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

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

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

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

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Polk Audio DB1001 1-Inch Silk/Polymer Composite Dome Tweeters (Pair, Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these to replace the stock A-pillar tweeters in a Honda Element as the first step in a stereo upgrade. After installing them (a total cakewalk), I realized they made up all the difference that was lacking in the stock system. The imaging is superb now and it boosts the highs in a needed way from the front. Crystal clear and they handle the power with no distortion at max volume. Best upgrade available for my toaster. A very easy mounting system too. National deals is a great company to do business with. With a deal like this and prompt shipping, I'd be happy to buy from them again.

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Polk Audio db1001 25mm Silk/Polymer Composite Dome Tweeters bring you superior looks and sound at a price that makes high performance affordable to everyone.This 25mm liquid-cooled silk-polymer composite dome tweeter with neodymium magnet creates clear, detailed highs.The flush and surface mount swivel cups give you increased placement flexibility and soundstage optimization.An in-line 12db/octave passive crossover with an electronic tweeter protection circuit provides long-term reliability.Polk db Series speakers are built tough to withstand the harshest environments, so they are perfect for use in boats of all types.The db Series delivers classic Polk Audio performance and durability like never before.

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Sony MEXBT3700U CD Receiver Bluetooth Hands-Free with Integrated Microphone (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this head unit because I got an iphone 3GS (previous iphone models do not have Bluetooth audio streaming (A2DP)) and wanted something that would give me as many options of integrating it with the car stereo as possible without spending a ton of money. I also didn't want to have to pay extra for the bluetooth attachments that you have to add on to the bluetooth ready head units.
-BLUETOOTH AUDIO STREAMING
The audio bluetooth streaming is great sound quality is very good (I am not a picky audiophile so can't say if sensitive ears would notice anything wrong with the quality), I actually listen to local radio stations through their internet streams through the iphone then bluetoothed to the car stereo because its better sound quality then what I get out of the tuner (any tuner not just this one, I live in a bad radio reception area between 2 markets). The stereo usually picks up my phone (for both phone and audio) within 30 seconds of turning on the car. I have had to reset the bluetooth (takes about 20 seconds, push one button twice) every few weeks because it will start to get skippy but it is a pretty minor inconvenience. Listening to Pandora through the Iphone to the car stereo is awesome, and has greatly improved my commute.

-Bluetooth Phone connection
Connects within 30 seconds of starting the car. Sound quality is good. And the microphone that is built in actually works well, this shocked me I was sure I would have to either yell or buy an external mic but the one that comes in the head unit picks up my voice fine I have not had a complaint about people on the other end of the call not being able to hear me. Another good thing about the mic being built in is that it saved me $60 on the installation that they would have charged me to install an external mic. The transition between phone call and what was playing before the call is automatic and fluid.
-USB input
I have not gotten a chance to use this because the bluetooth has worked well. It would be nice if it had a USB on the back of the unit in addition to the one on the front so that you could run a wire hidden behind the console plastic and have it connect where ever you wanted it to without it cluttering up the car (that is the main reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars).Overall I love this unit because it was fairly cheap and it does exactly what I wanted it to do in respect to integrating with my Iphone.

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The Sony MEX-BT3700U head unit with Bluetooth wireless technology features a front USB connection, a front aux-in and three preouts. The CD/MP3/WMA/AAC receiver is also compatible with the latest in Sony's audio features and technologies, including ZAPPIN, Quick-BrowZer, Jump Mode, Passenger Control and DM+ Advanced. Sony offers an optional microphone, model XA-MC10, designed to complement the MEX-BT3700U.

Detachable Faceplate The MEX-BT3700U features a detachable faceplate with black 13-segment LCD display. Switchable blue or green key illumination makes control in the dark a snap, and lets you pick your style.

USB 1-Wire With the addition of USB 1-wire functionality on select Sony CD receivers, you can easily expand your digital music player's options in your system. USB 1-wire receivers allow you to connect, charge, and control many digital music players including iPod, iPhone, Walkman music player, and even USB thumb drives directly from the head units, all from one wire.
iPod Direct By connecting an iPod to the USB port, you can listen to all your favorite iPod tunes on your car speakers. Once connected, the iPod will turn on, and it'll resume where you last left off. Enjoy full control of the iPod from the CDX-GT530UI, and while the car is on, your iPod will get a charge, so it'll be ready to go when you're back on foot.

USB Support Insert a USB thumb drive in the front panel USB port and enjoy your favorite digital audio files.
The CDX-GT530UI gives you the freedom to choose your format. Whether it's burnt to disc or on your USB drive, you'll enjoy playback of MP3, WMA, and AAC formats.
You also get ID3 tag support--title, artist and album info will be scrolled across the LCD.

Get Zapped with ZAPPIN While enjoying your iPod, or USB tunes, you can give ZAPPIN a try. Sony's unique ZAPPIN technology operates similarly to most car stereos' scan buttons. It continues to play a series of short music clips from your own music library until you can find your favorite song to match your mood.

