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

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(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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Sirius SDSP5V1 Sportster 5 Dock and Play Radio with PowerConnect Review

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(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

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(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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XM Satellite Radio FM Direct Adapter For All XM Receivers Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this after frustrating attempts to get my XM receiver to work with my car. Right out of the box, the FM modulator was next to useless as I could not get a reliable dead channel for interruption free operation of my reciever. I didn't have a cassette player, so I couldn't use that method and the auxillary ports in my cars entertainment center, just had a high pitched squeal with only occured with the XM device hooked up into it.
I tried this device upon recommendation of a friend. After removing my stereo and attempting to install it, I found that the plugs do not fit a standard GM stereo (I have a 2005 Aztek). This prompted me to run to the local Best Buy and purchase some adapter plugs (they knew exactly what I was asking for) and that set me back another $25. Upon returning home and using the plugs, everything works fine. I've got my XM finally hooked up in the car and love it. Too bad they didn't include the adapters with the kit, otherwise I'd have given it a higher rating.

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AUDIOVOX XMFM1 XPRESS XM SATELLITE RADIO FM SWITCH BOXFOR USE WITH XPRESS XM SATELLITE RADIO; CONVERTS XPRESS RECEIVERS INTERNAL FM TRANSMITTER INTO A WIRED FM MODULATOR

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XAct XTR1CK Sirius Satellite Receiver with Vehicle Kit Review

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(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.

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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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Audiovox SIR-PNP3 Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I love the SIR-PNP3 so much that I immediately bought a second one. And then a third one, two months later! The PNP3 is the 3rd generation of this Audiovox Sirius "shuttle" receiver, and SIRIUS and Audiovox have hit a grand slam home run with the PNP3. The display on the PNP3 is the brightest and clearest of any SIRIUS (or XM receiver) that I've seen. I haven't listened to AM or FM at all since I started my SIRIUS subscription. I use the Audiovox SIR-PNP3 both in the car and the home. The wireless FM transmitter is of high quality and mighty: You can set up the PNP3 in one room, and simultaneously listen to SIRIUS through any and all of your FM radio receivers located in nearby rooms, (at broadcast distances of upwards of 100 feet in my experience.) And, if you are someone who doesn't yet know much about satellite radio: SIRIUS is better than XM: Absolutely True!

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Designed for use in the car, through your home stereo, and even in Audiovox's compatible boombox, the SIR-PNP3 Sirius plug-and-play tuner receives more than 120 streaming satellite radio stations, including stations with commercial-free music, talk, sports, and children's programming. Listeners will need an Audiovox home or car kit to use the tuner, but once equipped, they can transfer the tuner between the house and the car stereo as often as they like, negating the need to buy second and third receivers. The tuner is remarkably easy to use, with a large 2.5-by-1.38-inch amber backlit LCD screen that displays the artist info, song title, category, and time, along with a 0-9 number pad and a wireless remote that allow for direct channel access. Users can manually adjust the contrast and dimming level for better viewing, or they can set the display to Auto Dimmer so that it instinctively adjusts to the ambient light level. The receiver also includes a built-in FM transmitter that broadcasts satellite tunes through any FM radio--a bonus for people whose car stereos don't come with auxiliary inputs. Otherwise, most users will choose to connect the tuner (via one of the Audiovox kits) to a stereo's RCA jacks or 3.5 mm auxiliary input for better audio performance.
The SIR-PNP3 is equipped with a number of convenient user options. Most listeners will appreciate the 30 presets in three separate banks (A, B, and C), along with the preset scan function, which browses among the preset channels rather than perusing the entire station catalog. In addition, the receiver includes a preset list mode that displays the preset channels either one at a time or six at a time, with listings by channel name, artist, or song title. To save time, listeners can also directly access Sirius channels by their three-digit channel numbers rather than paging through the channel directory. Additional features include a Look Ahead function, which checks the current playlist of other channels without leaving your current station; an S-seek function that searches the Sirius signal for songs or artists that match your pre-determined favorites; and several time-based options, including an alarm clock, a sleep mode, and a program alert that automatically activates the radio and turns it to a specific program at a preset time.
The tuner measures 4.5 by 3 by 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Listeners will need to purchase a compatible car kit, home kit, or boombox along with a subscription to Sirius to enjoy satellite radio programming through the tuner.
What's in the Box SIR-PNP3 tuner, wireless remote control, two AA batteries, Sirius channel guide, silica gel desiccant packet, product registration card, user's manual.

