Delphi SkyFi3 XM Satellite Radio with Car Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This would by my forth XM unit I've used since signing up in 2003. I've used the SkyFi, the SkyFi2, the RoadyXT (My brother actually) and now, the SkyFi3.Choosing this unit itself was a no-brainer when shopping around for portable units.

The SkyFi3 takes all the functionality of my beloved SkyFi2 (pause/rewind features more than anything) and crosses it with the versatility of the Helix/Inno.Unlike the Helix and the Inno though, this unit has a bias towards car use, yet still gives you the option to be completely mobile (With the purchase of the antenna/headphone set). The Helix/Inno units, which are primarily for on-the-go usage, have a much smaller, yet more colorful screen than the SkyFi3, and also include a built in antenna for on-the-go Live XM feed without any extra accessories.

The SkyFi3 on the other hand, has a much bigger screen, though monochrome, that make viewing from afar much easier. Also, as stated above, unlike the Helix/Inno, this unit has the ability to pause and rewind live feed. It is the first of it's kind to accept MicroSD memory cards for your own music to be added to your playlists, giving you nearly unlimited storage. Be warned though, Recording Live XM feed is limited to the built in 256MB (~10 Hours). The only potential downfall this unit has over the Helix/Inno would be it's large size in comparison. Also, having such a large screen could potentially get scratched much easier. The SkyFi3 is significantly cheaper than the Inno/Helix and when bought through certain retailers, you are given a voucher to get the $50 Standard Wearable Kit for free.

As for the overall sound quality, as long as you are using the SureConnect or a direct wired connection to your car radio, quality is equal to any other XM unit (Of course, using a non-modulated method will be the absolute best). But if you attempt to use just straight up Wireless FM Transmitter, forget it.Total trash.I am going to assume the FCC forced Delphi to use a much lower power transmitter.I live in the Buffalo, NY area and I've gone through the entire FM band and couldn't find a single channel that even made it usable. The SureConnect kit that comes with the SkyFi3 is just a clip that connects to your AM/FM antenna on the outside of your car, then connects to a wire that plugs into your car kit. Make sure you use this unless you have another method of hard wiring the unit to your radio (either by FM Modulation of an Aux input port)

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Product Description:
DELPHI SA10271-11B1 SKYFI3(TM) RECEIVER WITH CAR KIT & SA10252 2.8" LARGE SCREEN WITH HORIZONTAL OR VERTICLE MOUNT;30-MIN PAUSE & REPLAY FEATURES; STORES UP TO 10 HOURS OF XM PROGRAMMING WITH BUILT-IN MEMORY;STORES UP TO 500 SONGS WITH OPTIONAL MICRO SECURE DIGITAL CARD(TM);PLUG-IN-PLAY;INTEGRATED TUNER; PORTABLE PLAYBACK MODE WITH INTERNAL 5-HOUR RECHARGEABLE BATTERY; BOOK MARK & PURCHASE SONGS WITH XM & NAPSTER(TM); ARTIST & TUNE SELECT;XM SPORTS & STOCK TICKER; INCLUDES XM RECEIVER, CAR KIT, REMOTE, EARBUDS & USB CABLE & SA10252 SKYFI3(TM) RECEIVER WITH CAR KIT & SA10252

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Pioneer Inno XM2go Portable Satellite Radio/MP3 Player (Pink) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)in our rural area the inno works pretty well.indoors, you have to move it around a little and then hold it still once you've found a good spot.I can usually find a good spot in each room.this is without the docking station antenna.When you use the docking station antenna, the reception is perfect.Outside the inno gets a signal most of the time.Somtimes I have to put it on a different side of my body to keep a signal.Overalli'm pleased with the Inno.I cant wait for the antenna technology to improve.I may try the antenna headphones.

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Product Description:
The original lineup of XM2Go products (the MyFi, Tao, and Airware) were the first attempt from either XM or Sirius at providing a truly portable satellite radio receiver. As first-generation products, they offered such tantalizing features as a built-in antenna for receiving live XM broadcasts on the go and the ability to record content for playback later. But, like many first-generation products, these technologies were not yet perfected.


With the Inno, you can receive and play live satellite broadcasts while you're on the go. View larger.

