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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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


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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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Pioneer Airware MyFi XM Portable Satellite Radio Review

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 !

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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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Sirius SDSP5V1 Sportster 5 Dock and Play Radio with PowerConnect Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Good radio, easy to install. The Pros: can change colors for display, however, display picture is the same (with Howard Stern looming in the background). Comes with remote, which can be handy, depending on where you install the radio. Easy to see display during the day and at night, even with polarized glasses (some reviewers stated that this is not so). For reference, The Xact one I had before this had a blue display which was close to impossible to see during the day, in particular with polarized sunglasses. The Cons: the FM transmitter is a lot weaker than the one from my previous radio (Xact). Activation: The legendary bad SIRIUS customer service sure was confirmed trying to activate this radio. I bought this as the replacement for my old radio which stopped working correctly. All I needed SIRIUS to do was deactivate my old radio and activate this one. It took about 1.5 hours to get this fairly straightforward task accomplished, mostly because I was put on hold several times for what felt forever. Best tip I can give: IF YOU BUY A NEW RADIO AND WANT TO REPLACE YOUR OLD ONE WITH IT, CHOOSE 'CANCEL SERVICE' WHEN YOU CALL SIRIUS. Otherwise, you will experience the same odyssey I went through (I chose "CHANGE SERVICE"): You first get transferred to Bangalore (I assume) where you are told that they CANNOT swap your two radios (i.e. cancel one, activate the other). They WILL tell you that you need to first activate your new one, which (of course) they are very happy to help you with. They will try to upsell you (no surprise) and tell you that you have to pay an activation fee. And since I had two radios, I got a discount(lasting for how long it takes to cancel the other radio). I explained in the beginning what I wanted to do, but of course they just go through their script. After the activation I requested to connect me to the 'department' to cancel my other radio. Of course I was put at the end of the waiting queue, after a few minutes my connection was lost, so I called again and chose the "CANCEL SERVICE" option. After about another 20 min of waiting, I was connected to the US service site and told the person that I needed to cancel service on a radio. After logging in to my account the person noticed that I had two radios, so I explained what I wanted to do. The good news is that the person got upset about how this was handled and talked to her supervisor (again I was put on hold). She then told my that my activation fee for the other radio would get reimbursed and that my old radio was cancelled. I hope that this radio will last a few years so I don't have to deal with their customer service any time soon...
UPDATE: as of today (12 Nov 2010) I still have not received my promised refund for the activation.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sirius SDSP5V1 Sportster 5 Dock and Play Radio with PowerConnect

SIRIUS Sportster 5 has advanced features, like alerts and tickers for the latest sports and scores, plus a bright, full-color display with selectable background colors to match the vehicle dash lights.Features:\'Easy to Install: Revolutionary SIRIUS|XM PowerConnect FM Transmitter works through the vehicle's radio with easy Do-It-Yourself installation. The color coded vehicle dock makes it simple to connect.\'Large, multi-color display: Easily view artist, song and channel information.\'Selectable display background and text colors: Choice of 15 different color combinations to match the vehicle dash lights or the mood.\'Enhanced real-time program guide: Ability to browse programs, artists and songs playing on other channels without having to change the channel.\'Pause & Replay: Pause, rewind and replay up to 60 minutes of live radio.\'Favorite channels: Save and enjoy fast access to up to 30 favorite channels.\'FM preset key: Easy and quick tuning for optimal PowerConnect performance.\'S-Seek Alert: Don't miss your favorite artists, songs, sports teams and drivers when they're on live radio.\'Sports Alert: Delivers real-time scores and updates of your favorite sports, teams and drivers, plus alerts when they're playing.\'One-Touch Jump: Direct access to traffic and weather conditions of the 20 most congested cities, or to access a favorite channel.\'Parental Controls: Easily lock and unlock channels with mature content.\'Includes complete PowerConnect Vehicle Kit: Universal docking capability - add accessories for the home, office or additional vehicles.

