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How cool is that. I put it on step outside and walk and I have all of what xm radio has to offer and the best thing is I can record from the radio and save on a playlist. I have had this mp3 player for a while and I am finally putting a review in on it. I have loved this item. Love it.
Helix: built-in antennae and included earbuds. I'm just sorry I kept giving the SkiFi3 a chance- that unit is a piece of junk, I wish XM would pull Delphi's license to produce it. Every morning, I check to see what songs I got, and delete the ones I don't like. SkiFi3: you have to use external headset antennae to get any signal at all.
Samsung is the way to go, believe me.Update: My favorite feature on the Helix is the ability to record channels overnight or whenever; the unit doesn't have to be turned on. Constant "check antennae" message which encourages you to jam the antennae into the receiver. I take long walks and get wonderful reception. 3. Helix: Solidly built, very attractive.SkiFi3: flimsy junk. But unless you want a unit exclusively for the car, the Helix is the only choice to make (I can see the SkiFi screen being easier to read than the Helix on the dashboard. Again- get the Samsung Helix, you will not be sorry.
I went through two replacements before giving up on this model (check my review of it under SkiFi3).In short, these two models should be in listed in the Encylopedia under "you get what you pay for." You will pay considerably more for the Helix than the SkiFi3. I'm not aware that the Delphi offers the programming feature or not; doesn't matter, since I never got a signal anywhere indoors anyway.I'm convinced that the Delphi product is based on old technology- just compare them side to side and you can see that one looks like it belongs in a museum, not a store shelf. using the home antennea, the music is recorded clear as a bell, too. Samsung Helix: Easy-to-use buttons, instant bookmarking, beautiful color screen with cute graphics illustrating each XM station.Delphi SkiFi3: Buttons freeze up and are often unresponsive, monochrome screen which also often freezes.2. I took walks with this thing in open fields in which I received spotty or no reception. But don't expect to be able to walk around and listen to it).The Helix is THE choice for portability. I've "captured" fifty songs over the past four days just by recording overnight, it's wonderful.
Delphi gives XM a bad name. You can pay extra for an extended-life battery which will give you seven hours of live XM- I did, and now I'll try to sell it somewhere.4. You can get a spare battery for about $20.SkiFi3: Battery not removeable, lasts for about 40 minutes on Live XM (that's right, forty minutes). Ok, I purchased this product six months after buying a Delphi SkiFi3.
When it dies, you have to plug the unit in and wait for it to recharge to get another forty minutes. I'd like to compare the two models:1. Helix: Removable battery gives at least 3 hours of Live XM when fully charged. With the optional headset antennae, I could listen with no problem in the library or the gym.
No internal antennae. I'm just amazed at how great this little radio is.
Meantime I keep paying my XM service. And I've called every number I can find. When the radio works it is good (except for frequent loss of signal when walking with it in standalone mode, ie, no external antenna), but pray you never have a warranty problem. My radio died, Samsung has had it for almost 6 weeks now and I can't find out from them when it will be returned. I would recommend you buy local from some place that will honor the warranty IN HOUSE.
I've also noticed in newer cars with the antenna built into either the front or rear window increases the performance as well. The FM modulator feature with the car kit is good sometimes and bad other times. The car kit cost me an additional $69. It's great to play your favorite music at home and on the road. If you drive in an area with a lot of tall buildings or trees the performance with the FM modulator degrades accordily.
When this unit is connected to a car audio system with an AUX input the unit really performs will. The only problems I have using it at home is the reception occasionally fades. I got my Helix for $129.99 with a $50 rebate from XM Radio. In a car it works great provided that the audio system in your car has an AUX input. Considering the price I got the unit for and performance I've gotten out of it I give the Samsung Helix high marks.
Overall this is a great product as both an in home XM radio reciever and MP3 player. Just remember to put it in the situations, especially with car audio systems where it performs the best.
Subscriptions run around $19.95/month for the two units. I really wanted it to hear my beloved Casey Kasem's American Top 40 on the 80s channel that I use to listen to every Sunday morning while I worked at the self-serve gas station as a youth. As for the unit itself, it's very easy-to-use and it records songs for future playback EVEN when you miss the first minute or so (it saves all the way back to the beginning of the song).neat. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1M30CSS5D2QAK NerdBoyTV discovered the Helix XM2go Portable Satellite Radio with MP3 Player last Christmas 2006. We bought two - one for us and one for a gift. Biggest negative, the battery drains to empty when you don't use for even one day.
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