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XM, Sirius and NPR

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by innov8v, Jun 16, 2005.

  1. innov8v

    innov8v New Member

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    Like many others, I'm considering satellite radio for my new Prius. I've read posts from a couple of people who've said they chose Sirius over XM because Sirius broadcasts NPR and XM doesn't. I'm a big NPR listener, so that could well be the deciding factor in my case, too. My question is, once you go with satellite, does that mean that the stations you'd normally get with a standard radio (e.g. NPR, local news) are no longer available to you if they're not beamed/broadcast via the satellite?
     
    #1 innov8v, Jun 16, 2005
  2. 925PriusGuy

    925PriusGuy Winter Gray & Blizzard Pearl Pri

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    If I understand your question correctly....my response is that XM or Sirius are separate services (just like AM/FM/CD) are tuning choices.

    Your satellite radio would give you additional options for stations (for a monthly fee) and your current setup would still be available (since AM/FM is free). If you currently receive NPR on FM or AM then you could go with either XM or Sirius for satellite radio service.

    Hopefully I addressed your question.
     
    #2 925PriusGuy, Jun 16, 2005
  3. innov8v

    innov8v New Member

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    Thanks for the info, 925PriusGuy. I knew that XM and Sirius are separate, competing services. What I didn't know was whether am/fm stations available via standard radio (and, yes, I do get NPR on fm) would still be available once I go with whichever satellite alternative I choose. With that issue off the table, I'll probably need to make the decision on the basis of other factors, including which is easier to integrate as an after-market add-on to the Prius. Anyway, thanks again.
     
    #3 innov8v, Jun 16, 2005
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    You can still get all your regular radio stations and can listen to NPR on regular radio any time you want.
     
    #4 efusco, Jun 16, 2005
  5. FourOhFour

    FourOhFour Member

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    Sirius does have an NPR feed, but the schedules (NPR Now, NPR Talk) are rather lacking and you may find the compression on the NPR stations (like all the other talk stations) annoying (it's below FM quality). A few of NPR's music shows are on music stations, where the sound quality is much better.

    I'd suggest listening to the music using the free trials you can get on Sirius's and XM's web sites, and then decide. You can get NPR almost everywhere with a normal radio, so unless your local NPR is really bad for some reason
     
    #5 FourOhFour, Jun 16, 2005
  6. Steve Zettel

    Steve Zettel New Member

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    Actually, XM Radio also offers an NPR feed. Channel 133.

    Steve Z
    near Libby, MT USA
     
    #6 Steve Zettel, Jun 17, 2005
  7. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    [font=Comic Sans MS:7e34d2cc46]Which service is Bob Edwards on?[/font:7e34d2cc46]
     
    #7 Bill Merchant, Jun 17, 2005
  8. Steve Zettel

    Steve Zettel New Member

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    That would be Channel 133 XM Radio, Bill.

    Steve Z
     
    #8 Steve Zettel, Jun 17, 2005
  9. ScubaX

    ScubaX Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant\";p=\"99251)</div>
    XM :crazyeyes:
     
    #9 ScubaX, Jun 17, 2005
  10. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    [font=Comic Sans MS:b67e5a9970]Thanks, guys. XM will be my choice.[/font:b67e5a9970]
     
    #10 Bill Merchant, Jun 17, 2005
  11. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    Don't forget that you can also go to:

    xmradio.com

    and

    sirius.com

    for full channel line-ups and more....

    XM Public Radio has Bob Edwards but it is not NPR.
     
    #11 petteri, Jun 17, 2005
  12. innov8v

    innov8v New Member

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    Thanks to all for your insights about programming availability. Next question: for those of us not blessed with the "handyman gene" (like yours truly), is there any sort of consensus about what's the best way to get necessary equipment for either satellite service installed? As of now, is it something Toyota is offering, or would it be better to find an installer at Best Buy, Circuit City or some place similar? Also--and this probably should have come first--any consensus about where's the best place to buy the equipment necessary? I've read various posts on both equipment and installation, and it seems as if, at least as of recently, there's not been a clearly most efficient way of taking care of both issues and ultimately ending up with satellite service. Am wondering if that's still the case, or if things have shaken out to the point where a relatively painless solution has emerged.
     
    #12 innov8v, Jun 17, 2005
  13. Tadashi

    Tadashi Member

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    I got XM MyFi since I do not have the vehicle handyman gene. However, I also got it because it has the built in FM modulator and a 5 hr recording storage with a timer, and the home, vehicle, and portable sat receivers. This way I can pull it out of the car and use it at home, work, or while I am on a business trip. I did pay Best buy to run power directly in and the satellite receiver in the ceiling.
     
    #13 Tadashi, Jun 17, 2005
  14. innov8v

    innov8v New Member

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    Tadashi,

    Did you buy the hardware directly from XM or somewhere else? Did you need to buy some sort of adapter/adapters that make it work/fit in a Prius, or did Best Buy handle all that as part of their installation? Thanks.
     
    #14 innov8v, Jun 17, 2005
  15. Tadashi

    Tadashi Member

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    I got them from BestBuy. The MyFi pack comes with everything for the home, car, and mobile (sat receivers, mounts, cases, etc). I paid $40 extra to have the vehicle mounting and power adapter install. Note they will chop the cigarette lighter end off of the power cord to put a permanent power connection. They just run it to the power adapter line so your unit knows when to auto shut off when the car does.

    No adapters needed unless you want to mount on the dash. I think it is a $12 mount. I have mine mounted on the plastic wall in between the driver and passenger. I have to use the remote (also included) to change the channel. I did this since the wife needs to be able to see the LCD otherwise I would have mounted it on the dash in the left corner of the dash by the small window.
     
    #15 Tadashi, Jun 17, 2005
  16. AngelFish

    AngelFish New Member

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    I am not sure where we got our xm radios (my husband ordered them online) Anyone of the places like bestbuy, curcuit city, etc should be able to install it, or you can try your local Toyota dealer. (You might even be able to get them to order it for you.) Personally, I prefer having the toyota one, since it adds to your list in the menu button, instead of adding another 'gadget'.

    Ours goes through the cycle as: AM/XM1,2,3/FM1,2/CD/Tape
     
    #16 AngelFish, Jun 17, 2005
  17. Tadashi

    Tadashi Member

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    Yeah the BestBuy price was the same as online so I just went there since I have a rewards card. I wish I could have it in the OEM unit and be able to use my portable when my car unit is off. The whole reason I got the MyFi is for the 5 hr storage and portability (for business trips and use in the house).

    Not sure if they are still doing it but about 1 mo ago they were offering free install if you got the radio.

    What would be nice is a removeable card that I can insert into any unit.
     
    #17 Tadashi, Jun 17, 2005
  18. 925PriusGuy

    925PriusGuy Winter Gray & Blizzard Pearl Pri

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    I bought mine from Metro Toyota along with other Toyota add-on's. They also sell on Ebay, but I found their web site had a lower price for the XM kit. Check them out at: Metro Toyota
     
    #18 925PriusGuy, Jun 17, 2005
  19. ScubaX

    ScubaX Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(925PriusGuy\";p=\"99414)</div>
    925,

    Is that XM kit integrated into the Prius like the one Coastal sells for $299? Coastals was a good deal when they had the one year of free service, but now it seems a little more expensive.
     
    #19 ScubaX, Jun 17, 2005
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