SIRIUS Stiletto SL100 Portable Satellite Radio Receiver Reviews

• Received my Sirius Stiletto from Circuit City yesterday: My review

  
  By A2BM2ONVWSBOV2 on 2006-10-01
  I have a feeling I'm one of the lucky few who has actually received and tested the new Sirius Stiletto. Circuit City delivered my unit on 9/29/06. They might have prematurely shipped the radio to me since the reported release date is listed as 10/4/06. There doesn't appear to be any hands on reviews of this product to date. Please check satellite radio sites Orbitcast and SiriusBackstage for more info. Consider this an amateur review with only about a day and a half's use of the new device. With that said, I can truly say that I really enjoy using the Stiletto. It picks up the signal very well while inside my apt in NYC. When walking outdoors the unit stayed tuned while inside my jeans pocket. During a four mile walk throughout the city my signal was completely uninterrupted. As expected, when going deeper inside of buildings the device lost its signal. Switching to the WiFi connection to get the stations worked great on my apartment wifi, but I had some problems linking up with various other wifi hot spots. You'll want to record and store various programs for use with the device indoors, when without a signal, and for way longer battery life. The slim battery I used lasted only about 2hrs while listening to continuous live satellite radio. The extended battery which comes standard should last much longer but you will definately want to keep this unit charged while at home. It's very easy to use the Stiletto and I like that the device resumes playback to it's previous spot when you power it on and off. The previous S50 did not. The screen is large and bright and the resolution of the fonts and logos is sharp. It's very cool to have all this programming at your fingertips while on the move, though I found myself listening to Howard most of the time. The Stiletto's live feed is fun to surf and really makes you yearn for more battery life. Overall, I'll say this radio is a must have for Sirius fans. Though I wish it were a touch smaller and lighter, it does has a suprisingly solid feel and works well. It's loaded with other features I haven't used. I really recommend this device, but stay tuned for more in-depth reviews of the Stiletto when it finally ships.
  
  

• Sirius potential

  
  By A2X3DND07EKBKU on 2006-10-01
  You all know what the Stiletto 100 can do, I just got mine from Circuit City and will let you know how well it does it. The good news is everything looks great, everything feels great. Great navigation too, the S100 is as good as the S50 was bad. WIFI works great.
  
  Why 3 stars?
  
  First, the headphones. The earbuds have zero bass, but thats expected. However, the over-the-head antenna headphones are designed like the letter "C" - instead of an ear piece that goes ON your ear, they poke INTO your ear, sideways, and there is no foam covering for them. They hurt just wearing them, and worse than that, if you hit your head into anything while wearing them, youre gonna bust an ear drum.
  
  Then theres the battery charging. Is it charging? I don't know. The AC adapter is plugged in, and its also attached to the unit. But there is no indicator light, anywhere. My electric toothbrush has an indicator light. My electric shaver has an indicator light. The Sirius Stiletto is dark.
  
  Last, to put the unit in sleep mode, you push a slide down 1 second. But to turn the unit off, you push it down for 5 seconds. The problem is when you want to power off, there is no indication, after the "sleep mode" display comes on after 1 second, that it is now NOT going into sleep mode.
  
  Bottom line: I will test it for the next few weeks to see if it gets the Satellite reception I want, outdoors, in apartments, with the headphones I want. If it does, I will use it every day. If not, its useless.
  
  

• Cool Radio; Disappointment as a Portable

  
  By A2EZBISW6MXBQR on 2006-11-24
  I have been a satellite radio customer for four years. I started with XM and moved to Sirius about a year ago (no, Howard Stern had nothing to do with my move). I mention this so that you will understand that I am familiar with satellite radio and its occasional downsides.
  
  There is no doubt that the Stiletto is a really cool satellite receiver. Its interface, while not as intuitive as the iPod, is about as close as you can get. Some serious (pun intended) thought went into the hardware and software design on this unit and the graphics are top-notch.
  
  Using the Stiletto in a car or home (with the home or car kits) is a dream. The sound is great and it works just like a satellite radio should.
  
  It also works well over an 802.11b WiFi network, even connecting to a WEP-protected wireless router. On the downside, Sirius really should have included 802.11g so that the Stiletto doesn't bring down the speed of the rest of the network (in case you don't know, if you have a 802.11g network and put a 802.11b device onto it, everything else on the network slows down to 802.11b speeds). Some people have complained that you have to spend more ($1.99 per month) for higher quality internet audio. What bothered me the most is the fact that only some of the channels are available via internet radio.
  