XM radio offers an incredible selection of music, sports, talk, and more. Fast-forward a few years: the sequel--the Pioneer Inno--is a radical step forward in both performance, features, and design. (Note: Samsung's Helix is essentially the same model with a slightly different shell.) Boasting a much smaller form factor, slick casing, color screen, and simple user interface, the Inno is the first satellite radio player to make people think twice about buying a straight-up MP3 player.
That's important because not only does the Inno receive all of XM's great content, but it also has built-in storage for your MP3 collection. You can either record up to 50 hours of live XM content into memory, or split it for 25 hours of XM and 25 hours of your personal tunes. Having t

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Pioneer Inno Portable XM2go Radio with MP3 Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been an XM subscriber since my first SkyFi when Opie and Anthony started in October 2004.I added a MyFi when those launched and appreciated its features (ability to store songs, built-in FM modulator, auto on/off in the car, more presets for all the great music channels), but found its on-the-hip portability sketchy.

I purchased an Inno a few weeks ago and am blown away by the improved portability over my MyFi.
1. The reception is better--I can even get a signal in the gym (lots of windows, granted, but the old MyFi reception broke up too much for usefulness indoors).
2.The styling is sleeker.This thing is less than half the size of the old MyFi--about the size of my cellphone.
3. The store-on-the-go/auto-recording features are great.I've been recording Bob Dylan's theme time radio hour when they air it during the night so I've got it the next AM.Only fluke is that recording labels are not always EXACTLY the start and finish of each song.Sometimes you get a second or two of the song before/after.
The negatives that keep it from getting 4 stars--I miss the preset buttons from the MyFi.I had 30 presets, so could always find the right music/comedy/news/etc. for the moment.The Inno doesn't have any presets (unless I've missed something).The XM/Napster software doesn't work on the Mac, which is frustrating.Also, I'd ordered a car kit and still haven't received it.

In the end, though, this little radio is a HUGE step forward.

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Product Description:
XM Radio is a satellite based radio system. It requires a monthly subscription fee for reception. Pioneer's Inno is the complete entertainment package. It's a satellite radio that lets you listen to live XM broadcasts at home, on the go, and even in the car (car kit sold separately). The Inno lets you store individual songs or entire blocks of XM programming and listen to them anytime you'd like. Or you can upload some of your favorite MP3 and WMA files, and create playlists that include MP3s/WMAs and the songs you've recorded from XM.
The Pioneer Inno offers the long-awaited combination of MP3 and live XM Satellite Radio reception in a sleek, handheld device.The wearable radio delivers XM's over 170 digital radio channels of commercial-free music and premier sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming live and nationwide.It plays MP3s and WMAs, and it has a time-shifting memory mode for storage and playback of XM content. A particularly innovative feature of the Inno allows the user to ?bookmark? songs heard on XM, connect the Inno to a personal computer, and instantly purchase the songs from the XM + Napster online music download service.
The Pioneer Inno has 1GB of memory storage for MP3 files, WMA files, and XM programming, to hold up to 50 hours of content.At only 4.4 ounces and 3.4? x 1.9? x .67?, the Inno is extremely light and easy to take along anywhere. In addition to the XM + Napster feature of the Inno, it has a full-color 180 X 180 pixels TFT display and a user-friendly interface for saving and deleting content.Users can build personal playlists using a mix of XM content and tracks from their own digital music collection. The Inno has a memory buffer to make it easy to store an entire track heard in XM, even if the user starts storing it in the middle of a song.

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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The main reason for this kit (instead of the INNO1 version) is because the FCC forced Pioneer to reduce the FM transmitter strength.This means that to get the signal to your car's antenna you have to use an extra cable that runs from the in-dash mount, OUTSIDE YOUR CAR, and is clipped directly to your car's built-in antenna.

There are problems with this approach:

1. The first time you go through an automatic car wash the clip-on cable will be stripped right off.

2. The clip-on portion only works with extremely thin "whip" style antennas.My wife's car has a short, thick "aero" style antenna (in the center of the very rear of the roof) that is totally incompatible with this kit.They don't tell you that before you buy it.

3. Who wants a cable strung through your car for passengers to trip over?Who is going to rip out dashboards and upholstery in a new car to run this underneath?Maybe a professional installer, but this kit was aimed at the home user, supposedly.

