Out West, my XM works pretty darn good where we have fewer trees and obstructions. City riding in and among tall buildings can sometimes drop reception. It also seems the farther north you ride, reception becomes more difficult.
My thought has been, the XM satellites are geostationary near the equator, and the farther north you ride, the lower on the horizon the line of sight to the satellite...so tall trees and buildings along the road have a greater effect.
Maybe I'm nuts, but that is my excuse for poor service at higher latitudes.
My big bitch is the small buffer on this Rushmore XM...man, it's just a few seconds.
Guys - it you look for the specials, you can find some great deals. Example... after installing the XM, I decided to re-up for one of my cars. This way, when the ridingweather comes, I will hve some idea of the new stations I want to listen to.
So, XM has a special...12 months for $99. Them, you cam add weather and smartlink for $1.99 per month. OR....not get this, you can get 6 months for $26 and then add weather and smartlink for $1.99 per month. ,
I figured 2 X 26 is $52 and that is better than $99 - so, I took that option. Go Figure.
I figured 2 X 26 is $52 and that is better than $99 - so, I took that option. Go Figure.
I have done the 6 months for $30 in the past. I'm probably not telling you something you don't already know but they will automatically charge full price($17 a month) after 6 months. I typically(when I remember) cancel prior to the service renewal and do it all over again.
Just re-upped with them, 4 radios, the bike, the Vette, the GMC and a home unit for Mrs., 1 year on all 4 to 12/28/2017. Got traffic and weather for the year on the bike and the GMC, couldn't get it on the Vette. Total for all, $340. There was a little credit for the bike, a little less then $20 so even without the credit it would have cost me around $360. I'm fine with that...
YPD485 provided the correct part number. My antenna however says 1603 - but does look exactly like the one he has pictured.
The mounting instructions include a new clamp - and as I understand, it is now mounted on the opposite side as to where they use to mount it (now on the right side as you are facing the bike)
Surprised that I even got some reception when I pulled the bike into the garage.
The module I got back in 2014 called for mounting the bracket on the right side when viewed from the front. Don't think it's any different.
4D Footer - yep. I always put it on my calendar and cancel.
IUOE ROB - sounds like you got a very nice deal too.
YPD485 - I think the biggest change was the new antenna. How is your reception.
Do you guys have the weather and how does the may overlay work on the Rushmoos? It was pretty nice on my Garmin 665 - but, I ahve heard that the Bom Box is different
Not sure if the ant on my '17 is of the new or old design, but it looks just like new design posted earlier. However, my reception is intermittent at best. It'll loose reception in town, outta town, tree lined, or open view. I temp moved it to by the vent and it improved greatly, but I didnt care to see the ant, so it got moved back inside. I did relocate it to the other side of the fairing and it helped a lot.
The first few months I had my XM activated, I thought the reception was pretty decent. Then the antenna wouldn't read at all and it went from full signal - to "No Antenna" - back to full signal. It wasn't until I swapped to the Micro Dot antenna that I realized how much better this antenna is compared to the 'old' antenna.
Baeseman1 - thanks, I remember reading your thread. I am hopeful that my reception will be clear. Unfortunately, I will not know all of the details until the upcoming riding season.
As I mentioned, I was impressed in that I was able to get a signal in my garage - plus, when I loved outside, I had all 4 bars completely full. Still, the test will be in taking a bike ride.
I'll keep your recommendations in mine - as see what happens. Thanks for your help.
01-04-2017, 12:56 PM
