Showing posts with label satellite radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label satellite radio. Show all posts

6/20/2012

Pioneer Airware MyFi XM Portable Satellite Radio Review

Pioneer Airware MyFi XM Portable Satellite Radio
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I don't normally submit "product opinions" (I know, shame on me) but this portable XM radio from Pioneer is so good that I felt that I had to. I had been considering getting some kind of a satellite radio for my car for more than 6 months and when I found out that a friend of mine had a Delphi XM unit in his car I knew that the time had come to finally make a move :-)
I was thinking of getting a Delphi MyFi but then discovered that the Pioneer AirWare had recently hit the store shelves. I like the Pioneer brand and also liked the looks (and controls) of the Pioneer unit more than those of the MyFi .. so I picked up an AirWare at the local Circuit City (can get it cheaper elsewhere for sure). I have had it for 3 weeks now and during this time have used it EXTENSIVELY in the car, in my home office and also on business trips. It works great !
I am especially impressed by the effectiveness of the built-in FM transmitter ... I have used a few built-in and external FM transmitters in my time over the past few years but haven't had much luck with them (too much interference from other radio stations). I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) to discover that the AirWare's transmitter is VERY effective ... I have been driving around the Connecticut/ Westchester County/NYC/Long Island region quite a bit since I got it, without having to switch FM frequencies at all !
The features and sound quality of the unit are great. It is very useful that you can record up to 5 hours of audio (via a "scheduled record" function) that you can then listen to offline when the satellite reception is not up to snuff. Another neat feature is that if you hear a song or artist that you like, you can press a button and from then on whenever that same song or artist is playing on any of the 150+ channels the unit beeps and displays a message so that, if you want, you can press the same button and the unit automatically switches to the relevant channel.
The AirWare comes with everything that you neeed to set it up at home or in a car. When using the AirWare in my car I use the "vent mount" to secure it (in its cradle) to an air vent. I have the antenna magnetically-mounted outside on the front part of the car roof. On some of the more tree-lined roads of Connecticut, satellite reception can sometimes be spotty ... you need to have line-of-sight to the XM satellites which are positioned in the southern sky .. but generally reception is very good. All-in-all I am very happy that I got it ... it is a very, very well designed and executed product ... plus the breadth and quality of the XM programming is great.
In summary I can heartily recommend both the Pioneer AirWare and the XM service !

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer Airware MyFi XM Portable Satellite Radio

Imagine having Satellite radio in your hand, in your pocket, on your hip, in your car, in the mountains, at home, anywhere. Well, it's here. With the Pioneer AirWare XM2go Portable XM Satellite Radio Receiver, you can take XM radio anywhere you want to go. Now you can stay connected to the world in your car, at home, in the office, or by the beach. Pick up the AirWare XM2go, tune in to XM satellite broadcasts, stuff the receiver into your pocket, and you're ready to go.
This receiver comes with a home kit that includes a docking station, antenna, RCA cables, wireless remote, and AD adaptor that will bring XM radio right into your living room. Toss in the vehicle docking station, antenna, and 12-volt DC power converter, and you've got XM on four wheels. Pioneer doesn't stop there, though. With a set of stereo headphones, a rechargeable battery (up to five ours of use), and belt clip, you'll be tuning into the satellite airwaves anywhere your feet might take you.
The built-in memory effortlessly records and stores up to five hours of broadcasting. With this feature you never miss your favorite broadcast. The built-in FM transmitter enables your XM2go radio to play through any car stereo, home stereo, or boom box with a simple frequency tune. And, of course, no XM receiver would be complete without an informative LCD display that shows channel, artist, and song information, as well as personalized stock ticker and sports scores. All of this functionality is at your fingertips with the easy-to-use numeric keypad and scroll wheel. Add 30 presets and you've got one-touch tuning to your favorite channels.
The AirWare XM2go is the perfect introduction to XM satellite radio. It's portable, easy-to-use and requires no special installation. Listen to music, sports, talk, comedy, drama, news and kids programming, from coast to coast. For more information about XM Radio digital-quality sound, coast-to-coast coverage, and more than 150 channels of satellite radio entertainment, visit XMradio.com.
What's in the Box AirWare XM radio receiver, home docking station, home antenna, AC adapter, wireless remote control, 2 AAA batteries, audio cable, car docking station, car antenna, cigarette lighter adapter, cassette adapter, swivel/flush/vent mounts, rechargeable battery, headphones, belt clip, and protective case.

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6/14/2012

Slacker 8 GB Portable Radio with 40 Stations (Black) Review

Slacker 8 GB Portable Radio with 40 Stations (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Slacker portables bring a new dimension to music listening.
Without the hassle of ripping your own MP3s, the service allows you to create your own customized radio stations and then, by WiFi or USB, load them onto the player for your enjoyment at any time.
Many reviews have discussed the player in depth, so let me address a couple of issues in regards to the older player, the G1, versus the new player, the G2.
The G1 player is obviously bigger, and while one advantage is an easier to read screen, it is a bigger package to carry around.
The G1 player also has not had any further firmware updates since March '08, while the G2 player has had frequent updates. Therefore, some important features such as improved battery life, and better USB connectivity have not (yet) been updated for the G1. Please check the slacker forums if you're thinking about buying a G1 to see if any updates have occurred since this was posted.
The G1 player lacks an equalizer control setting, while this was incorporated into the G2 player. I can't say that the G2's equalizer is worth much, as they don't have any user adjustable settings.
The G2 player has a setting to manage the WiFi settings, whereas this has not (yet) been implemented in the G1 player. This again reflects the lack of any further apparent support for this first generation player.
As the price of the 8Gb G1 player has not dropped substantially (although for a time it was selling for less than [...] from Amazon), the G2 unit appears to be the primary hardware that is receiving support from the company.
The G1 player has had an annoying habit of occasionally having a break in audio at the beginning of a song. This has not been a problem with the G2 units. It is unknown what creates the problem, but there has not been a fix issued for the G1 unit to address this issue.
Remember, if you use the web based player at [...] ..... not all the songs that can be heard on the web player are licensed to be downloaded onto the portable players. The company says that there are they are continually gaining more licensing rights, but it is unclear what percentage of music that you hear on the webplayer can be transferred to the portable player. Even with this limitation, you can create a wide variety of stations and enjoy them on the units.
However, for your money, you will probably find the G2 unit less buggy, and better supported by the company with updates.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Slacker 8 GB Portable Radio with 40 Stations (Black)



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6/13/2012

JVC KT-SR1000 Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver Review

JVC KT-SR1000 Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver
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I've had the JVC Sirius receiver for about 6 months now and have had no problems with it. I like the large screen and the feel of the buttons. Easy to see and use while driving.

