SIRIUS SV3-TK1 Stratus Plug-and-Play Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit Reviews

• Deceptive Company, Terrible Customer Service

  
  By A15WT8F3TT7UON on 2008-01-02
  
  
  DISREPSECTFUL AND DECEPTIVE -- I purchased a Sirius Radio for my husband for Christmas. The company offered a promotional package that included the radio and a $50 gift card to be used towards the monthly subscription cost. When my husband called to activate the radio the sales Rep immediately began to sell us $400 subscription packages, quote exorbitant activation fees ($50). I was appalled that the entire gift card was going to the activation!! There was absolutely no mention of the fee when I purchased. When my husband began to question the charges, the supervisor was consulted and suddenly the fee disappeard. I am sure that if we had not protested we would have been charged..... Then after he decided on a subscription plan, additional enhancements were suddenly suggested to get "optimal service". The Rep basically suggested that the basic service was inadequate and we would have to pay additional charges (above and beyond the quoted subscription rates) to really enjoy the radio. That was the last straw and my husband decided to cancel everything. He felt very taken advantage of and the victim of a Rep that did not know what she was talking about. The process took about 45 minutes and we hung up with the intention to return everything.
  
  Here is the kicker! Because the Sirius Rep asked us to scratch the $50 gift card during the activation process, it is now void.... When I called to see if we could get the full amount refunded, since it was due to their very poor customer service, incompetence and deceptive practices, that we canceled, the customer service supervisor gave me attitude. He even agreed that the $50 was never used and was sitting in our account. However it was our fault...... When I asked for his name so that I could write a letter of protest to management he told me it was pointless and that I could not "bend the company to my will" simply because I was upset. I told him that maybe everyone up the chain would deny my request, but that I had a right as a consumer to complain if I wanted to. He refused to give me his name, as my case did not "warrant" divulging personal information. I was insulted by his direspectful and condescending tone. He did even see fit appologize for our initial negative experience with the company...
  
  Bottome line -- I think this company is deceptive and disrespectful. I am stuck with a $50 gift card I can never use and a terrible opinion of this company. I feel that in each instance our complaints should have been dealt with professionally and with respect. Please think twice before doing business with a company who treats their customers this was
  
  

• Good overall, but

  
  By A2KKYFNM8GTTM2 on 2007-06-20
  The kit itself is simple to install and setup took only a few minutes. However, the FM transmitter on the unit is not as good as previous units I've had as it only goes down to 88.1. I live near D.C. and it is almost impossible to find a frequency without something being transmitted on it. My old unit transmitted down to the low 87's and I had no trouble tuning in. It also seems like the transmitter is too week to transmit over even partial signals (a guess a compromise for the small size of it). So I ordered the FM Direct Adapter to see if that helps. It would have been nice if Sirius had included this in their car kit as anybody that lives near a city is likely to need it.
  
  

• A Good Moderately-Priced Unit

  
  By A3MURMV4ENB5EA on 2006-12-27
  This is a great starter kit for those new to Sirius like me. Setup was very easy and seems like it will stick to the dash for years. It does not come with a remote, which is fine if you're typically alone or driving with someone in the passenger's side. If you have a larger car, you might want to spring for the one that comes with it. The display is on the small side, which is why I'm giving this 4 stars. The size of the unit overall makes it easy to fit in your pocket or purse when it's not being used.
  
  

• Compact and easy to install

  
  By A3TVLFXERSRM3P on 2007-08-21
  This is my second Sirius receiver and it is small enough to mount almost anywhere. The FM transmitter is not as powerful as my previous unit, but the previous units violated FCC regulations and only tuned 5 frequencies. I would often get to hear Howard Stern from other cars on my radio when I was stacked up in traffic. For this unit, I use the cassette adapter and the sound is better and no more Howard Stern!
  
  

• Good starter unit

  
  By A2RHCOOWR9XM4Y on 2007-10-29
  The Stratus is a decent unit if you want satellite radio but don't want to spend money on an expensive receiver. The sound quality is good, reception is good (I connected it to my car's stereo through the line out and the AUX jack on my Pioneer head unit), and the menus and channels are easy to navigate. It was also relatively easy to install. The only gripe I have is that some of the buttons feel a little mushy and require extra pressure to register that you pushed them.
  
  
• Satellite radio is dead
  By A1VV77U2HHU63M on 2007-07-30
  I bought the Stratus to replace my Xact radio, which died after only one year of use. The stratus was dead out of the box. This makes the fourth satellite receiver I've tried. All four have experienced problems or died completely, 2 Xact, one Stratus and one XM radio. The Stratus was my last stop on this insane bus of crappy electronics.
  
