Thinking of trying a portable - is Samsung neXus 25 a good option

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

peter

2007-07-31 18:54:26 UTC

Hi there,
I had an XM Radio in a rental car. Now I want to get it for me all the time.
I have two questions tho...

1. I was thinking of using it when I am at work or at the gym. Can I use a
portable indoors like that (just carry it around like a regular AM/FM
portable radio)?

2. I saw that the Samsung neXus 25 is free after a rebate. (I saw it at
http://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2012
but there might be other places) Is getting this a good starting point?
Should I get a better one to start out?

Thanks tons.

Lee

2007-08-01 13:07:17 UTC

Permalink

Not according to the reviews on Amazon, where one reviewer says "The
radio will only play live XM when it's in the cradle." I checked because
that free one sounded like a good deal, but I want to be able to listen
to live xm, since I listen mainly to news/talk. And listening to
prerecorded news seems a little pointless. To the OP, I have a Roady XT
that I use at work with a home kit (costs extra). But I'm fortunate that
there is a repeater somewhere nearby; otherwise I might not be able to
get a signal inside of the building.

So, adding onto the thread - is there an XM or a Sirius portable that
lets you listen to live radio while you're out and about? I know I can
get a boom box for my XT, but that's too big for what I want to do. (I'd
mostly use it at outdoor events, so reception wouldn't be too big a deal).

Post by peter
Hi there,
I had an XM Radio in a rental car. Now I want to get it for me all the time.
I have two questions tho...
1. I was thinking of using it when I am at work or at the gym. Can I use a
portable indoors like that (just carry it around like a regular AM/FM
portable radio)?
2. I saw that the Samsung neXus 25 is free after a rebate. (I saw it at
http://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2012
but there might be other places) Is getting this a good starting point?
Should I get a better one to start out?
Thanks tons.

2007-08-01 15:11:50 UTC

Permalink

Check out the pioneer Inno.

GS

Post by Lee
Not according to the reviews on Amazon, where one reviewer says "The
radio will only play live XM when it's in the cradle." I checked because
that free one sounded like a good deal, but I want to be able to listen
to live xm, since I listen mainly to news/talk. And listening to
prerecorded news seems a little pointless. To the OP, I have a Roady XT
that I use at work with a home kit (costs extra). But I'm fortunate that
there is a repeater somewhere nearby; otherwise I might not be able to
get a signal inside of the building.
So, adding onto the thread - is there an XM or a Sirius portable that
lets you listen to live radio while you're out and about? I know I can
get a boom box for my XT, but that's too big for what I want to do. (I'd
mostly use it at outdoor events, so reception wouldn't be too big a deal).

Karen

2007-08-01 15:51:49 UTC

Permalink

Me, too. That being said, it also depends on repeater location and
that seems to change for me depending on time of day, etc. In other
words, I can't rely on getting a talk or news channel ALL the time in
any one given area of my house or my yard.

Before I bought my second XM radio, I looked into the differences
between the Pioneer Inno and the Nexus, and I came away more satisfied
with on-line comments and reviews on the Inno. So far (I've had it
for three months), I'm happy with it.

Post by GS
Check out the pioneer Inno.
GS

peter

2007-08-01 16:24:40 UTC

Permalink

Let me see if I understand. If I get a Inno, I also need to get a repeater
and put it in the yard or on the roof? Or is the repeater something that is
bigger and owned by some utility company?

I live in a small town that doesn't even get good cell phone reception most
places. If I wanted to listen to the XM radio at home and at work (both in
the same small town), will I need to use a repeater or something or can the
Inno just pull in signal by itself?

When you take your Inno in the car, can you use it there?

Thanks loads.

Post by Karen
Me, too. That being said, it also depends on repeater location and
that seems to change for me depending on time of day, etc. In other
words, I can't rely on getting a talk or news channel ALL the time in
any one given area of my house or my yard.
Before I bought my second XM radio, I looked into the differences
between the Pioneer Inno and the Nexus, and I came away more satisfied
with on-line comments and reviews on the Inno. So far (I've had it
for three months), I'm happy with it.

Post by GS
Check out the pioneer Inno.
GS

http://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2012

Post by Karen

Post by GS

Post by Lee

Post by peter
but there might be other places) Is getting this a good starting point?
Should I get a better one to start out?
Thanks tons.