  Where the Stiletto really falls flat on its face is as a portable radio. I'm a cyclist and so I purchased it to use on my daily training rides. I took it yesterday on a short 25-mile ride and was extremely disappointed with its performance. I was able to receive a consistent signal for about 1/4 of the ride, a choppy signal for about 1/4 of the ride, and no signal for 1/2 the ride. I live in the Los Angeles area where there should be plenty of terrestrial repeaters and I was riding in areas where there were no buildings or where the majority of the buildings were single-story homes. Curiously, I had the best reception on some tree-lined streets, but I suspect that's just because I was closer to the repeaters.
  
  Of course, for the best portable reception Sirius will tell you to use the included antenna headphones. Who are they kidding? Not only do these things
  look like something from a bad sci-fi movie, they are also the least comfortable headphones I have ever tried. No wait, let me rephrase that . . . these things must have been designed by Torquemada as some sort of torture device. They will make your head and ears hurt after about 5 seconds.
  
  Oh, and by the way, Sirius must not think that Mac users would want this radio since it only comes with Windows software. Duh!
  
  Bottom line: While I really like the design, features, software and graphics of the Stiletto, I will be heading back to Best Buy to return it and the car kit. Since I can't really use it as a portable radio, I might as well spend WAY less on a StarMate 4. If, however, you don't care about consistent portable reception, you want the best satellite receiver I've seen, AND you want to spend 3-4 times more for it than other devices that can capably be used in your home or car, then this might just be the radio for you.
  
  

• Review the PRODUCT!

  
  By A3GYY4CBRUZRSO on 2007-05-27
  I guess some people don't understand that these reviews are for the PRODUCT, not their inability to receive a signal at their location, not the poor shipping they experienced, not the terrible customer service they received, and not the way the FCC crippled the FM transmitters on all these newer devices...
  
  I'm not a fan of Sirius customer service (I've had my share of problems with them), nor am I a fan of their poor product support, but my review is of the Stiletto SL100.... which is great!!!
  
  It's easy to set up, easy to understand (1 week later, and I still haven't referred to the instruction book), and the batteries (2 of them are included) lasted much longer than I expected. The Wi-Fi Internet reception is an outstanding step-up from my old S50.
  
  All-in-all, the SL100 is the best portable satellite radio on the market, for the best satellite radio programming available!
  
  

• Unusable - returned after 1 day

  
  By AG5WXJCW2ZMKJ on 2006-10-24
  I was waiting for this product to be released for months.. I finally received it, only to be utterly dissapointed. I returned it after owning for less than 24 hours.
  
  On a good note, the construction of the Stilletto is very nice.. it looks good, is small, and is easy to navigate.
  
  The problem is RECEPTION. I live in Boston.. right in the city.. and the thing was useless. I didn'y try it with a home or car dock because I bought it to use as a portable. So with the [completely stupid looking] antenna/headphones, it got no reception. I could never go more than 10 secs without buffering and sound dropping out.
  
  On an even more dissapointing note, the Wifi only works with 802.11B (can someone nominate the person that made that decsision for a Darwin Award?). 802.11B is several years old. My home and work wireless networks both use 802.11G, and the Stilleto will not work with this. It should have been designed to work on both B and G networks.
  
  So.. as far as I am concerned, it is completely unusable for my needs.
  
  
• Not quite portable...
  By A2LG5CDAM6BVN9 on 2006-10-31
  Bad job setting expectations by Sirius.
  
  It's only portable if you are standing in the middle of a field with no trees above you and your head is pointed towards the nearest satellite. It probably also is portable if you are in Manhattan near the Sirius headquarters and there are all sorts of repeaters boosting the signal around you. Anywhere else.....you can only play what's you've saved to it. (yea...yea...maybe you can pull an open WiFi signal here and there.)
  
  Portable - yes you can pick it up and carry it with you.
  Portable Satellite - nope, not even near. When it's portable it's not getting live satellite feeds.
  
  Other cons:
  -The antenna headphones are clunky and uncomfortable.
  -You cannot have the power adapter and antenna headphones plugged in at the same time. This makes it impossible charge while listening without purchasing the options car or home kit. This may not seem like a big deal - but remember it does not come with a car or home kit - so especially during setup you may want the power and antenna headphones connected at the same time.
  -The headphone connection is on the base of the unit. This makes the usability of the unit a little clunky. For example, if you'd want to use the machine while on a treadmill or exercise bike you might want to have the unit set so you can actually read the display right-side up; however the headphones connect through the bottom so you would need to rest it on it's side.
  