In my case I finally tried running the "sure connect" cable under the floor mats, into the back cargo area, and then ran it in a large loop around the inner edge of the rubber seal around the hatch back, leaving the clip-on tip dangling where it wasn't obvious.The only reason this kit gets two stars instead of one is that worked: the signal is strong enough to reach the external antenna without any wires going outside the car.

If you're going to use your INNO2 in a car, be warned, and you probably should save the $70 and give it to a professional installer who'll jack it into the back of your existing radio's FM input--except I bet you have to buy the kit anyway, to get the FM transmitter enabled through the cradle, don't you?

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

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Sirius XM Wireless FM Transmitter Modulator and Power Supply Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This FM transmitter worked exactly as described in the ADs.I've seen other FM transmitters that said they worked great, but, the reviews told a different story.I hooked this up to my XM Express in my 2000 Accord, which has no cassette player.I didn't want to get inside the dash to hook up a cable.I turned everything on, found an open FM channel and heard crystal clear music.No noise, no dropping out, no hassle.

I do suggest setting up all three channels in case you drive into an area where a station overrides your transmitter.I drive 35 miles each way to work and have not had to change the channel yet.Of course, I don't live in a metropolitan area either.

It will also connect to your iPod or other MP music player.Although the sound isn't quite as clear because it's using the headphone jack for a signal.There is a model designed specifically for MP3 players.

I bought this on Amazon for $39 and is well worth the money.

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Product Description:
Finally, a "hardwired" modulator that anyone can install! The i2i FM Transmitter, coupled with the new USB power adapter, is an easy alternative to hardwired FM modulators like the FMDA25 Hard Wired Modulator. Unlike the hardwired modulators, which required you to remove your entire radio from the dashboard, the i2i simply plugs into your cigarette lighter adapter. It not only overrides your FM modulator but also powers your receiver.This device is the first of its kind and unlike other wireless FM modulators that sound fuzzy and have a very weak transmitter; the i2i comes with a strong transmitter that gives your Sirius Satellite Radio and strong and clean signal.If you are currently thinking of using a tape adapter or FMDA25 Hard Wired Modulator then think again! There are no wires to run with this wireless transmitter. Simply plug in and enjoy your Sirius Satellite Radio through your car stereo system!The i2i features 3 preset buttons so you can easily switch between preset frequencies should you need more than one.This device is very versatile, and is compatible with a variety of electronics including iPods, PDAs, cell phones, portable DVD players, and PSPs. It can charge cell phones and iPods as well as play sound from your DVD player through any FM radio station. This includes your portably boombox or walkman(tm)!Note: This will not play or power USB memory sticks.This unit is compatible with the following receivers:Compatible Sirius Receivers: Stiletto 10Stiletto 100Stiletto 2Sportster 3Sportster 4Sportster 5Starmate 3Starmate 4Starmate 5Stratus SV3Stratus 4Stratus 5 S50InVInV2Stratus 4Stratus 5S50InVInV2ConductorSirius Connect Home Tuner Compatible XM Receivers: Roady XTSKYFi 3Delphi MyFiTao XM2GoAGT Sportscaster XpressXpress EZXpress RXpress RCPioneer Inno Pioneer XMP3Pioneer AirwareSamsung HelixSamsung Nexus

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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 controlso 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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Product Description:
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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Pioneer GEX-INNO2BK Inno 2 Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3 Capability Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had XM for four years, and this is the third type of unit I've had, and it is, by far, the best.I owned the portable Delphi unit, which worked fine.I bought this Inno for a friend, and when I saw it, I fell in love and bought one myself.

Why I love it:

Size:It is small, and sleek.It comes with a little leather case to protect it (bravo to Pioneerfor not making me spend another $30 on an after-market case!) on the go.
Reception:It has an internal antenna - that little stub on the top of it in the picture is the antenna.Unlike the old Delphi, no need for an external wire clipped to clothing for reception;the reception is GREAT and smooth.
Battery:I haven't gone out all day yet, but after three hours yesterday, the battery was still over half charged.The battery indicator is clear as well. BTW, the unit comes with a slight charge, so you can "play" with it right away; no maddening "please wait 8 hours before first use."
Recording:Easy to quickly record a station, a single song, and even schedule a recording in the future.This is good for the talk radio channels.
Menu:Easy to flip through and select menus.The display screen is a great improvement; it isn't just color because it's cool; it's designed to make navigation easier.
Power:No need to lug cradle on trips.It comes with an additional more compact charger for travel.Thanks!

