Buying a Sirius radio - help please

abbadoodles
abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Coming from someone without cable/satellite TV, this is pretty funny, but I am in the market for a Sirius radio.  A new car we bought came with a 6-month subscription and I love it!  It isn't too expensive from what I can see.

Now, I don't care so much about having it in my own car, but would like one for the house.  I looked at the options on the Sirius site and am confused.  It seems there are a couple of table models but most are either for cars or iPods or something like them (which I don't have) and require a docking station or something.  I say "or something" because I don't really get it and my head is swimming.

What do I really need?  I know you can help.

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  • BFidelis
    BFidelis Member Posts: 156
    edited June 2009

    Hi Tina,

    My family got me one for my BDay.  They got me a 'docker' for my car.  The thing about the docer kind is that you can have a 'dock' in your car (which you DON'T need), a 'dock' in your house (into your audio system) and maybe at your office and you just move the thing between docks like you do an iPod.  That being said, you really just need one for your home.  If you (or some loved one) is an audio-geek they can get a 'home kit' (docking style) for about $50 aowardnd just set it up permanently in your audio system.  If you are have neither the time nor inclination toward electronics, they also have what they call a "boom box" that the unit slides into.  The boom box contains the sat. antenna, power source (AC or can 'travel' with "D" batteries) and amp/speakers.  Can't remember how much that was, but seemed like a pretty good "simple" set up.  You might also want to know that for around $3/month more, you can listen to Sirius on-line (which is what I am doing.)

    Peace,

    Beth

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited June 2009

    My hubby has XM (just merged with Sirius) and he loves it. He got me a radio receiver for my car at Christmas and I am looking for the home docking station so I can move it (my receiver) from my house to my car easy. I know to take the unit out of my car, I just unplug 3 plugs and carry it into the house (it is about the size of a pack of cards). By removing it from my car, theves don't have anything to steal.

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  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited June 2009

    Tina -

    I am going to relay your question to my husband and then report back, as he knows much more about the Sirius than I. However, I do know a few things. My husband bought me a Sirius Sportster about 5 years ago, which I loved, but eventually the receiver would just say "acquiring signal" and I could not listen to it. I never had it hardwired into my stereo, which probably would have helped.

    As Beth mentions above, there is the boombox - which we do have - the old style one from maybe four years ago, which essentially is a docking station with a pair of speakers so you may listen in the house or patio. Sometimes, we had trouble with this coming in as well. Again to parrot Beth, listening online is a nice option, as it comes in well 

    My husband now has the stilletto, which I believe he can listen to at home; I believe he can also record on it, but again, I will ask him as he is the expert.

    Raye

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited June 2009

    So, I have the Bose system at home.  I wonder if the Sirius will hook up with that?  I hate to get some other system additionally for the Sirius; too much electronic junk around the house. 

    I'll be looking forward to your DH's recs, Raye.  Thanks to all of you.

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited June 2009

    The docking station/home installation kit I am looking for to use with my XM Sportscaster receiver has the home base to hold the receiver (that I move from car and back), house antenna, home power cord, and cord to connect to the input on my current radio. With that I would be able to listen through the house radio's speakers just by taking it (sportscaster) out of my car and connecting the wires between the receiver and the fm radio in the house. I want to get the home kit so I can listen to the old time radio programs. Our cost for 2 receivers is about 90 a quarter, only because we also pay extra for the 'best of Sirius' package so my hubby can listen to NASCAR.

    Sheila

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited June 2009

    I discontinued mine after 2 years.  It was nice on long trips and since we live in BFE, it was good to get a signal.   I simply got tired of all the commercials.

    I have the home docking unit, but it is separate from my stereo.  I never did bring it in to use it after my son hooked everything up.

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited June 2009

    Commercials???  I thought it was advertised as commercial-free radio???

    Sheila, thanks for the extra info. 

    Most of the time I like silence. LOL

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  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited June 2009

    Hi Tina - my husband said to buy a radio with a home kit, but I explained that you already have a radio in your car.

    His response is below. I am trying to get more info from him, although the home kit would be a good idea, but read below about reception. BAH

    Now some of the shows have commercials - I listened mostly to the ALT Nation, which is just music and there were not commercials. Talk shows such as Howard Stern (which my husband listens to) do have commercials.

    Here is my hubby's response:

    "The best option would be to buy a portable radio with a home kit. That way if you want to use it in the car or take it on a trip you still can.

    Getting good reception indoors is hit or miss, so if you can get a roof mount antenna for your home it would be a big plus. The downside to this is that the radio has to stay in the same room that the antenna is wired to."

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