[psudave]

Im undecided between getting the factory sirius radio kit or just buying a plug and play model like Starmate, Sportster, etc.

Here are the differences/advantages/disadvantages that I know of, please add if you have more information.

FACTORY KIT
DIS: total cost for tuner, bracket, and sigma antenna = roughly $300.
ADV: tuner can be hidden and connects directly into existing radio (6cd changer)
ADV: sigma antenna remains inside the vehicle.
ADV: no exposed wiring
ADV: can change channels via steering wheel display
channel / song information displayed on radio
DIS: tuner not as flexible as plug and play for playback, searching, song information, etc.

PLUG AND PLAY
ADV: Sirius just ended a promotion where I couldve got a Sportster or Starmate for free, if I can get that deal back, unit would be free.
ADV: Unit can be moved to another vehicle
DIS: tuner needs to be mounted, and wires to the AUX port will be visible
DIS: Antenna probably needs mounted externally
DIS: cannot use steering controls to change channels
ADV: more flexible unit as far as playback, searching, notifications, etc.

If you have factory or plug and play, let me know why you like or dislike what you have. Im leaning to the factory version due to the fact that everything can be hidden, and I can change channels via steering wheel.

 

[psudave]

also, please correct me if any of the above info is inaccurate.

 

[Big Daddy 45acp]

I had the Starmate in my old Chevy. I put a factory unit in my wife's Murano.

So, when I got my Titan, I debated with myself and went the plug and play unit.

I hardwired the power, ran the antenna to the front center of my dash.

I do need an inline amp as volume through the aux is weak.

Personally I prefer the features of the PNP over factory. Plus, I can pop out the unit and use it in my Sirius Boombox at work!

Hope this helps!

 

[dss90c]

I would opt for the plug and play option. You can hide most of the wires when you install it, and take it with you to use elsewhere.

 

[BobNYC]

I opted for plug-n-play. I have an S50 and I got it because I can remove it from the car dock and take it with me. At home I plug it into a home dock and I can also take it with me to the gym. The wires are easy enough to hide (although I haven't pulled the bezel and done the "final" work yet.) And if I ever trade the truck, I can take the whole unit with me.

 

[Leadsled124]

I have a 2006 LE with factory Serious radio pkg. I didnt want to pay for it but it was already in so they gave me like 3 months free. If its possible ill sell the serious portion for cheap as i dont use it since subscription ran out. not sure if other radios are built different. Ive never had satelite before, but i do notice that it will cut out for a second if you go under any bridges or whatever. Gets annoying if you go under a series of bridges and it keeps cutting out. Maby the factory one has a weak intenna. My dads XM gets reception everywhere.

Oh if you get aftermarket dont poke a hole and run it through the glass seal to the roof, you will get a leak eventually. There is an intenna you can get i believe to boost signal, and some have popped off the passenger side "A" piller and put it inside and said they get excellent reception

 

[P's Titan]

I would use the PnP, you can take with to other cars/home and the song/artist titles are much more clear if that is important to you.

ALL my wires are hidden, my AUX was hidden to but since I have a 04 and the plug is sh!t on that one I choose to use the FM Modulator which is also hidden.

If you want pics let me know

 

[rrumaner]

I have the Sportster and use the FM modulator on my 2004. I found a mounting bracket that attaches to the radio mounting points and sits next to the stereo so I can easily see and adjust it. Wires run along the bracket, into the space between the glove box and dash and down to the fuse box for power and up the A pillar, under the headliner and out the sunroof for the antenna. In 3 years the antenna's magnetic mount hasn't moved so much as an inch (even after going through countless car washes).

 

[70DATSUN]

For me, IMHO the only way too go is with the factory setup. I have XM with the Nav and have no problems finding what I want.

 

[OTKST]

Do you still have it and want to sell it? Is it complete? If so, please let me know.

I have a 2006 LE with factory Serious radio pkg. I didnt want to pay for it but it was already in so they gave me like 3 months free. If its possible ill sell the serious portion for cheap as i dont use it since subscription ran out. not sure if other radios are built different. Ive never had satelite before, but i do notice that it will cut out for a second if you go under any bridges or whatever. Gets annoying if you go under a series of bridges and it keeps cutting out. Maby the factory one has a weak intenna. My dads XM gets reception everywhere.