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SIRIUS Sportster 5 Satellite Radio Receiver with Vehicle Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)OK.
So after all of the hype surrounding satellite radio I decided to "pimp out" my Sebring by adding SIRIUS to it. In order not to look ghetto as well as match my existing deck I decided to pick one of these up and subscribe.
First, I'll review the device. Then, I'll review the service. Basically, good news then bad news.
The device itself has a very small form factor which I found very appealing. It comes with a mini dock which essentially powers the device and routes its audio and antenna signal. Know that you'll be doing quite a bit of wiring if you do this yourself - I would recommend professional installation unless you're comfortable doing your own car installation stuff. There are 3, possibly 4, wires that you'll be dealing with:
- The CLA (cigarette lighter adapter)
- The satellite antenna
- The FM antenna extender (only needed if you choose that option)
- The line out (only needed if you choose that option)
Now, if all of these ports were in the back of the dock next to each other this wouldn't be so bad, but instead they're on either side. That's a lot of cables to have hanging out, which is why I recommend professional install if you're not comfortable. I decided to do it myself and, to get set up with the "basic" quality which is wireless FM (it's decent, but nothing to write home about) with neat wiring took me about 45 minutes, give or take. That's including mounting (which I'll get to in a moment).
SIRIUS recommends using line out/line in if at all possible. Newer decks have this jack, but some older pre-2004 likely do not, or if they do, it's a proprietary connector that might not work with the Sportster 5. I have the Kenwood MP735U and it works just fine. I found the cable at Circuit City ($24!!!) and it worked like a charm. Took some doing and even more neat wiring, but I did get it to work. I will admit, using the line out spanks the smoke out of the wireless FM or FM modulation options; it's near CD quality, especially on the Jazz and Classical stations. Again, you can use wireless FM and it will sound "okay", but line out will give you the absolute best quality possible; you just have to do another cable.
Mounting the unit has a number of options as well - one of which is not available depending on what state you're in. California, for example, has Draconian laws about vehicles; you can't have anything stuck to the front windshield. Ironically this is the easiest way to mount the device, as the suction cup works extremely well, and you just attach the device to the metal arm and adjust. If you have this option and don't mind the device up in the window, I recommend doing this. I have an old Chrysler CD changer indash not being used; a trip to Home Depot for a $.49 angle bracket did the trick - attached it to the dock with a single screw, then slipped the other end into the CD slot and like magic, it's solid and looks great right underneath the deck. I suppose I could have hard installed it with another screw or two, but I'd rather not.
All said and done the initial hardware investment came to roughly $200. Keep in mind that SIRIUS has cheaper devices that don't look nearly as good. The downside to the devices is the cigarette lighter adapter. In fact the documentation explicitly forbids a direct power tap. This is so disheartening I can't even describe it. I have to keep unplugging it when I turn the car off so it doesn't suck the battery dry. Why can't you have the option of tapping it into the player's alternate power line so it turns on with the player? I'm absolutely mystified at this oversight.
Now, the service. Oh, this will be fun.
The quality of the audio? Stellar. Never heard anything like it except on digital TV's music channels.
The quality of everything else? Horrid. Where do I begin...
- The activation/customer service phone # has extremely long wait times. it took me a total of 5 hours across 10 different phone calls to reach someone who could help me. Do the math.
- Activation/CS reps are clearly stressed over something. I talked to two who were just blatantly rude; one who had no idea what she was talking about, the other a guy who claimed he'd been "...working at SIRIUS for over 3 years and" knew what he was talking about. Funny - since he had no idea that you can't activate with invoice billing on the website (more on that later).
- SIRIUS and Circuit City have some type of conglomeration going on to force you to call to activate. CC offers a "prepaid subscription card" which is supposed to offset the initial charges (more on that later) to get service. Well that's all good and everything except the card cannot be used on the website even though the website acknowledges the card and its value. It says "cannot be redeemed". An Asst. Manager at CC informed me that calling was the only way to redeem the card. Had I known that, I wouldn't have bought that particular card, but a regular gift card that I could use on the web. Because of the aforementioned long hold times, it was a nightmare to do this simple task. The girl even told me "you should be able to use it on the web" - the other idiot claimed "you're just doing something wrong".
- Too much personal information required to sign up. Why do you care what type of car I have? All that should be needed is a credit card (if you choose that payment method) and my address/name. If it's for purposes of theft recovery, that's up to me, the buyer, to deal with that. Which I do - in my auto insurance plan.
- Website will authorize your credit card without activating an account for you. That's money you can't touch until they feel like releasing it - which could be 2 weeks.
- Inability to just sign up for an account without giving billing information and/or buying a device. Why can't I just establish the account and then pay for it? Why force me to buy the deck in order to get service established? If I wanted DirecTV and didn't have it, I call them and activate, and then the hardware comes...not the other way around.
- Website forces you to put in a credit card. You can't do invoice billing as an option. Why not? Because they know every customer would just do that and then they would be getting free service for that month grace.
- Website does not allow you to select month-to-month billing as an option, and by default it hides the quarterly and 6-month options (which would obviously be the more popular for newbies like myself).
- Telephone IVR can't hear properly. I tried to activate through the automated system and it just couldn't understand the letters "D", "I", "O", "N". That's it, and I don't know how many times the chick said "sorry?"
- No trial offered (I'm talking about in-car installation). Why can't I just buy a unit from a store that offers returns, activate a 14-day trial period with a credit card, and then return and cancel if I hate it? Because then they'd have high turnover due to buyers remorse (which I had at one point due to the above issues)
- $15 activation fee which is not disclosed on the hardware documentation. You don't find out about this until you go to the website or you talk to an agent. It should be clearly disclosed on the packaging of the device since you'd be forced to pay that fee by activating the device - not at the very last minute when you're putting in your credit card. On top of that, it's blatantly mob-ish of them to charge: an activation fee, a monthly fee, fee for the hardware, etc etc etc. They already get money from the subscription - remove the activation fee already or annualize it across the subscription.So class, in summary: The customer service is screwed up, and in order to activate properly and get the best billing options, you need to call customer service (which did I mention is screwed up?). DO NOT activate over the web if you're using a gift card. I guarantee you, you will get frustrated.
The quality of the product is top notch. The ability to see who's playing before you select the station is excellent, and the high resolution of this screen makes navigating stations quick and easy. The audio sounds upper class if you're using the line out jack, and setup is not that difficult if you know what you're doing. Once you get past activations you should be smooth. It's just that phase that causes headaches.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SIRIUS Sportster 5 Satellite Radio Receiver with Vehicle Kit

