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Posted By: Raeford XM radio users? - 07/28/16
So I bought a new[to me] 14' Honda CRV last week. Thanks to those that gave input on that a while back.
Apparently the previous owner has paid for XM satelite radio and yep I'm enjoying it while it's free. But if I were paying for it, I'd be trying to get a refund! Reception is awful at best here in the mountains of Appalachia, especially with the trees fully leafed out. Even on many four-lane roads I've tried moving into the left lane and it's still intermittent at best. I suppose if a person traveled the interstate or was out in the wide-open spaces it would be different. It is also very intermittent when I'm in town around these massive 3-4 story buildings. grin
Just wasn't expecting so much 'no signal' time, but hey It's free, until it isn't[which may be the next time I get in the vehicle].
Posted By: gonehuntin Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
My Mom bought a new 2011 CRV and got the initial free XM. She wasn't that motivated to pay a subscription after it expired. I drove her around some and it was OK, but I agreed with her that it wasn't worth paying for considering that her errands are close to her house and she doesn't travel far at all.
Posted By: deflave Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
No issues here.


[Linked Image]
Posted By: dale06 Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
They sometimes will negotiate rates. But that does not help reception.
I have had it in new cars but never take it beyond the free period. If I traveled cross country or drove a lot of long trios, it might be a good deal.
Posted By: Scott F Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
We turned on the free trial for our trip to NM and back. Will not be paying for it once the free trial is over.
Posted By: Raeford Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
It's all good, until it isn't free, then it won't be a problem. grin
Posted By: KFWA Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
do you have the "shark fin" antenna?

I have found that those lose reception pretty quickly when there is a wall or bridge or whatever blocking it.

The alternative is a small "pole" antenna.

Secondly, XM negotiates on rates all the time. I think a normal yearly subscription is in the $140 range.

Every year just before the expiration (and the cost rolls over onto my credit card) I call them up, explain to them that I am cancelling my service, they ask why, I tell them too expensive and they offer to cut it in half to $77 or even a lesser 5 month introductory deal for like $25.

I honestly can't say if its worth to me or not, but I do it for my wife's birthday as she listens to it all the time.
Posted By: Oldelkhunter Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
Originally Posted by Raeford
So I bought a new[to me] 14' Honda CRV last week. Thanks to those that gave input on that a while back.
Apparently the previous owner has paid for XM satelite radio and yep I'm enjoying it while it's free. But if I were paying for it, I'd be trying to get a refund! Reception is awful at best here in the mountains of Appalachia, especially with the trees fully leafed out. Even on many four-lane roads I've tried moving into the left lane and it's still intermittent at best. I suppose if a person traveled the interstate or was out in the wide-open spaces it would be different. It is also very intermittent when I'm in town around these massive 3-4 story buildings. grin
Just wasn't expecting so much 'no signal' time, but hey It's free, until it isn't[which may be the next time I get in the vehicle].


I Experience the same thing going home on I40 when passing exceptionally tall trees. I have had it so long I don't know if I could live without it(I take a lot of long trips). I tell them to cancel it at the end of the service period and they renegotiate every single time.

My wife's car has the sharkfin and my truck has a small flat rectangular unit on the roof and they are both about as effective.
Posted By: ro1459 Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
I've had it for six years and love it. Have very few problems receiving coverage in East TN.
Posted By: StoneCutter Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
I've had it for 7 years and can't stand to listen to regular on-air radio. It's got a lot more to offer.I hate being forced to listen to something I don't like. I've got like 30 stations stored in my radio. Plus I have the sports package and can get the NASCAR races as well as Basketball, Football, and Baseball. It gives you a lot of options. $140.00 per year I think.

The only problems with reception for me is if you have a steep hill is to the South West, when there is a hill with trees that are leafed out and it's raining and the leaves are wet to the SW, or in a bad snow storm and have a lot of snow on my roof and in the atmosphere. Bridges are sometimes only a blip on the radar, if at all.
Posted By: wildfowl Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
I do not have reception issues unless I am in a parking garage with no view of the sky at all. Covered a lot of ground over the years listening to XM and I have not had the issues you raise.

I do not pay full price. I always call them up and say I am going to cancel and they drop the rate. Usually more than 50%. I figure I do not have to listen to a bunch of crap commercials and have WAY more variety to choose from so it is worth it to me. I put about 30,000 miles on a car a year.
Posted By: Scott F Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
Originally Posted by Raeford
It's all good, until it isn't free, then it won't be a problem. grin


Nope. It started out bad and went downhill. We tried it several times and gave up and turned it off each time.
Posted By: Raeford Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
Originally Posted by wildfowl
I do not have reception issues unless I am in a parking garage with no view of the sky at all. Covered a lot of ground over the years listening to XM and I have not had the issues you raise.