Why someone might complain:
Earphones: I've read reviews complaining about the earbuds.Yes, they are cheap, but so what? I've got so many other ones scattered about, it isn't really an issue.I use my ipod buds, my Bose headset, whatever.Who cares about the little earbuds?It's just something so the package is complete, and you can listen right away.
FM Modulator:Not internal to the unit, but must be purchased with the car or other kit.But then again, there are so many of those on the market, I appreciate that they didn't eat up size/functions with the modulator that is easily added on elsewhere.This is a PORTABLE unit.I don't really need a modulator when I'm out walking around...
Memory:Again, I've heard complaints about the storage size for books and recordings.I wouldn't have been surprised if there had been a slot for a card, but I'mokay with that. I've got an ipod; I'll leave my books on there.I'll use this radio as a RADIO.

OVERALL it's great.Reception is good and consistent, screen easy to navigate, solid battery charge, and the accessories in the box are great - no need to buy aftermarket anything.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer GEX-INNO2BK Inno 2 Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3 Capability

Product Description:
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. Create your own play lists / Manage play lists and files without a computer Bookmark the songs you like and purchase with XM + Napster Schedule recordings in advance, so you never miss your favorite programs Artists and Tune Select alerts you when your favorite song or artists is played.

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Delphi SA10224 SKYFi 3 Portable XM Radio Receiver with Vehicle Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok, I feel for people with a bad unit.Mine was working for two hours then locked up.I had another one arrive a few days later from another seller, it worked great!Difference was: THE FIRMWARE!I reset the first locked up unit by pressing the Volume+ button on the side while pushing the Mode (on/off) button on the front.The firmware version is shown at the bottom of the screen at startup, my first unit was version 1.03!Version 1.19 is the latest! (16 revisions of the firmware have obviously solved numerous problems)So I went to XM's firmware update page (http://fwupdt.xmradio.com/), hooked up the supplied USB cable from my computer to my SkyFi unit, clicked on the "XM Firmware Client (R2.26} (in red) at the bottom of that page and followed the simple instructions and let it do its update magic.Presto...my first unit works great now, no lockups, just smooth operations in all features.It's a great unit, just some of these have been sitting around on a shelf somewhere for a while (from the original $199.00 price days) and just need this simple fix to straighten them out.Best XM radio value out there!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Delphi SA10224 SKYFi 3 Portable XM Radio Receiver with Vehicle Kit

Product Description:
The Delphi SKYFi3 XM Satellite Radio is the latest in the best-selling SKYFi family. The SKYFi3 offers optimum balance of compact size, screen readability and portability outside the vehicle.
Compact and lightweight, the SKYFi3 can be used as a portable digital audio player. Click to enlarge.


Fits in the palm of your hand. Click to enlarge.


The Delphi SKYFi3 comes with everything to start enjoying XM in any vehicle equipped with an FM radio. Click to enlarge.


View screen in landscape or portrait. Click to enlarge.


Optimized for Your Car
The Delphi SKYFi3 comes with everything to start enjoying XM in any vehicle equipped with an FM radio. A low-profile car dock with direct channel and preset-favorites access allows for both horizontal an vertical mounting options. The car dock also provides for a single auxiliary line input so users can listen to an external audio. SKYFi3's orientation flexibility, bright 2.8-inch display screen and ease-to-access car dock buttons offer improved readability and control for safer operation while driving.


30-minute Pause and Replay
In today's fast-paced, multi-tasking world interruptions while listening to our favorite songs are unavoidable. The SKYFi3 features a 30 minute Pause-Replay function that continuously and automatically saves the last 30 minutes of music, sports, comedy or talk--regardless of whether the user changes channels. At any point during live listening, users can pause a song or program with a single button press. As long as playback resumes within 30 minutes, users can enjoy what they would have otherwise missed.


Store up to 10 hours of XM Programming
The Delphi SKYFi3 can time-shift up to 10 hours of fresh and continuously updated XM programming on its non-removable internal flash memory. Recordings can be started anytime during the live listening mode or by using SKYFi3's scheduled recording feature. A subscription to XM must be maintained to listen to stored XM programming.


