Fed up with XM, Switching to Sirius

[motospeed9058]

So I have hit my boiling point with XM and am now seeking a switch to Sirius.  I have seen some pics that some have posted with the units they use.  My only question is if they are waterproof or not.  I'm an everyday commuter as well as been on plenty of trips where rain was less than desireable.  So waterproofing is a must, any suggestions?  Is one unit better than the other for any particular reason?

[Sport-Touring]

[downeastah]

I'm curious...why are you switching?  I'm on the cusp of getting into sat radio and  can't tell the benefit of one from the other.

[Nimh]

I would be interested too how XM has let you down. 

...and yes, I'm a XM subscriber and have been since the first month of their service.  Their website account management is a little lacking as it won't let you cancel radio's (you must call) and tech support can be frustrating like any big company.  Anything else?

I'm not planning on changing, just curious - handing over my money to any company willing to pay Howard Stern what they do just isn't happening.

[motospeed9058]

HMMM, where do I start with this one.  I have been a subsriber with them for about 3 years now with mulitple different units and multiple different options on each unit.  I think it started to take a dump when they went overseas with the customer care.  Same goes with their lack of ability to do anything with their customer care link on their website other than review what I already know.

Once Clear Channels request to force a judge to require the stations that clear channel owns to allow commercials.  It just happen to be the stations that I enjoyed listening to.  Then they changed the content of those stations.  Then I found out that to save money, they released 60% of their DJ's on the stations and put all the music in a continuous loop.  I figured that out about 400 miles into a 700 mile day when I noticed that I heard the songs previously in the exact same order, and then confirmed it with a tech write up in some magazine.

Also, I had to get a unit replaced twice and their customer care, on both occassions couldn't get it right.  Not to mention, they have a script and anything that deviates away from that script, they couldn't speak the english to tell you.  I have been in their problem escallation department 3 times in the last 6 months trying to get stuff fixed.  

On my own personal preference, I mainly had XM for listening to the NASCAR races on Sundays while I was out in the middle of no where.  NASCAR is now on Sirius.  

As for Sirius, after looking at the lineups, and the items I like, it just seems to be the better fit.  College football that's not conference specific.  NFL, NASCAR, and after hearing a friend of mines, music selection, that confirmed my decision.  The music selection is not in a loop and the music is halfway decent to listen to.  It's not some off the wall song that nobody has heard of.  I have also talked to their tech support guys a couple of times and not had a single problem understanding or explaining things to them.  It's 180 degrees in the other direction from XM.  

Hope that explains my frustration a little bit, so to XM, I say    It's been frustrating enough that it's time to try something new.

[jed]

Clear channel did screw the pooch pretty big when they added commercials and provided programming to their channels, but they were a major investor in the project to begin with.  But I never listened to the channels that changed anyway so it wasn't any skin off my back.  Good luck with Sirius.  Bloomberg, Fred, Ethel, and Lucy keep me going just fine.

[Playinthestreet]

I've had Sirius for about a year and am happy with it.  Never had XM so can't compare.  I have the StarMate but imagine there's new stuff out there now.  Not much help I guess

[Fudge]

I've had both.  Personally I much prefer the music and channel selections on Sirius.  

[rocketbunny]

It was really a kind of Pyrrhic victory for Clear Channel. They got the commercials on their 5 or 6 channels, but XM immediately created replacement commercial-free music channels for those that were ruined by CC. I had listened happily to The Mix for years, but switched to (basically the same music) Flight 26.

I can't speak for sports choices, because weather, news, and music are all that I listen too. I've been quite happy with XM.

I had one issue with a Roady2 a few years ago. Delphi replaced it under warranty quickly and without quibble. The transfer of my service from my old Roady to the new one was a quick and painless telephone call to customer service. I have no complaints.

[Baz]

As both XM & Sirrus continue to burn money at record making rates, I think customer service & programing are going to suffer from both companies.

I have XM but really only use it to listen to Hockey games.

[bpg]

HAD both - Sirius kills XM, music and dj talent-wise...  NFL is nice too, and a whole bunch of other non-music channels that I'm vaguely aware of  The music channels ARE that good (some bland ones, sure, but more adventuresome/eclectic/just plain sweet-azz cool ones overall)...