  
  There are some positives:
  -The visual design of the unit is very slick, very cool looking (though suffers from some usability issues mentioned above)
  -The setup (even WiFi) was very straightforward and took only about 5 minutes
  -The user interface is great - big improvement over the Sirius Sportster unit I also own.
  
  Overall I regret the purchase and would not recommend to others. If you want this level of "portability" you could just plug any other Sirius radio into your favorite MP3 player - record what you want and carry around the MP3 and listen off-line the next day!
  
  
• Unimpressive
  By A3MZ4G7QVKHVO5 on 2007-04-18
  With the drop in price and after reading assurances that all hardware would continue to work following the Sirius-XM merger, I decided to take a chance on the Stiletto. Big disappointment. Ultimately, the Stiletto represents a good idea -- portable satellite radio -- with poor execution.
  
  1. Reception: Very inconsistent. Most frustrating aspect of the unit. Do not expect to have an uninterrupted signal unless you live on an open field. You might do better in an area with terrestrial repeaters (regular radio signal), which are found only in the largest metropolitan areas (XM seems to have broader terrestrial repeater coverage than Sirius). Otherwise, be prepared for a signal that cuts in and out.
  
  2. Antenna headphones: Most uncomfortable headphones you can imagine. They are hard and rigid with a wide plastic strip at the top, which is the antenna. It is, at least, flat on your head and not sticking up in the air. The result of this design is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful (literally) listening experience. And, at no extra charge, you get to look ridiculous wearing the thing. Do not be confused -- those stares you're getting as you walk about the neighborhood are not because you have the coolest new technology.
  
  3. Wi-Fi: You're not going to get a signal indoors so you'll have to rely on Internet radio via Wi-Fi. It's simple to use and a touch more reliable than direct satellite reception, but again, your reception is going to be spotty. Obviously, unless you've got complete Wi-Fi coverage over your entire home with no dead spots, you're going to lose reception with the Stiletto as you move about. And I've found plenty of places where my laptop or other device makes a strong Wi-Fi connection but the Stiletto can't connect at all. Also, when you do connect, you're getting a low bandwidth signal, which results in roughly AM radio quality sound. Maybe not so bad if you're listening to Howard, but music doesn't sound so hot.
  
  4. MP3: Haven't tried it yet, but that's not the unit's primary purpose and it's certainly no iPod killer. I also have no desire to bother with yet another transfer program.
  
  5. Recording: This is a nice feature, but to use it, you'll need to find a spot with good, uninterrupted reception and leave it there. You can record a block of programming and then listen to it later using more comfortable earbuds and without reception worries. This feature gives the unit a little functionality that may make it worthwhile to some. That seems like a lot of trouble, however, to be able to use the thing. And, be aware that there are limitations on the channels from which you can record.
  
  5. Miscellaneous: Reiterating a couple of points others have made, it's not easy to tell if you've turned the unit off or just put it into sleep mode; it doesn't turn on instantly and there's no charging indicator. Just plug it in and hope you're juicing it up. The unit itself is like a small brick (put it in your pocket and you'll know it's there).
  
  In the end, you've got a unit that can do some things, but not in a stellar fashion. It's usable, but don't expect to have the whole world of satellite radio any time you want it. The idea is good; the technology is just not there yet.
  
  
  
  
• Disappointment
  By A1638XKJ6LAO42 on 2006-11-25
  I'm a big fan of Sirius in my car and thought this would extend that enjoyment beyond the car. That has not proven to be the case. Reception is awful, even with the headphone antenna. I can't get reception in the house, office or even the car. I purchased the home kit and I'm having difficulty locating a place where that gets reliable reception. If you can't use the satelite reception the internet reception is a backup, however, not all the features work in this mode. You will not be able to save tunes when in the internet mode, only the satelite mode. Saving tunes is the key feature. I am looking into a roof mounted antenna. All these options will drive up the cost of the device (roof antenna, home kit, cable, etc.). If the reception issues casn be resolved then the device may live up to the expectations. I'll keep trying. Wish me luck.
  
  
• Absolute Garbage
  By A1MXFJEGNZ107N on 2007-01-06
  Listen, I am not one to badmouth a product unless it truly deserves it. I live in a major city and I have a clear view of every sky. I have tried my Stiletto all over the place with and without the home docking station and the automobile docking station. IT DOESN'T GET RECEPTION ALMOST ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!! I mounted the antenna to my roof and still nothing! If you call customer service they just tell you that your unit might be faulty. Nope. I swapped mine out (which is why I can't return this one now!) and it still had zero reception. Don't waste your money. I have spent over $500 and several hours obtaining every product and trying every possible thing to get reception. It's garbage. I get 0 terrestrial and 0 satellite reception.
  
