Best Satellite Radio for 07

PaladinSF · 02-26-2007, 12:38 AM

My prior expereince is that XM has better reception, but Sirius has better programing. Which of these products works best with Prius? From what I've read, Vais Tech has problems with both XM and Sirius. Who makes the Toyota XM? Will a Toyota dealer install the Pioneer unit sold by Coastaletech? What do you Prius experts recommend?

Vagabond · 02-26-2007, 12:50 AM

I'm sorry, your words were too small for my screen. Can you adjust them to something I can see?

JimboK · 02-26-2007, 07:16 AM

I can't answer all of your questions, nor can I compare the two services, but I can comment on my own experience as an XM user of several years.

XM's reception is fine except when the antenna fails to get a good view of the southern sky -- behind tall buildings, mountains, parking garages, tunnels, etc. I have no reason to believe it's any better or worse than Sirius.

XM's programming more than meets my needs. My only disappointment (ever so minor) is NASCAR's move from XM to Sirius this year.

In the Prius, I started with an XM Roady. I upgraded to the Vais Tech unit in December and I am very pleased. See this thread for more.

Others have bought and installed the Terk unit. See this thread for further. It's less expensive, but displays only 10 characters. The Vais unit displays 16.

judymcfarland · 02-26-2007, 10:57 AM

I had the dealer install the "Toyota XM kit" in my '07 - the only intereference/static I get is a brief stutter when the southern exposure is blocked (like for a second when rolling out of my garage). I find it amazing that I get good reception even stopped for a light under an east/west overpass near my home. As for content - I'm listening to music & I find plenty of satisfactory choices.

**Danny** · 02-26-2007, 11:17 AM

You can also get the XM unit through the PC Shop here:

http://priuschat.com/shop/product_in...products_id/69

skruse · 02-26-2007, 11:46 AM

I have Sirius in my 2005 and 2007 Prius. Great reception (except under trees and overpasses) and sound quality. Good breadth and depth of programming. I purchased the "lifetime" package, so no monthly fee. Best of all: no commercials. Greater selection for NPR and PRI.

This discussion may be moot now that XM and Sirius are looking to merge because of financial problems.

priusenvy · 02-26-2007, 02:41 PM

I've had both services. XM, for me at least, was far more resistant to drop-outs. I had a portable Delco XM unit and it got fine reception with the antenna (temporarily) mounted on the dash, while my Sirius unit, with external antenna on the roof regularly gets dropouts while driving on certain tree-lined streets. But that may have had more to do with the concentration of ground repeaters here. There is only one Sirius repeater locally, while I believe there are many XM repeaters.

aaf709 · 02-26-2007, 03:24 PM

Considering there's talk about a Sirius/XM merger, this may be moot as skruse has said.

JimboK · 02-26-2007, 04:31 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Feb 26 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]396815[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Considering there's talk about a Sirius/XM merger, this may be moot as skruse has said. [/b]

I'm sure that will be a while. It will take months (or longer) for them just to clear the anti-trust hurdles (with no guarantee of success), not to mention the mechanics of the actual merger.

Texas911 · 02-27-2007, 10:46 AM

I have both and find that XM has a larger library of music (not as many repeats) and the reception is incredible compared to Sirius. I vote XM.

02-26-2007, 07:16 AM	#3
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 2,058 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	I can't answer all of your questions, nor can I compare the two services, but I can comment on my own experience as an XM user of several years. XM's reception is fine except when the antenna fails to get a good view of the southern sky -- behind tall buildings, mountains, parking garages, tunnels, etc. I have no reason to believe it's any better or worse than Sirius. XM's programming more than meets my needs. My only disappointment (ever so minor) is NASCAR's move from XM to Sirius this year. In the Prius, I started with an XM Roady. I upgraded to the Vais Tech unit in December and I am very pleased. See this thread for more. Others have bought and installed the Terk unit. See this thread for further. It's less expensive, but displays only 10 characters. The Vais unit displays 16. __________________ Jim Lifetime fuel mileage: After learning how to hypermile: Click here for car details.

02-26-2007, 11:17 AM	#5
Danny Admin/Founder Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 4,684 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 26 Times in 8 Posts TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 25	You can also get the XM unit through the PC Shop here: http://priuschat.com/shop/product_in...products_id/69 __________________ PriusChat Offers Discounts on: Extended Warranty - $990 : Pre-Paid Maintenance - $875 : HeatShield SunShades : BT Tech Stiffening Plate : All other Prius Accessories

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02-26-2007, 12:38 AM	#1
PaladinSF Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 6 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My prior expereince is that XM has better reception, but Sirius has better programing. Which of these products works best with Prius? From what I've read, Vais Tech has problems with both XM and Sirius. Who makes the Toyota XM? Will a Toyota dealer install the Pioneer unit sold by Coastaletech? What do you Prius experts recommend?

02-26-2007, 12:50 AM	#2
Vagabond Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: DICE Headquarters :o Posts: 1,196 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm sorry, your words were too small for my screen. Can you adjust them to something I can see?

02-26-2007, 10:57 AM	#4
judymcfarland Queen of Moral Indignation Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Glendale, WI Posts: 461 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #3 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	I had the dealer install the "Toyota XM kit" in my '07 - the only intereference/static I get is a brief stutter when the southern exposure is blocked (like for a second when rolling out of my garage). I find it amazing that I get good reception even stopped for a light under an east/west overpass near my home. As for content - I'm listening to music & I find plenty of satisfactory choices.

02-26-2007, 11:46 AM	#6
skruse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Great Central Valley, Fresno, CA Posts: 1,150 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	I have Sirius in my 2005 and 2007 Prius. Great reception (except under trees and overpasses) and sound quality. Good breadth and depth of programming. I purchased the "lifetime" package, so no monthly fee. Best of all: no commercials. Greater selection for NPR and PRI. This discussion may be moot now that XM and Sirius are looking to merge because of financial problems.

02-26-2007, 02:41 PM	#7
priusenvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,758 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've had both services. XM, for me at least, was far more resistant to drop-outs. I had a portable Delco XM unit and it got fine reception with the antenna (temporarily) mounted on the dash, while my Sirius unit, with external antenna on the roof regularly gets dropouts while driving on certain tree-lined streets. But that may have had more to do with the concentration of ground repeaters here. There is only one Sirius repeater locally, while I believe there are many XM repeaters.

02-26-2007, 03:24 PM	#8
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Considering there's talk about a Sirius/XM merger, this may be moot as skruse has said.

02-27-2007, 10:46 AM	#10
Texas911 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 83 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have both and find that XM has a larger library of music (not as many repeats) and the reception is incredible compared to Sirius. I vote XM.