  
• Just the Basics
  By A3CXJOJ05JDP5O on 2008-01-22
  This is the basic receiver, it's usually about $30-$40. It has no bells and whistles, just what you need to get started. You can not rewind the music or set artist alerts like with the Sportster. If you can live without those features, you will enjoy this radio receiver. You do get the ability to store preset stations. But the biggie is the programming itself. You get everything from Martha Stewart, to Howard Stern. You even get stations like Playboy, BBC, CBC, French rock, even Radio Korea. There is something for everybody along with the typical rock to rap to dance.
  
  The box contains just the antennas for your car along with two different mounts, and a power supply cord. So you'll need to buy the home mounting kit if you want to bring it inside to hook up to your stereo.
  
  If you like to keep it simple, get this receiver.
  
  
• Plug it in
  By AMVWACPGMWOYV on 2008-01-04
  Don't buy if you plan to use the radio feature. It does not provide a signal clear enough to clear the static. It would be fine if you had a plug in.
  
  
• Wretched product with abysmal customer support
  By A2HSN38625ULEW on 2008-06-06
  Sirius itself is a great product. Their musical/talk options are simply superb. But this radio breaks, period. More expensive ones are just as shoddy, regardlesss of your obsessive care. To add pain, customer service is tepid or worse. They are often belittling, even hostile and are an MBA text book example of how to erode loyal customer support. When (not if) your unit breaks, it is difficult to get a replacement that is not an inferior, reconditioned model, which may not be mailed to you for weeks. If you try to cancel your subscription service, good luck. If you make the mistake of signing up for a year's service, you may have serious problems getting credit or a refund. If you want Sirius, in my opinion, you have two choices. Pay a lot of money and have a dedicated, unit installed by an aftermarket expert. OR buy the cheapest unit you can, expect it to break and be sure to pay for it with a monthly contract. When it breaks, notify Sirius and your credit card company. Fight hard for a charge back. You might also want to buy this product with a card that gives you an extended guarantee.
  
  
• Ok, didn't last too long
  By AN980PW3XCO5X on 2007-10-24
  Car kit fine. Radio's transmitter died after 9.5 months; replacement was factory reconditoned and seems to produce more static. Like a previous review stated, unit can't transmit over partial FM signal and current radio gets over ridden by overhead power lines. Will have to find a way to directly connect to the radio
  
  
• A 5-Star Product!
  By A15DPI651F9RJ3 on 2008-01-22
  I brought a pair of these for two of my best friends. They loved them and installed them into their cars as soon as I gave it to them.
  
  Sirius is affordable and works with you. A great inexpensive gift that I think anyone in the world would love to have in their cars or as gifts.
  
  From what I can review, this product is also inexpensive in comparison to XM radio which cost a whole lot more just for the radio tuner alone. Something you may want to look at as well!
  
  
• sirius receiver
  By A1CVV1N7782ZYF on 2008-04-06
  Nice little receiver, If you don't need all the bells and whistles, this receiver will meet your needs. The only complaint I have is the transmitter isn't strong enough to over ride the local radio channels. The direct connect fixed that problem.
  
  
• Good basic unit - Easy to use
  By A30WI3383MJZ9R on 2008-04-09
  Item is just as described. Very easy to set up and use. I use the audio out to hook it up to my car stereo's audio input jack. Sounds good, and no drop-out with the Sirius antenna sitting on the dashboard. I haven't tried the FM antenna, because I already have the input jack on my stereo. Only thing I wish it had was the ability to record. In any event, this has to be the cheapest way to begin using satellite radio. I'm very happy with it. We'll see how long it stays in working condition.
  
  
• Anonymous
  By A3BNWIGNU9GJU2 on 2007-09-23
  My husband drives truck all day, so this is a great radio to have. It was easy to set up and he was listening in no time. The programming is great it keeps him entertained the whole day.
  
  
• Awesome product; awesome price
  By A210BNX4RVC0DH on 2007-09-27
  What a difference this makes to a rush hour commute. I had the unit directly wired into my stereo, so I don't have any static. It is a quality product and very reasonably priced.
  
  
• sirius
  By AIR5663LIYVU8 on 2008-01-11
  product was easy to install. wish the transmitter selections went a little lower sometimes have hard time finding a channel to use.
  
  
• Great Small Satellite radio
  By APCDJIU9QTFLI on 2008-04-03
  I bought this at BestBuy with a free $30.00 gift card. I used the gift card to purchase a FM direct adapter. The sound is great and no static. The installation took a couple of hours. I would recommend a service manual for your car to take out the radio to install the direct adapter.
  