  Bottom line is that this product isn't worth snot. If the reception were quality I would give it 5 stars, but since I couldn't get more than 15 minutes of listening on an 8 1/2 hour drive to Canada I have to say that reception just isn't anywhere to be found! GARBAGE!
  
  
• Extremely well developed product - a first of its kind
  By A2FEX0XZ881RGX on 2006-10-13
  I've had my Stiletto for a week and a half now and have been using it almost continuously since I got it. I honestly can't say enough good things about it! When I first heard about all of the features it was to have, I was concerned that the user interface would be complicated or that new features would be offered as a trade off for other features, but my worries were unfounded. Here are some key observations from my use thus far:
  
  *The software is visually appealing, incredibly easy to use and navigate.
  
  *I was pleasantly surprised to find that the surface is at least somewhat resistant to scratching (MUCH unlike the iPod which has a similar surface and cannot be TOUCHED without damaging it), and cleans very easily.
  
  *With the antenna headphones it holds a signal extremely well and has an integrated antenna (technically you could use your own headphones if you could figure out a way to keep the top of the stiletto within clear view of the sky.)
  
  *The Wi-Fi feature truly sets it apart from anything I've seen before and is incredibly useful when you can't get a clear view of the sky.
  
  *Everything is included, including the antenna earphones, earbuds, a charger and 2 BATTERIES!! (Extended life and a low profile.)
  
  *One touch recording allows you to very easily record Sirius content on a timed basis OR will automatically clip a song. EXCELLENT FEATURE, just hope the RIAA doesn't climb all over Sirius like they have XM for offering a similar feature.
  
  My only suggestions would be that an external antenna be offered that is not integrated into a pair of headphones. I don't really like the in-ear headphones and would like to see Sirius follow the lead of XM, whose portables come with an extremely small external antenna that is independent of the headphones. Furthermore, I wouldn't say that this device should be seen as a worthy replacement of the iPod. It simply doesn't have enough storage space. While you can upload your own content to it (Not AAC) it is primarily a Sirius radio. Nonetheless, I cannot say enough good things about it... Has totally transformed my Sirius listening experience!
  
  
• Good For working out
  By A2LDMEZT1T6XBE on 2006-10-23
  I have had my stiletto for just over a week now and I really like its features. I am an experienced satellite radio user (4 years) so I am used to some of the things that are wrong with this unit, which someone unfamiliar with satellite radio will have to get used to. If you are looking for a perfect satellite signal, you will not find it with this unit in most cases, but if you can tolerate limited dropouts then I highly recommend this portable satellite receiver.
  
  The navigation of the unit is brilliant, and the display is easy to read, no problem recording any content either.
  
  The Wi-Fi connection seemed to work pretty good, only buffering once in a half hour time span, but the Wi-Fi does not offer all of the channels (NFL and other sporting events are not included in the standard internet package.)
  
  The satellite connection is not perfect, which is why I gave the unit four out of five stars. I bought this unit because I do a lot of running and biking outside and get sick of listening to MP3's, so I used to listen to "normal" radio but I was frustrated by the commercials. The thought of commercial free radio while I run or bike really turned me on to the stiletto.
  Running through parks with lots of trees the connection was not constant, and did break up every so often. (I live in Toledo Ohio where there probably isn't many ground repeaters) So I think I might have to use my MP3's saved on the stiletto when I run in the park.
  On the contrary when I went on my bike this weekend the satellite worked nearly flawlessly during my one hour ride. I was able to listen to any of the programs on Sirius with very little if any interruption in signal, so I highly recommend this unit to cyclists, or runners who run on roads, or where there are little obstructions to the sky.
  
  I also used the antenna/headphones while studying indoors and just put the antenna up to the window and used my regular headphones to listen and had no problems.
  
  Another reviewer had mentioned that the sleep mode threw him off and it is a bit confusing at first, but just holding down the button will turn the unit off.
  
  Overall I am very pleased, but am still waiting for the car kit and an arm band.
  
  I recommend this to anyone who is sick and tired of their MP3 player or regular radio, this will really energize my workouts and I am sure it will help others as well.
  
  
• Stiletto did not work in my area
  By A3KYQPXILMIJH6 on 2007-01-11
  I've been looking for a device like this to compete with XM for a long time now. I was very excited when it finally showed up. My primary purpose for this device was to record the Howard Stern show each day. The secondary purpose was to use the device while relaxing outdoors or hiking on the weekends.
  
