Post by jewaheAre all Sportster 4 radios XM compatible, or are there models that
are not?
Currently, only the MiRGE provides cross-compatibility between XM and
Sirius. This radio requires an Sirius XM All-In-One Package
($19.99/month or $17.99/month).
Sportsters are designed to work strictly with the Sirius system. If
you get one, you'll need to purchase a Sirius subscription package.
If you currently have XM, you need to buy a radio (i.e., an Xpress)
intended for that service.
The good news is that the services are basically interchangeable at
this point. The basic $12.95/month package contains programming from
both services.
The $16.99 package completes the deal, giving you access to the Howard
Stern/Martha Stewart/Oprah channels, as well as the sports programming
from the other service.
I think the only gaps in the services right now is that some of the
political talk channels have different talent (a quick check shows
that this is more the exception than the rule, though - the only
difference seems to be when a particular program is on).
1. Sportster 4 radios =are= Best-Of-XM-compatible. You have to do the
opposite of what is stated above (i.e., pay extra on a Sirius subscription)
to receive the Best Of XM package, however.
2. There are huge gaps on the sports and talk channels. On the sports side,
adding BoXM to a Sirius subscription effectively doubles the amount of
college sports available, makes NBA and NHL games available, makes PGA Tour
coverage available, and adds access to the MLB talker, Home Plate, and its
NHL equivalent, Home Ice.
On the talk side of BoXM, XMPR supplements the content on the Sirius NPR
channels without adding any duplication. The Virus adds "guy talk"
somewhere between Howard Stern's content and the old Maxim Radio's. Oprah
Radio, theoretically, adds content a bit more downscale and a bit more
ethereal than Martha Stewart's channel.
There are still elements lacking on BoXM that only XM subs can receive:
several channels of Clear Channel talk radio (and ad-supported music) with
CC-exclusive hosts, MLB game coverage, the urban-focused political and
lifestyle talk of The Power, and Christian talk with a Focus-On-The-Family
tilt (rather than the Baptist slant of the Sirius offering).
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