SAT Button

[don9724]

Ok, I did it. i traded in my Porsche and bought a 2004 Sl500. My question is, what is the SAT button, Im hoping its for xm or sirrius radio, does anyone know the whole story?

Don

[Alex]

Don,

The SAT botton on the Comand system is intended to work a Sirius Satellite Radio, IF it's installed in your car. That is, the car is equipped to control that radio, if the Satellite Radio hardware is installed in the car.

In 2004, when these cars were deliveded, Satellite Radios did not come with them just yet, as it was the coming thing. A short while later the radios became available, for the owner to add. At the time the cost to install it by the M-B dealer was around $1,500. Don't know what it costs now.

[don9724]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the info. So i take it that this is a Mercedes thing, and it will require the parts to come from them?

[Alex]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the info. So i take it that this is a Mercedes thing, and it will require the parts to come from them?
Yes, although by now some independent after-market specialists may have mastered the installation needed for this. But I don't know who they might be, and am not sure it's worth the risk.

If "near CD quality" is good enough for you and you like the programming versatility of Satellite Radio then $1,500 seems like a reasonable investment.
Of course there's also a small monthly subscription fee for the Satellite Radio service.

I'm still waiting for the sound quality to improve before putting it into my CL, equipped just as your SL is. At present, "not nearly CD quality" is more apt.

The Satellite Radio I've heard sounds closer to 128 Kbps iPod quality than Compact Discs. No doubt this will eventually change to 192Kbps, where it will sound more like actual CDs playing.