  The first thing I noticed was the screen had dead pixels (strike 1.) The next thing I noticed was the device would disconnect from my access point if left unattended for period of time (so much for recording a 5 hours show) (strike 2). Finally the device would not work outdoors even in a wide open field on a clear day (strike 3).
  
  I finally returned the device and I will be sticking to Sirius over the Internet from now on. I record the Howard Stern show and other content to my computer and then transfer the content as MP3's to my iPod.
  
  To be fair people who call the Stern show give the Stiletto rave reviews. Perhaps I just recieved a defect radio.
  
  
• Don't waste your money!!!
  By AXWL2SNTZC8VX on 2007-03-19
  All I have to say is "Don't waste your money!!!!". Wait a few more years when the technology gets better in portable satellite radios!!! I had brought both the S-50 and the Stiletto radios and they're both garbage!!
  If you want a very good Sirius radio, buy the Sportster 4 and the portable boom box. Purchasing both is still cheaper then the Stiletto by itself!!! (Plus you get a car kit with the Sportster 4, not included with the Stilletto.)
  
  
• Good only as a Paper Weight
  By A34AB1FGI1PVD2 on 2006-12-20
  Yes this item cost over $300 and it is worthless unless you want a paperweight that constantly says acquiring signal. I had this item outside in broad daylight, under clear skies and it was getting no signal. The item was fully charged and if I was lucky and moved into the perfect position and the stars and moon were aligned I would get a singal for about five seconds. But then it would go right back to acquiring signal.
  It would be nice if Sirius did not try to milk every cent out of subscribers by monopolizing production of their equipment. Right now it is only Direct Electronics, which I believe is soley owned by Sirius and of course completely made in China. In short, they make lousy products, so it would be nice if Sirius let go of the leash and allowed companies like Pioneer, Samsung, Sony, etc. make products- as they are allowed to do for XM Radio.
  Until then, Sirius will not have a decent portable radio. But if you want to spend over $300 on a paperweight that does not get signal this is for you.
  
  
• Memory options limited
  By A2XBK1ESY8GN9H on 2006-10-19
  Although the Stiletto is billed as having 2 gig of memory, your ability to fully utilize that total is somewhat limited. For example, only 800 mb can be used for downloaded MP3/WMA files. The rest of the memory is restricted to material you record from actual Sirius broadcasts.
  
  Individual songs that you may want to save can total no more than ten hours. Once you max out that ten hour limit, the Stiletto will automatically erase the oldest songs you have saved. There is no way to permanently "lock" those songs as there is with XM's Pioneer Inno. And as with the Inno, you are not likely to have a smooth break at the beginning or end of songs. That can be quite annoying.
  
  Another 100 hours of memory is dedicated to material you record in blocks. For example, if you like Nina Blackwood's countdowns on the 80's channel, you can set the unit to come on automatically at 9 AM Saturday and record channel 8 for three hours.
  
  The Stiletto does "fit" the new universal SUPV1 docking station. It will power up and receive a signal from your roof mounted satellite antenna. You can even change channels and save songs. The problem is, however, you can't actually LISTEN to it. the SUPV1 will not activate the FM modulator. And since the headphone jack is on the bottom of the Stiletto and thus blocked by the dock, you can't run a line out from the unit and listen some other way. Go figure.
  
  As to the complaints about the reception, well, it's a SATELLITE radio. If you are not in a metropolitan area serviced by ground repeaters, line-of-sight will be an issue for you. However, that is not a problem with the Stiletto itself; it's true of all satellite radios.
  
  
• New to Satellite Radio
  By A1SWN4FKILL03K on 2007-01-09
  I just bought the Stiletto 100 for myself for my birthday.
  
  I wanted to enter the satellite radio family much earlier, but I thought it was ridiculous that I couldn't move around with a radio "walkman" style. When Sirius debuted the Stiletto, I waited a fair amount of time for them to work out the bugs and finally pulled the trigger.
  
  The Good:
  
  -The reception in big cities is great. Even in Lexington, KY, I was getting signal in a datacenter in the middle of a 7 story building.
  -Wifi option is easy to use.
  -Interface is clean and simple. Very Ipod-like.
  -Recording live radio. I am a DVR addict with my TV and find myself constantly wanting to rewind radio. This unit grants me that ability.
  
  The Bad:
  
  -As others have said, the headphones stink. The earbuds are very invasive and the entire unit is fairly rigid and uncomfortable.
  -Cars. Once you leave a big city with a repeater, you need the car kit to get reception. The car kits are confusing, but that portion shouldn't affect this review.
  -No clip. I want to use this while I jog or mow the lawn. It didn't come with any good way to teather the unit to your arm or belt.
  
