Whats up everyone,

I live in NY, work in Brooklyn. XM would be nice with no commercials and the NavTraffic feature, but what do you think is better to put in my whip? The XM receiver for my Pioneer head unit avic-f90bt is about $120, then the monthly charge w. Navtraffic is about $16.99...where the HD radio's cost is probably somewhere around $150. If you can, instead of just writing XM or HD, tell me why you would choose it.

I don't know enough about either to make a decision yet, but I figured i'd ask the crew to see what you guys thought.

Thanks,
Woody

 

HD is a waste of time right now, until more/every station becomes HD. Its nice to not have to pay a monthly fee, but HD is free, you can't expect too much. So the already crappy FM stations sound a bit better? snore....

XM or Sirius (same now i guess) on the other hand is wonderful, i can pretty much promise you won't listen to much FM anymore if you get it, over a 100 stations of just music or sports or whatever you want, all the time? Its nice to have an infinite playlist that isn't interrupted (well, hardly ever). They have new music out before FM does as well, like long before. Go for Satellite!

 

With XM, if you are driving in wooded areas with very tall trees, expect to lose the signal CONSTANTLY. It's extremely annoying actually. Sure it's cool, but not worth it at all in some areas. In my drive from home to work I lose signal in two locations for about 30sec each time. And this is on perfectly clear days. Satellite has its advantages, but good lord does it suck in some places.

 

I would go HD because of the lack of subscription fees and the fact that almost all stations here in chicago have gone HD which also gives extra channels.
http://www.hdradioalliance.com/stati...on+hdradio.com New york's list

 

where is your antenna mounted?

and beyond that, all the newest units worth anything are delayed so you don't miss a beat.

 

Well considering this is in an 09, and part of the premium package, I'd say its a new unit. Also note that I said around 30 seconds at a time, not just a second or two. It works great in open areas, but driving down streets with tall trees on both sides blocks the signal, doesn't matter where the antenna is.(and honestly I'm not sure where the antenna is mounted in the 09', I'd have to look it up).

 

my point is, I live in the sticks of Glocester RI where there are more trees than imaginable, and don't lose it for that amount of time. perhaps its because mine is aftermarket and yours is built in? not sure.

 

I love the variety of XM / Sirius. But I usually drive in places with clear views of the southern sky.

 

yahh...i'm in Brooklyn, we have perfect service.

anybody have experience with NavTraffic?

 

I have a little bit, its works fairly well last i tried it, no huge complaints.

 

Are you sure the NavTraffic works with the 900?I have the 700 and it doesnt work with it.You might want to make sure before buying.

 

yeah i just noticed that today...is kenwood the only company in which navtraffic hooks up with?

i feel like i remember seeing pioneer used to hook up with it...i just assumed that the newer models did too. i dread having to get another kenwood dvd player...i had the ddx 6019 and i hated it...it was awful. Horrible GUI setup...looked gross. The reason I bought it was because the size of the 7" screen.

 

the only experience i have was with a pioneer for navtraffic, but i believe it was an Avic z2 or something.