Ready for SAT and HD Radio Using separate Sony adapters you can add an HD radio tuner, or add Satellite Radio for a wealth of channels of music, news, talk shows, sports and traffic information with CD quality sound.
AM/FM Radio Always have your favorite stations at hand with 18 FM and 12 AM presets.
Best Tuning Memory Setting your radio presets can be a real pain while you're driving--especially if you're in an unfamiliar area. So, let the tuner do the work for you by activating the Best Tuning Memory (BTM) function. The tuner will seek out up to 18 of the strongest stations in the area and set them into the tuner presets.
What's in the Box Sony MEX-BT3700U CD Receiver, manual

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Dual XD1222 AM/FM/CD 4x25W detach Presets Front USB charge and 3.5mm input Review

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(More customer reviews)While I didn't purchase this unit, it was installed in the car I recently bought. It's a really nice stereo, with well laid-out buttons.
It loses 1 star for it's bright blue display (the box on the left of the unit, not the accents). There is no way to reduce the annoying brightness. I'm going to have to resort to using a small patch of window cling film to cut the brightness in half. Hopefully that will do it, because I don't want to ditch the radio for this one drawback.

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Dual XHD6425 4X50 Watt Bluetooth-Ready HD Radio and MP3 Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Like most other reviewers I have been extremely impressed with what I got for the money. I purchased the XHD6425 and the Bluetooth add-on. They were installed in my 2000 Ford Explorer about a month ago. I didn't want to write a review until I had some time to work with the unit and see its positives and negatives.
The positives are well known, HD radio, inexpensive bluetooth option, available USB port and a 3.5mm aux jack. So lets go over the issues, both good and bad, for each.
HD Radio - Very nice. I won't lie, I didn't know what to expect. I normally get excellent reception here in NYC. So was I knocked out by the sound quality? No, not especially. But it *IS* better. It's also nice to see the second and sometimes third HD feed in the same frequency. I wasn't aware of that when I bought it. Any negatives? Not really. It's a good feature nice feature. I also like that you can set it so that it only scans for HD stations.
Bluetooth - Now I was really looking forward to this for two reasons. One was obvious. I wanted to link my phone up to the head unit (HU) to make and receive calls. As far as this is concerned, it worked great. pairing was a cinch with my VZW Treo 700P. The second reason was that this unit is able to handle A2DP Bluetooth Stereo. It worked great. I was able to stream Bluetooth audio from my phone and also from my bluetooth enabled MP3 player. I can use either the device itself or the HU to control the playback. Very sweet. Any negatives here? Yeah, kind of. The BT features does not allow you to import your phonebook, so you either start the call on your phone or dial the number on the HU. Dialing on the HU is interesting, but not smart. You use the radio preset buttons as well as several other buttons on the HU. They're too small and it's too distracting. This is a minor problem honestly as I have my phone mounted on a ProClip on the AC vent. But others might have an issue here. Also, ending a call requires you to hold down the mute button on the HU for three seconds. This is dumb. You should be able to disconnect by pressing the phone icon on the BT module. But no. The BT receiver button is for accepting a call, not ending one. Again, not a deal breaker, but disappointing.
Available USB port - Genius. I can use this to charge any device that uses a USB charging cable. Including my work Blackberry. I can use a USB flash memory card and it works great. Negatives here? Yes. Navigating through music folders is a chore. Not fun at all. I don't normally use this option as I simply control my MP3 player through either the BT or through the aux port, but again, it's worth mentioning.
Aux port - Again, genius. Simple feature that should be on all radios. Does exactly what it's supposed to. You just purchase a simple 3.5mm cable from Radio Shack or anywhere else and you can plug in any high-tech or low-tech audio feature you want. No negatives. It just works great.
Overall device... Nice. But there are some usability issues. The default sound is kind of weak in my opinion. I don't listen to things too loud, but it was still softer than I preferred. Setting "Loudness" to "ON" in the settings fixed that, but almost too much. Again, it's all about preferences. It's subjective. I also wish the radio presets had better shapes. They can be hard to hit and they toggle from the sides. 1 and 2 share the same button, so you have to hit the edges and not the center. It's annoying. As others have said, you can't dim the display, but this never bothers me.
One last thing is car specific but still an issue. My car has controls on the steering wheel that I use to control volume, switch between radio bands, CD and cassette as well as switch between radio presets (or tracks). I tried to keep as much of this functionality intact by separately purchasing a IR steering wheel control kit from PAC. It worked, but not well. Volume works fine, but the radio doesn't have a remote setting for switching between presets, so you're forced to use the HU (or the remote control). Other than that, you're just scanning between frequencies. That's annoying. Switching bands is just that, radio only. If I want to switch between inputs, I have to use the HU or the remote. Some might think these are minor issue, but I use my steering wheel controls constantly. This became my biggest disappointment by far.
All in all, a very good deal for the dollar. No doubt. The device has issues. They all do, but as long as you go into the purchase knowing the compromises up front, I think you'll be very impressed. I am.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dual XHD6425 4X50 Watt Bluetooth-Ready HD Radio and MP3 Player