Additional Features

Plug-n-Play architecture with integrated XM tuner provides live XM listening when docked to a number of compatible Delphi accessories.
Vehicle-centric design featuring vertical or horizontal orientation and the largest display among all plug-n-play satellite radios.
The first and only XM portable satellite radio to offer MicroSD card compatibility.
Portable playback mode--listen to stored XM or MicroSD card content without running out of battery (with flexible recharging capabilities).
XM+Napster allows XM subscribers to listen to more than 70 XM music channels on the XM Radio Online service and access Napster's massive catalog for on-demand listening, purchasing and downloading.
Info Extras and Stock Ticker bring you personalized stock information, sports scores and more!
TuneSelect alerts you when your favorite song is being played on any XM channel.

What's in the Box
SKYFi3 receiver, Full-function remote control, Earbuds for listening to stored content on the go, Magnetic mount car antenna, Car cradle with integrated back-lit number keys and vertical or horizontal orientation, Mounting accessories, Power adaptor

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Pioneer CD-XMPCAR1 XMp3 Car Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got the XMP3 radio for Christmas '08 ( a LOT cheaper now if you're thinking about it, and about the best Sat Radio available!) and I wanted to get the car kit for it also. I just waited a few months for the price to come down and now I have one. If you want to listen to your new XMP3 Radio in your vehicle you'll probably need this too! If you've had previous XM radio car kits this includes the same stuff, extra remote (good thing), antenna etc., except no cassette adapter this time, just a stereo to stereo adapter cable for direct input, if you have that in your car. The owners manual says that if don't have an input into your radio or are still using a cassette player stereo and don't have a cassette adapter, you need one of the two FM modulators for XM to hear it as the FM modulator capabilities are supposed to be in the base for this car kit, not in the radio. I actually got this car kit for my Gold Wing motorcycle. I already had my SkyFi2 set up on it and it was just swap it out for this base and change the power adapter for the 5 Volt XMP3. I already have the in line FM modulator on the motorcycle and it all works great. To be honest though the SkyFi2 display is easier to read in the bright sunlight, and it's a bigger display. In a car/truck the XMP3 color display would be fine though.

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Product Description:
Pioneer Phoenix Xmp3 Car Kit Accs

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Pioneer GEX-XMP3 Portable XM Satellite Radio Receiver w/ Home Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought an Xmp3 player from Amazon about a week ago. I have to write that it became almost difficult to buy one because I read all manner of both rave and poor reviews. In the end I took a leap of faith and bought one despite identifying with some poor reviewers. The principle poor I read here was absolutely wrong and I want to address that here because the leap of faith I took was in deciding that the poor review was written by someone who likely didn't know how to operate the device.

The poor review stated that you had to view all the channels and could not save favorites so that you could easily go to the channels you like easily. Frankly I couldn't believe that, bought one anyway, and found the feature the review stated was not there in all of 5 seconds. And I am first-time XM device owner and subscriber.

So I want to accomplish two things in this small review. I want to say if you are too stupid to use the device, don't bother writing a review about it. You scare me and anyone else looking for credible information on a device. I just can't stand it when write bad reviews with less then all the facts. This rotten reviewer could have spent a few seconds with the device without even reading the manual and found the settings. It's right on the menu and so I am lead to believe this person has some ax to grind because no one is that stupid to miss the feature.

I do have some complaints, but for the most part, anyone would like this device.

The xmp3 has a very simple menu system on the device itself. You start off by being able to see all channels in a long list or seeing them by group. Once you find a channel you like, click options, then click Add to Favorites. It's so simple I don't know how one bad reviewer missed it. There is a paper channel guide sitting on top of the manual too. So if you just want to type in a channel, like 129, just press the keypad button and type it in. So in just 2 steps you are into whatever channel you want. I know CNN is 122, so I can go to my favorites, or just punch it in. I can't see how to make that any easier.