With a stylish new gun-metal grey finish, the Sportster 5 satellite radio receiver sports a new slim profile while still maintaining the same great features for which the Sportster series is known. Highlights include a large, multicolor, easy-to-read 6-line display, plus a rotary tuning knob for added convenience. The Sportster 5, conveniently transportable between home and car, is easy to use and features Sirius' universal dock for simple installation. Optional universal accessory docking kits and audio systems conveniently allow for use in the home, boat, office, and multiple vehicles.
An easy-to-read, six-line, 2.7-inch multi-color display helps keep tabs on the channel name and number, category, artist name, song title, and time simultaneously. The receiver also lets you program up to 30 presets of your favorite streams, as well as search by stream, artist name, song title, or category. And with a quick press of the one-touch jump button, you can instantly switch between traffic and weather reports for your city and any of your preset music, news, or entertainment channels. Other programming details include an S-Seek function that stores your favorite artists and songs and alerts you when one is playing on any of the music channels, direct station tuning via the numeric buttons, and a channel lock option. Time functions include an onscreen clock, alarm, and sleep timer, as well as a program alert that allows the unit to switch to a preprogrammed stream at a selected time.
The Sportster 5 really earns its stripes, however, with its variety of enhanced features designed specifically for sports lovers. The Game Alert feature prompts you when your favorite NFL or other sports teams are playing on Sirius. The Game Zone lists all of your favorite teams in one virtual category and lets you select a different team from each of the various sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and college sports. And what sports fan could do without the Sportster's instant replay function, which lets you pause, rewind, and replay 60 minutes of live radio? As soon as you tune to a channel, the receiver automatically begins storing the audio for later playback.
The Sportster 5 also includes a built-in FM transmitter that sends Sirius radio programming to your vehicle's FM tuner, so you don't have to make a direct connection to enjoy the full array of channels. Simply set an empty FM frequency on your radio and tune the Sportster 5 to the same frequency. This function also works with other FM tuners, such as the one on your home stereo, but is easily paired with the car thanks to the bundled vehicle kit, which includes everything you need for listening to Sirius while driving. Parents also have control over channels and channel lockout. Measuring just 9.5 x 7.5 x 3 inches, the Sportster 5 weighs a mere 3.7 ounces.
About Sirius Sirius Satellite Radio delivers more than 130 channels of music and programming via crystal clear direct satellite feed. In addition to 69 channels of commercial free music listening, Sirius also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, and weather forecasts. Sirius--the official satellite radio partner of the NFL, NASCAR, and NBA--broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL and NBA, as well as live NASCAR races. All Sirius programming is available for a monthly subscription fee.
What's in the Box Sportster 5 satellite radio receiver, remote control, vehicle docking cradle, vehicle power adapter, vehicle antenna, suction cup and vent mounts, FM extender antenna, getting started guide, installation/user's guide, accessory brochure, and programming guide.

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

Average Reviews:

(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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Delphi MyFi XM2GO Portable XM Satellite Radio Receiver with Home / Car Kits Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had my MyFi for a week now and I must say that it has exceeded my expectations. I do live in an urban area where reception is great (DC) but I find that I rarely use the live programming when on the run and just rely on my recorded content.
First what's great about the MyFi:
1) I'm new to satellite radio and was very impressed with the variety of music available. I've discovered lots of artists that while I had my Ipod I never knew existed. Add to that the great live events, talk radio, and other content.
2) XM2Go works flawlessly. But for the limitations (below) it works flawlessly. Pop your MyFi in the cradle at night and in the morning you have 5+ hours of content. Note, the box says 5 hours but in reality if you record any of the more compressed channels (talk etc.) you will end up being able to record more than 5 hours! I believe when I record music channels I actually get closer to 6 hours of recorded content. Once you have your content you can easily scroll from song to song. Skip the ones you don't like. Replay the ones you do.
3) It is truly portable. I go from pocket (headphones), to car (FM transmitter), to home cradle (line-in to the stereo) without ever interrupting listening.
4) It comes with everything you need, including a remote control so you can easily switch channels as your MyFi sits in its cradle across the room (you can't say that about the Ipod). Further, what it comes with is great quality. I love the swivel car cradle - not only do you not have to worry about plugging wires into the MyFi everytime you bring it into the car (they are plugged into the cradle), it makes reading the display a breeze for both the driver and the passenger (just swivel it between the two).
5) Replaceable battery. Unlike the Ipod the MyFi, like a cell phone, has a swappable battery. That means you can (eventually) either buy a replacement when the battery starts to lose strengh without conducting the surgery necessary on the Ipod (this is huge given the amount of use these devices get and the liklihood that batteries will only hold their full capacity charge for 6-12 months) or just have one handy to extend your listening time.
6) It's solid state. Unlike the Ipod you don't have to worry about a hard drive to go bad (like mine did in 8 months!)
7) Recording isn't limited to scheduled records. You can always nab a song here or there by just hitting the XM2Go button.
8) It feels solid in your hand. Yeah, it's bigger and heavier than an Ipod (think thick PDA, or perhaps the Dell MP3 player) but it's designed to fit in your hand well and works well for both left (me) and right handed people.
Now the things you should be aware of (though, knowing them I still would buy one):
1) Don't expect non-stop reception when you are roaming around. Even in metro areas you might drop a signal when you aren't using the home or car kits. I imagine it is difficult at best in non-urban areas to maintain a line of sight with the sats. Just expect that you will need to make use of the recorded content in those situations.
2) Don't expect the sound quality of a high-bitrate MP3 on the Ipod. I suspect that this has everything to do with the nature of Sat radio and nothing to do with the MyFi hardware, but, the quality is not the same. Although I would rate it great, you do notice that you are getting a compressed stream.
3) Don't expect to be able to control your content. Unless you save a recording session for days you won't likely get the same songs day to day (the playlists on XM are vast, rarely are there repeats) (notable exception is if you record the top 20 channel). That's a good thing if you like variety - that's a bad thing if you like the comfort of always having your favorite tunes handy.
4) The AV cable is a bit short (nothing an extension cord couldn't fix).
5) I would like to see a more sophisticated recording scheduler. Currently you can only schedule 2 record sessions and it limits you to recording within the next 24 hours (unless you schedule a daily recording session). With all of the great XM content it would have been nice to be able to set up a recording session several days into the future.
6) I would like to be able to lock or protect songs or even whole sessions from being recorded over by new recording sessions. Currently, the way it works is just a simple first in first out method. Fortunately, it is smart enough to merely delete a portion of an overwritten section as opposed to the whole section.
7) It doesn't buffer like a TiVo/ReplayTV. It would be nice to pause and/or rewind live content.
8) Fianlly, I would love a computer interface so that that XM can distribute updated software to fix some of the above issues.
This product is great.