I do not pay full price. I always call them up and say I am going to cancel and they drop the rate. Usually more than 50%. I figure I do not have to listen to a bunch of crap commercials and have WAY more variety to choose from so it is worth it to me. I put about 30,000 miles on a car a year.


That's the odd part, it worked just fine in the parking garage at the hotel we stayed at in National Harbor last week.
Posted By: Dillonbuck Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
Had it in rentals. I thought it would be great on longer trips, wrong, without commercials I get bored. If I was back to over the road trucking I would have it.
Posted By: EdM Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
I have had it since it became available. Zero issues in the many places I lived including Calgary under the same US plan.
Posted By: Old_Toot Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
Originally Posted by dale06
They sometimes will negotiate rates. But that does not help reception.
I have had it in new cars but never take it beyond the free period. If I traveled cross country or drove a lot of long trios, it might be a good deal.


I'm paying 6$/mth (each) for 2 vehicles. They'll deal with you. I've had it for 4+ yrs now.
Posted By: rem141r Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
you might have a radio problem. my subaru has very little problem except in a few areas and i drive a lot in the PA mountains.
Posted By: bellydeep Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
I love it for driving across rural MT. Not many AM/FM options.
Posted By: bruinruin Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
I have a relative who is an engineer with Sirius/XM. He got me started listening to Sirius about 10 years ago and I'd hate to be without it.

Got my wife a newer vehicle a year or so ago and it has XM and we too experienced signal issues - something I've never really had with my XM. I asked said relative about it and he said reception issues are common with XM, especially when traveling East/West or the reverse. Something to do with the location of the XM satellite. The Sirius satellite is apparently in a location in orbit that results in very few reception issues. Whodathunk that they'd still use 2 different signals and satellites so many years after the merger.

My recommendation is to ditch the in-dash XM receiver and get an add-on portable under the Sirius plan.
Posted By: SockPuppet Re: XM radio users? - 07/28/16
I won't give it up. I travel all over the SW and reception is great. Once in awhile I'll drive the truck that doesn't have it, just to remember how much regular radio sucks. I listen to a lot of audio books, too, but won't be without SiriusXM. I don't pay the full price, though. I call a couple of weeks before it expires to tell them I no longer need it, and listen to the rates come down.
Posted By: k20350 Re: XM radio users? - 07/29/16
Only one place in my many travels i would lose satellite radio in the semi was Gananaque Ontario. i would lose Sirius for about 3 miles in the same spot on the 401 every time I went through. Never lost XM that I can remember.
Posted By: speedsixman Re: XM radio users? - 07/29/16
For a Luddite that doesn't know, does the same radio work on regular broadcast without the XM activated, or do you have to rip it out and buy another radio ?

Myron
Posted By: PJGunner Re: XM radio users? - 07/30/16
It works.
Paul B.
Posted By: speedsixman Re: XM radio users? - 07/30/16
Thanks, Paul

I thought they would, but you know the old saying "never assume".

Myron
Posted By: byc Re: XM radio users? - 07/30/16
They used to (and may still) have a lifetime plan. Something like $300. Wished I had done that.
Posted By: ratsmacker Re: XM radio users? - 07/30/16
I got it in my new pickup (no choice in the matter). It's alright, but I mostly listen to Fox News or some other news station. I don't use the radio much, period.

When my MIL died in Arizona last year, the rental car we took had it, and I liked it in that context, I didn't have to look for stations all across the country, I could just tune into one station for the whole distance.

Frankly, that's about the best use of it, long trips over unfamiliar country. I'm not a huge fan of radio, though.
Posted By: River_Ridge Re: XM radio users? - 07/30/16
I've had mine for about 7 years. I spend about 1 1/2 hours a day driving to and from work so it's a good "companion". Lots of specialty stations. I like MLB, Bluesville, Outlaw Country and others. There's also comedy, sports, news weather, you name it.
Posted By: sgtsmmiii Re: XM radio users? - 07/30/16
Originally Posted by byc
They used to (and may still) have a lifetime plan. Something like $300. Wished I had done that.


They try to make their money off of their "lifetime" plan when you have to buy a new receiver. Then, they want $75.00. You have to rip their a$$ and keep asking for a supervisor before they will activate the new one for free.
Posted By: IndyCA35 Re: XM radio users? - 07/31/16
I like it because there is very poor radio otherwise in the central parts of the PA Turnpike. Eastbound, it cuts out for a couple of seconds when you pass high hills on the right side of the road.

Thanks, guys, for the tip about negotiating prices.
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