Built-in HD Radio reception--it's free nationwide--with CD and MP3 playback, a front-panel USB port, and the convenience of a detachable faceplate: that's the Dual XHD6425 receiver. The XHD6425 allows playback of your favorite MP3 and WMA files recorded on CD-R and CD- RW discs. Its powerful on-board DSP processor decodes the compressed audio while maintaining near-CD sound quality. An internal SRAM buffer provides ESP (ElectronicSkip Protection) to virtually eliminate skipping and allows alphanumeric or direct track search--even while a song is currently playing. Finally, add the BTM60 Bluetooth module and enjoy hands-free calling and streaming from compatible Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth Ready Add the BTM60 Bluetooth module and you'll enjoy wireless, hands-free mobile phone operation with caller ID, along with streaming audio from Bluetooth audio devices. You can also answer and place calls using front panel controls.
Front Panel USB Connection Connect a USB device to the XHD6425's front panel USB port and play MP3/WMA files directly. Most standard USB devices will also receive a charge (DC 5V/500mA).
1-DIN HD Radio Receiver The XHD6425 features a 1.0 DIN chassis with an anti-theft detachable face. A black/white dot matrix display and rotary encoder control make navigating the device a snap.
HD Radio Tuner With the XHD6425's built-in HD Radio tuner, you'll enjoy static-free, digital-quality sound over the airwaves. Both HD2 and HD3 FM multicast channels are supported, and broadcasted info like station name, artist and song title on HD Radio channels is displayed. Store your favorite HD stations among the standard 18 FM and 12 AM presets. Enjoy a new standard of radio with no subscription fees.
AM/FM Tuner In with the new, but not necessarily out with the old. Tune into your favorite non-HD AM and FM stations, and save up to 30 station presets (18 FM/12 AM). Run Auto Station Store when in a new area to add the strongest signals, and easily scan through your presets.
CD/MP3/WMA Playback Enjoy your favorite CDs and CD-R/RWs with all the standard CD controls (random/repeat/intro/etc.), or go big and burn a MP3/WMA encoded CD-R/RW for hours of music and display of ID3 Tag info.
Convenience Is Key Dual threw in some features that'll make you love the XHD6425. A programmable turn-on volume keeps you from blowing your ears out when you head to work in the morning--unless that's what you need to wake up. Keyless CD eject means you can grab that CD on your way out without turning on the vehicle. You can also select the confirmation beep for changing settings/presets/etc.
Great Sound The XHD6425 features an on-board processor that will improve the sound of your compressed MP3/WMA files. Get quick access to electronic volume, bass, treble, balance, and fader controls, or select one of the 5 preset EQ curves--pop, jazz, classic, beat, and rock. A loudness feature is included for low-level listening with punch, and a mute function for quick sound-off.
Input and Output Two pairs of preamp outputs are provided for system expansion if you want to add to the XHD6425's 17 Watts RMS (50W peak).
A 3.5mm front panel input is also included for use with iPods, MP3 players, or other external audio devices.
What's in the Box Dual XHD6425 receiver, trim ring, mounting sleeve, wiring harness, installation hardware, installation/owner's manual

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Dual XHD7720 4X50 Watt AM/FM/CD Radio with Motorized Built-in HD and Bluetooth - Ready Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this radio about a week ago and was overflowing with excitement. to think i had found a radio with all these features for such a low price was beyond amazing. Here are some key things i liked.
HD Radio-
yeah, its that cool. for those of you out there that are skeptical of whether or not HD Radio is worth your money, ill go ahead and answer that question for you. yes. yes it is. I wasnt sure myself before i bought this but it was like rediscovering radio. for people who aren't sure how it works, its like this. HD doesn't have its own band like AM, FM, or XM, but it improves the FM sound quality. and single stations can have more than one channel such as 97.9 HD1 and 97.9 HD2.
Sound Quality-
This radio can pump out 50W x 4 PEAK. that translates into at most 25W x 4 RMS. for a stock sound system in just about any car, THAT'S PLENTY. The quality of sound in my old speakers is much better than it was. that little radio powered my 8 speaker Boston Acoustics system. nuf said.
Ipod/ipod tagging-
Here's something you don't see often: the cable needed to unlock the full capabilities of iPod integration _is included_. music control can be done from the included remote or the radio itself. The music tagging feature is very useful as well. beware, it only works on HD stations.
Bluetooth-
Ok. the one con of this product. The bluetooth is fully compatible with H2DP, handsfree is convenient, clarity is excellent. BUT, you must first purchase the BTM 60 ($40ish) Dual Btm60 Bluetooth Interface Module before you can use BT anything. even music streaming.
Misc-
installation was easy and clearly described in the instructions.
The EQ system as well as the menu and button system is well thought out.
Included remote is very handy and useful.
Works well with MP3 players.
Music can be imported and organized from mass storage devices(e.g. thumb drive). just dont make it bigger than 4-8 GB or your in for a good wait.
Detachable face plate is nice.
dedicated SUB OUTS.
All in all this receiver is a winner. i think dual put a good amount of consideration into this and it definatly paid off. wont find a better radio for the price

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Boss TW12 Flush Mount Tweeter with Housing - Single (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)These tweeters are of good quality and construction although the included brackets that mount behind the door for flush mount installation could be of better design there are ways around it. After I tried using the brackets for about 30 min I tossed them in the trash and just used a hot glue gun. The finished product looks great and sounds as well!