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XAct XTR2CK Sirius Satellite Receiver with Vehicle Kit Review

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(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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XAct XTR1UK Sirius Satellite Receiver with Universal Kit Review

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(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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XACT Visor Sirius Satellite Receiver and Remote with CAR and HOME kits - BXTR3CHK Review

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(More customer reviews)I put a Visor in my car as a replacement for my other Xact receiver, which was moved inside permanently after I got the boombox for it.
It's a cool little unit that has a bright, readable, flippable display and it takes about 4-5 minutes to set it up in your car. I went with the cassette adapter instead of using the built in FM transmitter, due to volume levels as well as the chance for interference from other vehicles. The transmitter worked well when I had it turned on, and gives you the bonus of being able to broadcast the signal to second car (as long as it stays close). It's perfect for road trips, and can be easily hidden or taken along if you're in an area that you don't want it showing. The only reason I took off one star is the display is pretty small, and, even though I can see why they did this, having only one knob to set everything up is a bit of a pain in the [..]. Otherwise, this is a great starter satellite radio if you want to get the feel of what all Sirius has to offer. Dropouts are few and far between, but you can't go crazy with it and park under a bridge for any length of time, but driving under one isn't a problem for me at all.
I absolutely LOVE Sirius and will not go back to terrestrial radio even if you paid me Howard Sterns' money.

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Visor means freedom of choice. Clipped on the visor, mounted on the dash, or placed on your desk, the view is always right for you. Straight ahead or overhead - one button rotates the display...your way! Package includes: Visor Radio Receiver and IR Remote Control, Vehicle Mount with Suction Cups, Vehicle Antenna, 12V Vehicle Power Adapter, Home Stand, Home Antenna, Audio Cable, AC Adapter.

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Audiovox Sirius SUPH1 Dock & Play Home Kit (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this after signing up for Amazon Prime. Received it in two days at no extra charge. Hooked it up to my Onkyo receiver and ran the antenna cable outside...I had to drill a hole through the wall to get the cable outside, behind my components. I put two screws onto the outside edge of the overhang of the roof and mounted the antenna. Came inside, hooked up all the wires to the dock and plugged in my Sportster 4.
I got the full 3 bars of signal strength and am enjoying my Sirius Satelite Radio as I'm typing this review. I am trully happy with this purchase and it's about $10 cheaper than Circuit City or Best Buy.
So long as you mount the antenna as the directions state, I don't think anyone should have a problem with the reception. The instructions included show what direction the antenna should be pointing depending on what part of the country you live...also...the optimum position for the antenna is pointing straight up.

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The Sirius SUP-H1 universal plug 'n' play home kit comes with everything youneed to play your Sportster 3, Sportster 4, Starmate 3, Starmate 4, and Stratus satelliteradio receiver through your home stereo speakers. The kit is designed around a handymounting cradle, which holds your receiver in a single easy-to-access location. Just slideyour Sirius receiver into the cradle and rest it on a tabletop, desk, bookshelf, orentertainment center. Once the receiver is mounted, users have two listening options:they can rely on the receiver's built-in FM transmitter, or they can run the included RCAaudio cable between the cradle's audio output and the stereo. The latter option deliversa better overall sound, but is slightly more cumbersome. The bundled antenna,meanwhile, is fully weatherproof, so you can install it indoors or outdoors depending onwhere the satellite signal is strongest. Finally, the kit comes with an AC adapter thatpowers your Sirius receiver and a spacer for the docking station (required for the non- Sportster models). In sum, the kit delivers access to more than 130 streams of originalSirius programming beamed coast to coast, including 65 streams of commercial-free,digital-quality music, along with multiple news, talk, sports, entertainment, and children'sstations. The entire kit is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box Home dock, indoor/outdoor antenna with 21-foot cord, AC adapter with 6-foot cord, 6- foot stereo audio cable (RCA to minijack), docking station spacer, user's manual.

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XTR8 Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver and Car Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had this product since December 22, 2005. My use typically involves keeping it in my car, and then moving it into my office, and so on. In about March of this year, the radio began to intermittently shut off when I hit bumps or stopped suddenly. I would have to jiggle the power cord (which fits into jack on the side of the radio) in order to make it work. This power outage began to occur more and more often, and then began to become problematic even while the radio was just sitting on the shelf in my office. Calls to Sirius and then to Xact proved frustrating. Xact had unreasonable demands in order to provide warranty service, and didn't offer much help. They were reluctant and, in fact refused to give me the address of the main office of Xact, as I had wished to inform Xact's president of their shoddy service. In any event, as of yesterday, the radio died completely...no power cord jiggling miracle! I can either buy a new radio or send it to them and wait for them to take their time to return it. I am choosing to buy another radio.
While this radio functioned quite nicely at first, it is not reliable, as you can tell from this and the other reviews...terrible customer service from the company exacorbates the situation. Stay away from Xact...

