Sirius/XM reception is terrible in my 2011 - Honda Pilot

doublekay · 12-21-2010, 09:53 AM

Hello all.. New here and new to a Honda. Love it so far except for the fact that in 2011 they don't automatically include Bluetooth in every model. Oh well.

The issue we are having is we use to be Sirius people and had an external receiver before. Now with the one in built with the stereo the reception is terrible. We do live in the woods about 2 miles in and in out other two vehicles we get a break or 2 in that 2 miles, but with this one in the pilot you cannot use it at all, and then even on the wide open state highway it goes out a lot. What is up with this? I am thinking its the receiver and not the antenna, but could not tell you.

We have not complained yet as I fully expect Honda to say its a Sirius issue and Sirius to say its a Honda issue. Bottom line is I want it fixed, we picked this so we would not need all the external wires and such.. Its unacceptable.

Any input would be great and have a Merry Christmas
Kevin

jl_ss · 12-21-2010, 11:38 AM

Welcome. You had a Sirius aftermarket receiver and now have an XM receiver in the Pilot. The technology and the Satelites are different. The XM satellites are over the equator and the Sirius satelites are over North America. Reception is better with Sirius in a lot of areas. I had both here in MA and found the Sirius reception to be far superior. I don't imagine it will be much different in NH. I would have Honda check it out just in case there is an issue. If you know anyone with an XM receiver, you could borrow that and see if you get the same issue with an aftermarket receiver. If you do, then you know it is a satelite viewing problem. If not, then it is faulty equipment.

Opentoed · 12-21-2010, 12:24 PM

Ditto on the spotty XM signal over much of Northern Michigan. For some reason as I go south towards Illinois or Ohio the signal strength gets much stronger! I've learned to live with it the last few years in my Element... I also heard that it was the difference in XM & Sirius satellite networks. Sorry for the bad news, but even though they've merged it seems the two companies still have some separation in their service...

doublekay · 12-22-2010, 10:02 AM

Thanks. Did not even think of the fact that I would be on different sats. Now that you mention it, the times it goes out is heading east and west and have a hill to the south of me. I forgot that with the merger they more than like never abandoned one network for the other and I now remember hearing way back when that Sirius had better reception.

I think I will still complain to Honda. As it is now regular radio comes in better, but I hate the commercials.

Merry Christmas
Kevin

12-21-2010, 09:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
doublekay Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NH Posts: 16 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sirius/XM reception is terrible in my 2011 Hello all.. New here and new to a Honda. Love it so far except for the fact that in 2011 they don't automatically include Bluetooth in every model. Oh well. The issue we are having is we use to be Sirius people and had an external receiver before. Now with the one in built with the stereo the reception is terrible. We do live in the woods about 2 miles in and in out other two vehicles we get a break or 2 in that 2 miles, but with this one in the pilot you cannot use it at all, and then even on the wide open state highway it goes out a lot. What is up with this? I am thinking its the receiver and not the antenna, but could not tell you. We have not complained yet as I fully expect Honda to say its a Sirius issue and Sirius to say its a Honda issue. Bottom line is I want it fixed, we picked this so we would not need all the external wires and such.. Its unacceptable. Any input would be great and have a Merry Christmas Kevin

12-21-2010, 11:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
jl_ss Super Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA Posts: 3,859 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Welcome. You had a Sirius aftermarket receiver and now have an XM receiver in the Pilot. The technology and the Satelites are different. The XM satellites are over the equator and the Sirius satelites are over North America. Reception is better with Sirius in a lot of areas. I had both here in MA and found the Sirius reception to be far superior. I don't imagine it will be much different in NH. I would have Honda check it out just in case there is an issue. If you know anyone with an XM receiver, you could borrow that and see if you get the same issue with an aftermarket receiver. If you do, then you know it is a satelite viewing problem. If not, then it is faulty equipment. Last edited by jl_ss; 12-21-2010 at 11:41 AM.

12-21-2010, 12:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Opentoed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 25 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ditto on the spotty XM signal over much of Northern Michigan. For some reason as I go south towards Illinois or Ohio the signal strength gets much stronger! I've learned to live with it the last few years in my Element... I also heard that it was the difference in XM & Sirius satellite networks. Sorry for the bad news, but even though they've merged it seems the two companies still have some separation in their service... __________________ '11 Pilot EX-L 4x4 Taffeta White (Xenon Depot HID conversion, LED interior lights, Yakima Rack) '98 Shadow Aero 1100 (pipes, bags, LEDs, etc.) -- RIP -- '08 Element SC 5-Speed Rootbeer Metalic '92 Accord EX 5-Speed

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12-22-2010, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
doublekay Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NH Posts: 16 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks. Did not even think of the fact that I would be on different sats. Now that you mention it, the times it goes out is heading east and west and have a hill to the south of me. I forgot that with the merger they more than like never abandoned one network for the other and I now remember hearing way back when that Sirius had better reception. I think I will still complain to Honda. As it is now regular radio comes in better, but I hate the commercials. Merry Christmas Kevin

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