tonyc3742

Oh, okay. Squizz is probably the closest analog to Octane then [and I have no idea where they come up with these channel names...], though those bands were played on Ethel a few times too [Ethel leans more toward 'popular alternative', which I guess is sort of any oxymoron].

dstrauss

I have both, but there's no question that if I had to choose one, I'd pick XM. Three reasons: MLB, the NHL and Home Ice (24 hours of hockey talk just rocks), and Cinemagic, my favorite music station that Sirius doesn't have anything similar to.

das Monkey

Newbie Alert:

I'm looking to buy one of these as a gift, and from my brief preliminary research, it seems like XM is the slamdunk choice (er ... homerun is probably more accurate, considering), but I wanted to verify with the experts.

The two most likely programming desires for this will be big band era music and Braves games. XM has a 40s station and the MLB package. Check.

He needs something portable that can be used in a car or indoors or walking around town. From what I've read, the Stilettos are very hit or miss with reception when compared to the XM alternatives (Inno, Helix). Check.

So, I guess my questions to the experts are 1) am I interpreting this correctly and 2) is MLB something expected to remain with XM for some time? And if you have an opinion on the matter, 3) Inno or Helix or other? For reference, he's not a power user. He just needs it to work without hassle.

Thanks for any help!

das

Tommy Ceez

Sirius advertises 500,000 songs, while XM's library is 2,000,000

Tommy Ceez

XM has MLB for (I believe) 10 years.

Inno and Helix are the same radio, just farmed out to different manufacturers.

XM has a 40's channel, AND Franks Place, which plays the popular standards...so it will spann from the crooner 30' and 40's to Buble'

das Monkey

Thanks for the help.

Frank's Place? Nice! I missed that when scrolling through the list (buried in the Jazz/Blues section). And if I ever get to borrow it, I'd be all over Cinemagic.

das

LorenzoL

I'm also looking to jump into the satellite radio in the new year since I'm now driving more than an hour each way to go to work. I'm leaning towards Sirius based on my best friend comments and experiences. Unfortunately, he's stuck with the Canadian stations.

However, when he called Sirius Canada customer service to inquire about the lifetime subscription, the customer service person told him that if a Canadian subscriber opts to go with the lifetime option, you can get the US channels from them instead of the Canadian ones by giving you a fake US address. Has anybody heard anything about this? And this was coming straight from a Canadian Sirius Customer Service rep. I'm wondering if this is true because I would love to have the additional Latin channels that the US Sirius has since I don't want the additional French channels that Canadians get.

RayChuang

If you're into talk and sports radio, I would go with Sirius rather than XM. Sirius has the NFL, NBA and now NASCAR.

LorenzoL

I like the NFL but I want the radio more for the music. The genres that I'm into are Latin, 80's, R&B, Old School and recent music which I believe they are pretty much similar between Sirius and XM.

Rainet

I came to this thread trying to decide which to get, but with the poll at deadlock tie lol..doesn't help my case. I guess i might as well flip a coin. I read however that Sirius had a lifetime subscription for $499. Is that still in effect? Basically be free after 4 years or so. Would the merger affect that at all?

Dan G

Lifetime subscriptions are only for the life of the radio, not your lifetime. They can be transfered for a fee if you decide to upgrade to a newer model radio.
A merger will not effect a lifetime subscription.

Tommy Ceez

I dont know what satrad will look like in 4 years, so a lifetime sub would be meaningless to me....could be just a premium version of terrestrial by then

CRM114

I had XM and switched to Sirius for Howard Stern. Opie and Anthony are completely annoying hacks.

As for music, XM was better I think. XM also has Air America which I miss but Al Franken isn't on anymore so not a big deal.

Sirius' 80's station "1st Wave" is totally lame. Someone at Sirius must think that "New Wave" only meant Depeche Mode, OMD and other shit synth bands.

bauermj

XM for the MLB, Big Ten, and a few more Talk/Sports Talk radio channels.

DamingR

If you like sports other than baseball, Sirius is better. If you like music, XM is better.

Except for Sirius 24. If XM would copy that station, I would be very happy.

spainlinx0

You should have tried out Ron and Fez CRM114. I used to listen to O&A, but now I have XM basically for them. I listen to the music, but I couldn't give up Ron and Fez even if O&A were fired. They take a while to get used to, but they are much less abrasive, and I find them a lot funnier.

summerfan

The nhl will only be on xm starting this fall.

paulringodaman

Stern = Sirius

Dan G

Ron & Fez are the only reason that I'm an XM subscriber.

Gizmo

Whats the best portable XM unit for the car? I see Best Buy has one for $40 and I may go that route. Do I need to have an external antenna hooked up to my car?

Tarantino

Get an FM Direct Adapter installed if you're going to use one in the car.

= J

Bobou2

Cool...I guess you didn't smash your radio...or cancel


Bbbboys

GearsWar666

XM's rock stations suck...they are named after I Love Lucy Characters?? LAME. Sirius is the way to go.

Phodg

Sirius for me.

Stern
Bubba
Buzzsaw
Hard Attack
The Punk Channel
BBC Radio 1

spainlinx0

Same here. I didn't dump my radio when Opie and Anthony got suspended, and I actually miss being able to listen to Ron and Fez in the morning.