  
• Horrible reception
  By A2BLITJITO97N5 on 2008-06-19
  Ok, I have two xm radios - inno and xpressez - and the reception on both is incredible. I get three bars of signal strength anywhere in my condo. I bought the stratus and couldn't get a consistent single bar of strength no matter where I put the antennae. Called customer service and they hung up on me - that's right. They said that I already called about the same problem (???!!). I called three more times and was disconnected once and left on hold for 20-30 minutes before some lame brain walked me through the same steps I had already done myself. Tech support there should be called meth head support. After 5 hours of messing with this thing, trying to get a consistent signal (while my xm never went out once), I called and cancelled my service. It just wasn't worth the trouble. BTW, the guy at radio shack told me that he discourages customers from buying the stilletto sirius radio because noe of his past customers got a good signal and he was tired of doing refunds. Oh, there was something wrong with the ****** stars on the review submission form which is why my review says 5 stars. I only meant to give it one star.
  
  
• Few little quirks I wish I had known about...
  By A2696PLWMH9TUT on 2008-08-30
  Pros:
  1. I get the CBC and BBC programs I like!
  2. Most stations don't have too many break-ins (commecial or otherwise) but some do.
  3. I like that the song artist and title are displayed on the screen. That way if I really like the song, I can download it later.
  
  Cons:
  1. On some of the channels there ARE COMMERCIALS! I thought this was commercial free radio! I don't need ads for "male enhancement" playing through my speakers. I want to hear the comedy and the music.
  
  2. I strongly reccommend having this professionally installed. Have them hard wire everything in so you don't have to use the wireless transmitter. The car power plug (the cig lighter plug--for the old school syles) is somewht loose in my Focus SE. Every once in a while, it will jar loose enough to cut the power to the reciever. Again, hard wiring will eliminate this.
  
  3. You can still use the wireless transmitter but I would go to the Sirius website first, look up the recommended FM Frequencies and test them out in your area first. Sure this is a lot of listening to static but I was on one of the recommended frequencies and in a "hole in the ground" and *still* got a low-power station from somewhere. ANY interference will be heard while listening to the sat radio. The radio FM Transmitter itself only goes down to the 89 range while the best frequency for my area (not one listed on the website) is in the 88 range.
  
  
  
• Wait until the merger happens..this will be obsolete soon
  By A3SPJZZZ64WYYU on 2008-09-18
  In the past 3 years I've had to purchase 3 different Sportsters due to malfunctioning product. The Stratus is the latest price equivalent and a complete DOWNGRADE.
  
  My SPORTSTER cost $50 last year and had the pause, rewind, fast forward buttons, 30 presets, and a stronger antennae. That broke and this is the replacement: 10 presets, poor antennae signal, no pause, rewind, or fast forward.
  
  This product sucks and I've had nothing but problems with Sirius equipment.
  
  Wait for the merger because this will be obsolete in a few months. Hopefully their technology will catch up. Listen online if you really need it.
  
  
• Cheap but you get what you pay for.
  By A2FUEHAS8ENP3S on 2008-10-13
  Gets interference all the time. When I press the channel buttons they don't always go to the channel. I have to press more then once. It was difficult to find a good corresponding radio channel. Not near as good as my old Starmate. I'm thinking Sirius may not be worth it.
  
  
• Got just what I ordered.
  By AKOLPK8KJKTEK on 2008-01-07
  Seller delivered just what I ordered, And it arrived just as he said it would.
  
  
• Nice
  By A2XXQB1JS3LZ4R on 2008-06-21
  I bought this radio for my husband's truck. The sound is really nice. He enjoys the variety of stations. Arrived on time. What else do you want?
  
  
• Great entry level sirius radio
  By A2UVALBUHC7E2X on 2008-08-26
  First off i want to review sirius because as a company they are great and have a great product. Their customer support is great and the radios are made well and if not they will replace your radio. This one is a entry level radio so it might wear out after a couple of years but for the price you can not complain
  
  
• Awesome little radio
  By AXWTEHIE6Q390 on 2008-09-30
  I found that the Stratus TK1 works much better than i expected given the mixed reviews. I found it quite easy to self install myself, it took a little over a half an hour. The reception is great where i live, no blank spots except near trucks using CB Radio. At home (i also got the home kit) the reception is twice as good. I also have internet access and can play it while i am at work. Programming with Sirius is wonderful and will get better when the XM stations become available to us. Worth my birthday money.
  
  

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