  Overall, I think it is a good product. The headphones need a serious redesign and I still need to purchase the car kit for my work commute, but I am happy with the unit and the service Sirius provides.
  
  
• Radio is 5 stars, Sirius Reception is 00 Zero Stars
  By A1DQUZRFP2D3MP on 2007-03-04
  The first week with the radio was great! With cloud cover, there is only 1 bar on the satellite signal and reception comes and goes... I have honestly tried to make this work, but the satellite signal is the worst I have had the misfortune to experience. Maybe after the merger with XM who has fantastic reception but worthless programming, Sirius will really shine. The programming with Sirius is exceptional, but you have to be able to receive the satellite signal to hear the product. I love this radio,but... When I call Sirius, the customer service representative asked me to take the radio outside so we could talk about the lack of reception. I told her, that I didn't pay $450 to sit in my lounge chair in the back yard to listen to the radio. Daytime has better reception than night time. As soon as the sun sets, the satellite bars starts to reduce. I am listening to recorded music that I recorded last night and about all that really recorded was the first and last portion of the songs and the station identifications. As bad as I hate to do this, I will most likely take it back for a full refund!
  
  
• Really, a cool item.
  By A3SSWCGV2DI83D on 2007-05-17
  I received the Stilleto as a gift for Christmas. All in all I think it really is a pretty cool device Sirius has come out with and it's about time as well (XM has had theirs on the market for some time).
  
  Anyways, I see a lot of people complaining about reception. It is clearly stated that you might have reception trouble if there are things blocking the view of the sky such as trees and tall buildings (this is the same case with the non-portable versions so this isnt anything new here). If you expect to walk through a forest or crawl through caves and get 100% reception then you are mistaking. I am able to sit in my backyard which has a few trees and get all three bars. However when I bring it back into my house, I get almost 1. This is because the satellite signal is being cut off. This happened to me when I bought the non-portable models. I had to put the antenna on the roof for all three bars in any weather condition (which, if you can do it, do it because youll NEVER loose reception). Also, calling Sirius will not help you get a better signal becasue they cant controll where you are and what's obstructing your views. Only you can.
  
  Anyways, the point is is that this product will perform wonderfully. It has a very easy to use interface, looks nice, has a good solid feel in the hands and is pretty versatile if you ask me. When I come into my house, I switch over to Wi-Fi and I can listen to the radio over the internet (of course, you need Wi-Fi to be able to do this). This means that if your workplace has Wi-Fi, youre set (no need to worry about satellite signal). When I go for walks and bike rides I use the satellite and it works excellent.
  
  My advice is not to hesitate in getting this product. The only thing I can see them improving is the battery life (4hrs with the bigger one and 2/3hrs with the smaller one). Other than that I dont think there is much they can do with it besides change the shape. The satellite signal will only be so strong and there is only so much they can do to improve reception. It is super convenient and the other features such as the schedule recording and favorites are great if you want to use them. Recording Howard Stern is great because I am not available to listen when he's on. I can listen later by using the schedule recording feature.
  
  All in all, youre getting a cool product from Sirius. You wont be dissapointed!
  
  
• Other Reviews Not Helpful
  By A1WVSA63MTMD3G on 2007-07-03
  I purchased this product almost 2 weeks ago, so I believe that I have had it long enough to really have my own opinion on it.
  I researched this product quite a bit, but I never seemed to find a review that answered the questions that I was truly interested in. I have never had satellite radio, and only know a few people who did so I had no idea what to expect.
  
  1. Portability - The size isn't bad, though it is bigger and heavier than most new MP3 players (what would you expect from something that picks up a satellite signal). I would recommend either deep pockets or an accessory to assist with keeping on you during your activities.
  
  2. Reception - as a portable device, not bad. This is if I am out walking/running - it only cut out a bit. If I used it in my car (which has an auxiliary jack) and threw the antenna headphones up on the dash, I was very disappointed as it was difficult to enjoy what I was listening to, because it constantly cut in/out. I decided to go buy the car kit, once this was installed it made a huge difference and now I am very happy with the clarity in the car. Though, when at work I am unable to get any signal at all. I sit right next to a window on the 1st floor of the building but there are 2 trees right outside. (see #6)
  
  3. Headphones - This model comes with two sets of antennas, ear buds and a full set which have the built in antenna. If you plan on using this as a portable device plan on taking the antenna pair where ever you go, because you won't get any signal without them.
  
  4. Storage - It is great I can put some of my favorite music on this device and listen to it later, but the ability of recording the live music would be less enjoyable from those moments of lost reception. In addition to that, if I am out and loose reception it is great I can go to my trusty standby music.
  