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With Xact's XTR8CK Sirius Plug & Play Radio Receiver and Vehicle Kit, you've got a world of options for exploring a new kind of radio. Enjoy 120 channel of innovative, commercial-free radio at home or in your car.Wireless IR remote Illuminated keypad and control buttonsVehicle Kit Features -Docking cradle with suction mount, Stereo Line Level audio outputs, vehicle antenna, 12v power adapter

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Audiovox Sirius FMDA25 FM Direct Adapter (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I must say I was pleasantly surprised by how well this product works.
I have an 07 Accord so it was a bit of a PITA figuring out how to get to the radio antenna in the dash. If you google around for your car and "remove radio" you will undoubtedly find directions for accessing it. That was the most difficult part and it only took me about 30 minutes from start to finish.
I recently got the Starmate 4 for my car. I had one of the old original Audiovox units from when Sirius was first starting up. It was huge, bulky, I had lost the mount for it, and it got VERY hot when in operation. Almost so hot that you couldn't touch it. Hence I decided to upgrade to a newer model. When I received and installed the Starmate I was surprised to see that the built-in FM modulator was horrible. And when I connected the FM antenna extender it came with, it made the sound WORSE. The static made it almost unlistenable through my radio. I googled around and found that the FCC had stepped in and regulated the amount of power the FM modulators were allowed to emit. So my Audiovox unit was better in that fashion since it was built before the FCC rules were established.
To fix the problem I got this Wired Relay Adapter. Basically you plug your car's antenna into it, then plug the wire into your radio. The other end routes through your dash and goes into your Sirius radio. The reception is 100% clear now. No more static. The downside is that you have to a) remember to turn off the Sirius radio if you want to listen to FM because it kills all of the stations, and b) regardless of whether it is on or off it kills AM reception. I don't often listen to AM and guess I don't have a need now (except for local TV stations).
All in all I am VERY happy with this product. It took a Starmate that sounded worse than an old Audiovox I had, and made it MUCH better in the end. 100% worth the $19.99 for this item if you have the know-how to get into your dash.

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Tired of relying on your FM transmitter to send your Sirius satellite radiosignal to your car stereo? Turn instead to this wired FM adapter, which provides a directconnection to produce a crisper overall sound. Unlike FM transmitters--which oftensuffer from static and interference, as with traditional FM stations--the FM adapter plugsdirectly into the rear of your factory or after-market stereo, thus requiring a bit ofinstallation expertise. But once connected, you can tune to your favorite Sirius channelsin seconds without searching for unused FM frequencies. More importantly, the signalwill be clean and uninterrupted, with no pops or fizzes as you drive from one part of thecity to another. The FM adapter, which works with all Sirius plug 'n' play and personalradios, includes plugs and wires for most installations, although antenna adapters may berequired for select car stereos. It's also backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box Direct FM adapter, plugs and wires, user's manual.

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Audiovox SIRCK1 Sirius Satellite Radio Car Dock with Built-In Wireless FM Transmitter Review

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(More customer reviews)I would highly advice that if you choose to get Satellite Radio, you should get it professional installed. I'm experimenting, so I went with the cheaper option. It works pretty well.
You should note that you'll have a few wires sticking out everywhere, and it will look kind of cheap, but if you can get over that, it works well. It has a cradle, a mounting bracket that can stick to the dash, and a mini FM transmitter so you can listen to Sirius through your radio. The whole system works quite well and does the job as best as it can. It's easy to and simple to setup, so that should not be a problem. The sound quality is a little weak, but it does the job.
Besides looking kind of cheap, which is not the docking kits fault, there are two main problems. One is that the mount uses screws or adhesive. I'm not going to drill randomly into my car, so I used the adhesive. The adhesive works very well, but I worry that if I ever remove the mount, will it take chunks of my dash with it? I don't know, which would be really scary if I deeply cared for my car. The second problem is that there is no power supply for a wall socket. This means that if you don't fork over another fifty dollars, you'll have to do the setup in your car, while the car is running. This is truly cheap and annoying.
All in all, it works well for those on a budget or those not willing to commit fully to Sirius radio.

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Enjoy the freedom of Sirius satellite radio in your car with this easy-to-install dock with a built-in wireless FM transmitter. Compatible with the Audiovox SIRPNP1 or SIRPNP2 Sirius radio tuner, this docking station connects to your in-dash car stereo with the included RCA audio cable. If your car stereo doesn't have an audio connection, the FM transmitter can send the Sirius radio signal to one of four FM frequencies (88.1 MHz, 88.3 MHz, 88.5 MHz, or 88.7 MHz).
The base has a swivel ball for adjustment of the dock, and it can be mounted to your dash using the included adhesive strip or included screws. The antenna has a magnetic base that enables you to mount it on your car's roof or trunk; it connects to the docking cradle with a 20-foot antenna cable.
Sirius satellite radio is a subscription service that provides up to 100 channels of programming, from digital-quality music to news, talk, and sports.
What's in the Box SIRCK1 cradle, base with adhesive pad, audio cable, vehicle antenna, DC (cigarette lighter) power adapter, screws and washers, and printed installation guide.

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