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

So I have hit my boiling point with XM and am now seeking a switch to Sirius.  I have seen some pics that some have posted with the units they use.  My only question is if they are waterproof or not.  I'm an everyday commuter as well as been on plenty of trips where rain was less than desirable.  So waterproofing is a must, any suggestions?  Is one unit better than the other for any particular reason?

The radios are not waterproof.  I use a plastic zip-loc bag to cover my radio when it rains.  Seems to work just fine.  You might find a water-resistant cover at http://www.tss-radio.com/ (The Sirius Store) or at http://www.cyclegadgets.com.  

I think you'll find that any unit you get will wear out (I've been through an XM and 2 or 3 Sirius units in the last 2 years) because of the extra vibration on a motorcycle and (if you're like me) the near-daily plugging/unplugging of the unit to move it between locations.  The receivers are the one thing that I actually buy the extended warranty on, because I know I'll wear them out.

I currently use a Sirius Starmate Replay.  It's a little bit smaller than the full-size units, which is good for motorcycle use.


Sirius rocks.  I love getting my Green Bay Packer hometown broadcast when they're not on TV!

[basco]

I would be interested too how XM has let you down.  

...and yes, I'm a XM subscriber and have been since the first month of their service.  Their website account management is a little lacking as it won't let you cancel radio's (you must call) and tech support can be frustrating like any big company.  Anything else?

I been using XM for 2 years and before I switched I was switching channels for music to no end. Where did they come up with there programming? Like Fred; its supposed to be a older alternative but 1/2 the songs I never heard of. I listen to the website version of XM at work and found out that I was listening to the AOL stations more than XM.

But the biggest problem was and why I switched is that XM advertises that they have exclusive broadcast of College Football. Problem is that did not broadcast the Ohio State / U of M game.

The lineup for Sirius is much better but I do miss Squizz. Octane is almost as good. Blue Collar Comedy is great.  

[chornbe]

I'm not planning on changing, just curious - handing over my money to any company willing to pay Howard Stern what they do just isn't happening.

You're a prude

Just don't use that channel.

[basco]

There's two of them. If one wasn't enough.  

[ChrisZRX]

I love XM, but yes, customer service absolutely sucks.

[Nimh]

You're a prude

Just don't use that channel.

That's funny - that marks the FIRST time in my life somebody has called me that. 

Maybe you're right, but I just think Howard is a freakish and creepy talentless schmuck doing the same tired show he's been nursing along for years and years.  I think Sirius threw gobs of money at him to keep their service on the map as XM continued to walk away with the larger and quickly growing customer base (yet neither of them manage to pull a profit).

I been using XM for 2 years and before I switched I was switching channels for music to no end. Where did they come up with there programming? Like Fred; its supposed to be a older alternative but 1/2 the songs I never heard of. I listen to the website version of XM at work and found out that I was listening to the AOL stations more than XM.

The lineup for Sirius is much better but I do miss Squizz. Octane is almost as good. Blue Collar Comedy is great. 

That is exactly the reason I like Fred.  I listened to enough of the popular alternative back in the day, and it's cool listening to the other songs on the album that I haven't heard since my crappy cassette player ate the tape or I left my tape case at that party.     I admit I spend a lot of time surfing between Fred, Ethel, Lucy, Flight 26 and Squizz however... I figured I would do the same with any music service.

I apologize to the parent poster (motospeed9058).  I didn't mean to fan the flames of a satellite radio debate with my question.  Do you plan on handlebar mounting or having the unit in your tankbag?  If the latter, maybe some scuba equipment type dry boxes?

[beatnikmike]

Some of my thoughts on Satellite Radio XM versus Sirius (current XM sub)


XM

Deeper playlists (more eclectic) than Sirius

Less DJ chatter than Sirius (I want music fvck the DJs) this is the number one reason I went with XM over Sirius. Sirius DJs talk to much, on average about five times an hour or every three songs they will come on for two minutes.  XM DJs interrupt the music much less, at two maybe three times an hour, depending on the channel you are listing too. Some XM channels you almost never hear a DJ (which is great) I’m paying for 60+ channels of commercial free music (I want music) not some Mother *&%$#ing DJ  ....... Some blowhard  who comes on and talks for two minutes (about programing or the latest deal or their summer vacation) I consider that a commercial....  