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The Delphi MyFi, the first personal, portable XM2GO satellite radio that delivers XM's Ultimate PlayList™ anytime, anywhere - at home, at work, in the car and now, on the go.The hand-held MyFi gives users the personal freedom to enjoy XM Radio's Ultimate PlayList of more than 130 digital XM channels in two ways: a "live" listening mode and a time-shifting "memory" mode. The MyFi's live mode enables users to listen live to all of XM's 68 commercial-free music channels, plus premier news, sports, talk, traffic and weather channels. MyFi's memory mode - called "My XM" -- allows users to store five hours or more of XM's outstanding content with the press of a button, even when the unit is not in use. The MyFi makes it possible to enjoy XM Satellite Radio anywhere, anytime, effortlessly. Large, illuminated six-line LCD display. Up to 30 channel presets. Built-in alarm clock.

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Sirius SDST5V1 Starmate 5 Dock and Play Radio with PowerConnect Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This little unit is a great item. I bought it for two reasons, first, it is plug-n-play, and second, it offers ala-carte selections.
What is ala-carte? For a cheaper monthly satellite bill, you can select up to 50 channels (minus the premium channels). I went for it, and actually struggled to find 50 channels I liked. Other channels such as Margaritaville are designated as premium, so they are a small add on cost. But all in all, expect to pay from 60% to 75% for the ala-carte cost than the full package.
Admittedly the ala-carte price has risen over the years, but its still cheaper than the full package.
I use this unit in 4 locations; which required the purchase of a couple of docking stations.
My boat. I have an Alpine iDA-x100 head unit with a compatible satellite interface so I can use this unit on the boat. Since the Starmate 5 is controlled by the head unit, the logical choice was to mount it inside a hanging locker in the rear cabin so it was out of the way. The unit hangs on the locker's wall; safe and secure. And the unit is locked onto the docking station. Depressing the docking station release, and the unit pops off.
My car. I also have a docking station in the car, so it can be plugged into the car's stereo system. You really need an upgraded stereo system for this, as an FM modulator is not a good alternative - regardless of whether you are trying to listen to an iPod, satellite receiver, or any other audio device. The idea is that the FM modulator will play through an unused FM channel. But as you travel along the highway, stations come and go, which constantly interfere with the "unused" channel.
Some FM setups are capable of disabling the antenna for the car stereo, and that is the only solution I see as working. However, even if such as setup is used, the audio quality is suspect. Therefore, I would recommend a "proper" configuration, meaning low level RCA inputs. This may mean replacing your stereo, or buying a 3rd party adapter designed for your factory radio.
Ironically, I already have a factory XM satellite receiver in my car, which I used for awhile. But for billing purposes, Sirius and XM are still considered separate companies, so you do not get a multi-unit discount if you have one Sirius and one XM unit.
And I have found that the car's XM receiver, due to the geosynchronous satellite orbits, is prone to dropouts when you do not have a clear sky, such as driving behind a hill, in a city with nearby large buildings, or even a tree-lined boulevard.
Consequently, Sirius uses 3 polar orbiting satellites, and one of them is always in the neighborhood, which results in fewer dropouts. You can still get a dropout or two with a Sirius system, for instance you are downtown with high buildings, you may lose signal. But it is much less of a problem than XM as one of the satellites is generally at a higher overhead angle.
Perhaps the most difficult decision in the car is where to mount the satellite unit. I use a RAM-Mount cup holder setup which works great. Since the use in the car is temporary (when the unit is not home or in the boat), I simply pop the mount in the cup holder and plug the wires in when needed. This also allows me to easily and quickly remove the system when I park the car so it is not tempting to thieves.
Fortunately, my car has a set of RCA level aux inputs - conveniently hidden in the arm rest, so I can connect the Starmate to those and the cables are not hardly noticeable. But since I remove the whole shebang when not being used, this is not an issue.
Installing the antenna and docking station in the car was not even as hard as installing a car stereo. You do need some basic skills, and may need to figure out how to remove a panel or two along the way. But it is not difficult.
My home. I also have a home docking station that I can use the Starmate to listen to satellite at home. I even bought the remote antenna setup to attach to my house exterior. You'll find that most houses have some trouble with the proper reception of the signal, and the best advice if you want a home system is to buy a external antenna.
All of these solutions require plug-n-play docking stations, which are also available from the manufacturer of the Starmate 5.
Finally, I also have a portable "boom-box" adapter for the Starmate 5.
The best attribute of this unit - other than the ala-carte feature - is that it is portable, and the station ID is part of the unit itself. And with plug-n-play, you can move the unit from docking station to docking station and have satellite in your home, car, and boat without having to pay for multiple receivers.

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Powerconnect Fm Transmitter; Supports A La Carte Programming; Pause, Rewind & Replay Up To 44 Min Of Live Radio; 30 Presets; S-Seek Alert; Sportsalert Lets User Track Favorite Sports Team & Race Driver; One-Touch Jump To Local Traffic & Weather Or Favorite Channel; Universal Docking Capability

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XAct XTR1CK Sirius Satellite Receiver with Vehicle Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I first bought this item with the boombox.(big mistake)receiver was alway very hot to the touch after use.
After a little over a year(one year warrenty)it burnt out.
I replaced the receiver and after a little over another year, the sheild around the connection point for the antenna broke away. It could not see the antenna anymore.I then replaced the received a third time. It only worked for 3.5 hours,then went silent,it would not re-activate after that.
I have now returned it and bought the Stiletto 100 from Sirius. IT IS AWSOME!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! Stay away from all X-act products.The service at X-act is even worse then their products.

