Merged Sirius Satellite Radio Threads
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 82
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From: MD
Seem to have some die-hard Siri loyalists. Question--have you tried XM?
I've had XM for several years, and had it installed in my IS. After resolving some equipment issues, I'm now very happy with the end result. My wife's BMW has Sirius--which actually is pretty good too. I was dissapointed that we could not get XM in the BMW, but it was more important that the car have satellite radio.
The music on both XM and SIRI provide a lot of variety. I like the way that Sirius groups the channels together, but playlists aren't as deep on Siri. I could care less about Howard and the NFL on Siri and O&A and Ophra on XM, and both services have the same news channels. So in my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences in the two services.
Personally, although I'm a die-hard XM subscriber, I would not rip out the Siri unit of my wife's BMW to get XM. Why not give XM a try--unless you want Howard or NFL, you might be happier with a unit that is fully Lexus compatible.
I've had XM for several years, and had it installed in my IS. After resolving some equipment issues, I'm now very happy with the end result. My wife's BMW has Sirius--which actually is pretty good too. I was dissapointed that we could not get XM in the BMW, but it was more important that the car have satellite radio.
The music on both XM and SIRI provide a lot of variety. I like the way that Sirius groups the channels together, but playlists aren't as deep on Siri. I could care less about Howard and the NFL on Siri and O&A and Ophra on XM, and both services have the same news channels. So in my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences in the two services.
Personally, although I'm a die-hard XM subscriber, I would not rip out the Siri unit of my wife's BMW to get XM. Why not give XM a try--unless you want Howard or NFL, you might be happier with a unit that is fully Lexus compatible.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: IN
Seem to have some die-hard Siri loyalists. Question--have you tried XM?
I've had XM for several years, and had it installed in my IS. After resolving some equipment issues, I'm now very happy with the end result. My wife's BMW has Sirius--which actually is pretty good too. I was dissapointed that we could not get XM in the BMW, but it was more important that the car have satellite radio.
The music on both XM and SIRI provide a lot of variety. I like the way that Sirius groups the channels together, but playlists aren't as deep on Siri. I could care less about Howard and the NFL on Siri and O&A and Ophra on XM, and both services have the same news channels. So in my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences in the two services.
Personally, although I'm a die-hard XM subscriber, I would not rip out the Siri unit of my wife's BMW to get XM. Why not give XM a try--unless you want Howard or NFL, you might be happier with a unit that is fully Lexus compatible.
I've had XM for several years, and had it installed in my IS. After resolving some equipment issues, I'm now very happy with the end result. My wife's BMW has Sirius--which actually is pretty good too. I was dissapointed that we could not get XM in the BMW, but it was more important that the car have satellite radio.
The music on both XM and SIRI provide a lot of variety. I like the way that Sirius groups the channels together, but playlists aren't as deep on Siri. I could care less about Howard and the NFL on Siri and O&A and Ophra on XM, and both services have the same news channels. So in my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences in the two services.
Personally, although I'm a die-hard XM subscriber, I would not rip out the Siri unit of my wife's BMW to get XM. Why not give XM a try--unless you want Howard or NFL, you might be happier with a unit that is fully Lexus compatible.
I had XM in my Hummer. I hated it.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: OH
Seem to have some die-hard Siri loyalists. Question--have you tried XM?
I've had XM for several years, and had it installed in my IS. After resolving some equipment issues, I'm now very happy with the end result. My wife's BMW has Sirius--which actually is pretty good too. I was dissapointed that we could not get XM in the BMW, but it was more important that the car have satellite radio.
The music on both XM and SIRI provide a lot of variety. I like the way that Sirius groups the channels together, but playlists aren't as deep on Siri. I could care less about Howard and the NFL on Siri and O&A and Ophra on XM, and both services have the same news channels. So in my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences in the two services.
Personally, although I'm a die-hard XM subscriber, I would not rip out the Siri unit of my wife's BMW to get XM. Why not give XM a try--unless you want Howard or NFL, you might be happier with a unit that is fully Lexus compatible.
I've had XM for several years, and had it installed in my IS. After resolving some equipment issues, I'm now very happy with the end result. My wife's BMW has Sirius--which actually is pretty good too. I was dissapointed that we could not get XM in the BMW, but it was more important that the car have satellite radio.
The music on both XM and SIRI provide a lot of variety. I like the way that Sirius groups the channels together, but playlists aren't as deep on Siri. I could care less about Howard and the NFL on Siri and O&A and Ophra on XM, and both services have the same news channels. So in my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences in the two services.
Personally, although I'm a die-hard XM subscriber, I would not rip out the Siri unit of my wife's BMW to get XM. Why not give XM a try--unless you want Howard or NFL, you might be happier with a unit that is fully Lexus compatible.
I think the issue has gone beyond programming options and Oprah vs. Howard. The issue is that when the car was purchased we had the option to purchase the Sirius Radio. Some of us have already paid for Sirius, not XM to be in our cars. We have been given multiple release dates and they still can't get their answers straight. As each day passes I get a little more upset about this. I will be calling a lawyer to see what options are available.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: MD
I think the issue has gone beyond programming options and Oprah vs. Howard. The issue is that when the car was purchased we had the option to purchase the Sirius Radio. Some of us have already paid for Sirius, not XM to be in our cars. We have been given multiple release dates and they still can't get their answers straight. As each day passes I get a little more upset about this. I will be calling a lawyer to see what options are available.
"J,
Unfortunately no Group Buys are offered at this time.