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SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit Review

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

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

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JVC Car KDHDR30 In-Dash CD Receiver with HD Radio Tuner Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been interested in HD radio for about a year and a half now. Over that time, I had installed two external HD radio tuners in my car. The first was Visteon HD Jump directly connected to my AUX in line through a JVC KD-SX75 head unit. When I sold that car, I bought and had the JVC KT-HDP1 installed in my new car, connected to the cars' head unit by an FM transmitter. After using these, I wanted to get a head unit with an HD Radio tuner built in, as well as having an input for an MP3 player.
I wish I had found this product much earlier than I did. This unit is ready for what I currently have, as well as ready for and will control iPods, XM and/or Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a JVC CD changer through the head unit out of the box, though you'd have to buy those products separately.
HD Radio on this is a great feature. In addition to AM and FM signals sounding better because of HD Radio, most stations display the track titles and artists of the songs (it's helped me find several songs to buy). Some stations also broadcast "sub-channels" of additional content. One problem here is that when there is a sub channel available, there is no indication of it. The only way to know it is there is to press the up or down buttons on the dial.
The CD drive is able to read MP3/WMA CDs (provided they aren't protected music files) which allows you to put about 12 CDs onto 1 CD. One complaint of mine is that you can't browse folders on the CD, going from one folder to another plays the first song of the folder. I must say the factory stereo of my new car spoiled me on this.
The AUX input on the front was a great addition to this product. I have my MP3 player attached to it, and it sounds good!
I brought this into Circuit City and had it installed by them, and am very happy with their installation. I'm not comfortable getting into the car to do this myself.

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Delphi SA10118 SkyFi XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Vehicle Adapter Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)My only compliant is the limited Christian song lists. I have Sirius at home on Dish Network, and the Christian rock stations have up to date music with great variety. XM seems to play only eighties and early nineties Christian rock. Sirius divides rock into more catagories than XM, who only offers music by decades and Dance. On Sirius you can choose Hair Bands, Heavy Metal, etc.

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Dual MXDM70 AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA Weather Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this marine stereo for my Jeep, since in the past stereos have sub-come to rain or even a little dew settling on the interior. Overall I like it. I gave it four starts because it seems to skip a little more often than I'd like. However in a Jeep, you feel every gum wrapper and cigarette butt in the road as it is, so I can live with it. What makes up for the occasional skip, is the MP3 player plug-in (who cares about skipping CD's, when you have an iPod anyway) and the weather band is a great feature also. The display is super bright, which is good for open air driving when the sun is overhead. Another nice feature is that the power button stays lit when the stereo is off, a nice detail when glancing at you dashboard in total darkness. All in all, it's a good stereo and I recommend it for Jeeps, motorcycles, and even for you boaters.

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Designed for life on the open water, the Dual MX-DM70 marine CD player/receiver makes a great foundation for a boat-based stereo system. The receiver features a powerful built-in amplifier (50 watts peak x 4) that powers a quartet of speakers, along with a host of marine-ready extras, such as clear-coated circuit boards, a rust-resistant chassis, and a detachable UV-resistant face with a negative white display. As a result, the stereo stands up to light rains, ocean spray, scorching sun, and almost any other weather condition. The CD player, meanwhile, is compatible with CDs and most CD-Rs, including discs loaded with WMA and MP3 files. The unit even displays track names and artist info on its black-and-white LCD screen, making it easy to find your favorite songs in the midst of a cross-lake cruise. And don't fret when you hit a huge wave, as the MX-DM70 includes an anti-shock mechanism that guarantees smooth playback in rough water.
Further versatility stems from the system's quintet of preset tone curves--which let listeners customize the audio settings based on genre and taste--and the built-in AM/FM radio with 30 presets (20 FM and 10 AM). Plus, the radio picks up several weather bands, so you can check the weather conditions before you head out. And finally, the system includes an auxiliary input with a mountable "iplug" adapter that connects to such audio sources as an iPod, MP3 player, or satellite radio receiver. It's never been easier to haul along your entire music collection while boating.
Additional features include a single set of 3-volt pre-amp outputs (for integrating an external amp or powered sub), selectable European and U.S. tuning, independent bass and treble controls, and a built-in clock. The MX-DM70 fits in most pre-installed dash openings and carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box CD player/receiver, installation and mounting hardware, user's manual.

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Sony MEXBT5700U CD Receiver Bluetooth Hands-Free and Audio Streaming Capability (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this product from a cheaper source, but use these reviews to determine which head unit to buy. The MEX-BT5700U had all the features I was looking for at a decent price. I have a '92 Toyota Pickup with a manual transmission, so Bluetooth calling was my top priority (safety) as my state hasn't implemented handsfree calling laws yet. My calls at highway speed (windows up) were clear and my caller only noticed a slight hum/noise and reported I sounded very clear. This was using the external mic provided on default settings for the gain and noise cancelling.
Note: if an external mic is provided with ANY head unit(this one comes with an external mic)USE IT, DO NOT bother with a head unit that you cannot add or use an external mic....proper mic placement is key. I placed my mic on the steering column in front of my gauges.
Pairing was simple, and iPod control is built in so you DO NOT need the separate iPod controller Sony sells for the other units. I also purchased the HD-Radio unit, but haven't installed it yet.
The controls, and layout are decent, but some functions take multiple pushes of a single button to reach, or spin the dial....this can be a bit tough while driving. I figure after some use I will figure out what buttons do what and how many times to push to get to a function. In my opinion, no head unit is completely intuitive but I believe this unit provides a reasonable logic to it, but could most certainly be improved like every other head unit on the market.
I recommend this unit to anyone looking for hands free calling, and iPod control. For the iPod control, all you need is your iPod USB cable, plug it in and the unit recognizes it and takes control. The unit can control the iPod, but nothing beats holding the iPod in your hand and selecting music the way you are used too. Looking at the screen you will still see the Artist Name and Song Title displayed even when in 'passenger mode'. Again, I haven't read a single review of any unit that has 'excellent' iPod controls.
Four stars because, no head unit is perfect, and Sony could probably spend more effort in making the controls more intuitive.

