Sirius vs XM...help!

[dalversajock]

I have a brand new 07 Versa SL and love it! I recently figured out how to turn on the SAT radio. My dealership told me that I have 3 free months with Sirius but would have to activate my account. I really had a bad time with Sirius since they don't know what a Versa is and that they haven't updated their Nissan list of cars with SAT radio. Because my car came with SAT, do I have a choise between carriers? Can I switch to XM? If so, do I have to just call XM and switch or do I have to purchase something and install it to switch to XM?

[cyberdeity]

Unfortunately you can't just call up XM and switch to them. You need an XM receiver installed instead of the Sirius one.

However, if you're considering the switch, there are much cheaper options than spending the big bucks on an in-car module like the one that you got from the factory. For example, I would suggest the Samsung Nexus XM Portable. I have one, and it's fantastic. When it's in the 'dock', it can receive live XM radio signals (they offer both a home dock, and a car dock). When it's portable, it works just like an MP3 player, playing back whatever you've chosen to record while it was docked. It'll hold up to 50 hours of radio (or you can half that storage and put your own MP3s on it too). Best part is that they can be found on places like eBay for less than a hundred bucks. I've also found out that you can own multiple Nexuses (Nexi?) and share a single subscription just by having them take turns recording in the dock (I'm sure XM will catch onto this sooner or later and 'fix' it)

There are other XM portables as well, such as the Pioneer Inno. Might want to take a look over at http://www.xmfan.com if you want to research. I know Sirius offers comparable portables as well, but I don't have any experience with them.

As for the Sirius vs XM debate, there are diehard fans on both sides. Just depends on what type of content you want from satellite radio.

This link has a pretty decent comparison of the two:http://www.howstuffworks.com/s...p.htm

They have different types of sports, different 'popular talkshows', different news channels, etc.

Personally, I tried both, and decided to go with XM. The only thing I wish XM had that Sirius has is the option to buy a lifetime subscription. The biggest selling point for me with XM were the terrestrial repeaters - I simply had a much better signal reception with XM than I had with Sirius, but your mileage may vary.

Either way, regardless of which you end up staying with, I can guarantee you'll despise FM after having satellite for a couple months. On the rare occasion I am stuck listening to regular radio, hearing the same stupid commercials every 10 minutes is like nails on a chalkboard. Satellite radio is definately worth the money in my opinion!

[BenDupre]

If you already have Sirius in the car, and get three months free, try it out. Just call them and have it activated. They'll want a credit card, but they won't charge it (maybe $12 for activation).

I lover Sirius. They have two things you can't get on XM: NFL and NPR. They also have Blue Color Comedy and it's hilarious.

You have to find the ESN number for the receiver to activate it. I think if you put it in SAT mode and wait 60sec it will come up automatically in the display. If you can't figure it out, take the car back to the dealer and ask your sales rep to set it up for you. They are supposed to do this when they deliver the car, along with pairing your bluetooth phone and showing you how to operate everything. You probably initialed a form saying that the salesman did this for you whether he did or not.

Go for the Sirius DOG. After three months, you won't want to let it go. And it's only $12/month after that.

Ben

[Ever Victorious]

Personally, I tried both, and decided to go with XM. The only thing I wish XM had that Sirius has is the option to buy a lifetime subscription. The biggest selling point for me with XM were the terrestrial repeaters - I simply had a much better signal reception with XM than I had with Sirius, but your mileage may vary.

Sadly they don't have lifetime subscriptions... but XM does drop the price to $10/mo if you buy at least a 3 year subscription. That's a big chunk of change over time.

I went with XM partially for the terrestrial repeaters, but also because it had some programs both my wife and I listen to that Sirius did not have.

Said before, will be said again... "check out the lineups of both and figure out which you will be happier with".

(Oh, and for what it's worth, with respect to portable units... my wife's Roady2 with the removable magnetic antenna doesn't get as good of reception as the fixed antenna on my Nissan OEM XM.)

[Cowboys Fan 87]

About 2 years ago, I tried both XM and Sirius and found that XM just played more of what I like, the sound quality was slightly better (less compression I'm guessing) The only thing XM doesn't have that I would like is SEC sports (football) broadcasts. Now, since my comparison is over 2 years old, I would suggest you be your own judge. Both offer much of their content on-line as well, so you can listen to your favorite channels while reading this forum. (Plug! )

On a side note....I have a feeling that in a year or two it will be Sirius-XM or something...both have spent a lot in start up costs and a merger is very likely. Sirius has also 'tinkered' with video feeds as well, from what I read it was really compressed kids shows and some news/weather. The idea was to compete as a in-car entertainment provider. A merger might make that a reality quicker as well.

[Ever Victorious]

The latest in the Sirius-XM merger was that the Sirius CEO said "it's a nice idea, but at this point completely unfeasible".

So it may take longer than you think.

[proxim2020]

When I put Sat in my truck, I chose Sirius. I got a free online 3 day subscription from both and had a listen. I found both equally entertaining. I eventually choose Sirius at the time because the equipment was cheaper for the aftermarket install I was going to do. Plus they had 3 satellites in the air vs. xm one. And at the time, it looked like Sirius was going to overtake XM's market share. I've never had any reception problems over the last 3 years. Like others have said, it's not going to be easy to switch back and forth. You'll need to swap hardware in order to do a clean install. The cheapest way to go will be to get one of the portable units.

[Cowboys Fan 87]

The latest in the Sirius-XM merger was that the Sirius CEO said "it's a nice idea, but at this point completely unfeasible".

So it may take longer than you think.

Someone is apparently thinking this over again::::::

Sirius Sees Benefits In Potential Merger http://www.washingtonpost.com/....html

[litlnemo]

We just picked up our new Versa with Sirius tonight... We had some trouble getting the Sat turned on too, because, to quote my spouse who was the one who called, "the car is so new that the guy at sirius didn't believe for a while that it actually existed. the model (Versa) didn't show up in their system, and he couldn't resolve my VIN to the appropriate SID code."

Eventually they got it figured out. I'll let him know about this thread so he can post information to help, if possible.

[xiojason]

Switch to the SAT input and tune to channel "000" using the tune up/down buttons. After a moment, a 12-digit number should appear on the display. That is your SID (aka ESN). Call 1-888-539-SIRIUS and tell them you have a brand new Nissan that probably isn't in their system yet, but you do have the SID and you'd like your free three months.

It took about a half an hour to get to this point with a very patient (but somewhat incredulous) Sirius phone rep, and for my trouble, he extended the free subscription period. Perhaps a little bit of a sob story about how you've tried to activate before and been denied might garner you a little extra love.

Good luck!

[Ever Victorious]

For those of you that have XM, this is a virtually identical process. You tune to Sat channel 000 and it will take up to 5 minutes, but your radio's 8-digit ID code will come up.

You then call XM at 1-800-967-2346 or register online at http://www.xmradio.com

Note, XM will NOT use the letters "I", "S", "O", or "F" in their ID codes.