What Radio To Get? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Shootmaster_44 · 2012-07-19, 12:18 PM

I currently have a Stiletto 100 that is installed in my car. I was in a car accident and the body shop wrecked some of the cables running from the antenna and the power source. Since my radio is over 6 years old and has a bunch of problems with refurbished dock that I had to buy for it. I figured I'd get a new radio with a car kit. The Stiletto 100 is perfectly fine and works with the home stereo dock (or whatever you want to call the ghetto blaster that I have for it), so I figure that can be my home radio and I'll get something for the car.

I was thinking a Stiletto 2, but I went to Sirius' website and it looks like they've discontinued it since you cannot buy it from there. I want to ensure I buy a current model so that if I need parts for it, I don't have to order refurbished ones. I saw the Mirge on there and thought that might be an idea, but I'm not sure what an XM subscription would cost or whether it is truly worth getting both since the music channels are the same and for talk radio I'd only listen to Howard Stern anyhow (though it would be nice to have the NHL and MLB). But I am not ditching Sirius for XM, so that is my main objective and I don't really like the cheap radios like the Sportster or the like. So what should I get?

ChannelMaster · 2012-07-19, 12:51 PM

If I were on the market for a radio, I'd go for the Mirge for the ability to get the newer music and Talk channels available in the 300s on the SXM 2.0 platform.

With the proper 2.0 radio (such as the Mirge but there might be others) you'll get the new channels with your current Sirius subscription.

Shootmaster_44 · 2012-07-19, 01:10 PM

Has the 2.0 platform launched in Canada yet? I knew it was coming, but I assumed that Canada would be shut out from it.

hugh · 2012-07-19, 02:43 PM

The Edge for $129 can be used to sub to Sirius or XM. I just bought a Sportster 6 for $75 to replace a broken radio and am quite satisfied with it.

McPatrick · 2012-07-19, 04:50 PM

the mirge is $399.99 on the sirius website and you would need a special plan for it at least thats how they delt with the mirge radios on the US side. since sirius radios are known to not last these days i would go for the starmate 8 for $199.99. plus we should be getting the best of/premire packages here soon anyway

PhotoJim · 2012-07-20, 06:34 PM

For a long-term purchase an XM radio (or the MiRGE) will serve you best as the Sirius platform will disappear at some point. This might take years, though; no one knows for sure, except that we know it's happening.

Getting a Sirius radio will mean you can get the lower second-radio subscription fee, so you may still want to go that way. In that case, an inexpensive good-enough radio is what you should probably use.

I still use an ancient XM Roady XT in my car. It still works fine and since I need to use FM (no aux-in jack, very annoying), an older radio like this is better for my needs.

2012-07-19, 12:18 PM	#1
Shootmaster_44 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lloydminster, AB Posts: 234	What Radio To Get? I currently have a Stiletto 100 that is installed in my car. I was in a car accident and the body shop wrecked some of the cables running from the antenna and the power source. Since my radio is over 6 years old and has a bunch of problems with refurbished dock that I had to buy for it. I figured I'd get a new radio with a car kit. The Stiletto 100 is perfectly fine and works with the home stereo dock (or whatever you want to call the ghetto blaster that I have for it), so I figure that can be my home radio and I'll get something for the car. I was thinking a Stiletto 2, but I went to Sirius' website and it looks like they've discontinued it since you cannot buy it from there. I want to ensure I buy a current model so that if I need parts for it, I don't have to order refurbished ones. I saw the Mirge on there and thought that might be an idea, but I'm not sure what an XM subscription would cost or whether it is truly worth getting both since the music channels are the same and for talk radio I'd only listen to Howard Stern anyhow (though it would be nice to have the NHL and MLB). But I am not ditching Sirius for XM, so that is my main objective and I don't really like the cheap radios like the Sportster or the like. So what should I get?

2012-07-19, 12:51 PM	#2
ChannelMaster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Longueuil Posts: 421	If I were on the market for a radio, I'd go for the Mirge for the ability to get the newer music and Talk channels available in the 300s on the SXM 2.0 platform. With the proper 2.0 radio (such as the Mirge but there might be others) you'll get the new channels with your current Sirius subscription. __________________ Going digital with a pair of CM4228a pointing due south fed into a Winegard SD-3700 antenna coupler @220 ft

2012-07-19, 02:43 PM	#4
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	The Edge for $129 can be used to sub to Sirius or XM. I just bought a Sportster 6 for $75 to replace a broken radio and am quite satisfied with it. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

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2012-07-19, 01:10 PM	#3
Shootmaster_44 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lloydminster, AB Posts: 234	Has the 2.0 platform launched in Canada yet? I knew it was coming, but I assumed that Canada would be shut out from it.

2012-07-19, 04:50 PM	#5
McPatrick Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 327	the mirge is $399.99 on the sirius website and you would need a special plan for it at least thats how they delt with the mirge radios on the US side. since sirius radios are known to not last these days i would go for the starmate 8 for $199.99. plus we should be getting the best of/premire packages here soon anyway

2012-07-20, 06:34 PM	#6
PhotoJim Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Regina, SK, CA Posts: 618	For a long-term purchase an XM radio (or the MiRGE) will serve you best as the Sirius platform will disappear at some point. This might take years, though; no one knows for sure, except that we know it's happening. Getting a Sirius radio will mean you can get the lower second-radio subscription fee, so you may still want to go that way. In that case, an inexpensive good-enough radio is what you should probably use. I still use an ancient XM Roady XT in my car. It still works fine and since I need to use FM (no aux-in jack, very annoying), an older radio like this is better for my needs.