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Sony's MEX-BT5700U receiver offers plenty of modern features and room to grow. Enjoy hands-free calling with your cell phone or wirelessly play back tunes on your Bluetooth-enabled audio devices. Connect, control, and charge your iPhone, iPod, or MP3 player. Play back hours of music from single CDs loaded with MP3, WMA, or AAC files. Or grow your system by adding HD/SAT radio and external amplifiers/speakers.

Hands-Free CallingThe MEX-BT5700U features Bluetooth connectivity for making hands-free calls, complete with an integrated microphone (or use the included external mic). It also features audio streaming with compatible devices, and will display music metadata if included. Bluetooth profiles supported: HFP, A2DP, PBAP, and AVRCP 1.3.

Flip-Down DisplayAn enhanced display gives you and your passengers up to four lines of music and phone-call data on a bright, full-motion fluorescent display, while the flip-down faceplate keeps your CDs and stereo secure.

MP3/WMA/AAC Playback With DM+Multi-format playback lets you play CDs, CD-Rs, or CD-RWs loaded with hundreds of MP3, WMA, or AAC songs, for hours of music on a single disc. Sony's DM+ restores the fidelity lost in compressed digital audio files, so you always get CD-quality sound.

4V Front, Rear, and Subwoofer Preamp Outputs with LPF/HPFExpand your system with 4-volt front, rear, and subwoofer pre-outs. Add amplifiers and other components, while improving the system's dynamic range, reducing system noise, and providing powerful volume. Built-in LPF/HPF (low-pass filter/high-pass filter) functionality gives you the power to customize the sound outputted to your external amplifiers and other custom components, dialing it in just right for your gear and vehicle.

Quick-BrowZer with Jump Mode and Zappin TechnologySony's Quick-BrowZer lets you search and select songs by category, including artist, album, genre, or playlist. Jump Mode gets you closer to the song you want by allowing you to fast forward through a music category in 10 percent increments. With Zappin, you can play music in six-, nine-, or 30-second clips until you find the song you're looking for.

Satellite Radio/HD Radio-ReadyThe MEX-BT5700U integrates seamlessly with satellite radio Sony Bus adapters (sold separately), so you can receive digital satellite radio broadcasts. HD Radio capability lets you receive digital audio broadcasts when used with an optional HD Radio tuner.

Front Auxiliary InputThe front auxiliary input lets you connect almost any portable audio device to your car's sound system.

USB 1-Wire for iPod and other USB devicesUSB 1-Wire lets you directly connect, charge, and control your digital music player via the USB jack in the front of the unit, as well as view metadata like song title and artist on the front display.

The Passenger Control feature lets your co-pilot control your iPod via a connected wire as they scan through your music, artist, and album information that is conveniently shown on the receiver display, so you can keep your hands on the wheel.

EQ3 Stage 2 and 52W x 4 High PowerThe MEX-BT5700 delivers 52 watts of peak power to all four speakers, for bass-pumping sound.

Wireless Card Remote Included The included wireless card remote (RM-X306) lets you control the basic functions of your Sony Xplod system while keeping your eyes on the road.

What's in the Box
Sony MEX-BT5700U receiver, wireless card remote (RM-X306) with battery, front panel case, wiring harness, installation hardware, external Bluetooth microphone, and documentation.

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Power Acoustik Ptid-4005 3.6-Inch Widescreen In-Dash Monitor With Dvd & Am/Fm Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have this dvd player in my truck and I have had it for about a year. The only thing I would have to say is that when you take the face off and put it back on the plug to the face plate to the head can be tricky. I say this because if you don't have it just right the screen don't show any thing. I don't really care because it works really well and for what you get for the price is good. The unit is bluetooth but you have to buy a piece to make it work, same goes for the I-pod. I haven't done the I-pod cable, but I heard it don't charge it and on some of the newer i-pods it don't work well with them. One more thing, the clock don't show on it unless you have it on FM or AM and you still have to hit the display button to see the the time, with this few things in mind I would tell any one to buy one. I wouldn't buy there amps or speaker because there not good at all, but there head units I like. I have owned one amp by the maker and it was junk I had to send it back because it was cheap. Like I said before there head units are made good and the picture is really good for the price.
I also think this is a 2007 model and I have seen the new one and it looks almost the same, but the buttons or different. I bought mine used for 80.00 plus shipping and it came out to be 90.00 dollars so I would shop around if you want to buy this model because it's older and I don't think the price should be so high for the year.