Click Here to see more reviews about: JVC KT-SR1000 Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver

JVC's PDA-styled KT-SR1000 Sirius satellite radio receiver brings a wealth of music and news programming to your car and/or home audio system in a plug-and-play device that's as easy to use as it is to transport. The receiver offers accessible buttons and a large, bright LCD with multiple options for enhancing legibility. Artist names and song titles are presented in large type to enhance safety by minimizing distractions. Use of the receiver requires activation of a subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio ($12.95 per month or a one-time fee of $499.99). You'll also need a car or home docking apparatus, sold separately.The KT-SR1000 lets you enter a desired channel/stream number directly, or you can search for programming by scrolling through a list of channels or even a list of currently playing artists. For one-touch access, you can set up to 30 stream preferences, or presets, with the option to lock or unlock a given function. For example, you can store a list of preferred categories and stations without fear of alteration until you decide it's time for a change.Memory Capture stores 30 favorite songs in the form of PDTs (Program Definition Text, with artist name and song title), and, when activated, the unit's S-Seek feature will search all incoming streams for those songs.Time-based functions include an alarm, a sleep timer, and program alert, which switches the KT-SR1000 to a preprogrammed stream at a selected time. The KT-SR1000 features a 132 x 65-pixel dot-matrix FSTN LCD with separate controls for brightness and contrast.The KT-SR1000 must be used with one of the following adapter kits:
JVC KS-K6003 home kit
JVC KS-K6002 vehicle kit (with wireless FM transmitter)
JVC KS-K6001 vehicle kit (without wireless FM transmitter)
Sirius satellite radio is a subscription service that provides more than 100 channels of digital programming, from music to news, talk, and sports. It is available only in the lower 48 states--not available in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories.What's in the Box Sirius receiver, a remote control, remote batteries, and a user's manual.

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Audiovox XMCK5P XPRESS-EZ XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Car Kit Combo Review

Audiovox XMCK5P XPRESS-EZ XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Car Kit Combo
Average Reviews:

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I have wanted XM for a long time, and I found that this unit may be inexpensive, but gives me the access and features I need. It has 10 preset favorites, bright lcd screen that displays artist and song (or baseball scores), built in fm broadcast if I'm not able to directly connect it to the car I'm in by auxilary jack, and fm sureconnect kit for better non aux connection. This also uses many of the Xpress family accessories such as the boom boxes, bonus (Altec Lansing XM3120 Docking/Speaker System for Audiovox Express and Delphi Roady XT or Audiovox XMB-10 XM Boom Box for Xpress XM7 Satellite Radio Receiver)
There is some fuzz using the fm transmitter at times, but that is a hazzard of that feature if you are traveling. Utilizing the Sure connect feature virtually eliminates any crackle in the transmitter. In some cities the fm frequency are more clean than others, so that also effects performance also. Overall, the most bang for your buck if you just want access to enjoy XM.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Audiovox XMCK5P XPRESS-EZ XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Car Kit Combo

This is the newest product in the Audiovox Xpress Line, introducing the Audiovox XpressEZ, with a crisp large display with 3 lines, sleek interface with one ""Tune and Dial"" Button allows you to quickly select XM Channels, and navigate the menu. The Audiovox XpressEZ has a favorite button, which allows you to program your 10 favorite channels into your favorite list, and access them easily by the push of a button. The XpressEZ also has a Bright 3 line display, which displays the song title, artist, and the channel name and signal strength.

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6/11/2012

Sirius Stiletto 10/100 Vehicle Kit SLV1 Review

Sirius Stiletto 10/100 Vehicle Kit SLV1
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I recently hooked my S100 up to my car and everything seems to work just fine. The only problem i had was setting the fm transmitter to a channel that didn't have any interference from radio stations. Problem solved by connecting Sirius's FM direct Adapter(which connects through the cars antenna plug). No more static in any city. So the only real problem is that this car kit doesn't come with the FM direct adapter which was $20.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sirius Stiletto 10/100 Vehicle Kit SLV1

The Stiletto vehicle Docking Kit is essential for those who want to get the most complete SIRIUS listening experience while in their vehicle. The Stiletto vehicle Docking Kit provides direct access to all of the features you would expect from an in-vehicle radio with a 10 preset button and integrated FM Modulator. It also includes our One-Touch Jump button for instant access to traffic and weather.

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6/10/2012

Delphi SkyFi3 XM Satellite Radio with Car Kit Review

Delphi SkyFi3 XM Satellite Radio with Car Kit
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This would by my forth XM unit I've used since signing up in 2003. I've used the SkyFi, the SkyFi2, the RoadyXT (My brother actually) and now, the SkyFi3. Choosing this unit itself was a no-brainer when shopping around for portable units.
The SkyFi3 takes all the functionality of my beloved SkyFi2 (pause/rewind features more than anything) and crosses it with the versatility of the Helix/Inno. Unlike the Helix and the Inno though, this unit has a bias towards car use, yet still gives you the option to be completely mobile (With the purchase of the antenna/headphone set). The Helix/Inno units, which are primarily for on-the-go usage, have a much smaller, yet more colorful screen than the SkyFi3, and also include a built in antenna for on-the-go Live XM feed without any extra accessories.
The SkyFi3 on the other hand, has a much bigger screen, though monochrome, that make viewing from afar much easier. Also, as stated above, unlike the Helix/Inno, this unit has the ability to pause and rewind live feed. It is the first of it's kind to accept MicroSD memory cards for your own music to be added to your playlists, giving you nearly unlimited storage. Be warned though, Recording Live XM feed is limited to the built in 256MB (~10 Hours). The only potential downfall this unit has over the Helix/Inno would be it's large size in comparison. Also, having such a large screen could potentially get scratched much easier. The SkyFi3 is significantly cheaper than the Inno/Helix and when bought through certain retailers, you are given a voucher to get the $50 Standard Wearable Kit for free.
As for the overall sound quality, as long as you are using the SureConnect or a direct wired connection to your car radio, quality is equal to any other XM unit (Of course, using a non-modulated method will be the absolute best). But if you attempt to use just straight up Wireless FM Transmitter, forget it. Total trash. I am going to assume the FCC forced Delphi to use a much lower power transmitter. I live in the Buffalo, NY area and I've gone through the entire FM band and couldn't find a single channel that even made it usable. The SureConnect kit that comes with the SkyFi3 is just a clip that connects to your AM/FM antenna on the outside of your car, then connects to a wire that plugs into your car kit. Make sure you use this unless you have another method of hard wiring the unit to your radio (either by FM Modulation of an Aux input port)

