What's everybody's thoughts on the factory XM radio that comes in our vehicles? I like XM, but Im not sure if I want it through my factory head unit. Seems like there's not a large enough display in the radio to show enough info at once. The aftermarket ones also seem to have some nice features, like the ability to pause and rewind…….plus portability! I didn’t order my truck with XM, I figured if I wanted to go the factory route, I'll buy the upgrade module for our radio or Ill go aftermarket with a SkyFi 2 or something.
I cant make up my freakin mind on this for some reason!!!! :banghead:

Consider getting a unit that can receive both XM and Sirius. Depending on what you like to listen too, or the reason you may have gotten it in the first place, there are some major programming changes happening in a year or so that might affect your decision now.

Like all of us who have XM for the Nascar coverage and it will now be going to Sirius after next year, if not sooner. :rant: :rippedhan :damnit1: :deal: :Wedgie: :nutkick:

I like factory cause it has a clean look. I'm happy with XM.

It would be nice to have the clean factory look, but I don't think I would be happy without my Skyfi 2. Having artist, song title, & channel displayed all the time, plus other things like the stock ticker, sports scores, & pause & rewind is pretty cool. Now if GM would just put a 2 or 3 line display on the factory radio, then I might change my mind.

I hear ya on the NASCAR issue...that was the reason I went with XM in the first place!! This time I was thinking of Sirius because of NASCAR and Howard Stern, I just really like the XM products better. Are there units that support both XM & Sirius? I didnt realize how much I liked satellite radio until I had to live with out it for the past 2 weeks!

I understand your frustration with the limited (at any moment) display...but I DO like how it is clean and integrated. However, now I have the best of both worlds because my TNR (Escalade Nav radio) shows every piece of info all on one screen. Genre, song title/artist, channel number and channel name. Then there are two on-screen 'buttons' to scan and search thru the channels by genre. Couldnt be happier! Plus the sound quality is perfect, as there is no FM modulator.

---Ben

I could have sworn I read somewhere that someone was able to use the OEM xm antenna with a sirius unit plugged into the OEM head unit. Unfortunately, I can't find where I read it - it was probably a year ago. I suppose that didn't help much, huh.

Portability could be the deciding factor. How much time you spend in that vehicle depends on whether or not you will feel you are getting your money's worth with a factory unit.

The factory XM antenna work fine with a Sirius radio. You will have to trim some plastic on the factory connector to make it fit.

I have both the factory XM unit and a Skyfi2.

I prefer the features of the Skyfi2 over the factory unit, like more info on 1 screen, remember's and signals you when your favorite artists or songs begin to play, remote control, more presets, pause, record, portability, keypad for direct channel access. Disadvantages are mounting, security, and steering wheel control integration.

The factory unit looks cleaner, factory antenna(no wires to route), interfaced with steering wheel controls and reqires no FM modulators, cassettes, or input adapters. Disadvantages are only 6 presets per band, no direct access keypad, no memory, small display, is not portable.

If I were buying today I would get the new TAO XM2go unit or maybe the MyFi2, interface it to my truck and save the additional $6.95/mo it costs for the second unit.

Hope that helps

I understand your frustration with the limited (at any moment) display...but I DO like how it is clean and integrated. However, now I have the best of both worlds because my TNR (Escalade Nav radio) shows every piece of info all on one screen. Genre, song title/artist, channel number and channel name. Then there are two on-screen 'buttons' to scan and search thru the channels by genre. Couldnt be happier! Plus the sound quality is perfect, as there is no FM modulator.

---Ben

Does the OEM Escalade navagation radio hook directly up to the stock wiring harnesses? Does it fit with no modifications? Where did you get yours?

Jimbo

For the most part it hooks up to the stock harness. The Escalade nav radios ONLY work on 2003's and up. Then there are two different amplfier set ups they work with. "Premium" (non-lux) or Lux. For complete plug and play, you can get a non-lux nav radio. For MUCH MUCH better sound you can upgrade your amplifier to the Bose Luxury amp (only avalible in Denali's and Escalade's). However that requires you to buy a Lux amp and do MINOR rewiring at the amp connectors. Just switching some pins. Otherwise its plug and play like the Premium nav radio. For 2003's and 2004's you do have to run 1 wire from the speedometer to the back of the nav radio tho....for 2005's its already in place. Id be happy to answer any other questions you have!

---Ben

I just picked up my new 05 GMC CC 2 weeks ago. I own a Skyfi2, I did the install for the Skyfi2 and it came out clean. I have one question. Is there audio inputs on the factory radio? I went with the upgrade radio with a cassette player but no XM. On my old truck I had a Sony head unit with aux audio input and the XM sounded great compared to coming over fm and the cassette adapter that I am using now.
Thanks for your help.