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Sirius S50 Portable Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)I've waited for three months for the S50 to come out. I finally found one and had it installed professionally in my car. I love what the S50 can do, and I'm overall very pleased, but I have some problems with the S50. First the good stuff. It's a great design with an awesome LCD display. The station, artist and song are always visible. None of the scrolling stuff. The base has a rotating know to change channels, replay songs, press to record a song you like while it's playing and a host of other options. Very cool. The removable lightweight unit is about the size of 2/3 of a deck of playing cards. With this unit, you can remove it from your car, plug in the headphones and play your downloaded MP3's and recorded content from sirius. The rechargeable battery is supposed to last around six hours. I haven't drained it yet. It recharges automatically when plugged into the base unit. Additionally, it will automatically download music from your three most listened to stations...ingenius. Also, if you like a song you're listening to, you simply press the rotating knob, and the song is recorded for you onto the portable unit...awesome! Additionally, if you like a song you just heard, you can click the knob, and it plays again. You can then skip ahead to the current song playing or keep listening. You can also pause the broadcast and unpause without a hitch. As you turn the knob to change channels, a voice tells you what channel you're selecting which is a cool feature if you want to keep watching the road.
I love the selection of music that is available for my taste (alternative stuff). Some stations are lame, the all Elvis channel or all Bruce Springstine channel for example, but that's a matter of taste. Besides, there's plenty to choose from no matter what your taste in music.
And now, the bad stuff. 1) I was disappointed with the sound quality. I would describe the quality as somewhere between good FM radio and AM. Voices often sound like they're speaking or singing through a tin can. I thought it may have been the FM broadcaster in the unit, but when I play MP3's in the car through the unit, they sound great, so I guess it's not enough band width in the broadcasts. 2) The portable unit does not have an equalizer option. You can't adjust the bass or treble which even the cheapest MP3 players have. That was poor oversight on their part. 3) My biggest gripe is that the removable unit will sometimes vibrate loose, causing a loss in the transmission. This is very annoying, but I'm getting used to tapping my unit from time to time to prevent it. I think part of the problem there is that my unit was installed so that it lies in a flat position. I may have to get that changed, despite the fact that I love the way it's positioned right now. Sirius should have designed it so that the unit locks in. However, when you lose the signal (not from the unit vibrating loose), the voice asks if you'd like to switch to downloaded content which can be done very easily.
UPDATE: I had the unit re-installed so that it's not flat, no problem now with the unit slipping out.
Moreover, I'm very pleased with the S50. If you're aware of sound quality issue I'd definitely recommend the unit.

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If you're serious about keeping your music with you at all times, the Sirius S50 Satellite Radio Receiver and MP3/WMA Player System Pack may be just what you're looking for. Small enough for your shirt pocket, and loaded with all the accessories you need to play it over your car stereo, the Sirius S50 offers an intoxicating blend of satellite radio and digital music capabilities that are certain to transform your portable listening experience. For starters, when the Sirius S50 is set up in your car, or in the optional home docking station (sold separately), it's ready to capture more than 120 channels of Sirius satellite radio programming. But don't feel intimidated by the scale of all that programming; the Sirius S50 has several automatic and one-touch features that will help you get the most out of your satellite-radio experience in no time flat. Game alerts automatically prompt you when your favorite teams are playing, and a sports ticker gives you up-to-the-minute scores throughout the day. The unit's 30 channel presets offer one-touch navigation to your favorite Sirius stations as well as to Sirius traffic and weather reports. The Sirius S50 also boasts an internal memory that can store up to 50 hours of digital content, either from your favorite satellite programming. With a simple push of the unit's easy-to-spot heart-shaped "love" button, you can save the Sirius program you're listening to for future playback. So when it's time to work out, or when the beach is calling, just slip on the earphones and enjoy the commercial-free programming and music files of your choice. (A belt clip for the player is included in the kit.) Note that while live satellite radio content is available when you're in your car or at home--using either the included car cradle or the optional home cradle--it is not available when the S50 is in portable mode. You'll also get the accessories you'll need to play the Sirius S50 over your car stereo -- a cradle that allows the unit to receive live Sirius broadcasts, a car mount, a DC power adapter, a remote control, and a roof-mount antenna. The car cradle's media dial makes it super easy for you to surf through 120 channels of Sirius programming, and a voice-assisted navigation announces the name of the channel you've just tuned into, so you can find your favorite channels without taking your eyes off the road. The unit's built-in wireless FM transmitter "broadcasts" the sound over an unused frequency on any FM stereo, so there's no complicated installation process. And if your in-dash stereo has an auxiliary input, you can connect the Sirius S50 directly to it for even better sound. The unit's bright 176 x 220 TFT color display makes it easy to read programming data and sports scores. And at a mere 1.9 x .9 x 3.9 inches (WxHxD), and with rechargeable batteries that will give you six hours of play per charge, the Sirius S50 is ready to go wherever you take it. Note: Sirius Satellite radio programs require a subscription that's sold separately. What's in the Box S50 satellite radio, AC adapter, cigarette lighter power adapter, car antenna, car mount, earbuds, remote control, USB cable, belt clip, and PC software.

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Dual XHD6420 4X50 Watt Hd Radio and Mp3/WMA Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great car receiver for anyone who's interested in free HD radio. It's hard to tell the difference between FM and HD radio FM, but the additional channel on each band allows the user to listen to more music. The huge improvement is listening to AM radio on HD. For Bay Area residents, listen to KNPR 1050 Sports (too bad they don't broadcast HD on its sister 680 AM band). The difference between 1050 AM and 1050 HD is truly amazing. The front AUX is a nice feature where you can plug in your iPod or MP3 player with a mini-stereo cable. When you play a MP3 CD, you can search quickly for the MP3 (by number) you want to listen to by using the volume dial (better than using the buttons).
The only problem is it takes nearly 5 seconds to synch from regular radio to HD, and it's not a very stylist front panel. But it only costs $130 or less... I got the unit installed by Best Buy so I can't tell you about any installation issues (installing my previous car receiver was a pain so I decided to pay for labor this time).