Tim Conway

2007-08-01 17:44:22 UTC

Permalink

Post by peter
Let me see if I understand. If I get a Inno, I also need to get a repeater
and put it in the yard or on the roof? Or is the repeater something that is
bigger and owned by some utility company?
I live in a small town that doesn't even get good cell phone reception most
places. If I wanted to listen to the XM radio at home and at work (both in
the same small town), will I need to use a repeater or something or can the
Inno just pull in signal by itself?
When you take your Inno in the car, can you use it there?
Thanks loads.

A repeater is a limited area broadcasting tower owned by XM or Sirius to
supplement the satellite signal. Most radios can receive either/or the
satellite signal and the repeater (terrestrial).

I've heard the Inno is pretty good, but indoors it might not always get a
signal.
tim

peter

2007-08-01 17:50:24 UTC

Permalink

If XM or Sirius does not have a repeater in my area nearby (which is most
likely) can I put some type of protable antenna unit outside and have it act
as a "little local repeater" for my use. Then when I go to work (or home)
bring the antenna with me and use it there?

Post by Tim Conway

A repeater is a limited area broadcasting tower owned by XM or Sirius to
supplement the satellite signal. Most radios can receive either/or the
satellite signal and the repeater (terrestrial).
I've heard the Inno is pretty good, but indoors it might not always get a
signal.
tim

Karen

2007-08-01 19:02:33 UTC

Permalink

Post by Tim Conway

A repeater is a limited area broadcasting tower owned by XM or Sirius to
supplement the satellite signal. Most radios can receive either/or the
satellite signal and the repeater (terrestrial).

Good explanation.

Post by Tim Conway
I've heard the Inno is pretty good, but indoors it might not always get a
signal.
tim

In the house, I have to twist and turn my Inno until I get a signal.
Sometimes this is simpler than other times. Last night, no problems.
Night before was a horror. Outdoors is usually fine.

Lee

2007-08-02 00:52:50 UTC

Permalink

Thanks. I'll check that out. I wish I could find a unit where I didn't
have to pay for the recording capability, but I realize I'm probably in
the minority on that one.

To the OP, with my Roady XT, both the home kit and car kits come with an
antenna on a relatively long cable. So far, at home and work, I've been
able to place it somewhere in the house or office where I'm able to pick
up a signal, usually repeater signal. There is a display on the unit
that tells you if you're getting a signal from the satellite,
terrestrial or both. You might want to buy (with the ability to return)
a radio to take home and try. Both services have an info channel that
doesn't require a subscription (it's just a long litany of
advertisements for the real channels, but you'd be able to tell if you
can get reception at hour home). Then if you don't get a signal, you can
return it. If you do get a signal, you can keep it... or return it and
buy a less expensive on online <G>.

Also wanted to say it's nice to see some activity on this group. Either
my mail filters are working overtime or a lot of people have wandered
elsewhere (where?).

Post by GS
Check out the pioneer Inno.
GS

peter

2007-08-02 13:31:48 UTC

Permalink

Lee,
That's a good idea. Go to Circuit City or something and see if I can buy one
with the option of returning it if I don't like it. Thanks for the
suggestion.
Peter

Post by Lee
Thanks. I'll check that out. I wish I could find a unit where I didn't
have to pay for the recording capability, but I realize I'm probably in
the minority on that one.
To the OP, with my Roady XT, both the home kit and car kits come with an
antenna on a relatively long cable. So far, at home and work, I've been
able to place it somewhere in the house or office where I'm able to pick
up a signal, usually repeater signal. There is a display on the unit
that tells you if you're getting a signal from the satellite,
terrestrial or both. You might want to buy (with the ability to return)
a radio to take home and try. Both services have an info channel that
doesn't require a subscription (it's just a long litany of
advertisements for the real channels, but you'd be able to tell if you
can get reception at hour home). Then if you don't get a signal, you can
return it. If you do get a signal, you can keep it... or return it and
buy a less expensive on online <G>.
Also wanted to say it's nice to see some activity on this group. Either
my mail filters are working overtime or a lot of people have wandered
elsewhere (where?).

Post by GS
Check out the pioneer Inno.
GS

http://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2012

Post by Lee

Post by GS

Post by Lee

Post by peter
but there might be other places) Is getting this a good starting point?
Should I get a better one to start out?
Thanks tons.