Satellite Radio Questions

[hornian]

I've read the older posts from December/January, and I still have a couple of questions:


1) How is the reception in Austin? I was reading some reviews of the Delphi XM MiFi on Amazon.com and the only negative review was from some guy in Texas who said it didn't get good reception. I had some ideas that I might be able to use it while running and stuff, but is that not possible here?

2) XM or SIRIUS? I'm more interested in Political and News talk, from both sides. Music selection isn't as big of a deal to me as is a good talk lineup, but I would like some music for working out, kicking back, etc. Also, the comedy channels on XM interest me.

3) Hardware. I really like the portability of the MyFi, and the ability it has to record 6 hours of programming. Does SIRIUS have (or plan to have in the near future) anything similar? I didn't see anything on their website.

EDIT: 4) Longhorn Sports - There's a good chance that I'll be in DC in a few months for at least a couple years. If that's the case, I'd want to be able to listen to the Horn's over on the East Coast.

 

[hookem115]

I have the XM SkiFi and the only problems I have getting reception are in my house on the home radio. When I am in the car I have no problems.

 

[phage]

i have sirius, love it, get great reception. hardly ever cuts out.

Last i checked XM had more talk stations and sirius had more music, so that might point you to XM. Both are good, just have a little different selection.

 

[Mizzou415]

1) I just have XM in my car but I've never had a problem with reception in Austin.

2) I think XM is probably more what you're looking for here.

3) I don't think Sirius has anything like the MifFi

4) Sirius is the only way to go for Longhorn sports unless they're playing an ACC, Big 10 or Pac 10 team.

 

[Boozehound]

You want Sirius here. For what you mentioned, you can get NPR on Sirius (but you give up headline news and only get CNN), plus the Horns are only on Sirius. I have XM and Sirius and if my hardware install weren't so tough to switch between the two, I'd only have Sirius.

 

[hornian]

Hmmm... well, I was just in Best Buy picking up Ryan Adam's new CDs, and I talked to the guys back in the satellite radio section. They said SIRIUS is coming out with a personal receiver much like the MyFi, and it should be out in June. I'm going to have to look into that, if that's the case, and it works well, I can wait a month. I don't know yet for sure that I will be in DC, but if I am, the no horns on XM could be deal breaker.

 

[WooHorn]

May be a flame with all the Sirius-love on this post, but EVENTUALLY XM will own Sirius and everyone will be satisfied.

 

[WooHorn]

They will end up buying the assets out of backruptcy. I have never understood how either will make enough money to stay in business long-term and I am especially doubtful that two have any hope.

 

[Simon Templar]

XMSR has always been considered the survivor, but Sirius has hung in there a lot longer than I thought they would.

 

[LosIllini]

I have sirius in the truck - and a portable xm roady in the house/ and in the truck. Sirius for music, horns sports, npr. Xm for talk (phil hendrie, right/ left, coast to coast), ML baseball, B10 sports and random content. All depends what you're looking for.

Both offer free trials for their music stations- streamed on the net-- give 'em a listen.

 

[BBBQHoUVa]

Just a warning, I went into Best Buy back in Feb. to get the MyFi and they talked me out of it, claiming the Sirius portable would be much better and would be out by spring. I haven't heard much about it since. From my experience, the Best Buy employees really push Sirius.

I ended up getting the MyFi @ CC because I couldn't listen to Houston radio anymore (plus ACC basketball & the comedy channels for long car trips).
Only problem I've had is Houston has so many radio stations over the FM transmitter range (88.1-88.9 & 106.9-107.9) that sometimes a little static mixes in while I'm driving.

 

[Clarence Iba]

I have the Sirius starmate, bought it at the local shop at Burnet / Steck, and l love it. Pretty happy with everything about it so far...even gets good reception in my home.

 

[NameAlreadyInUse]

Love my Sirius radio. Longhorn sports, a gay channel, great music, all NFL and NBA games and soon Stern.

I'm starting to get withdrawals though, because i recently got a new car and haven't gotten Sirius moved over yet. Its reminded me how bad bad bad Austin radio is.

 

[TornJock]

I think I just found what will sway me to Sirius...Radio Margaritaville is now offered on Sirius

 

[eggroll]

Clear Channel owns a chunk of XM and they are obviously immune to antitrust.

I have XM built into my Bose in my Yukon and it is awesome. No reception problems whatsoever- unless you park under a bridge or in a garage. I am pretty tired of the music selection though. Love all the talk, comedy, traffic , etc, but their rock stations suck. Very convenient though, and the sound is so freaking unbelievable.