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Built-in HD Radio reception--it's free nationwide--with CD and MP3 playback and the convenience of a detachable faceplate: that's the Dual XHD6420 receiver. The XHD6420 allows playback of your favorite MP3 and WMA files recorded on CD-R and CD- RW discs. Its powerful on-board DSP processor decodes the compressed audio while maintaining near-CD sound quality. An internal SRAM buffer provides ESP (ElectronicSkip Protection) to virtually eliminate skipping and allows alphanumeric or direct track search--even while a song is currently playing.

1-DIN HD Radio Receiver The XHD6420 features a 1.0 DIN chassis with an anti-theft detachable face. A black/white dot matrix display and rotary encoder control make navigating the device a snap.
HD Radio Tuner With the XHD6420's built-in HD Radio tuner, you'll enjoy static-free, digital-quality sound over the airwaves. Both HD2 and HD3 FM multicast channels are supported, and broadcasted info like station name, artist and song title on HD Radio channels is displayed. Store your favorite HD stations among the standard 18 FM and 12 AM presets. Enjoy a new standard of radio with no subscription fees.
AM/FM Tuner In with the new, but not necessarily out with the old. Tune into your favorite non-HD AM and FM stations, and save up to 30 station presets (18 FM/12 AM). Run Auto Station Store when in a new area to add the strongest signals, and easily scan through your presets.
CD/MP3/WMA Playback Enjoy your favorite CDs and CD-R/RWs with all the standard CD controls (random/repeat/intro/etc.), or go big and burn a MP3/WMA encoded CD-R/RW for hours of music and display of ID3 Tag info.
Convenience Is Key Dual threw in some features that'll make you love the XHD6420. A programmable turn-on volume keeps you from blowing your ears out when you head to work in the morning--unless that's what you need to wake up. Keyless CD eject means you can grab that CD on your way out without turning on the vehicle. You can also select the confirmation beep for changing settings/presets/etc.
Great Sound The XHD6420 features an on-board processor that will improve the sound of your compressed MP3/WMA files. Get quick access to electronic volume, bass, treble, balance, and fader controls, or select one of the 5 preset EQ curves--pop, jazz, classic, beat, and rock. A loudness feature is included for low-level listening with punch, and a mute function for quick sound-off.
Input and Output One pair of preamp outputs is provided for system expansion if you want to add to the XHD6420's 17 Watts RMS.
A 3.5mm front panel input is also included for use with iPods, MP3 players, or other external audio devices.
What's in the Box Dual XHD6420 receiver, trim ring, mounting sleeve, wiring harness, installation hardware, installation/owner's manual

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Sony MEXBT2700 CD Receiver with Bluetooth Hands-Free with Integrated Microphone (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased and installed this unit yesterday. It does do what it says: radio/CD/Bluetooth connection for phone and audio streaming. It does seem to do these things well, and pairing with my iPhone 3G (w/3.0 software) was easy enough. However, there are a few limitations/annoyances that you should be aware of:
1) Single-line display gives no input as to who is on the phone, or what is playing through streaming bluetooth audio. Not a problem for me, but numerous car stereos (all more expensive) will do that.
2) The microphone used for bluetooth calling is embedded in the unit. For me, this is a plus: the lack of external microphone makes my care look cleaner. For others, this may be a minus: the embedded microphone is probably less effective at picking up your voice than an external microphone would be. If you plan on talking through the phone a lot, you may want to spring for a more expensive unit that focuses on doing this task better.
3) There are a few minor user interface oddities/inconsistencies. However, every car stereo I've ever used has had its own way of doing things. This system is better than many (Pioneer!), and the buttons are nicely laid out and labeled.
4. This one bugs me to no end, though I suspect others are less annoyed: The car stereo beeps three very annoying times when you take your key out of the ignition, unless you remove your faceplate. This security/insanity feature can not be disabled. The beeps are annoying, but I'm truly annoyed that no reviews on Amazon or Crutchfield mention this. I guess I could have read the manual online first to look for this issue, but I didn't think of that.
5. With the unit paired to both my phone and my wife's phone, it is annoying to make the stereo change its attention from one phone to the other. This is, in part, an annoyance due to the way bluetooth settings are accessed on our iphones. However, it is annoying.
These are all minor issues (though those beeps do drive me crazy), and the unit does work well otherwise. I'm glad I bought it, and would happily buy it again for my purposes: radio, bluetooth audio streaming, bluetooth phone infrequent use. If you're planning on talking on the phone a lot, or if you want more bluetooth-related information from the stereo, you should probably look elsewhere.

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Welcome to a hands-free nation. The Sony MEX-BT2700 CD Receiver MP3/WMA Player features Bluetooth wireless technology for simple hands-free phone calls and audio streaming (with a Bluetooth compatible phone). This means you can now make and receive calls through you car's speaker system--letting you keep your hands on the wheel instead of your cell phone.