--
Best regards,
Eugene Kaspin
VAIS Technology
phone: 720-733-2348
e-mail: info@vaistech.com
Saturday, October 7, 2006, 2:44:58 PM, you wrote:
> Would Vaistech be willing to do anything as far as a
> group buy such as was done on the club lexus forums
> with the SLI? There seems to be quite a few people
> that are fed up with getting yanked around by lexus."
Anyways...I am still leaning towards giving the SLS a shot. I'll probably make up my mind some time this week. Anyone else that has bought and/or used one...let us know what you think. I definately would like input from several people if possible before buying. Especially from those that already had the SLI installed.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: ny
Hi guys I am lurking here until we get our 350 next year. Also a Mobile Electronics shop manager.
Have you guys seen the new Lexus to Sirius adapter from Soundgate?
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?r...usereferrer=1&
Have you guys seen the new Lexus to Sirius adapter from Soundgate?
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?r...usereferrer=1&
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: MD
Hi guys I am lurking here until we get our 350 next year. Also a Mobile Electronics shop manager.
Have you guys seen the new Lexus to Sirius adapter from Soundgate?
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?r...usereferrer=1&
Have you guys seen the new Lexus to Sirius adapter from Soundgate?
http://www.soundgate.com/index.php?r...usereferrer=1&
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: IL
I just picked up my 2007 IS350 this weekend (!!!) - I originally asked for the dealer XM install knowing the Sirius situation. As I mentioned my Sirius preference to the woman who "delivers" the car, she said they can do Sirius too. I gave them the go-ahead, pick up my car the next day, and it has the Vais unit installed.
Some observations:
1) Can only use presets in Sat1 and Sat2. Sat3 becomes another line in and also functions as level controls.
2) Main audio display has 10 characters max - this screen only displays the station names, so no big deal. The "text" display screen allows 16 characters for artist and 16 for title, which still doesn't cut it but is at least decent.
3) Some quirkiness - station names occasionally blank out of presets, requiring cyclying through another input (FM, AM, etc.). Occasional long delay in switching stations, may be related to signal strength? Also, one time totally lost the satellite input and only restarting the car fixed it!
Questions for anyone who has installed Sirius (Vais or other):
1) Does the unit use the shark fin antenna on the roof? They put a Sirius micro antenna in my back window on the parcel shelf, which seems like a waste of the shark fin. Reception isn't too good - cuts out often where my portable Sirius unit with car dock didn't.
2) Notice any of the quirkiness above? Trying to find out if I should take it back in and have it replaced.
Let me know if I can help answer any questions.
Thanks!
Some observations:
1) Can only use presets in Sat1 and Sat2. Sat3 becomes another line in and also functions as level controls.
2) Main audio display has 10 characters max - this screen only displays the station names, so no big deal. The "text" display screen allows 16 characters for artist and 16 for title, which still doesn't cut it but is at least decent.
3) Some quirkiness - station names occasionally blank out of presets, requiring cyclying through another input (FM, AM, etc.). Occasional long delay in switching stations, may be related to signal strength? Also, one time totally lost the satellite input and only restarting the car fixed it!
Questions for anyone who has installed Sirius (Vais or other):
1) Does the unit use the shark fin antenna on the roof? They put a Sirius micro antenna in my back window on the parcel shelf, which seems like a waste of the shark fin. Reception isn't too good - cuts out often where my portable Sirius unit with car dock didn't.
2) Notice any of the quirkiness above? Trying to find out if I should take it back in and have it replaced.
Let me know if I can help answer any questions.
Thanks!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: OH
I just picked up my 2007 IS350 this weekend (!!!) - I originally asked for the dealer XM install knowing the Sirius situation. As I mentioned my Sirius preference to the woman who "delivers" the car, she said they can do Sirius too. I gave them the go-ahead, pick up my car the next day, and it has the Vais unit installed.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: IL
If anyone wants to see pics of the display on the NAV screen or the antenna, let me know.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: MD
Thanks to both kaslead and johnmax for the info. Based on what I've heard from kaslead, I am more inclined to go with the vias tech. I also noticed some small hesitation when I have my ipod running thru the SLI...I'm not sure of the reason behind it but I've never had any problem in the actual function of my ipod...just the display of text on rare occasion...seems like it freezes up. I don't want to run an increased risk of having a problem with the ipod...this is my reason for going with the SLS. Hopefully someone else will try other products and let us know how they work. I'm planning on ordering sometime this week and will report back when I have something.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: VA
Well, I'm getting my ES350 at the end of the November and I'm already not too happy with Lexus over this whole Sirius issue. The dealership said it would be ready in September and it obviously still isn't. Even worse with the idea that apparently they have given up on it completely. Thats just lazy.
Well, I guess Vaistech is the second best option and one we'll have to go with.
Matthew
Well, I guess Vaistech is the second best option and one we'll have to go with.
Matthew
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: IL
I just spoke with McGrath Lexus of Westmont (my dealership) and wanted to give everyone an update. They are very familiar with VAISTech and they say that is actually the company they use for their XM installs. I don't know if this is the same with every dealership, but this gives me some confidence in them. They haven't done any Sirius units yet but said they would be glad to do it. $400 for parts (VAIS unit $300 and Sirius tuner $100) and $200 for 2 hours of labor. I'm considering doing the install myself, but am not sure where to mount both the VAIS unit and the Sirius tuner. I'll probably make the decision in the next few days. Just wanted everyone to know that VAIS appears to have a good reputation.