Someone here mentioned signal problems. I very much want to cover this because that also scared me. I live in San Francisco. And I take public transportation all the time. Buses, BART, I walk, etc. Some city streets allow just2-way traffic. One lane for cars in each direction. If I walk on those narrow streets with 2 to 3 story houses on both sides, then the signal cuts out. If I want on wider streets, it's fine. And there are two kinds of signals. Terrestrial and Satellite. You can get one or the other, or both. And there is a setting in the options that shows you both signals while the music or news plays. So you will see how little signal you need to get the programming. Unlike regular radio, a limited signal does not mean poor quality. It's all you need to get the full experience. It's digital, so it's perfect or it's not. It doesn't need full strength to get a perfect audio output. This is important. Now, the Xmp3 came with a home kit, and I bought an extra one for work. I didn't have to mount the antenna outside at all. Just place it on a window ledge and watch the antenna signal. Aim it around and watch the signal response. It's stupid-easy. I did the same thing at my office. So when I am home or at the office, I plug the xmp3 into the doc, which is already plugged into the external antenna and I get great audio. It comes with a remote control with every home kit. A pair of self powered $20 speakers is all you need to use these with the home kits. It works fantastically and you need only the one device.

Some wondered if you can truly record more than one station at a time. Yes, you can. Keep this in mind because it's important and I'll explain why in the next paragraph where I explain the battery issues also raised in review.

Some complain the battery only lasts for 4 to 5 hours in live mode. First, live means you are listening to Xmradio live, and not recorded. The XMP3 player can play MP3s, WAVs, and recorded XM radio, plus live XM Radio. There is an easy way to extend the use of the radio to meet anyone's enjoyment needs. I have owned 5 iPods, 4 Zunes, 3 Zen Players, and 2 Rios, plus a Sansa. I have listened to over 200 audible books. I listen to podcasts more than anyone I ever met. I've been listening to portable audio for over a decade. So Xmp3 has a lot to live up to. I'm just as tough on a device as anyone else.

I want to give a quick example of how I use it and you can apply this to the battery issue. Because my method solves all the problems of battery, signal, etc in my opinion. So open those eyes wider and pay attention. The reality that this records 5 stations at once is the key. In the morning before the New York Stock Exchange Opening bell, I am up and getting ready for work. I record CNN, Bloomberg, and CNBC at the same time for about an hour. I can mostly listen to one of those live as I get ready for work, but the other 2 are recorded at the same time. When I hit the street to take my bus, I listen to the other recorded programs to avoid any signal issues. The information is still fresh, and I get no signal problem as I did record this while the unit is mounted into the external antenna. Playing back recorded programming, audible books, or mp3s makes the battery last 16 hours. So my point is, when you are listening to something live take the opportunity to record other stations so you maximize your listening time. It's easy, and it works well. And you get to use the device all day. Again at 4:00PM at work I set it to record the stations I want for an hour. So that at 5:00PM when I leave, I am listening to recorded shows from 1 hour ago and again, little battery drain, and no signal problems on the way home because it's recorded playback. What's the difference in listening to 1 hour ago programming? In fact, it's better. Let me explain why. When you record a channel for 60 minutes or more and then play it back, you can skip ads as easily as you can hit the "Next" button. The recorded shows are divided up by every change. If a ad comes up, it's considered a segment which can be skipped in playback. So when I listen to record news, I can quickly listen to the news by skipping ads. And it's even easier than a tivo! Just one tap of skip, skips one ad. If there are 3 ads in a row, you can skip 1, 2, and 3 times to skip all three ads. Easy as pie and you'll love it. So believe me, you want to take advantage of recorded shows when you go for a walk. You skip the bull, get perfect audio, and can listen just like live or skip ads. Up to you.

So I have to say, in terms of the device itself, it's a 5 star device. After reading poor reviews, I'm glad I tried it anyway. If you are on the fence, go for it. You will see as I have see that the device is fantastic. That's where the rave reviews come from. Those are from those folks that have a brain in their head and don't have some ax to grind.

Now I do have gripes, but they have to do with the XM2Go Music software. This software is not a music manager as you might think. It should not be compared to iTunes or Media Monkey, because it's honestly not a music manager at all. It's more of an upload tool to upload mp3s or WAV files to the device. Read on...

I thought the XM2GO app would be a full music manager, but rather what it does is allow you to easily setup a program record time if that's what you want. You can use it to upload music to your SD card. But the best way to do this is by organizing what you want to upload to the device into a single folder before you upload it. If you already have a full music collection on your hard drive that is stored in the file system by artist and you want a small subset of favorite tunes, you're going to go crazy with XM2GO because you will have to pick one by each song using a director tool in XM2GO to hand pick each song and choose upload. It's insanely stupid.