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DELPHI SA10271-11B1 SkyFi3 Receiver with Car Kit & Wearable Consumer Offer 2.8" large screen with horizontal or verticle mount 30-min Pause & Replay feature Stores up to 10 hours of XM programming with built-in memory Stores up to 500 songs with optional micro Secure Digital Card Plug-in-play Integrated tuner Portable Playback mode with internal 5-hour rechargeable battery Bookmark & purchase sone with XM & Napster Artist & Tune Select XM Sports & Stock Ticker Includes XM receiver, Car Kit, Remote, earbuds & USB cable Includes consumer mail in offer for a free wearable live kit

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6/09/2012

Sirius SP-TK2 Sportster Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit Review

Sirius SP-TK2 Sportster Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit
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(More customer reviews)
I won't clutter up this review with pros and cons on Sirius vs. XM satellite radio service. You can sign up for a 3-day trial of each at their respective websites if you need help making that decision. Instead, I'll assume that you've already gone with Sirius and focus on whether or not the Sportster Replay is the right plug-and-play receiver for your needs.
INSTALLATION
The Sportster Replay is a plug-and-play receiver, which means that you shouldn't need to modify the existing stereo setup in your car or boat to use it. After plugging in the external antenna and the power cord, 99% of users will be ready to roll. I have read reports of a handful of users having trouble getting an adequate signal with this simple install, but I've not personnally experienced this (see more details under "Performance" below). It took me just under an hour to install mine in an SUV, with most of that time spent trying different methods for how best to hide those two cords throughout my interior. The only tools that I needed were a screwdriver and a butter knife. It's almost disappointing to discover how easy it is to disassemble your car's interior into pieces, but it really helps out here!
The antenna itself is a flat magnet about the size of a fifty-cent piece that attaches to your trunk or roof. The kit provides plenty of length; in fact, some car owners may have to find a place to hide the extra bundle of wire, either in the trunk or under the dash. The power cord plugs into your cigarette lighter or any other 12v socket, which becomes the only visible wiring sticking out of the entire install. It's also a bit on the short side, so you may have to get into a little bit of trickery through the glove box or a heating vent depending on your vehicle. I recommend searching the web for tips that others have to share based on their installation experiences.
While the receiver itself is portable, it docks to a cradle which stays in place in your vehicle and has all of the wiring connections. This design is one of the advantages of the Sportster over the comparable Starmate Sirius receiver. The Starmate plugs all cables directly into the receiver, meaning that you have to fumble around with wires whenever you take it with you or get back into your vehicle. The Sportster on the other hand just lifts right out of the dock with no such hassle. The docking cradle that somes with this kit is capable of lots of twisting and bending, so you'll be able to find the right spot on the windshield or dash (if your dash is very smooth) to affix it with a powerful suction cup.
PERFORMANCE
The Sportster delivers good sound and has good antenna reach as well. Remember that satellite radio is digital, so it differs from traditions signals in a couple of ways. First, all of the channels sound "compressed" because that's what all satellite providers must do to get 100+ channels to fit into one signal. Music sounds comparable to existing FM, not CD quality as some erroneously expect. Talk sounds a bit tinny, almost like a phone conversation, but you get used to it quickly. Second, the antenna is line-of-sight since it needs to maintain a direct path to the satellite signal. This means that you can forget about listening to any satellite radio in parking garages, tunnels and other covered structures. I've read about problems with other receivers being unable to reliably pick up good signals in downtown driving, but the Sportster has been very solid for me.
The Sportster Replay uses a wireless FM transmitter in the dock to substitute the Sirius signal for a particular FM channel of your choosing. This is a big improvement over earlier satellite receivers that had to be hard-wired to your stereo (i.e. professionally-installed) or else connected via a mess of wires going to a cassette adapter. I've read other reviews complaining that the wireless transmitter isn't strong enough, but I've not had any such issue. As a matter of fact, the default FM frequency that the unit ships with is an actual station in my area but the Sportster mowed it down with no difficulty. Only when I turned up the classical stations could I hear any hint of interference, so I easily configured it for a frequency that's pure static in my area and it's been rock-solid and very clean sounding ever since.
USE AND FEATURES
The unit's "Replay" capability is like a very limited Tivo for radio. Once you select a channel, it begins stockpiling that content into its 30-minute memory. You can rewind if you'd like to hear a song again or if you missed something said during the news. You can pause in case you get a phone call or have something else to do, e.g. a toll booth. Once you change stations, that memory is erased and the recording begins again. Recorded content is also lost when you power down the unit. If you are interested in true time-shifting of your Sirius content, look into the pricey S50 receiver, which is basically an mp3 player that not only captures but also stores Sirius content for later listening away from your vehicle.
One simple but very useful feature is the "memo" button, which allows you to tag a particular song and store its info for jotting down later. You can store up to 20 of these song and artist combinations, so you'll know who you liked next time you're shopping for music.
The receiver has 3 banks of 10 presets each. It also allows browsing by channel category (rock vs. country vs. talk, etc.) which is nicely-rendered on the big, easy-to-read display. Contrary to what earlier reviews indicated, it is possible to adjust the brightness and/or contrast; however, blue is the only color choice (sorry, amber fans). Also, the shiny cover over the display can make it difficult to see on sunny days as it reflects everything around it. This kit comes with a remote that is actually very handy unless you have a very long reach or manage to mount the dock on your dashboard.
ACCESSORIES
The Sportster is an established model for Sirius, and as a result, there are already many handy accessories available for it. You can immediately purchase a home kit that plugs into your stereo or PC, a boombox for mobile play, or additional car docks if you plan on sharing one receiver across multiple vehicles. This line of accessories is tops among the Sirius receivers because the others are either more limited (the Starmate) or way more expensive (the S50), making the Sportster the best value for a wide range of applications.
CONCLUSION
The Sportster Replay is a dependable Sirius receiver that picks up good signal reception and then blasts it wirelessly to your existing FM tuner. Installation is a no-brainer, mainly just tucking wires under your vehicle's carpet and weatherstripping. It's easy to use with a big, bright display and remote control. There are many available accessories for it, making it a good value if you want to use it in multiple locations. It's the ideal first receiver when you jump into the satellite radio arena.
If you definitely know that you're committed to Sirius and you want true time-shifting of content in an mp3 player, get out your wallet and take a look at the S50. Or, if you absolutely must have a more stylish-looking receiver, consider the Starmate, but you're really getting a lot less convenience for a little bit of savings vs. the Sportster.
PROS
* True plug-and-play makes both installation and everyday use very easy
* Unit is simple to use thanks to the included remote and big, easy-to-read display
* Full line of available accessories make the receiver usable in a multitude of places
CONS
* Rather big and plain, it's not the most stylish-looking unit out there (hello, S50)
* Replay functionality has rather limited usefulness since unit can't be powered on-the-go

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sirius SP-TK2 Sportster Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit

With the Sirius SP-TK2 Sportster Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit, you'll never miss another play from scrimmage again. The ultimate plug-and-play satellite radio, the Sirius SP-TK2 lets you take all 120-plus Sirius stations with you wherever you go. For football enthusiasts, this means that you can do all your shopping while the big game is on and still catch all the gridiron action.With the Sirius SP-TK2, you get a radio with a built-in FM transmitter and enough internal memory to store the last 44 minutes of Sirius content. The radio features a six-line display, 30 channel presets, a 20-song memory that alerts you when one of your targeted songs is playing on Sirius, and a Sportster Replay's Game Alert function to let you know when your favorite NFL team is about to take the field. Because Sirius broadcasts every NFL game all season long, the SP-TK2 will quickly become indispensable. A "game zone" feature lists updates of your favorite teams' scores on-screen, and a convenient "jump button" gives you one-touch access to traffic and weather reports for your city or your favorite Sirius channel.The included with the car kit is a vehicle docking station with a suction mount, remote control, DC power adapter, and a roof-mount antenna with a magnetic base and a 20.5-inch cable. A wireless FM transmitter sends your satellite programming to your car's FM receiver so that you can listen to Sirius programming through you car stereo. In other words, this radio and car kit give you everything you need to keep connected to the full range of Sirius satellite programming any time of day or night. A Sirius subscription, sold separately, is required to access Sirius satellite programming.What's in the Box SP-R2 Sirius satellite radio receiver, remote control, CR2025 battery, SP-C2 mobile docking cradle, suction cup mount, car power adapter, antenna, FM transmitter antenna, installation kit, installation manual, and user's guide.

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6/08/2012

Pioneer CD-INCAR2 Car Kit for Pioneer GEX-INNO2BK Inno 2 Portable XM Radio Review

Pioneer CD-INCAR2 Car Kit for Pioneer GEX-INNO2BK Inno 2 Portable XM Radio
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The main reason for this kit (instead of the INNO1 version) is because the FCC forced Pioneer to reduce the FM transmitter strength. This means that to get the signal to your car's antenna you have to use an extra cable that runs from the in-dash mount, OUTSIDE YOUR CAR, and is clipped directly to your car's built-in antenna.
There are problems with this approach:
1. The first time you go through an automatic car wash the clip-on cable will be stripped right off.
2. The clip-on portion only works with extremely thin "whip" style antennas. My wife's car has a short, thick "aero" style antenna (in the center of the very rear of the roof) that is totally incompatible with this kit. They don't tell you that before you buy it.
3. Who wants a cable strung through your car for passengers to trip over? Who is going to rip out dashboards and upholstery in a new car to run this underneath? Maybe a professional installer, but this kit was aimed at the home user, supposedly.
In my case I finally tried running the "sure connect" cable under the floor mats, into the back cargo area, and then ran it in a large loop around the inner edge of the rubber seal around the hatch back, leaving the clip-on tip dangling where it wasn't obvious. The only reason this kit gets two stars instead of one is that worked: the signal is strong enough to reach the external antenna without any wires going outside the car.
If you're going to use your INNO2 in a car, be warned, and you probably should save the $70 and give it to a professional installer who'll jack it into the back of your existing radio's FM input--except I bet you have to buy the kit anyway, to get the FM transmitter enabled through the cradle, don't you?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer CD-INCAR2 Car Kit for Pioneer GEX-INNO2BK Inno 2 Portable XM Radio

Convenient close-at-hand mounting with Car Dock, In-car antenna for best reception, and keep inno fully charged with included Power Adapter. Compatible with GEX-INNO2BLK only.

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6/07/2012

Terk Technologies XMICRO2 Single Output High Performance Roof Mount XM Antenna Review

Terk Technologies XMICRO2 Single Output High Performance Roof Mount XM Antenna
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(More customer reviews)
There are other xm after-market antennas on the market, and most of them are much less expensive. I have changed out 2 of those in the past, and continuosly had problems in high traffic areas and under bridges getting pops, hissing and even interruptions in service. When I saw this one at best buy (I paid $40) I thought it was a bit excessive, but after seeing the one in the mobile audio installers car I was sold. I installed this one and sure enough, crystal clear sound! Really allowed me to enjoy my XM in an entirely new way, In fact I felt robbed that I did not have this before. Now even in crowded areas and going under a bridge I have full bars, in a tunnel today I lost connection, but the second I saw light, I had it back. You can even feel the better quality of this chord, being a thicker rubber that really feels substantial. Anyone who is really serious about the XM unit or who is an audiophile, it's worth a pick-up.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Terk Technologies XMICRO2 Single Output High Performance Roof Mount XM Antenna

XMicro2 delivers unsurpassed performance, and is compatible with all automotive XM Satellite Radio receivers. Measuring less than a half-inch tall, the TERK XMicro2's sleek, aerodynamic design hugs the roof or trunk of any vehicle and is virtually invisible when installed. The XMicro2 offers significantly enhanced functionality and installation versatility, thanks to its built-in FM modulator. This enables the XMicro2 to receive satellite radio signals and send them to the vehicle's existing FM antenna, which then sends the signal to the car's head unit. This feature is designed specifically for the XM Roady2 and XM SKYFi2 XM Satellite Radio modules. This innovative design eliminates the necessity of using a cassette tape adapter to feed the signals from the XM Ready 2, or XM SKYFi2 receivers, greatly simplifying installation and eliminating the wires formerly required. To ensure best-quality reception at all times, the XMicro2 utilizes a dual-mode, ultra-high-gain design. This design captures signals from both XM Radio satellites and terrestrial repeaters, to virtually assure continuous coverage. Though ultra-compact - it's the smallest XM Satellite Radio antenna on the market - the XMicro2's high-tech, miniaturized antenna elements and built-in FM transmitter provide optimum reception of over 130 XM Radio channels of music, talk, weather and sports. The XMicro2 is compatible with all XM Satellite Radio systems. Complementing its top-quality performance, the TERK XMicro2 is extremely easy to install. Its built-in magnets make it effortless to mount the XMicro2 on a vehicle's roof, and the antenna is supplied with 23 feet of thin, flexible cable that can be easily routed and hidden from view. Rubberized feet on the bottom make it possible to install the XMicro2 without drilling into the vehicle's surface. In common with every TERK antenna, the XMicro2 comes with everything needed to complete an XM Satellite Radio antenna installation. The XMicro2 is fully compatibl

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Sirius SLH2 Home Install Kit for the Stiletto 2 Portable Radio Review