Sports? Fvck Sports!!! I Don’t listen to sports the less the better, sports is a waste of bandwidth as far as I’m concerned do away with all sports and bring us more music.

Only dealt with XM customer service a couple of times and while not great it was pretty painless.

XMs web site could be better not real Mac friendly. Last time I tried (a year ago) could not do much on the “account end”  (everything else was worked fine)  unless you had the latest Windblows version with all the latest upgrades and all the latest plug ins plus the latest Flash upgrade and oh you had to be using the latest version Internet Explorer. (at least I think)



Sirius

More Top 40 oriented (shallower play lists) If you want to hear all those old familiar tunes you’ve listened to a hundred times before well this is your baby!!

To much DJ chatter.......  oh and did I say to much DJ chatter!!

Much more like FM radio just without the car, laundry and viagra commercials

To much Sports

Sirius website was (last I checked) better than XMs.

[chornbe]

That's funny - that marks the FIRST time in my life somebody has called me that.  

Maybe you're right, but I just think Howard is a freakish and creepy talentless schmuck doing the same tired show he's been nursing along for years and years.  I think Sirius threw gobs of money at him to keep their channel on the map as XM continued to walk away with the larger and quickly growing customer base (yet neither of them manage to pull a profit).

Nah, I'm just goofing. He's not for everyone. Fact is, I thought I'd miss listening after he made the move, but I don't. The iPod is love.

[Nimh]

Nah, I'm just goofing. He's not for everyone. Fact is, I thought I'd miss listening after he made the move, but I don't. The iPod is love.

Right on.  So which iPod do you use, and do you have an AirClick?  I think for rider control of an iPod, this has GOT to be the way to go.  That 4Gb Nano with the Griffin gizmo looks very nice.

[basco]

That's funny - that marks the FIRST time in my life somebody has called me that.  

Maybe you're right, but I just think Howard is a freakish and creepy talentless schmuck doing the same tired show he's been nursing along for years and years.  I think Sirius threw gobs of money at him to keep their service on the map as XM continued to walk away with the larger and quickly growing customer base (yet neither of them manage to pull a profit).

That is exactly the reason I like Fred.  I listened to enough of the popular alternative back in the day, and it's cool listening to the other songs on the album that I haven't heard since my crappy cassette player ate the tape or I left my tape case at that party.    I admit I spend a lot of time surfing between Fred, Ethel, Lucy, Flight 26 and Squizz however... I figured I would do the same with any music service.

I apologize to the parent poster (motospeed9058).  I didn't mean to fan the flames of a satellite radio debate with my question.  Do you plan on handlebar mounting or having the unit in your tankbag?  If the latter, maybe some scuba equipment type dry boxes?

Whatever you want. Just try both before you make your decision. XM had a lot of crap that worth listing to.

[Specter]

Based on industry buzz, its only a matter of time until they merge.

[desert_rider]

I use a Sirius Streamer replay with one of these:http://www.ram-mount.com/mp3_mount/mp3/ram_b_138_aq3u.htm

I run the output to a Boostaroo in my tankbag.  It has been watertight through all kinds of weather.  You can also lock it with a small padlock which is nice.

[chornbe]

Right on.  So which iPod do you use, and do you have an AirClick?  I think for rider control of an iPod, this has GOT to be the way to go.  That 4Gb Nano with the Griffin gizmo looks very nice.

That's exactly what I do. I have a standard iPod (tho' the nano makes more sense for use on the bike - no hard drive), and a Griffin Air Click. I hook the iPod and the GPS in thru' the Chatterbox.  

[ST-DocLizard1]

This may be a moot point. Both formats have spent a boatload of bucks in order to gain an edge over the other. Voices in the wind say a possible merger may be brewing in order to cover financial woes. I chose XM due to more programming substance (more music/less talk) along with MLB broadcasts. You decision may be immaterial in 2007.