  5. Battery life has been fine for me. I haven't seen an issue with it so far. The car kit came with an AC adapter, so long trips won't be a problem.
  
  6. Sirius also gives you the ability of listening online, so if I am at work and can't get a signal I just log onto the website and can listen to the same channels for free. (by the way, there is free listening there if you want to check out the Sirius' programming)
  
  I hope this was helpful for those that are interested in purchasing this product!
  
  
• Poor reception
  By A36H0L8KUDM0X9 on 2007-01-04
  I was very excited to try this Stiletto unit out over the holiday break but unfortunately things didn't work out the way I wanted. As a daily commuter from the Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA area I experienced very POOR reception on my entire trip. Granted I was in a train for most of this commute, but even walking around in the Delaware/Pennsylvania area in open view I still could NOT get ONE signal bar.
  
  Although my Sirius car unit does get quality reception in these areas, two thumbs down for the new Stiletto unit because of its POOR reception.
  
  
• A Sirius Letdown
  By A36KKM436S8JYK on 2007-03-03
  I have been a Sirius subscriber for over two years. I have the Sportster
  hooked up in my home and my car. I love the programming they offer and have never had a problem with reception.
  I was thrilled when I heard that Sirius was coming out with a portable device where you could listen to Sirius live. I am a Howard fan and was looking for something to listen to at the health club and around the house away from a three year old's ears.
  I had heard Howard's fans raving over the quality of the Stiletto and of the reception they received.
  My first problem was the five weeks that it took to receive my order from Sirius. My mom had ordered one from a store around the same time as I did and she had hers in five days.
  I signed up for a two year subscription since I had been so happy with my Sportster and I was told it would be cheaper.
  I cannot get reception at home or at the health club even with the antenna headset which is as uncomfortable as everyone says.
  I downloaded the Sirius software and tried to transfer songs from Yahoo to the Stiletto and was unsuccessful.
  Sure I can drop another seventy bucks on a home docking kit but I really don't want to invest anymore than the $500.00 that I already have on a product that is useless to me.
  Sirius states in their product description that live or recorded Sirius programming can be heard almost anywhere. That is not case and according to the reviews I have read I am not alone.
  Purchasing the Stiletto, the subscription, and then music to download costs well over $500.00. For that kind of money customers should be more than satisfied. We should be able to get reception and the headset should be a lot more comfortable.
  Instead of satisfied I am sick that I threw away so much money. I don't think that I have ever hated a product and regretted a purchase so much.
  The Stiletto does not deliver what it claims to and it should at the price that is being charged.
  Sirius should be ashamed.
  I know I am for throwing way so much money.
  
  
  
  
• worst customer service....ever
  By A1NY5CJAP517HD on 2007-04-19
  I feel the need to give three stars because this is the only device i use nearly every day and for the most part it does what i had wanted. the sirius satellite radio experience is very disappointing, though.
  i luckily bought the circuit city extended warranty and ended up returning the first stiletto after only a week after it locked up for good, and returned another one four months later for the same problem. (beware of switching the sportster fom home to car too often as well, the side ports give out after a few months of active use).
  --it can hook up to a cassette adapter with the headphone jack and it doesn't have to broadcast through the radio in my car. very nice.
  overall, since i only really bought it for howard stern, it's been a good purchase. the issues are annoying, though...
  --the only way i am able to get through to sirius is to act like i am going to open a new account. i was on "musical hold" for assistance for over an hour and eventually gave up.
  --forget about listening to live radio. the stress created by the in and out reception is unbelievable. the best option for me has been recording every day through the home dock.... which is also great for skipping stuff i'm just not interested in. it's like TIVO for radio. even recording that way will still come up with frequent breakups in reception and missed segments.
  --the fast forward/reverse button only works in "chunks" of time, so if you just missed a few words you are stuck going through the past five or ten minutes just to hear it over again. this works to fast forward through the commercials, but for regular listening it's a total pain.
  --the sleep button needs work. trying to turn it on again often leads to several tries of getting it out of "going to sleep" mode.
  --this company reminds me of cable television and cellphones in the way that they find as may ways as possible to get your money. buyer beware and do lots of research. if you have any problems or change your mind after purchase, get ready for an unforgettable customer service experience.
  
  FOR THOSE BUYING THIS PRODUCT JUST FOR HOWARD STERN....i feel like someone should let you know that howard takes every friday off, takes at least a week but sometimes two weeks off around EVERY holiday and worst of all has maybe 10-15 minutes (on average) of commercials or pre-recorded material every hour. the stiletto is probably the best way to navigate all this because you can store weeks of recorded material and you can review anything you may have missed. there are tons of other programs but if someone would have told me all of this before i bought this thing for $350 i'd have reconsidered.
  