Click Here to see more reviews about: XAct XTR1CK Sirius Satellite Receiver with Vehicle Kit

Enjoy all 120 channels of Sirius satellite radio while driving in your car with XAct's XTR1CK plug-and-play vehicle kit. Equipped with an XTR1 satellite radio receiver, a four-position vehicle docking cradle, a satellite antenna, and a 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter, the kit includes everything you need to enjoy satellite radio while cruising anywhere in the 48 contiguous U.S. states.
The XTR1 conveniently displays all artist, song, and channel information on its six-line readout, which also includes a satellite-updated real-time clock. Meanwhile, selecting channels and menu options is a snap thanks to the large, easy-to-access illuminated buttons. And drivers will delight in such bonuses as the 18 station presets, which let you quickly access your favorite streams, and the S-Seek feature, which lets you know when one of your 10 stored song titles is playing on a given Sirius channel. You can even search the up-to-the-minute Sirius playlists by category, channel, artist, or song title.
The XTR1 sends its signal to your stereo receiver through its built-in wireless FM transmitter, which "broadcasts" the satellite signal over an unused FM frequency--no hardwiring required. As an alternative, you can also connect the XTR1 tuner directly to you stereo's input jack (if it has one) with the included patch cable for the best possible sound quality. And the docking cradle is versatile enough to work on almost any surface in your car, including the sun visor, windshield, or dashboard.
Additional features include a wireless remote for controlling the tuner from a distance; a sleep timer and traditional alarm; a lock function that lets you restrict access (via password) to Sirius' more off-color content, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for private listening. The XTR1 tuner, which measures 2.75 by 4.62 by 1.38 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
Note: You must subscribe to Sirius satellite radio to receive the satellite radio signal.
What's in the Box XTR1 satellite radio tuner, vehicle docking cradle, vehicle antenna, 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter, audio cables, wireless remote control, user's manual.

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Xact XTR1 Sirius Satellite Plug and Play Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, the XACT is a very nice receiver. I have owned a PNP2 and this receiver and I prefer this one. The XACT, while not wearable, is very portable. You can even buy the Powerpod and take it anywhere you go. The size of the receiver does come with setbacks though, there are only 10 S-Seeks compared to 20 on most of the other receivers. The screen is smaller (although very nice), and the presets require a little more work to set. The greatest thing though is the service itself. It is great not to hear any commercials, and the music streams are top quality. The Talk, News, and Sports are also great. Sirius recently added a Maxim channel, which is quickly becomming one of my favorites. Sirius's sports are great, I am a fan of football and there is nothing like hearing your team that is normally not carried locally. In the end I recommend this receiver and Sirius.

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The Xact XTR1 Sirius Satellite Plug and Play Receiver is a palm-sized portable Sirius Satellite tuner that will give you endless hours of Sirius Satellite programming. With the XTR1, along with a subscription to the Sirius Satellite Radio Network (sold separately), you'll have access to 13 categories, including music, sports, talk, entertainment and more from Sirius.
The XTR1 features an 18-channel preset capability, a built-in wireless FM transmitter, wireless remote, and stereo headphone jack with volume control. If you have kids, a parental control will help you to control the content they listen to. Use the illuminated keyboard and control buttons to search by artist name, song title, or category. And a satellite-updated real-time clock, built into the receiver, will keep you on time wherever you're going.
Note: You must subscribe to Sirius Satellite Radio to receive the satellite radio signal.What's in the Box XTR-1 Sirius satellite tuner, wireless remote control, two AAA batteries, and user's guide.

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Pioneer Inno XM Radio XM2GO + Home Dock and Car Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great product, unfortunately it is no longer manufactured - I purchased it used to replace my old one that I dropped from a pretty good height --- you can record up to 50 hours of XM programing either at the moment you are listening or with a timer
If you can find one with a car and home kit that is the one I would buy

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Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3; includes Home Kit,Car Kit and Earbuds Take a listen to our latest innovation, the Pioneer inno. Small in size, big on features, it's the first satellite radio that plays MP3s and WMAs. You heard right; now you can select and record from over 170 crystal-clear channels of live XM radio or play your own MP3/WMA mix. Anytime you want, at home or on the road, hear talk radio, college sports, Major League Baseball, NASCAR and any kind of music you choose. That's unheard of variety and options. And innovation, now available with the Pioneer inno. Get Live XM on the Go!

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XAct XTR2CK Sirius Satellite Receiver with Vehicle Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING FROM THIS COMPANY. The products are poor, the repairs are poorer and the customer service is non existant. They will not refund anything, even if your product dies twice in the first 9 weeks.

