My dad is looking to get an XM setup in his truck and wants to be able to play both in the truck, and in the house. I've seen a few different models/types, and am not sure which one is right. The sony ones look to be the great for what he needs, but there are also different models. How is the connection through the tape deck? Does that take away from sound quality?


[Modified by KDuniverse, 3:12 PM 5/1/2002]

 

I have the Sony Plug N Play in my car and it sounds great through the cassette. It sounds very close to CD quality.
There is one Plug N Play that can be used in the house with the home adapter kit. That's probably the second one you saw. The car unit detaches and plugs into the home unit.
You can also go to Radio Shack and get a 6 volt power supply and buy an extra antenna and carry the whole unit in the house. You'll save a few bucks that way.
Good luck and enjoy your new system. Let us know what you think of it. :cheers:

 

TTT, anyone else want to give some advise??

 

Speaking of XM radio . . .
I just installed the Panasonic GEX-FM903XM and am thrilled. Somewhat apprehensive about 'broadcasting' via my stock Delco, the sound quality is fantastic - far superior to 'earth based' FM. The 2.5 hour install was clean. In fact the hardest part was removing the cigarette lighter from the center console to run the wires and relay to my antenna shut-off switch (my idea - NOT part of the radio). The system is comprised of a Digital Tuner which was mounted in the rear cargo 'hold', an Antenna that was mounted on the passenger side of the dash, and the Control Head which was mounted behind the door of the dash ashtray. Activation was easy and I started receiving programs in about 15 minutes.

Tomorrow, our club is having a short run out of town (Sacramento, CA). I'll have more time to play with it. If you're interested I can let you know my evaluation when we return.

Yes, at this point I am satisfied with the value/$.

BigByrd
Y2K Navy vert
. . . way too many mods to list . . . :D

 

Congrats BigByrd!!
How does that antenna look on your dash?
Which antenna did you get?
Do you have pictures?

 

Villain

The antenna is fairly non-discript. To the 'un-initiated', it is a curiosity and leads to comments like, "Really? Satellite radio? and "I didn't know there was such a thing". Anyway, there were two choices: (1) a whip that attaches to the glass, and (2) a low profile 'roof mount' model TRKSR2.Well, for me, the decision was made. Verts don't have a lot of 'glass' to choose from and the roof mount would just allow rain to pour in through the hole in the canvas top(ha ha) . The decision was made to mount (Velcro to the dash pad) the roof antenna on the dash in the least obtrusive place possible - the passenger side corner. Bottom line: looks great, hardly noticable.

I am headed for a club run this morning and will take pictures of the install. I will be happy to email them to you this evening - since I don't know how to post photos to this forum.

MY only questions is this . . . How do we get XM Radio to carry the Corvette Radio Channel (real thing)????

I'll catch up with you later . . .

BigByrd
Y2K Navy Vert :seeya

 

I've been using XM Radio for 15 days now, and I've decided to return everything today.

It's a great idea, and for some people I have no doubt they'll love it. All the stations on the XM system I liked still carry commericals, which really ticks me off for a system I'm paying monthly fees for.

The sound quality is not as good as I had expected... and I don't just mean through the little cassette adapter in the car (I have the Sony plug-n-play radio), I mean hooked up to a nice big stereo. It's certainly better than regular radio, but nothing compared to CDs.

The antenna problems have been a big sticker for me, too. If you keep an antenna placed in the 'vette (and I've tried everywhere), you won't get perfect reception. Driving in certain configurations in the boonies or underneath overpasses will give you a drop in signal. I know it's all about antenna placement; I put the same antenna on top of my other car and it was perfect all of the time.

I've mostly used it at work with the optional Sony home-kit. It was pretty cool to have some nice radio stations and even FOXnews during the daytime, but when you listen to it all day, it's almost as many commericals as local radio.

Don't let this discourage anyone that's thinking about getting it, it is VERY cool, but some of these little annoyances have made me decide it's not for me.

 

Sorry your system was unsatisfactory, both quality and content-wise, Chadwick. I have not attempted to try XM at home. My intention was to have reliable radio while traversing the Sierra Nevada mountains between CA and NV, then to my home in Washington state.

Just to compare results, here is what I found today during our club run to the San Francisco Bay area. Weather: sky mostly clear, temp in the high 70's, humidity probably in the 50-60% range. Reception was excellent. I did notice one drop-out while traversing an underpass, but that is to be expected when the signal is coming from above. Although I have used satellite television since the days of my homebuilt Swan antenna in the 70's, I suspect that due to the small antenna size (but increased TX output and lower orbit compared to video) the drop out rate will increase substantially when winter comes - however, the vette will be in hibernation then.

I am using the FM modulated Pioneer unit rather than the cassette adapter. Therefore my signal quality is, at least, as good as FM broadcast. Perhaps better with signal processing built into the unit. I could have opted to replace my entire Delco head in lieu of an XM-ready head with fancy graphics, but elected to save the $400 to try this setup first.

As for content. Yes, you are very right . . . some stations do have commercials! Although some seemed to be hyping XM radio, itself. But noticeably the commerical network news/talk feeds seemed to be the culprits, like CNN, Fox, ABC, etc. My 'music' listening spans Dinosaur-rock (60's & 70's), to Jazz, to Classical. XM seems to present a fair multi-selection of each music type. I liked that.

You assessed it correctly - nice new toy . . . needs work. But, for me, I'll keep mine if for nothing else than to monitor the metamorphasis of a new industry. My wish list: incorporate it into the HUD (I almost rear ended another club member trying to change from Elton John to Frank Sinatra).

Pictures are available via email should anyone want to see the unit and install.

BigByrd :cool:

 

Hello BigByrd!
Glad to hear everything went well on your trip. I would love to see those pics when you get a chance.
Email me at marvin.marion@xmradio.com :cheers:

 

Villain

The photos are on my home computer. I'll send them to you as soon as I get home this evening . . . but that will be late . . . tonight is last Kings home game in the playoffs . . . have to tailgate, you know??? You'll have them by morning!

Go Kings!!!

:cheers:

BigByrd
Y2K Navy Vert