VeeshanVault

Good morning everyone. I just made the jump to satellite radio. I did some reading online...and I ultimately chose Sirius over XM.

I had been listening to Sirius for the last few months at the business of a friend. And I really enjoyed the channel selection that Sirius offered.

Yesterday I decided it was time to get into satellite radio. I did some price shopping online and saw a Sirius receiver made by Audiovox that was on sale at CompUSA for $49.99.

When I got to CompUSA, they had the receiver...but did not have the vehicle kit to be able to actually use the device.

I was walking down the aisle and I saw a display that had some all in one units...the receiver, vehicle kit (mounting options, antenna, DC adapter, credit card remote). This unit was the XACT Visor. It was $49.99.

So I am mulling over my options....and I decide to go with the XACT Visor. I also decide to pick up the Home Kit so I can listen at home as well.

I get to the register and the Home Kit for the XACT visor ($49.99) rings up at $29.99. Then the lady tells me that there is a rebate for this Home Kit...when I activate my Sirius subscription, I get to mail in a $30.00 rebate...making the Home Kit free!

I was pretty excited...since I am notorious for NOT getting a bargain. But it got even better.

The XACT Visor package rang up at $29.99 too. I asked the lady if she was sure..and she said, "That's what it's coming up as". She then jokingly said, "Hurry up and enter your PIN (debit card) before the price changes!"

So I walked out of CompUSA with a Sirius Satellite Radio receiver...Vehicle Kit...and Home Kit....for a grand total of a little over $30.

The XACT Visor is small...and it doesn't have the recording options other units have. It also has only a single line scrolling display. But it works great!

I have an Xterra...so I installed the antenna on the rear of the roof...then I fed the cable beneath all of the moulding and panels in the car...so that it eventually comes out right at the seam where the "Oh Shit Handle" is near my visor.

This is how I mounted mine...on the visor:



But you could mount it on the window like a radar detector with suction cups...or on the dash like this:




Today, I am a happy satellite radio loving camper!

I have been thinking about Satellite Radio for awhile. In fact, my stereo is set up for it and apparently all I have to do is hook the receiver up through some inputs in the back. I think I would probably have someone professionally install it though so I know it all works together. Do you have any idea what the install costs for this would be?

It can be pretty cheap depending on where you buy the unit. Some places run specials if you buy the unit at their store and then have them do the install. Also, where you want it mounted will make a difference too.

whichever you pick, satellite radio can't be beat. From a tech standpoint, the XM units, in general, are more advanced. The recording capabilities as well as the live programming while away from the car, make a big difference. That being said, I've heard a lot of folks really prefer the music programming @ sirius. I will say this, commercial radio is going to drive you NUTS with their incessant ads if you have to go back, which means either is leaps and bounds beyond what is out there on fm/am

50 - 75 dollars is standard, but you can find specials occassionally for free install if you buy the unit at the store. I have XM in all 3 of my cars and would NEVER go back. When I got my last company car, I had to wait three days to get the XM installed. It was the longest 3 days of my life. I had times when I did not hear anything but commercials and crap for 15 minutes straight. Thank god for satellite.

If you're going to pay for an install go to someplace that does it for a living.

The chain stores are a crap shoot as to whether they'll do a very nice job or screw up your car.