does anybody have either of these systems? is it worth the monthly payment? which one did you buy and why not the other? also where did they place the antenna, i have seen cars with the antenna in the worse places (in front right above the passenger seat in the roof, one car had the antenna on the front bumper..)

 

I have Sirius because I got the entire unit free and paid for the monthly... I like it a lot.

No commercials at all, which is different from what I've heard with XM.

However since Sirius is getting some big investors like Ford, BMW, and others to step up to the plate and offer it with their cars, it will be nice to see that. However unless they offer an integrated way to do it, I don't want another little module in my car like I have in my Millenia. I want everything in one unit.

I think XM and Sirius are both good, and if I had to do it again I'd probably go with XM.

Why? Because there's a lower monthly cost, and I'd get used to the music on either one. I love the 80s station on Sirius though, but the volume is extremely low... so I have to turn up the volume on my radio to hear satellite and put it back down when I go to CDs.

 

Bought XM because of price and convenience of the equipment. I can use it in the car and house. I just have my antennae on my dash, inside the car. Sirius is also running some kind of special now for a similar set up, I think.

I think it is the best thing I have bought for music. The sound is great, I use it in the office and no commercials. I would get so sick of hearing the same songs and alllllllllll those commercials while at work. I just bought a new receiver and new speakers for the office because the sound is so good, I needed to hear all of it. $9.95 a month is cheap for this to me. Leave the office and plug it into the car.

 

My wife has XM in her suburban. I plan to get XM in the RX-8 the week I get it.

I LOVE the comedy channels. They are non stop stand up comedy. I am crying laughing in the car. The also have a channel that is nothing but live concerts.

I am not getting the CD changer because after XM radio. I will listen to nothing else :o)

 

I have XM in my truck. I'll probably add it to my RX-8 soon after I get it. I'm disappointed Mazda/Ford doesn't offer it integrated with their head units.

If I didn't have XM where I live, I wouldn't listen to radio at all -- we have plenty of radio choices, as long as you like country or top 40 (I don't).

XM radio is to broadcast radio as color TV was to black & white.

 

I also bought XM because of the price and convenience of the equipment and service.

I'm currently using the Delphi Skyfi XM receiver, info here , with my home stereo.

You buy either the home adapter kit and/or the vehicle adapter kit. You save money in having only one subscription fee by just moving the receiver to whatever base/adapter unit you want to listen to the music. I plan on purchasing the vehicle unit after the RX arrives.

I also like the programming schedule of the XM service better than Sirius (which is excellent in its own right). By the way, over half of the XM programming is commercial free, so that is not a big negative to me. I don't consider channel identifiers or song title announcements commercials. Almost all of the commercials are on the talk channels. IMHO, Sirius' commercial-free "advantage" is overblown.

In the future when Mazda decides on a built-in satellite receiver, it will no doubt be Sirius, since Sirius is in partnership with Ford/Mazda.

Either system you choose, it beats standard broadcast radio hands down. Definately worth it.

And to answer your question on where to mount the antenna. Most antennas mount magnetically on the roof or can be placed on your rear deck/dash. The ones mounted on the roof are so low profile that most often you hardly notice it.

 

I have XM in one of my boats. I chose XM because my Alpine head unit was already XM compatible I only needed the receiver and antenna. I used two sided tape to stick the antenna onto the transom centered between the two hatch hinges. I fizz canned the antenna red to match (as close as possible) the gelcoat. I have never heard Sirus but can't imagine it's much different. The few commercials on XM are bearable for the lower monthly rate. Satellite radio is the hot thing in boats now as alot of boating locations are in out of the way locations where typical reception is poor at best and how many times can you listen to the same 10-20 CD's on a three dayer?

 

I've been investigating/debating the issue of satellite for exactly the same reasons already given. My only concern is, "How is the stock circular head-unit console supposed to be adapted to aftermarket systems?"'

Maybe you all know something I don't. Personally, I'd like to see Sirius in my '8. There are some stations specifically that do 1-hour shows that I haven't heard in awhile and I'd like to be able to check them out again. Most likely, Ford/Mazda WILL sign with Sirius for offering factory-installed satellite capable/ready units with their vehicles.

HEY MAZDA! IF YOU'RE READING THIS, GET SIRIUS ABOUT SATELLITE RADIO!

(Hey SIRIUS, if you read that last marketable quip, I'd like to be reimbursed a bajillion dollars if you decide to use it. Or at least buy me an '8...)

:D :D :D

 

isnt that already their slogan? or when did you post it, maybe they HAVE paid you a gajillion dollars LOL!

yes, im thinking about sirius or xm, not sure wich yet, or even IF, but IF i get it, im going to look around for the module that most naturyally integrates into the rx-8's interior, thinking maybe have it like, integrated into one of the walls or something like that, and then the controls right up front, would look cool at night with the display glowing all nice lol and it doesnt matter where the receiver is, as long as you can see what its doing (thinking red LED display under hte nav) and have the controls

but that is all a future project that is an IF lol
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Medical cannabis

 

XM or Sirius integration been figured out yet with the Bose system?