Doc

[eljeffe]

I've got both - some cars I have came with XM, my bikes and primary car have Sirius.  If you switch from XM to Sirius, you will be happy with the programming, but you're gonna hate the radios.  Sirius is about a year behind XM in terms of their radios.  I find that Sirius has better organization to their channels, not nearly the number of commercials of XM, and I think they have the same amount of DJ chatter.  You'll hear some voices you might remember from your childhood or teenage years.  Many of the old VeeJays from the original crop of MTV on-air talent is on Sirius now.  Mark Goodman seems to be the best -- he actually knows something about the music he plays.

[Albie]

Weird. I've had XM for like 3 tears now. Never used their customer service except when changing radios to get the new radio activated. Never had any problems doing that. I've always bought the units which XM doesn't make BTW, from retailers like Circuit City. I knew going in that the units would crap out because of running on the bike environment. That's why I got the extended warranty. Been through 2 Sky Fi's, 2 Roady's and 2 Roady II's. All of them replaced under warranty. As for the whole DJ thing, I really don't like DJ's. I prefer to listen to music. If I want to listen to talk, I'll tune in a talk radio station. Don't want to listen to any sports, cause I much rather WATCH it, then have someone describe it to me. Anyway, switching ain't an option for me now since I have a Garmin 478 with the XM connection and the beauty of it is it's waterproof.  They don't and probably never will offer a Sirius option.

[Nimh]

Based on industry buzz, its only a matter of time until they merge.

While this is bordering on necroposting, I just saw this...  

It looks like the FCC will not approve this merger, and even if they did, it would still have to pass antitrust scrutiny from the DOJ.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070118-8653.html

[Busy Little Whiner]

Sirius Satellite Radio... moozic non stop... tunes make me hot... commercials leave me cold...

[DBLXX]

I can't believe no one has said it yet...

HOWARD STERN

I have been listening to him for 20 years and I have had Sirius for 4.

STERN all the way !

[R1200RT]

Sirus - Why? Radio Margaritaville & NFL
I never use my mp3 player on the bike since getting Sirus.

[CLAY]

I have Sirius- *but*, my Starmate went bad (the same one you have in the pic that was posted), and it has been gone since *October*!  I called a couple days ago *again* and they said a new one should be out soon- they were waiting for a tracking number.  Still- nearly 4 months?  That sucked.  I guess they were out of stock or something...

[bluedogok]

I had Sirius before Stern came along....and I still haven't listened to him since the early 90's when I lived in Dallas. I got it for the sports, I was commuting weekly between Austin and Dallas so it was nice to have. That old Audiovox unit is in my wifes car now. I tried it on the bike (first gen Sportster Replay) but I pulled it off because I wasn't happy with the wiring job (it was temporary) and I pinched an antenna cable with the steering head

I use the iPod mostly on the bike but one day may get a Sirius unit for the bike when they get smaller. Both services are great, use the free online trial to hear the music channels for yourself and decide. As far as customer service, I think all of it sucks anymore no matter what company or market segment it is. I haven't had to call Sirius but twice in the time that I have had their service and it wasn't too painful either time.

[jschmidt]

Maybe this has something to do with it. From the Washington Post

Rats! XM Radio Scurries to Address Rodent Infestation

By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Tuesday, January 30, 2007; Page C03

If you hear some scratching noises on XM radio, it's probably not static -- but it might be rats. The satellite radio's District headquarters is so infested with the furry little critters that the company has gone to the rat-eradication equivalent of DefCon 1.

"Those of you familiar with DC rodents know that we're looking at the size of small house cats," writes XM senior veep Dan Turner in an internal memo sent to employees on Friday.
 
Turner goes on to describe the gnawing dread: "Currently we have lost the functionality of Production Room 8 as the rodents have discovered that the cover on our fiber optics cables makes good nesting material. A couple of weeks ago it was one of the multi-function studios that was taken out of commission. Tomorrow it could be a cable to a satellite uplink. It is that serious."

