Has anyone here had experience, good, bad or otherwise, using satellite radio. My Alpine h/u is XM-ready (most new units are). Before I sign up for the system I'd like to know what everyone's experience has been. Thanks.

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Not in this weather!

Never had any experience, but why pay for a service when you can get radio for free via FM?

Personally I listen to cd's only, maybe the radio once ina while, but I make a cd I listen to it I make another and I listen to that. You'd be better off getting a 50+ disc changer in the trunk and keeping a stock of every song you like, then you would never have to worry abotu radio stations ever, unless to listen to news.

PersonallyI think its a great concept, but paying for something that should be free is not in my books.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Technically, there is really no mystique to satellite radio...after all if you have a dish at home, you probably have access to a number of music-only channels (located in the far reaches of the channel spectrum), and satelite radio is merely an extension of the same technology.

The satelite radio channels are commercial free...and that is why a subscription fee is required...someone's got to pay the bills.

I think more people will get hooked onto satellite radio when the incentives to get on will be more palatable...in the same manner as cellular and PCS phone service...remember how cumbersome the wireless subscription requirements were in the early days?

The days of "free air" are slowly fading...

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XM radio is a great thing for people that don't have time to burn cd's and deal with changing them! With proper integration into your system (no fm modulation) you can expect to hear sound quality equal to cd. Most people spend @ $15 to $45 a month on cds, so $10.00 is not much by comparison. I just talked to a customer of mine that drove all the way to Miami from San Diego and he listened to XM all the way. No problems! Not like fm at all. People in San Diego like it because there is 4 classical stations to chose from and we don't have one good one on fm. The only down side is that some of the stations do have commercials. It is funny how some people are not willing to accept new tecnology and are always going to knock what they haven't even seen!

Scott

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The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

Did you go ahead and activate the satellite radio XM?

A buddy just had one installed in his truck and loves it. I am considering options to add the service to my 2000 S430.

Like to hear how you like it.

Glenn

Ashman,

I'm not trying to start a huge debate on this, but who says satellite radio "should be free?"

Like G-Benz said, Someone's got to pay the bills. Satellite networks are not exactly cheap! That's like saying your cell phone should be free! And the musicians and writers of the songs you're hearing have to be paid for the airplay as well.

The advantages over local radio are many:

No commercials on most stations
MANY more format and genre options than you have locally
Doesn't fade out of range like a local station
Better sound quality
Distinct lack of annoying DJs, morning shows, news flashes, traffic reports, etc. JUST MUSIC.

Once again, my 2 cents...
Mike

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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
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Im not going to babble forever, but I will prove my point...The Satellite Radio is the *****. I have one in my car and truck, and my dad has thgem in his cars...Talk about variety, it has about anything. If you dont like the rock song on, you can go listen to raw uncut standup comedy, which is always funny. The music is great, the quality as good as a CD, and if you wont spend 10.00 a month for this, ur just cheap

I've had my XM radio since november and I love it :p I like to listen to music from the 50's and 60's and there is only 1 radio station in my area that has an oldies format. I got tired of the static and small coverage area not to mention the annoying local commercials. With XM i'm able to request songs that I like and they play them very quickly they also will play songs that are deemed to long for radio play. The on air personality are very friendly and know their music. I have been in the most remote parts of south Georgia and Florida and have not experieced any issues with reception.

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1987 300D Turbo (mine) 210,000 miles (with XM radio) 1985 300D (Dads) 122,000 miles 1987 190D Turbo (Brothers)139,000 miles With Eurolights