Sirius SLH2 Home Install Kit for the Stiletto 2 Portable Radio
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Most of the reviewers of this product are failing to mention its most salient value-add, which is the enablement of convenient upright desktop listening when the radio is far from a window. The base allows easy attachment to the included AC charger and antenna as well as your stereo speakers. The external indoor/outdoor antenna with 21' cable costs $34.99 by itself. So you are getting the dock, charger and remote control for only $15. This is great value from my perspective.
My particular application is the recording of various CNBC programs both in the morning and in the evening. This allows me to listen to the programs during my urban commute and fast forward through the commercials. This content is extremely valuable as I work in the financial services industry and need to absorb as much news as possible before the stock market opens. The dock and its external antenna allows me to listen to the radio where is it most convenient for listening but not necessarily the best location for reception. My urban commute is generally on a bicycle, in a taxi or on a bus/subway, so having a robust method of listening to programs like CNBC Squawk Box for 30 minutes that would be otherwise be wasted is a big productivity gain.
As reception deep inside my thick-walled prewar high rise is limited, the remote antenna dramatically improves the quality of the recordings and the overall user experience. Before purchasing this dock, I would place the Stiletto 2 on the window ledge so I could record key programs. This made listening to recorded programs while it was still recording not feasible. Now, I have the Stiletto 2 on my dresser plugged into a surplus pair of computer speakers. This allows for uninterrupted recording while I am listening to recently recorded or live programs. When I am ready to leave, I quickly remove the Stiletto 2, plug in the headphones and head out the door. My one issue with the dock is that it does not accommodate the case that Sirius itself sells. So, I have to spend a few extra seconds placing the Stiletto 2 in its case. This is very minor issue, however.
One other change I would suggest to Sirius engineers is that they provide a slightly more flexible antenna mounting mechanism. For those using the antenna indoors, it would be helpful to have suction cups or adhesive mounts so it could be affixed directly to glass. While the current antenna pivots on a base, there is a limited range of motion. So even if the user wanted to use double-sided tape to attach the base to the window pane, the actual antenna would be facing into the room. In my application, I used double sided tape to attach the base to a relatively narrow window ledge. This has worked fine and I am very happy with the reception.
In summary, this home dock is an excellent value. It improves reception and make access to the radio more convenient. I would especially recommend this product for anyone who wants to record important programs and/or listen to the radio while the recording is in progress.
Pros
Dramatically improves reception
Great value
Enables quality recording of shows while the radio is in the most convenient location
Easy upright placement close to external speakers for easy menu navigation
Cons
Doesn't accommodate a case (minor)
Antenna mounting orientation is limited


Click Here to see more reviews about: Sirius SLH2 Home Install Kit for the Stiletto 2 Portable Radio

Sirius slh2 sirius(tm) stiletto 2 portable radio home kit stereo audio output to connect home audio system or powered speakers; headphone jack to listen to sl2 while docked without speakers; pc sync to manage your mp3 & wma files; charges stiletto 2 while docked; compatible with stiletto 2 radios; compact, sleek design with high gloss finish; includes home dock, remote control, indoor/outdoor home antenna with 21-ft cable, audio cables, usb cable, pc software & ac power adapter

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6/06/2012

Delphi SkyFi2 XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Car Kit Review

Delphi SkyFi2 XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Car Kit
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After much research, I finally decided that this was the receiver for me! So far, so good.
I am primarily using this in the car, so I grabbed this version that included the car kit. If you only want one receiver but want to use it in two cars, you will need an extra car kit. It's too annoying to try to move the antenna between cars. I had looked at a few portable units, but I chose this one since it was designed primarily for those in the car, and I wanted the a unit that was going to be easy to use when I'm in the car.
Installation was very easy. I did it myself, and my antenna is on top of my roof near the front. The antenna cord is about 24 feet long, so there is plenty of extra cord if you are in a sedan like me. I ran my cord right under the weatherstripping on the front windsheild as was suggested at cruchfield.com, then through the door and around the door jam. The kit also includes one of those little tubes that you can fit around your cords, as you will have three: antenna, power and the cassette. All cords plug into the base.
I used the air vent base installation instructions (the kit also comes with dashboard mount and a swivel mount, but both can damage your car when you're ready to remove the mounts). The only thing is that I wish it were a little more steady from side to side when I am pushing the buttons. It takes some playing around with to get just right.
The receiver itself has been pretty easy to use. I definitely recommend actually reading the instructions on how to use all of the different buttons. There are 30 memory buttons available. There is also a neat feature that will alert you to when your favorite artist or song is playing, and the alert will allow you to go straight to that channel if you so desire.
One downside is that only the buttons have a backlight. The labels above them do not have these lights. So, until I get to remember exactly where the "jump," "memory" and "menu" buttons are, it's going to be to difficult to use them in the dark.
There is also a 30 minute record/replay function on this receiver. However, anything you save is erased when the unit is turned off.
I tracked this item for a few weeks before I bought it, as I noticed that the price occasionally would change from day to day. Amazon's price when I bought this three days ago was $93.99, and today it is listed about $3 less. Some third party merchants have dropped the price below the Amazon price from time to time, but generally, the Amazon price has been the lowest.
If you buy this item before the end of April 2006, there is also a $30 rebate available from XM.
Although I have not actually been a Sirius subscriber, I took advantage of the online trials with Sirius and XM. I also read some reviews of both and examined their channel guide. Their offerings are very similar. If you are interested in sports, XM has great college ACC/Pac 10/Big 10 channels (I am a UNC grad, so I have to have my ACC sports!), NASCAR and MLB. Sirius offerings are more towards NFL/MLH fans. One review I read said that the music on Sirius tended to be what he phrased as "riskier," which the reviewer defined as playing more deep cuts, etc. I have been very, very pleased with the XM offerings, playlist, variety, talk, etc. No complaints with XM here!

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SKYFi2 vehicle system comes with SKYFi2 XM satellite receiver, remote control, and vehicle kit.
Pause/replay function allows you to enjoy up to 30 minutes of recorded programming
TuneSelect finds your favorite songs if they are currently playing on any XM channel
Built-in FM Wireless Modulator allows you to listen to XM through any nearby FM radio without using any wires
Advanced display with up to 5 lines of text; customizable size, content, color (black on white or white on black)
Preview mode allows you to see what's playing on other channels prior to making selection
Direct channel entry from main unit or remote control
30 channel presets to easily store you favorite channels
Jump button allows for easy switching between 2 channels
Info extras - personal stock ticker, sports score ticker, clock and more
Sleep timer
Auto on/Auto off
Backward compatible with all SKYFi accesorries
Commercial-free music

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Sirius ST2 Starmate Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit Review