I use Media Monkey instead of iTunes. And in Media Monkey, I can take my favorites playlist and sent a copy of the songs in that playlist to a folder on my desktop in Windows. Then I use XM2GO to upload the contents of that single folder to the SD card. This gives me my favorite MP3s on the XMP3. I find this the fastest, easiest way to deal with the extremely lousy XM2GO software, which didn't even come with my player. I had to download it. The one real complaint I have with the XMP3 player is not with the device. It's with the Music app from XP / Pioneer. These two companies absolutely blew it on the software. You can work around this as I said, but it would have been great to have a more full-featured music app so that you can easily manage podcasts and mp3 playlists on the device. The way it's done now makes me want to visit with Pioneer and XM and slap these stupid programmers. I don't know why it is so hard for these companies to see what needs to be done to make something simple and enjoyable to use. It's as if they have no brains in their skulls, and know that's not true. It's not a show-stopper. I'd buy the device all over again even knowing what I know now.

You can add audible content to the Xmp3, but not on the SD card. It goes on the devices built in memory. And recorded XM radio also goes on the device memory. So the SD card is truly good for MP3s and WAV files.

Now a few other points for first -time XM people. If you use the web app to play content online you can click a button and buy the song from Amazon. I love this feature. So listening via a laptop over the internet is a good idea and can help you discover new songs to buy. BUT! And I mean BUT, some stations are not available online. No Bloomberg or CNBC for example. Don't count on every station being there exactly the same way as on the device. Because of this, I strongly recommend getting a home kit for your home and office. If you just think it through a little you'll find that the battery, being mobile, etc are all not a real problem. Even for those walking around dense cities as I am.

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Product Description:
Record What You Love, Listen When You Want! Introducing the Pioneer GEX-XMP3 Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3. Providing you with the best of both worlds.
With the XMp3, the Music Never Stops
Loved that song, really want to hear it again? Miss that MLB play or joke on one of the comedy channels? Pause and replay it. Know you'll miss the game? Record it and play it again the next day, or on the drive home. In the car with your kids? Listen to 20 on 20 or XMKiDs while simultaneously recording the game, your favorite show, or the station you can't get enough of to listen later.



Live XM: Enjoy over 170 channels of music and exclusive content.




The NEW XMp3 offers:

More ways than ever to record up to 100 of your favorite XM programming
Automatic Recording: 15 - 30 hours
Multi Channel Record up to five channels at the same time
DVR like feature pause and replay 30 minutes of live XM
Smaller and lighter form factor
Larger and more vibrant color display
Improved User Interface and track wheel
Micro SD Slot! The XMp3 is microSDHC compliant and works with standard or high capacity microSD cards (up to 8GB).
New Exclusive XM2go Music Manager compatible with XMp3 and backward compatible with Inno, Helix, Nexus, and SkyFi3

Record up to 75 hours of programs or 10 Hours of songs.


Compact and easy to cary at only 3.1 ounces.


Live XM

Enjoy over 170 channels of music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, and exclusive content
Set up to 99 Favorite Channels
TuneSelect: Be alerted when your favorite artists or songs are playing on any XM channel
XM Programming Guide: See the best of XM and choose to be alerted when it is playing or schedule to record it

Recording

More ways than ever to record up to 100 your favorite XM programs -- automatic, scheduled, one touch -- and save time by recording up to 5 channels at the same time
One-Touch Recording of up to 10 Hours of Individual Songs
Schedule Recordings of up to 75 Hours of Your Favorite XM Programs
Automatic Recording of up to 15 - 30 Hours of Your Favorite XM Channels
Save Time -- Record up to 5 Channels at the Same Time

MP3
Enjoy your personal music collection (MP3 and WMA files) collection with the micro SD card slot. Compatible with standard or high capacity microSD cards, the XMp3 is microSDHC compliant.
XM2go Music Manager

Schedule Recordings of up to 75 hours of your Favorite XM Programs
Manage your music: Create and modify playlists of your own MP3 collection or your XM recordings
Online Programming Guide: Discover new music by seeing what's playing on XM for the next week
Bookmark and purchase songs from compatible online music services including Napster
Purchase and listen to your favorite audio books from Audible.com/xm

Other Key Features:
GameSelect: Be alerted when your favorite sports teams are on any XM channel Info Extras: Keep track of selected sports scores and stocks


What's in the Box
GEX-XMP3 Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3, wireless remote control, headphones, operation manual, warranty sheet

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