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List Price: $230.00
Sale Price: $149.99
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This would by my forth XM unit I've used since signing up in 2003. I've used the SkyFi, the SkyFi2, the RoadyXT (My brother actually) and now, the SkyFi3. Choosing this unit itself was a no-brainer when shopping around for portable units.
The SkyFi3 takes all the functionality of my beloved SkyFi2 (pause/rewind features more than anything) and crosses it with the versatility of the Helix/Inno. Unlike the Helix and the Inno though, this unit has a bias towards car use, yet still gives you the option to be completely mobile (With the purchase of the antenna/headphone set). The Helix/Inno units, which are primarily for on-the-go usage, have a much smaller, yet more colorful screen than the SkyFi3, and also include a built in antenna for on-the-go Live XM feed without any extra accessories.
The SkyFi3 on the other hand, has a much bigger screen, though monochrome, that make viewing from afar much easier. Also, as stated above, unlike the Helix/Inno, this unit has the ability to pause and rewind live feed. It is the first of it's kind to accept MicroSD memory cards for your own music to be added to your playlists, giving you nearly unlimited storage. Be warned though, Recording Live XM feed is limited to the built in 256MB (~10 Hours). The only potential downfall this unit has over the Helix/Inno would be it's large size in comparison. Also, having such a large screen could potentially get scratched much easier. The SkyFi3 is significantly cheaper than the Inno/Helix and when bought through certain retailers, you are given a voucher to get the $50 Standard Wearable Kit for free.
As for the overall sound quality, as long as you are using the SureConnect or a direct wired connection to your car radio, quality is equal to any other XM unit (Of course, using a non-modulated method will be the absolute best). But if you attempt to use just straight up Wireless FM Transmitter, forget it. Total trash. I am going to assume the FCC forced Delphi to use a much lower power transmitter. I live in the Buffalo, NY area and I've gone through the entire FM band and couldn't find a single channel that even made it usable. The SureConnect kit that comes with the SkyFi3 is just a clip that connects to your AM/FM antenna on the outside of your car, then connects to a wire that plugs into your car kit. Make sure you use this unless you have another method of hard wiring the unit to your radio (either by FM Modulation of an Aux input port)
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The other reviews on this page pretty well describe this unit. Just a few other points I would add:
The unit will hold up to ten hours of XM recordings in its "on-board" memory. With the appropriate micro SD card you can add another 2 gig of MP3 files from your computer. The on-board recordings can be integrated into playlists with the downloaded material.
Unlike the Inno, you can leave this unit in the car dock and it will still come on and record any channels you tell it to (provided the antenna is in a position to receive the signal; i.e., NOT in the garage). Timer recordings do have to be set up while the unit is hooked up to your PC.
If you unit does lock up on you, it CAN be reset by simultaneously pressing the "mode" button and holding the volume "up" button.
The auxillary input jack on the unit is great for hooking up CD players, iPods, etc. The nice thing about it is that you can leave the peripheral item constantly plugged in; the jack doesn't automatically override the radio or My Music functions. You use the "mode" button to go to auxillary.
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I have owned this unit for about 6 weeks and have found it solid on all levels. I use it at home (using the home docking kit), in the car, and while walking around to listen to live XM. The unit I purchased came with a free headset, but the $50 upgrade to get an extended battery (which amounts to a rubber jacket with a battery that plugs into the bottom of the skyfi unit) is well worth it if you're planning on using it for more than 90 minutes when moving about. I've been able to get about 7 hours of live XM using the extended battery, which is as advertised.
Pros for the unit include: 1) Easily readable, rotatable screen helpful for car applications 2) artist and song tuneselect (which allows you to mark songs/artists that you would like to be notified when they are on another channel). 3) recording ability and recording scheduler 4) Easy file system management 5)Mini SD slot if XM isn't enough!
The only cons I can list are the lack of an integrated antennae and the fact that the headphones used as a antennae are a little bit weak on the volume level (if you're on a loud subway, it's kind of hard to hear). Also, don't expect reception where there isn't line of sight or strong terrestrial repeater (more than 2 bars) either, but I suppose that is expected.
It should be noted that this unit only has an FM Transmitter when using the car kit (and it's fairly weak at that). If you are looking for an FM Transmitter to go with this unit, a MUST is the Whole House FM Transmitter Gold Edition (Whole House FM Transmitter -Gold Edition: Wireless Stereo Audio AdapterCovers Entire Home Guaranteed. It will cover all of your FM Modulation needs, no matter where.
Overall, I would highly recommend this product to anybody who wants a "every unit" receiver that can fulfill home, car, and walkbout duties.
Honest reviews on Delphi SkyFi3 XM Satellite Radio with Car Kit
I bought the SkyFi2 abou 9 months ago. I went to Fry's and was immediately drawm to the larger display. I wound up buying from Amazon because it was $50 less. The unit is awesome. I have a motorhome that I wanted to have it to use in there and its critical that I do not play with dials, etc.. while I am driving. This unit makes it easier to see with the larger display and the construction feels better as well.
So far, the SKyfi3 seems to be the best for XM units that offer the versatility of home and car as well as portability.
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I'm about to send back my second SkiFi to Delphi for a replacement. Here are some things that have gone wrong with the units I've owned:
1. Bad reception and repeated "Check Antennae" messages, even when standing in the middle of a field under a clear sky.
2. Screen will not light up when power button is pushedguy on the phone gives "helpful suggestion" to push down volume and power buttons at the same time.
4. Radio comes on, but screen does not. After several attempts, this finally corrects itself.
5. Recorded songs skip and freeze. Seriously.
6. Screen freezes and will NOT unfreeze. As another poster has noted, you have to drain the battery to get it unstuck. Speaking of which...
7. Don't even bother to get this unless you get the extended battery or only intend to use it in the car. The standard battery lasts 30 minutes on Live XM.
8. Antennae Jack died on first unit after less than three months. Delphi will replace, but I lost a dozen songs I had recorded. Plus the hassle of returning stuff.
9. Again, I am about to send back my SECOND unit in less than four months (my first replacement started showing bugs before the first WEEK was up.)
An on-off switch would be really, really helpful, as the "Mode" button seems very tempermental.
UPDATE: Received my THIRD SkiFi3 (second replacement) todayit was preloaded with more than 200 songs (which means it wasnt new, it was usedand it wasn't in it's original packaging btw), froze right away, and the volume didn't work. Delphi is sending me a new unit with a prepaid mailer to send back the old one in. Meanwhile, I estimate that I have paid for approximately one month of XM I didn't get because my unit was broken or in transit to or from Delphi.
Save yourself a headache: Don't buy this unit. I couldn't get a star to delete on my rating; I would give it one or no stars.