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Enjoy all 120 channels of Sirius satellite radio while driving in your car with XAct's XTR2CK plug-and-play vehicle kit. Equipped with an XTR2 satellite radio receiver, a docking cradle, an antenna, and a 12-volt cigarette lighter power adapter, the kit includes everything you need to enjoy satellite radio on the highway or the city streets. The XTR2 conveniently displays all artist, song, and channel information on its six-line readout, which also includes a real-time clock. Meanwhile, selecting channels and menu options is a snap thanks to the large, easy-to-access illuminated buttons. And drivers will delight in such bonuses as the 18 station presets, which let you quickly access your favorite stations, and the S-Seek feature, which lets you know when one of your 10 stored song titles is playing on a given Sirius station. You can even search the up-to-the-minute Sirius playlists by category, channel, artist, or song title.
The XTR2 sends its signal to the car's stereo receiver through its built-in wireless FM transmitter, which "broadcasts" the satellite signal over an unused FM frequency--no hardwiring required. As an alternative, you can also connect the XTR2 tuner directly to you stereo's input jack (if it has one) with a separately sold patch cable for the best possible sound quality. Additional features include a docking cradle with a suction mount that holds the XTR2 at an easily accessible angle; a wireless remote for controlling the tuner from a distance; a sleep timer and traditional alarm; and a parental control function that lets you restrict access to Sirius' more off-color content.
Finally, if you'd like to enjoy satellite radio at home, the XTR2 is also compatible with separately sold home or portable boombox kits. The XTR2 tuner, which measures 2.56 by 4.56 by 1.44 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
Note: You must subscribe to Sirius satellite radio to receive the satellite radio signal.
What's in the Box XTR2 satellite radio tuner, docking cradle with suction cup mount, antenna with 21-foot microcable, 6.5-inch rubber antenna tail, wireless remote control, two AAA batteries, cigarette lighter adapter with 70-inch cord, pouch with anti-static cleaner, Sirius channel guide, XAct promotional sheet, antenna instruction manual, user's manual.

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Delphi MyFi XM2GO Portable XM Satellite Radio Receiver Complete Package W/ Kits and More Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After much thought I finally decided to venture into the Satellite Radio world. I decided on XM and then started going through the process of selecting a receiver. I ultimately decided on the XM2GO based on its ability to record music up to five hours and its alleged on the go capability.
For starters the package comes loaded with everything you need. I did my registration and activation online. The on-line activation and registration is wonderful! I had the unit set up in my home stereo system and playing the complete channel line-up in less than a half hour.
Using the home antenna through my home entertainment system is great. The dock that the XM sits in takes up little space and fits on top of my other components. The sound is excellent in my house. While I have read about problems with antennas and interferance, I experience none of that. I moved my antenna to where I thought it was least noticeable on the top of my entertainment center, checked my reception on my XM2GO and I had all kinds of reception bars.
The On the Go idea seems fantastic. While I haven't tried it in a lot of places yet, (just walking around my yard and so on) the reception is in and out and basically worthless. This seems to be the common complaint amongst reviewers so let me add my name in the mix of folks who are not happy with the so called portable feature. The recording feature really makes up for that though so it all evens out. The only recording drawback is that you cannot delete specific songs. If you want to delete recorded material, you have to delete everything. So yes you can be totally portable without any antennas for working out, riding the subway, and so on but you will really need to have recorded your music ahead of time. If you're thinking you are going to turn this unit on and listen to live radio without the antenna, think again.
Setting up the unit in my car took a little work but again, less than thirty minutes and I was dialed in a ready to go. Because my new car does not have a tape deck I opted for the antenna approach using an empty FM single. I have read so many reviews on a multitude of sites about people going through all kinds of hoops trying to position the antenna on the outside of their cars and going through little holes here and there... I know every area is different in terms of reception but I did none of that. I used the vent mount to hold the device and ran the antenna under the seat and up the side of the back seat and put the actual antenna box above my two back passenger seats on the little shelf back there under the rear window. The real trick with this is then tucking the wires away as best you can so you don't junk up your car with lose wires. I used one small piece of tape to pin the wire under my seat so as to not kick and pull it when I get in an out of the car. The excess antenna wire (and their is a ton of it) I put underneath one of the back passenger floor mats. Then I tucked the wire running up the side of the one back seat in a groove between the seat and the door. The reception in the area I drive in daily has been fantastic. Not a single complaint. While I can certainly see the advantages of a hard wired system, with a little creativity you can use the antenna without covering the inside of your car with wires.
Overall, this product is great. XM needs to rework the portable idea for the future but otherwise it's wonderful. Fast setup, easy activation, and good sound quality.


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The Delphi MyFi is the first personal, portable XM2GO satellite radio that delivers XM's Ultimate PlayList anytime, anywhere - at home, at work, in the car and now, on the go.The hand-held MyFi gives users the personal freedom to enjoy XM Radio's Ultimate PlayList of more than 130 digital XM channels in two ways: a "live" listening mode and a time-shifting "memory" mode. The MyFi's live mode enables users to listen live to all of XM's 68 commercial-free music channels, plus premier news, sports, talk, traffic and weather channels. MyFi's memory mode - called "My XM" - allows users to store five hours or more of XM's outstanding content with the press of a button, even when the unit is not in use. The MyFi makes it possible to enjoy XM Satellite Radio anywhere, anytime, effortlessly.

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Yamaha PDX-60GY Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone, 1 Each (Gray) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is the next generation of iPod sound docks! I own a Logitech and a Bose sound dock. They both have their good and bad points, but neither of them offers the capability of this product...namely, the ability to have complete control of all iPod functions, using the iPod itself, at a remote distance from the sound box. The remote controls on all other units serve mainly as volume controllers, with the user having to approach the sound box to see what's going on on the iPod's screen. And though this is obviously anecdotal, I would testify that the Yamaha's sound quality outstrips both my Bose Sound Dock II, which has the typical Bose "muffled," soft, basey, quality, and my Logitech PureFi II, which has very good crisp sound at low levels but rapidly loses quality as the volume goes up (and has other well-documented issues as well). The Yamaha appears to have a wide frequency range and the ability to hold the sound quality with increased volume. The Yamaha also offers you the option to plug your iPod directly into the sound box itself, as you do with other brands, and use the separate, included hand-held to control the functions if you prefer. All is not perfect. If I am not mistaken, the hand-held transmitter, which hold your iPod, is RF (radio frequency) operated, but responds in a line-of-site manner, akin to an infrared system. If you block the transmitter with an obstruction, even your own body, the sound will be disrupted. Still, this is a minor limitation, considering the complete control available. This was a gift purchase for my spouse, but it is so impressive I wouldn't be surprised to see one appearing for my own use in the future. Kudos Yamaha! (note that this product is only compatible with later generation iPod models which use USB connectors)