Full story at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/29/AR2007012902262.html

[bpg]

Some of my thoughts on Satellite Radio XM versus Sirius (current XM sub)


XM

Deeper playlists (more eclectic) than Sirius

Less DJ chatter than Sirius (I want music fvck the DJs) this is the number one reason I went with XM over Sirius. Sirius DJs talk to much, on average about five times an hour or every three songs they will come on for two minutes.  XM DJs interrupt the music much less, at two maybe three times an hour, depending on the channel you are listing too. Some XM channels you almost never hear a DJ (which is great) I’m paying for 60+ channels of commercial free music (I want music) not some Mother *&%$#ing DJ  ....... Some blowhard  who comes on and talks for two minutes (about programing or the latest deal or their summer vacation) I consider that a commercial....  

Sports? Fvck Sports!!! I Don’t listen to sports the less the better, sports is a waste of bandwidth as far as I’m concerned do away with all sports and bring us more music.

Only dealt with XM customer service a couple of times and while not great it was pretty painless.

XMs web site could be better not real Mac friendly. Last time I tried (a year ago) could not do much on the “account end”  (everything else was worked fine)  unless you had the latest Windblows version with all the latest upgrades and all the latest plug ins plus the latest Flash upgrade and oh you had to be using the latest version Internet Explorer. (at least I think)



Sirius

More Top 40 oriented (shallower play lists) If you want to hear all those old familiar tunes you’ve listened to a hundred times before well this is your baby!!

To much DJ chatter.......  oh and did I say to much DJ chatter!!

Much more like FM radio just without the car, laundry and viagra commercials

To much Sports

Sirius website was (last I checked) better than XMs.

Hmm - I had the opposite experience personally as far as musical content when I had both XM and Sirius...  You sure you tried ALL the Sirius channels??

[CLAY]

I have Sirius- *but*, my Starmate went bad (the same one you have in the pic that was posted), and it has been gone since *October*!  I called a couple days ago *again* and they said a new one should be out soon- they were waiting for a tracking number.  Still- nearly 4 months?  That sucked.  I guess they were out of stock or something...

  I talked to them yesterday- they are sending me a new unit and allowing me to exhange both my home kits for free.  Very cool.  Plus my customer service girl sounded very cute- clearly in USA.  Sirius->  

[punk_emo_tx]

XM and Sirius will not merge unless there is a change by the FCC/gov.   The last numbers I read  Sirius had about 600.000 subscribers a year ago before Howard Stern joined Sirius and XM had about 4M.  Today both XM and Sirius have about 6M each.   Sirius is signing up many more subscribers per month than XM. The XM exodus has begun.

I've never subscribed to XM other than the channels that are included on DirecTV. The bad thing about Sirius is that there are too many good channels. 

 Sirius' music and all its other programing are better.  People tend to over look all the other non-music channels but there's alot more to Sirius than music.

As you can tell I'm a Sirius fan.

I use a very small radio on my bike. Its called "Sirius One" and its very cheap, about $20.  Its a small radio but has big buttons that I can operate with gloves on. I've been using this radio daily for over a year in my truck, house and bike.  Its small enough to tuck in under my wind screen.  During light rain it says dry. I've never tried it in a down pour and don't think I ever will.

Here's a couple pictures of my set up.  The "Sirius One" is between the tach and speedo mounted to the wind screen. Lately I've using a Sony sports radio w/ er6i's.

[glym49]

Living in the North most of my riding is during baseball season. XM allows me to listen to the Indians lose no matter where I'm at.

A month ago I called XM to suspend my subscription until spring. Instead they left it on for free. Three months no charge. Not Bad!!

[punk_emo_tx]

I've heard people claim XM has discounted the monthly fee when they know you what to switch to Sirius.  Rumor??

[basco]

I've heard people claim XM has discounted the monthly fee when they know you what to switch to Sirius.  Rumor??

I heard it too but they never offered it to me when I switched over.

[Nimh]

... The last numbers I read  Sirius had about 600.000 subscribers a year ago before Howard Stern joined Sirius and XM had about 4M.  Today both XM and Sirius have about 6M each.   Sirius is signing up many more subscribers per month than XM. The XM exodus has begun.

...