  
• Wait til Sirius sets up more relays
  By A8KGTEZRJXBKO on 2006-10-16
  Interface is good.
  
  Headphones are hard plastic. The earplugs stick far into your ears. I feel like I'm getting an ear exam.
  
  The reception is horrible. I primarily bought to use on the bus. On the bus in New York City, it's great because they put up tons of relays near Sirius headquarters. Once I leave NYC, specifically .25 miles outside the Lincoln Tunnel on the NJ side, the signal goes dead. There are plenty of windows on the bus so this is unacceptable.
  
  The device froze/started skipping when I paused the Stern show. I had to yank the battery to reboot.
  
  Only 800 megs of the miniscule 2 gig flash drive can be used for mp3s.
  
  Highly recommend waiting til they put up more relay towers.
  
  
• The Sirius Stiletto is Great!
  By A3KW2F1PO5HG5T on 2006-10-16
  I got my Sirius Stiletto in last week. The device works flawlessly. The Wifi is great around the house. The design of the navigation is easy and simple. The reception has not been an issue even without the headphone antenae. Thew unit was a breeze to power up and program right out of the box. Sirius support was easy when I called to activate the unit. The unit works great!!! Sirius got it right on this one. Highly recommend the Stiletto.
  
  
  
• Steletto 100 is great if used as portable recorder
  By A4MHAFV4LXLFL on 2006-12-26
  This radio works great when used as I do. I keep it in a home kit that has the antenna outside. While it charges two batteries, I record up to 100 hours of music/programming. I then have a great portable device that does need reception. As a sat. radio it has 4/2 hours (big battery/small battery) of capacity, but it is 20/10 hours when playing recorded music/programming.
  
  So if you want a device that works like an Ipod and can be filled with 100 hours of entertainment, get it with the home kit and you will be happy and never want to listen to live radio again. It is very much like a Tivo when used in this manner
  
  
  
• Beware of Sirius' business practices
  By A24NW2ZKSEU4U9 on 2007-01-19
  FYI, Sirius has an "automatic renewal" on all its plans.
  
  I bought a year subscription for a friend and I saw nothing about an automatic renewal. But a year later my credit card gets charged again. I called Sirius to ask that it be removed and they agreed to take my card off the account but will not refund the year subscription fee ($142.45).
  
  There are many ways they could make this a choice on the website or make it clear that they will do that. But they don't and they won't refund the money. I think this is an unscrupulous business practice. Let the buyer doubly beware when dealing with this company.
  
  
• Love this radio!
  By A3GDX5G1TFS7QF on 2007-03-12
  I bought this portable satellite radio to use while walking and travelling. I love it! The fact that I can record programs and music and listen while on a plane is great. I also purchased the home docking kit and listen at home.
  Really enjoy the Sirius stations!
  
  
• This thing stinks!
  By A2WV228FY7Q489 on 2007-04-22
  How can Sirius have such great programming, but terrible products and customer service?
  Flat out this thing doesn't work. It's great if you only want to hear every third word Howard says. Sirius customer support is terrible. The reps are all very nice, but none can help you with this terible product. I've been sent to 16 different 1800 #'s, having to deal with being on hold for 20 minutes each time.
  Please Sirius, get your act together!
  
  
• DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!
  By A1TI1LR6RU2E3D on 2007-06-01
  THIS PRODUCT SUCKS!!! plain and simple, do not buy! Ever seen those commercials where a person is kneeling on the top of their desk, in a tight, cramped-up space, with their body all contorted trying to get their phone into the service area? That was me trying to get reception on my satellite radio...I could kick myself for choosing to buy this instead of an ipod...please trust me on this, you end up wasting your money and causing yourself stress in the long run...buy the ipod
  
  
• Very refreshing gadget. Works great.
  By A2ZQZ40C3CU3TJ on 2007-06-02
  I would call myself a MP3/Sirius music addict. I read review after review. Some good some bad. I have to say I am blown away. I have had many different MP3 players. This is down right amazing. I can't put it down. I just got the home kit today to start recording with it. I got stuck in traffic for 3 hours and I put her on the dash with my AUX cable into my deck player and it worked great. Very little dropped signal. I will record from the home kit then bring into the car. If you use it for what it can do you will be pleased. At times you may not get a signal but I will have it filled with my cd's and recorded content. Overall A+. Thank you Sirius. Hard Attck rules!
  
  

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