybody is intrested in subscribing to XM email me a weadjust38801@yahoo.com and I will set you up with first month service free.

 

Welcome weadjust!!! Another MS driver :cheers:

 

that's the first HONEST report I've ever read about XM - thanks!

It sounds to me like MP3 would be a better choice for you. You can probably squeeze most of your immense collection in a device the size of that XM receiver for the same cost, save $10/mo, and NEVER listen to commercials.

 

There is a HUGE difference in sound quality between FM modulated and direct wired. An XM system that is hard wired will be near CD quality. They are still fiddling with the signal and processing, so sound quality does seem to vary from day to day, but overall it is very good.