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The Yamaha PDX-60 is a powered speaker dock that virtually every iPhone or iPod fan who wants to enjoy a higher sound quality with a powerful output needs to have! The PDX-30 is certified as a "works with iPhone" product, and comes with a card-type remote control for additional convenience.

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XAct XTR1UK Sirius Satellite Receiver with Universal Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Sirius Satellite Radio is an excellent service, with extraordinarily rich and varied content, and therefore worthy of much more than XACT Communications offers in this "universal" kit. This review is ONLY related to XACT's equipment, and NOT to the Sirius service.
I've owned the receiver and kit for three months and I am now in the market for a replacement. Here's why:
1. The keypad interface is the least intuitive of any I've ever encountered. Although I pride myself on being something of a technophile, I must contstantly refer to the user's guide to figure how how to accomplish things with this keypad. You can't even enter a station by number directly! (You must select each of the 3 digits from a displayed list of digits using arrow keys and the enter button). Although the receiver boasts storing 18 "favorites," you can not get to any directly via the keypad; in all cases you must scroll through groupings (A through F) or lists first.
2. The user's guide has a few significant errors, such as how to store favorites channels.
3. The "universal" mount for vehicles comes with one small plastic disk with two-sided tape that adheres to the dashboard. The base unit easily detaches from this disk for use in the home. However, if you want to use it in a second VEHICLE, you need another of these little disks. XACT absolutely refuses to sell the disk alone, and insists that you spend another $50 (!) for another complete kit if you want to move the unit from car to car.
4. The display is too small, and often gets "stuck" with info from prior selections, requiring a reset.
5. Mobile reception is spotty, even in clear, unobstructed areas. I'm in the NYC suburban area, and lose the signal every ten minutes or so when on the road. A friend with an in-dash receiver for Sirius experiences no such problems.
6. In order to power this unit by batteries (for use like a walkman), you must purchase a huge, clunky wrap-around battery kit for $100 (!).
I recommend you definitely consider the Sirius service, but look for an alternative to any XACT hardware.
P.S. Since first writing this review, my XACT unit failed completely due to overheating, which I discovered is a very common problem with XACT equipment. Although the store where I purchased it provided a replacement, I fear the problem recurring after the warrantee has expired.

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Enjoy all 120 channels of Sirius satellite radio while driving in your car or sitting in your living room with XAct's XTR1UK plug-and-play universal kit. Equipped with an XTR1 satellite radio receiver, a universal docking cradle, satellite antennas for both your home and car, and accompanying power sources, the kit includes everything you need to enjoy satellite radio in virtually any location.
The XTR1 conveniently displays all artist, song, and channel information on its six-line readout, which also includes a satellite-updated real-time clock. Meanwhile, selecting channels and menu options is a snap thanks to the large, easy-to-access illuminated buttons. And drivers will delight in such bonuses as the 18 station presets, which let you quickly access your favorite stations, and the S-Seek feature, which lets you know when one of your 10 stored song titles is playing on a given Sirius station. You can even search the up-to-the-minute Sirius playlists by category, channel, artist, or song title.
The XTR1 sends its signal to your stereo receiver through its built-in wireless FM transmitter, which "broadcasts" the satellite signal over an unused FM frequency--no hardwiring required. As an alternative, you can also connect the XTR1 tuner directly to you stereo's input jack (if it has one) with the included patch cable for the best possible sound quality. And the docking cradle is versatile enough to work almost anywhere. There's no need to buy separate kits for listening in the car or at home, as this kit offers everything you need.
Additional features include a wireless remote for controlling the tuner from a distance; a sleep timer and traditional alarm; a lock function that lets you restrict access (via password) to Sirius' more off-color content, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for private listening. The XTR1 tuner, which measures 2.75 by 4.62 by 1.38 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
Note: You must subscribe to Sirius satellite radio to receive the satellite radio signal.
What's in the Box XTR1 satellite radio tuner, universal docking cradle, vehicle antenna, home antenna bracket, audio cables, AC adapter, 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter, wireless remote control, user's manual.

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AudioVox XM XAPV2 PowerConnect Vehicle Kit for the XMp3i Review

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(More customer reviews)(UPDATED) This kit comes with 2 methods to connect to your car stereo: 1) using an AUX jack or 2) using the PowerConnect feature (FM transmitter) built in to the XMp3i player itself.
After receiving the XMp3i for my birthday, I ordered the car kit so I could enjoy satellite radio in my vehicle (2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer). The cable for the antenna is nice and long, so you can run it from your dash, all the way to the top/rear of the car, with a little leftover. All of the cables plug into the dock, so you can remove your XMp3i and hide it or take it with you without any hassle. It comes with a remote control, which I thought was silly at first, but after using it, I realized that it's much easier to use the remote when driving, than to use the buttons on the player. As long as you position the antenna like the instructions describe, the reception is just as good as a factory installed XM radio (I've had both).
It comes with two mounting methods (dashboard mount or clips for your air conditioning vent). If you use the adhesive dashboard mount, make sure you know exactly where you want it, since it only comes supplied with a single adhesive strip. Otherwise, you'll have to go buy some of those super-adhesive foam strips made by 3M. Certainly not a deal-killer, but a little annoying.
Overall, the car kit from XM was easy to install. Now I can listen to satellite radio on those long road trips! Hooray!

