Who has sirius satellite radio w/ the cmd4 Clarion unit?

[scottsmith]

Hi, In heavy preparation for the upcoming season and just bought a cmd4 clarion unit. It's Sirius ready....I am wondering how ready????????.....

I want to get the satellite subscription and actively use the sirius service.

My goal is two fold...use the functionality of the cmd4 mounted at the helm and also have a portable solution so I can use the Sirius in my car or at the office. What else do I need to get?
Is there a satellite receiver that interfaces better with the cmd4 or will any of them connected to the cmd4 give me a cleaner install on the boat????
There are at least 10 receivers out there...I want one that's portable and easy to play.

Will I need the marine antenna or can I get away with the standard antennas???? I really dread running that wire through the tubing on the t-top...hoping to get away with mounting the standard antenna on the dash and still getting good reception.

Any feedback from those who have installed this system or something similar would be GREATLY appreciated.
Happy Friday!
Scott

[Capt. George]

Scott, I have the Clarion cmd4. Excellent unit. My antennae is mounted on the top of console on a 31 Contender w/ T-top and I can tell you that it is NOT the place to mount. I am going to change to the Shakespeare 40 series antennae that will mount on a standard vhf ratchet w/extension to clear radome. When I bought the boat I had the dealer do elect. install and it sucks where it is located now. Fishing wires sucks but it sucks even worse when you have intermittent signal on Sirrius. When it works though, it is bad as*. Hope this helps. CG

[Glen E]

scott - I have the larion xmd-3 (same as cmd-4 in makeup) with sirius. My sirius receiver is under the console and wellcraft has created an indent in the gunnel to place the antenna which is necessary for reception. Here is a pic of the antenna mount. I have also seen it mounted in the aft end of the boat inaddition to the t-top.



Now, that being said, uinless you are a Stern or NFL freak, I would hook up an ipod to the aux input of the cmd-4 and use it. I find myself going much more to my ipod for tunes than the sirius - as I still get the "300 channels and still nothing to listen to" mode from cable offerings......

[BW23]

I use a XM head unit connected via RF modulation to my CDM4.

I almost went the Sirus route then decided I prefered XM.


Keep in mind, if you get a Sirus receiver for your CDM4, you will not be able to take it from vehicle to boat easily.

[thataway]

I use the Galaxy Antenna. Have the older Jensen Sirius unit, which keeps the "Black box" at the power unit of the radio, and the remote for the sirius on a long coil cord, which will reach most places in the cockpit.