XM or Sirius radio?!
Question: In order to use an xm or sirius radio, do they have to be installed in my car, or can I just listen to them anywhere like a normal portable radio?
Answers: In order to use an xm or sirius radio, do they have to be installed in my car, or can I just listen to them anywhere like a normal portable radio?
Both versions offer a play anywhere device. No installation is required in a car at all.
They can be used externally from your car radio without an actual install, and offer ipod like hand held players and boom box options also.
I vote XM, I've had them for several years.
They each have portable units that can be used like a "Walkman" and have recording and mp3 capabilities.
XM has the Pioneer Inno/Samsung Helix (same radio, just cosmetic differences, but I think the Helix is discontinued). They also have the Delphi MyFi, but it is pretty old and supposedly doesn't have as good of an antenna as the Inno/Helix.
Sirius has the Stiletto product line. They just came out with the second generation Stiletto2. The first generation ones are probably getting cheaper now that the 2 has come out. The older Stiletto 100 and the Stiletto2 both also have the capability to stream Sirius music via WiFi.
When putting these in your car, it works best if you install the car dock/antenna/power connection, so that you have an antenna on the roof of your car for better connection. Then you can just pop the radio itself in and out of the car dock. You can also get a home kit for each radio for use in other places.
There is also an expansive line of "Plug-N-Play" radios for each service. Those work the same way, except that you can't listen to them as a portable radio. Examples are:
Sirius: Sportsters, Starmates
XM: Roady, XPress