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Take your portable experience on the road. now you can enjoy live or recorded xm programming, plus your personal music library, directly through your vehicle's stereo - all with a single satellite radio subscription. installation is easy with sirius|xm powerconnect and the color-coded vehicle dock - you'll be up and running in a flash.features: enjoy your xmp3i on the road: listen to live or recorded xm programming, plus your mp3s, directly through your vehicle's stereo system. easy to install: revolutionary sirius|xm powerconnect fm transmitter works through your vehicle's radio* with easy do-it-yourself installation. the color-coded vehicle dock makes it simple to connect. get a charge out of your vehicle: charges your xmp3i radio while docked. easily change channels and volume: included remote control means passengers can adjust the radio, even from the back seat. aux in connection option: connect your xmp3i directly through your vehicle's aux in jack.

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Yamaha PDX-60BL Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone, 1 Each (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the next generation of iPod sound docks! I own a Logitech and a Bose sound dock. They both have their good and bad points, but neither of them offers the capability of this product...namely, the ability to have complete control of all iPod functions, using the iPod itself, at a remote distance from the sound box. The remote controls on all other units serve mainly as volume controllers, with the user having to approach the sound box to see what's going on on the iPod's screen. And though this is obviously anecdotal, I would testify that the Yamaha's sound quality outstrips both my Bose Sound Dock II, which has the typical Bose "muffled," soft, basey, quality, and my Logitech PureFi II, which has very good crisp sound at low levels but rapidly loses quality as the volume goes up (and has other well-documented issues as well). The Yamaha appears to have a wide frequency range and the ability to hold the sound quality with increased volume. The Yamaha also offers you the option to plug your iPod directly into the sound box itself, as you do with other brands, and use the separate, included hand-held to control the functions if you prefer. All is not perfect. If I am not mistaken, the hand-held transmitter, which hold your iPod, is RF (radio frequency) operated, but responds in a line-of-site manner, akin to an infrared system. If you block the transmitter with an obstruction, even your own body, the sound will be disrupted. Still, this is a minor limitation, considering the complete control available. This was a gift purchase for my spouse, but it is so impressive I wouldn't be surprised to see one appearing for my own use in the future. Kudos Yamaha! (note that this product is only compatible with later generation iPod models which use USB connectors)

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The Yamaha PDX-60 is a powered speaker dock that virtually every iPhone or iPod fan who wants to enjoy a higher sound quality with a powerful output needs to have! The PDX-30 is certified as a "works with iPhone" product, and comes with a card-type remote control for additional convenience.

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Audiovox D2010 10.2-Inch Widescreen Ultraslim Portable DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)It all began after a few hours worth of use, the head began to jump and thrash inside the unit. Brand new player and a new DVD. I called Audiovox and was told that DVD was scratched or dirty. I repeated that I had tried several DVDs fresh out of their cases with the same results. OK, then the tech decided the head was dirty and I was instructed that I must buy and use a DVD head cleaner, a disc that looks like a false eyelash has been glued to it. I mentioned that this DVD player was brand new and nothing had been allowed to near the head. In the end, I bought a cleaner and the problem persisted.
The second call to Audiovox went the same, though I told them it happen when using brand new DVDs, the DVD must be scratched or dirty. Once we got past that, the head was dirty, though the unit was new and I had now used a head cleaner. Eventually this tech caved in and told me what to do to send the unit in for repair.
Over three weeks later we received a refurbished player tossed into a box without the batteries for the headphones and the remote. A quick call to the support department got me the watch battery for the remote, but they forgot the headphone batteries.
This one seemed to work fine, until the night we tried to watch Return of the King, halfway through... whirrrr... clunk... clunk... burp... clunk... whirrrr... (It really hates the transition point on dual layer DVDs)
Another phone call to Audiovox and the same response, "the DVD or the head must be dirty"... I gave up...
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As others have said, the sound really is weak and "tinny" and unless you can keep your head still for an entire movie, the wireless headphones are worthless. Plus the fact that you may be gambling on getting a junk player (If you do, save yourself the hassle and three week wait by taking it straight back to the store.) caused me to rate this player so low.

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Smaller than a laptop but bigger than a conventional portable disc player, Audiovox's D2010 portable DVD player features a broad, 10.2-inch widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) LCD and compatibility with DVD-Video, DVD-R/DVD-RW, DVD+R/DVD+RW, audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3-encoded music discs. You can even enjoy an onscreen slideshow of your digital photos from standard recordable CDs filled with JPEG image files. Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's optical digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver, making this unit as useful in the home as out.Composite-video and stereo analog-audio inputs and outputs let you hook up additional AV gear for viewing through the D2010, including camcorders and gaming consoles--perfect for keeping the kids happy during long trips. All audio and video inputs and outputs are of the minijack .125-inch size, so compatible adapter cables are required (1 stereo analog audio and 1 composite-video cable are supplied).Planning an overseas vacation? This is the player for you: the D2010's supplied AC power adapter accepts inputs from 100 to 240 volts AC (50 or 60 Hz). The D2010 also comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to 3 hours of playback (power consumption depends on the operations of the player, such as screen brightness, volume level, etc). Headphones are not included.What's in the Box DVD player, remote control, remote battery, a stereo analog audio cable, a composite-video adapter cable, a DC vehicle power adapter, a user's manual, and warranty information.

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