Oh if you get aftermarket dont poke a hole and run it through the glass seal to the roof, you will get a leak eventually. There is an intenna you can get i believe to boost signal, and some have popped off the passenger side "A" piller and put it inside and said they get excellent reception

 

[450xDaD]

After owning both, I really prefer the direct connect of the factory deal. My Jeep has a factory stereo with the sirius direct connect. Add the convenience of the steering wheel controls, and it's a no-brainer for me.

My wife just bought a Quest, and after finding out the cost of installing satellite to the factory stereo, we went with the plug and play XM Delphi 2. It sounds ok, but not as clear as my Jeep's direct connection.

 

[pghtitan04]

I have an '04 Titan with PNP, my wife has an '07 Murano with the factory installed SIRIUS unit. I took the Kenwood PNP out of my old car and used it in my Titan, only having to buy a new antenna since I left the old one with my old vehicle. I really love the convenience and look of the factory installed version, but compared to the ease of installation, and low cost of the PNP, I have to lean toward the PNP.

I haven't fully hidden the wires, but I plan on directly connecting the power to the fuse box, and buying some sort of booster for the aux, b/c the aux volume is weak. SIRIUS has a new Sportster with a color screen and can record 60 mins of music for $149 on Crutchfield.com (looks nice). I plan on buying that one. My current PNP is located on the dash, dead center, attached with velcro. I ran the antenna wire along the windshield weather strip, then under the strip for the door, through the pillar, behind the dash, and comes out just to the left of the unit. There is only about two inches of antenna wire showing.

Also there are more options with the PNP unit.

Hope this helps.

 

[mwippern]

I have to say that I miss my old Sportster4.

I had a Sportster4 in my Frontier, and now in the Titan I have the factory installed unit. The biggest thing I miss about the Sportster4 is being able to store artists or song names and being notified when they are on any of the channels. I find that with the hundreds of channels on the Sirius it was nice to be notified when one of your favorite artists was playing.

Maybe it's because I have a short attention span and can't listen to one channel for more than 5 minutes without flipping channels :upsidedow

 

[Titan Pete]

I just removed my PNP unit today and installed an OEM unit I bought off a member for $175. I will miss my PNP unit but I hate wires so it had to go. I also like that I can use the OEM unit with my steering wheel controls. Good and bad with both I guess. I put the OEM unit in in about 10 minutes.

 

[70DATSUN]

I have to say that I miss my old Sportster4.

I had a Sportster4 in my Frontier, and now in the Titan I have the factory installed unit. The biggest thing I miss about the Sportster4 is being able to store artists or song names and being notified when they are on any of the channels. I find that with the hundreds of channels on the Sirius it was nice to be notified when one of your favorite artists was playing.

Maybe it's because I have a short attention span and can't listen to one channel for more than 5 minutes without flipping channels :upsidedow

Now, that would be a really neat feature. I never had satellite radio before, but looking at all the post and pictures I definitely didn't like all the wires/cables showing and the ones mounted just look out of place too me. Not trying too upset anyone, I did a lot of looking, just MHO.

 

[BobNYC]

.... it was nice to be notified when one of your favorite artists was playing.

I used to rely on that feature a lot, too. Now they have a full-time channel playing the only band I ever "bookmarked"...the Grateful Dead...so my S50 hardly ever leaves channel 32. :rockon

 

[pghtitan04]

I used to rely on that feature a lot, too. Now they have a full-time channel playing the only band I ever "bookmarked"...the Grateful Dead...so my S50 hardly ever leaves channel 32. :rockon

I also love that feature! I think that Sirius is freakin' great! Been a member since '03. They have channels that are dedicated to just one artist, which is great if you like that artist. I don't like the Dead (but appreciate them and their fans!) but they have had the Who, Stones, Jimmy Buffet, Bruce, and of course ELVIS. They arent permanent, but it's great to be able to listen to all of one artist. I was very bummed when they replaced the Rolling Stones channel. They usually put on a channel when the band is beginning a tour. However, I think the dead channel will be around for a while since there are soooo many DeadHeads!