The MEX-BT2700 Bluetooth technology also lets you stream music files from your compatible device over your car speakers. Now you can listen to your tunes on those long commutes without all those pesky wires getting in the way. This means you can now make and receive calls through you car's speaker system--letting you keep your hands on the wheel instead of your cell phone.
Connect Via Aux Input You also have the option of plugging your compatible (non-Bluetooth enabled) audio player it into the Sony MEX-BT2700's front auxiliary input to jam to your favorite tunes.
Plays CDs, MP3, and WMA The MEX-BT2700 CD player crisply plays MP3 and WMA files--as well as commercial CDs you buy at your local retailer. You also have the option of adding Sony satellite radio for commercial-free music--or add a Sony HD Radio tuner for superb radio reception and extra programming from your local participating stations.
This unit has a high power output of 52 watts x 4. Additionally, this receiver has a low-pass and high-pass filters and all come with a wireless remote for convenient control.
Key Features Include:
CD receiver with built-in amplifier (17 watts RMS CEA-2006/52 peak x 4 channels)
Bluetooth wireless connectivity works with compatible cell phones, music players, and more
Bluetooth features include hands-free calling, integrated microphone, high-quality audio streaming, and control of compatible equipment (no phone book transfer or Caller ID)
Plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs, including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA music files
Detachable faceplate for added security
rRemote control to easily navigate between songs.
EQ3 3-band equalizer with preset sound curves Compatibility with Sony's iPod adapter, HD Radio tuner, and satellite radio
Front auxiliary input for connecting compatible devices
4-channel preamp outputs (front, rear/sub)
What's in the Box Sony MEX-BT2700 CD Receiver, manual

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Sirius One SV1 Satellite Radio with Car Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A friend of mine gave me an Amazon Gift Certificate for Christmas and I used it to buy this little Sirius radio. Though other radios have more bells and whistles I am very happy with this one.
First of all, price-wise it cannot be beat. It includes everything you need to use it in your car (mounting bracket, power cable that plugs into the car lighter, antenna, remote control). At this time there doesn't seem to be a home kit for it. That was not a deal breaker for me since I was planning to really only listen to it in the car anyway. Plus, when you joing Sirius you can listen to all the music channels online.
Though this is a simple unit, it does include some nice features. There are presets that work great. You can set the display to show the channel you are on or have it scroll to tell you the artist and title of the song that is playing.
It has a built-in transmitter that transmits over the car's FM radio on an unused channel. This has worked great for me and I think the sound is very good. I did need to change the FM channel it was transmitting to (easy to change and you can have up to five presets for this as well) once or twice but once I found a truly open station it was crystal clear. It should be noted that I live in LA which is a very crowded radio market. Still I was able to find a clear FM slot to tune the Sirius radio's transmitter to. If you are not in a major market that should not be a problem at all, and really wasn't that big of a deal for me here in LA.
I think it is a sharp little unit and very solid. I am happy with it and if you are looking for a nice, low price unit this is a great choice. I am also very happy with the Sirius service. The music channels are great and I enjoy the sports and talk radio.

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Streamline the way you listen to Sirius in your car with the low-profile SV1 satellite radio. Just like other Sirius-compatible receivers, the SV1 offers an easy-to-read display and an intuitive control panel. But more significantly for people who spend a lot of time in the car, the SV1 is designed to seamlessly complement your driving routine thanks to its mounting versatility and bundled car kit. In addition to the receiver, the kit includes a power adapter that connects to your car's 12-volt accessory outlet, a vehicle antenna for enhanced reception, a remote control (with battery), and two mounting options: a suction cup mount that attaches to your windshield and a dash/visor mount.
Once you're connected, you'll have the ability to access more than 130 channels of digital-quality satellite radio, with a breadth and depth of programming unavailable on regular radio. Among the programming options are dozens of genre-specific music stations, full coverage for every NFL team (including live games), live coverage of UEFA Champions League and English Premier League soccer matches, Howard Stern and Martha Stewart radio shows, NPR and other news sources, and just about everything else.
The SV1 tuner is equipped with a one-line, 12-character dot matrix display that switches between the channel name and number, channel number and category name, channel number and artist name, and channel number and song title. The display also offers a sports option: simply press the Display button while listening to a game to toggle between the team names and the current score. You can even flip the unit over for reverse mounting without sacrificing readability or functionality. Other control panel details include 30 presets of your favorite streams, with six banks of five streams each; a preset scanning function; and direct channel tuning via the remote control.
The SV1 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 select an empty FM frequency on your radio and tune the SV1 to the same frequency (the transmitter supports up to 100 frequencies). The transmitter also works with other FM tuners, such as the one on your home stereo, but is easily paired with the car thanks to the vehicle kit.
Additional features include an adjustable audio level that matches other sources in the vehicle; a parental control function that restricts off-color material to children; adjustable brightness and contrast controls; a 3.5 mm mini-jack line output; and a 2.5 mm sub-mini jack FM output for use with an optional wired FM switch-box accessory. The SV1, which measures 2.75 by 0.94 by 4.5 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box SV1 satellite receiver, wireless remote control, lithium battery, magnetic antenna with 21- foot cord, visor/dash mount, suction cup mount, 12-volt power adapter, hook-and-loop tape straps, Sirius channel guide, user's manual.

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