Sirius ST2 Starmate Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit
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I got my Starmate Replay about a month ago. Since then, I only listen to "normal" radio when Howard Stern is on in the mornings. After that, it's Sirius all day long. Come January, I'll be saying goodbye to terrestrial radio.
The good:
The size of the unit makes it a breeze to install. I originally mounted it on my dash in front of my steering wheel where I could see it and access it easily. I used velcro for that install, but it didn't work out as nicely as I wanted. I solved that problem with a vehicle specific dash mount from Crutchfield. Best $35 I spent. The unit is now mounted just to the right of the factory radio and is out of the way, yet still very accessible. The remote is a good size without being too small. The buttons are well placed and it works good without having to point it directly at the unit. That said, I rarely use it. The unit is well within easy reach without taking my eyes off the road.
Bad:
I dont really have anything "bad" to say. The unit does get warm, but that seems to be an industry wide side effect. I keep the brightness and contrast at a minimum and that seems to keep the unit a tad cooler. I do not have a fear that the unit will overheat. It just doesn't get that hot.
Overall I'm very satisfied with this unit. So much so that I just bought another one as a gift.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sirius ST2 Starmate Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit

With Sirius ST2 Starmate Replay Satellite Radio with Car Kit, you never have to worry about missing that big play again. This compact unit may look small, but it delivers touchdowns every time. With an internal memory that stores the last 44 minutes of whatever you're listening to, you don't have to worry about being interrupted when you're listening to a game or your favorite program. Simply pause the live broadcasts, and when you're ready to listen again, rewind or fast-forward in order to catch up.The Sirius ST2 features a plug-and-play satellite radio that includes a built-in wireless transmitter that lets you transmit your Sirius programming over you car stereo. Thirty station presets give you one-touch access to your favorite programs, song alerts notify you whenever any of your favorite 30 songs or artists are playing anywhere on the Sirius network, and a "game alert" feature lets you know when your favorite NFL team is ready to take the field. An easy-to-read five-line LCD displays artist, song and channel information, and a satellite-updated clock. The Sirius ST2 also includes a car kit with a suction-cup mount, DC power adapter, and antenna that mounts on your car. What's in the Box ST2 Sirius receiver, remote control, antenna, suction cup mount, cigarette lighter power code, installation kit, and user's guide.

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6/04/2012

Delphi SA10101 SKYFi2 XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Remote Control Review

Delphi SA10101 SKYFi2 XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Remote Control
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I was lucky I found the skyfi 2 this past weekend at a local store.The Skyfi 2 is an improvement in the Skyfi 1 in many ways.The Skyfi 2 has better sound and can be played in your existing car and home boombox cradle.From the beginning you will notice the sound is louder on this one than it is on the skyfi 1.I don't have to cut the volume up as loud now on my boombox as I did with my skyfi 1.The Skyfi 2 also comes with a brighter light for viewing during sunny weather.I can actually see this now when the sun is bright in my car I can still read it.The skyfi 2 has a choice of 2 colors.Black on White which is recommended when driving in bright sunlight or White On Black which looks kind of blue and not as bright but you can still adjust the brightness on both colors in the menu screen.This thing is really bright at night unless you lower the brightness.The Skyfi 2 also has a sport and stock ticker.You can see sports scores or stocks scrolling under the artist and song info.I'm hoping Delphi will add weather as well to this.The skyfi 2 is the first reciever to feature extended titles.If you have the scroll on which is in the menu the song will start out at 16 characters but go to 30 something depending on song.Note the scroll for extended titles isn't the same thing as having the artist and song scroll across in big letters.The scroll for extended titles is in the menu you can cut it on or off it just scrolls the longer titles to extended ones.The song artist big letter scroll is in the display mode you can pick between this and other ways to see the song artist info.This makes the reciever look better similar to Sirius reciever.The skyfi 2 also has a unique feature.It has an Fm modulator inside the unit.When you put it in your car cradle it will turn on.You can cut it off in the menu if you want to but this thing has over 6-12 frequencies.It features the lower frequencies 88-89 and the higher ones 106-107.This thing sounds much better than my wired mod in my car.Also this unit features a record feature.You do nothing it automatically records from the time you cut it on.This is a first for an xmreciever.Also you could put 20 favorite stations in the skyfi 1 you can put 30 in this one.Here is a summery of this unit.Also you can view info 4 ways on the reciever.You can still activate it to scroll in big letters if your at a distance.You can have just the song and artist like the skyfi 1 featured,You can have artist,song and stocks or you can choose artist,song and sports.
Pro's
Extended Titles-This is the only xm reciever to feature this but it will eventually be available in newer models too.XM is just starting to get into listing more than 16 characters for artist and song.
Brighter Light for viewing in bright sunlight.It doesn't get washed out.
Stock Tickers and Sports Scores Note you must go into the menu and pick your favorite stocks and sports teams.
Better Sound
Built In Fm Modulator and it lets you choose over 6 frequencies.Also although xm recommends you buy the new car cradle it works fine with the old car cradle.
30 Presets features A,B and C were you can put at least 10 channels on each.
Pause and Record Feature-The Skyfi 2 automatically starts to record when you cut it on.You don't have to do anything not even pause.If you want to hear a song again that you liked real good or missed when you was away from the reciever you can just hit the reverse arrow.It can hold up to 30 minutes of songs.You can also go foward by hitting the foward arrow.If you want to hear live programming what is playing now just hold the foward arrow it will then beep and display live on the top.Note once you cut it off all memory will be lost.When you cut it back on it starts to record again from the first song.This is a great feature to have if your reciever is in the house and you have to go outside for something.When you come back in you can just push the back arrow and go back to the songs.And the recorded songs sound live you can't tell a difference in sound quality.You can also pause the music if you want to.
The Skyfi 2 features a clock.You can either view it in 12 or 24 hr time.
The Skyfi 2 can also alert you when your favorite artist or song is on.For example if your favorite artist on Sunny channel 24 is Percy Faith if your on another channel you will hear a beep when they play Percy Faith.You can put at least 10 favorite artist or songs in.
The Skyfi 2 is lighter than the Skyfi 1.Even thou their the same size the Skyfi 2 isn't as heavy as the Skyfi 1.
The Skyfi 2 comes with a remote.Note the skyfi 1's remote will also work on the skyfi 2 if you want to cut up or down the volume,change channel or put in numbers.The sky 2's remote has additionel keys and different batteries.
Cons
It doesn't feature a variety of colors for your mood like the roady 2 does.
Even thou it says you can pick it up on any Fm radio inside the house you can't.The Fm mod only works on the car cradle.It's not in the menu when it's on the boombox.
The sky 2 remote is heavier and takes 2 aa battaries instead of a long life lithium like the sky 1 remote.Also the sky 2 remote is slightley larger than the sky 1.
The skyfi 2 is worth the extra money.I highley recommend it.
I also recommend the protective satellite radio reciever case which is cheap to keep this in.It will protect the lcd screen from scratches.
Also Xm has an emergency channel on 247 which monitors tornadoes,hurricanes,volcanos,floods,blizzards etc.It came in handy this past summer with the Florida Hurricanes and this Fall with the eruption of Mount Saint Helens.They give evacuation routes,watches,warnings,school and business closings and other info.This is yet another reason to get xm.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Delphi SA10101 SKYFi2 XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Remote Control