You might want to look into that again.  At the end of 2006 Sirius reported 6.02 million customers, while XM states 7.6 million.  XM also just wrapped up an agreement with Toyota (including Lexus) for another 7 years.  

http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/02/01/xm-satellite-radio-markets-equity-cx_mk_0201markets09.html

XM is also working with Honda and Acura to put radios into Certified Used Cars...

http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20070123/DCTU01923012007-1.html

XM still appears to be reaching double digit growth per year. How is that an exodus?   It's not the growth they've had in years prior, but I believe with market saturation, both will continue to slow down.  (And yes, I'm an XM fan - how could I not be?  I bought stock a month after 9/11 at the bottom of it's range and sold during the peak.)


Nice install though... Very cool.  I'm using the Pioneer Inno stuffed into my pocket, which makes changing channels on the road impossible.  That would be great.  Gotta love those er6i's.  

[punk_emo_tx]

LOL...That Forbes article has a negative view of XM. Did you read it?  

XM has LOWER its projected growth several times. Stock is DOWN.  They have to GIVE three months FREE and FREE activation. Now thats growth..LOL.   After the FREE three months XM still counts them as subscribers...WTF.  They love to cook the numbers at XM. How often do you hear of people switching from Sirius to XM?? rarely.  In the last year Sirius has added about 5.5M new subcribers, XM has added half as many.    

That second article is a press release from XM. LOL..LOL   XM is doctoring their numbers by giving FREE subscription and FREE activation in used cars now.  

Sirius radios come in other cars and Sirius doesn't have to give subcriptions and activations away.  

[Nimh]

So I offer facts, site the sources and compliment you on your install, and you offer smug opinions and false information.

LOL...That Forbes article has a negative view of XM. Did you read it? 

Yep - but you obviously did not.  Missed the info regarding your earlier mis-statement regarding subscriber level, didn't ya

XM has LOWER its projected growth several times.

Source?  The same article claims XM was shooting for 7.7 to 7.9 million, they made 7.6 million.

...Stock is DOWN.

Huh - about the same level as May06 - and up $4 since November, but yes down from the first of the year 06.  I don't watch it too much since I sold in 05.  I see the stock price of Sirius still sucks and is also DOWN for the year at around $3.50 to XM's $14+.  The trend lines of both stocks look about the same over a year.   Seem you like to cook numbers as much as you claim XM does.     (j/k)   

They have to GIVE three months FREE and FREE activation. Now thats growth..LOL.   After the FREE three months XM still counts them as subscribers...WTF.  They love to cook the numbers at XM. How often do you hear of people switching from Sirius to XM?? rarely.  In the last year Sirius has added about 5.5M new subcribers, XM has added half as many.

   

5.5 million last year?  Source?  I think again, you're making things up.

Sirius  (nasdaq: SIRI -  news  -  people ) said that it ended the year with about 6.02 million subscribers, up from 3.3 million a year earlier and within the company's Dec. 4 forecast of 5.9 million to 6.1 million subscribers.

That second article is a press release from XM. LOL..LOL   XM is doctoring their numbers by giving FREE subscription and FREE activation in used cars now. 

Yawn.  Yeah, I can see how putting their products in the vehicles of one of the largest automakers in the world, AND offer a promo period to new customers, is a bad decision.  You're probably right.  I'm still trying to figure out how this is an exodus.

Sirius radios come in other cars and Sirius doesn't have to give subcriptions and activations away. 

Yah for them...  I honestly hope they do well, really.  Good competition only benefits the customers.  And I'm really glad you like your radio and their service.  Enjoy it and happy riding.

[punk_emo_tx]

I'm flattered that you spent so much time responding to my rhetoric and propaganda.  



Ooops I forgot to add a quote from your source Forbes dated 1-9-07

"For the year, it(Sirius) added 1 million more subscribers than XM"

Can we all just get along...lol...

[Nimh]

I'm flattered that you spent so much time responding to my rhetoric and propaganda.  

Ooops I forgot to add a quote from your source Forbes dated 1-9-07

"For the year, it(Sirius) added 1 million more subscribers than XM"

Can we all just get along...lol...

   Works for me, man.  Good riding to ya...

[bluedogok]

I like both and the marketplace needs both, I prefer Sirius because of the sports and the music offerings that suite my and my wife's tastes better than XM. But we also have XM on DirecTV so I listen to it some. The "best" one is whichever service suits your tastes better.