Using leading edge technology, the exclusive Replay/Pause feature continuously and automatically saves the last 30 minutes of programming â including programming from multiple channels.* Exclusive Replay/Pause â continuously records 30 minutes of the selected XM station for flexibility. Built in FM Modulator â SKYFi2 can wirelessly transmit XM satellite radio to any FM radio â no need for wires or complicated connections TuneSelectTM â select channels and programming in several different modes - TuneSelect mode automatically finds favorite programs too! Preview Mode â allows you to see what's playing on other channels Direct Channel Entry â from main unit or remote control 30 Channel Presets â store your 30 favorite channels easily Jump button â switch between 2 channels with ease Built-in clock â Set the sleep time, auto on/off Personalized information tickers â stay up-to-date on your favorite stocks, sports and XM guides as the tickers scroll on the bottom of the receiver's display Advanced display â display up to 5 lines of text on a white screen concurrently showing channel, song, artist and title information Backward compatible â will operate with original SKYFi accessory kits Remote control included *Listening kit and subscription to XM radio required

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Sirius SLV2 Vehicle Install Kit for the Stiletto 2 Portable Radio Review

Sirius SLV2 Vehicle Install Kit for the Stiletto 2 Portable Radio
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The car kit for the Stilletto 2 works very well. The large programmable channel buttons are easy to select without looking at them while driving. I do think the remote could be improved with fewer buttons. After you get your favorites programmed, it is unlikely that you'll use more than a few buttons on the remote, if you use it at all.

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Sirius slv2 sirius(tm) stiletto 2 portable radio vehicle kit smaller physical size, same full featured capability; 10-digit numeric keypad; direct tune or 30 preset stations; fm frequency preset button; locking mechanism; one-touch jump(tm) button for quick access to traffic & weather; multiple mounting options.

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5/22/2012

XACT COMMUNICATIONS XTR3CK Sirius Satellite Plug + Play Receiver and Vehicle Kit Review

XACT COMMUNICATIONS XTR3CK Sirius Satellite Plug + Play Receiver and Vehicle Kit
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I bought mine 1/8/06 (Bestbuy, $29.95 on sale) and also bought the home kit at the same time ($49.95). Got home, went to the Sirius website, signed up for service and had the sweet sounds of their programming in my home all within 30 minutes.
I opted to utilize the built-in FM transmitter to link to my home theater receiver, and was satisfied with the sound quality. I got lucky with my antenna placement because the window closest to my stereo faces North-West, exactly where it needs to be for reception at my Florida location.
Running the antenna in my car was a bit of a pain, but it was worth the hour I spent installing it. Again, I use the FM link to listen in my car.
As for user features, I must confess to being one of those lazy people that learns a few favorite channels, then uses the remote to directly access them. Over time I may actually read the manual and program the pre-sets.
Overall, I'm very satisfied. The unit fits in my shirt pocket, and I use it every day. I don't understand some of the complaints from the other owners. All I know is that I wanted a cheap unit to listen to Howard in my car & home, and the XTR3CK with the XS052 home kit got it done for $80.00. The bonus of all the rest of the great Sirius music & programming lets me easily justify the monthly subscription.


Click Here to see more reviews about: XACT COMMUNICATIONS XTR3CK Sirius Satellite Plug + Play Receiver and Vehicle Kit

Requires subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio ServiceBuilt-In Wireless FM Transmitter Wireless IR Remote Control Vehicle Kit Features 4-Position Vehicle Docking Cradle -Sun Visor Mount, Windshield Suction Mount, Adhesive Dash Mount, Amps Plate Mount Vehicle Antenna 12v Vehicle Power Adapter Satellite Radio Features Over 120 Channels of Satellite Radio & 65 Music Channels 100% Commercial Free

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5/15/2012

SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit Review

SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit
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Long story short - Nice radio and programming with horrible FM modulation. Don't buy this unless you're going to wire it directly to your car's antenna or radio.
I bought this device last October to listen to college football games during long road trips. It is my first introduction to satellite radio. I've got mixed feelings about the product.
First of all, the unit was fairly easy to get working. I plugged the power and satellite antenna, turned it on, and selected an open FM station in the unit's setup menu. It's pre-tuned to a test station (national weather). I got a clear signal from the satellite just leaving the antenna resting on the dashboard. I activated it online after a couple of tries (didn't have the unit powered up the first attempt).
However, the FM transmission from the unit to my car stereo was awful, borderline un-useable. Even after choosing a completely clear FM station, turning off the car, waving the unit around until I found a sweet-spot, and crossing my fingers, there was always noticeable and very disruptive static interference. Based on what I've read, apparently the FM transmission strength for this unit way below previous models. I'm told the SP-TK2 model has a much stronger signal. I've not been able to determine whether or not that had anything to do with FCC regulations.
For my vehicle, I've overcame the FM transmitter shortcomings by connecting the unit directly to the Ai-net/Changer input on my Alpine radio and using the AUX function. This step eliminated all of the outside static interference and bypassed FM modulation completely. However, part of my attraction to this unit was the plug and play function. My friends and I have taken several road trips this year and I brought the Sirius unit with me. The cars we used did not have A/V inputs, so we had to make due with the lousy FM transmitter. We were able to fight through the static for the sports and talk radio stations, but music was un-listenable.
The unit itself is ok. It's easy to use and the screen has a lot of info. It keeps track of all the scores in sporting events, show and host for talk stations, and song/artist for music stations.It's awkward to mount though, because all of the wires plug into the back of the dock, not the bottom. You need clearance between the back of the unit and the mounting surface for these wires. My two options were to use an air conditioning vent clip or the windshield suction cup. I chose the vent because I didn't want the unit in the sunlight. At night, the unit is very bright. You can turn down the brightness of the screen, but the buttons are backlit with a piercing blue light that can't be adjusted. The rotary knob is especially bright. It looks like I have a big blue glow stick in my car at night.
The programming is pretty good. Sirius carries every NFL game, and nearly all the college football games, which is exactly what I was looking for. They also play a lot of the NBA and NHL games, but I've not paid much attention to them. They have three comedy stations, and several talk/news (including the BBC) radio and sports radio stations. On the other hand, all of their music stations do not meet my sound quality expectations. I have a decent aftermarket stereo, and the music stations sound worse than local FM. They're not terrible, but the difference between listening to a song on Sirius and on a CD is jarring. That said, they have a fair amount of genres represented. You'll hear songs on Sirius that you'll never hear on your local radio.
I've had limited customer service interaction, but it's been all bad. I chose the three month program to start off with. Sirius doesn't give you a very detailed invoice on the billing screen. It simply shows Subscription charge, Activation Fee, and Taxes. The Subscription charge on the invoice did not match what plan stated it should be, it was about $1 more. The Activation Fee was what I expected. However, Taxes came out to the 15% of the sum of Subscription plus Activation. There's not a state in the US that has a 15% sales tax rate. I called them to find out why it was so high. The lady on the phone had no idea what I was talking about. First she tried to explain why there was a charge for activation. It took quite a few minutes to get it across that my question was about the taxes, not the activation fee. Next, she tried to tell me that the tax rate was based on the Houston rate where she was located. The sales tax in Houston is 8.25%, not 15%. And besides, you are supposed to be taxed based on your local rates, not the location of the service center. After trying to get this point across (another 5 minutes) she went to speak to a manager. She came back and offered me a $15 dollar credit for the activation fee, without ever answering my question. I was tired of the conversation, so I took the credit and hung up. I'll try again to get an answer out of them when my three months are up.
All in all, the unit has sort of worked out for me. It works fine in my car, but travels poorly. I can listen to all the sports I want, but the music sound quality leaves much to be desired. It was easy to hook up, but looks silly just clipped onto my air-vent. If all of the short-comings I've described were addressed I'd be very happy with it.
**Update 12/19/2006**
Warning: The unit is dying on me less than three months after I purchased it. Sometime after around 10 minutes of use, the receiver will become locked into "acquiring signal" mode regardless of actual signal strength. Turning the unit off and then on again fixes it, sometimes. I've researched this issue online and apparently it's becoming a common problem. The recommended fix from Sirius is to either re-activate the receiver on-line or return it for a new unit. If I could, I'd knock another star off this review.
**Second Update** I eventually got SIRIUS to send me a replacement head-unit, free of charge. The second radio works just fine. However, I had to ship the original radio back to the manufacturer. A word of warning: if you ship something to Sirius, keep your tracking number. They tried to tell me that they never received my original radio and charged me for the second. I got on the phone and used the UPS website to tell them who in their warehouse signed for the package. The charge was later reversed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit

Get in the game with the plug-and-play Sirius Sportster 4 satellite radioreceiver, which sports a new slim profile while still maintaining the same great featuresfor which the Sportster series is known. Just like other Sirius-compatible receivers, theSportster 4 offers a large, easy-to-read display, a rotary tuning knob, and accessiblebuttons, but now moves seamlessly into your car, home, or boombox. More significantly,the Sportster 4 maximizes the listening experience of Sirius radio's broad sports lineup,with the ability to decode the incoming Sirius digital-quality signal from more than 120music, news, and sports channels. It's also easily transportable, and thanks to thebundled car kit, lets you listen to your favorite satellite radio programs while driving.
An easy-to-read, six-line display tells you the channel name and number, category, artistname, song title, and time simultaneously. The receiver also lets you program up to 30presets of your favorite streams, as well as search by stream, artist name, song title, orcategory. And with a quick press of the One-Touch Jump button, you can instantlyswitch between the traffic and weather reports for your city or any of the other music,news, or entertainment channels. Other programming details include an S-Seek functionthat stores your favorite artists and songs and alerts you when one is playing on any ofthe music channels, direct station tuning via the numeric buttons, and a channel lockoption. Time functions, meanwhile, include an onscreen clock, alarm, and sleep timer, aswell as a program alert that allows the unit to switch to a preprogrammed stream at aselected time.
The Sportster 4 really earns its stripes, however, with its variety of enhanced featuresdesigned specifically for sports lovers. The Game Alert feature prompts you when yourfavorite NFL or other sports teams are playing on Sirius. The Game Zone lists all of yourfavorite teams in one virtual category and lets you select a different team from each ofthe various sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and college sports. And whatsports fan could do without the Sportster's instant replay function, which lets you pause,rewind, and replay 44 minutes of live radio? As soon as you tune to a channel, thereceiver automatically begins storing the audio for later playback.
The Sportster 4 also includes a built-in FM transmitter that sends Sirius radioprogramming to your vehicle's FM tuner, so you don't have to make a direct connectionto enjoy the full array of channels. Simply set an empty FM frequency on your radio andtune the Sportster 4 to the same frequency. This function also works with other FMtuners, such as the one on your home stereo, but is easily paired with the car thanks tothe bundled vehicle kit, which includes everything you need for listening to Sirius whiledriving. Components include a vehicle docking station, a suction cup mount, a ventmount, a DC power supply that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter, a roof-mountantenna, and mounting hardware.
Sirius satellite radio is a subscription service that provides more than 120 channels ofprogramming, from digital-quality music to news, talk, and sports. It is available only inthe lower 48 states--not in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories. The Sportster 4, whichmeasures 4.5 by 2.9 by 0.6 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box Sportster 4 satellite radio receiver, wireless remote control, lithium battery, vehicledocking station, roof-mount antenna, suction cup mount, vent mount, cigarette lighterpower adapter, mounting hardware, installation guide, Sirius channel information card,user's manual.

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5/13/2012

Directed Electronics SP3TK1 Sportster 3 Receiver with Car Kit for Sirius Satellite Radio Review

Directed Electronics SP3TK1 Sportster 3 Receiver with Car Kit for Sirius Satellite Radio
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Within the first year of my Sirius subscription I am having problems with my 3rd Sportster 3.
1st radio - power supply cord for car malfunctioned after 3 weeks
2nd radio - Antenna began malfunctioning after 1st month
3rd radio - This one was ok for first 6 months however none of the buttons on the unit itself work now except for the knob which can only be turned. Without the remote the radio is useless.
I am happy with the subscription however I would definately buy any other brand of radio. Sirius dock and play radios are terrible.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Directed Electronics SP3TK1 Sportster 3 Receiver with Car Kit for Sirius Satellite Radio

Sirius Sportster3 receiver with vehicle kit is the next in line of the much acclaimed Sportster and Sportster 4. This product features a slim design, rotary tuning knob, and large button that makes everything very easy to use. Included with the Sportster 3 is a vehicle power adapter, remote, vehicle antenna, vehicle dock, and suction cup and vent mounts. 'Docking: New universal Docking capability means more accessory options, and less worrying about product specific accessoriesCradle: Slim profile vehicle docking cradle for easy, attractive in-vehicle installationDisplay: Large, easy-to-read 6-line displayKnob: Easy-to-use rotary tuning knobPresets: 30 channel presetsGameAlert: Prompts when your favorite games are being broadcast and alerts you when the scores changeGameZone: Lists all your favorite teams in one virtual category and lets you select a different team from each of the various sport leagues including NFL, NBA, NHL, and college sportsOne-Touch Jump: One touch to traffic and weather reports for your city, or tune to your favorite Sirius channelMemo: Memo with S-Seek stores and alerts by artist and songFM Transmitter: Wireless FM transmitter with 100-frequency choices and FM frequency choices and FM frequency list shortcut button for quick, easy FM transmitter frequency changesParental Control: Parental control and channel lock.

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