Stiletto SL100 Portable Satellite Radio Receiver

Let me start by saying: I don't work for Howard Stern, Sirius, or XM Radio. OK, now that that's out of the way, on to my little review of this wonderful "little" device...I've had 4 Sirius devices, all of which have served me very well over my last couple of years with Sirius, even the one-star-rated Xact model that everyone else seems to hate but me. After my Visor started to give me some headache (after 1 year plus of spot-on functioning) I figured it was time to move up to the next level with my listening and get a Stiletto.This is not an ipod, nor is it an ipod killer, but for what it does, it seems to do very well. It's bigger than an ipod, and heavier, but that's to be expected being a portable satellite receiver, and not a pure mp3 player. Unlike the Samsung Nexus (XM) which can't receive live satellite without the aid of a passport (and a docking station of some form) this can receive the live Sirius feed through its internal antenna or the rigid headphones.Initially, I hooked this device up with a Soloist universal dock, and was almost immediately rewarded with full, rich sound that is pretty good for the soloist, but that's for another review.I then set up the wireless to connect to my network, and, after a little jiggling about with the password, connected with no issue.The only cons that I can see with this are the lack of home/vehicle kits, but they are widely available and, with some looking, at a good price. Although I have read many reviews slamming the rigid headset, I wore it for a few minutes to do some testing and found that it seems to be OK, especially considering there is a frickin satellite antenna is built into it. I couldn't see myself using this for a 10 mile bike ride, but it's sufficient for walking/riding around when you want the extra power for reception.The boot up time for this is pretty long, but it's a fair trade off for what you're getting.It's not as small as an ipod or similar device, but it feels substantial in your hand, with good quality buttons that you can tell you've pressed.I haven't recorded any content yet, so I can't speak for the recording functions, but in general, this is the best Sirius radio to have if you're on the move, out walking or riding a bike.Presets are very easy to set, and you can set them up while connected to wireless, as well as listening on Live Sirius. I would recommend you get a vehicle kit, as they have put some preset buttons on the dock, along with a jump button to get you to traffic/weather in your local market (if available).I have yet to find a major flaw with this item, and will update the review if I do, but for now, I wholeheartedly recommend that you get this device.Please, other reviewing brothers/sisters, if you also are struck with the urge to write a review, please keep it limited to the product, not your reception.

I have had my Sirius Stiletto since November 2006, and I love it! Had a problem with the extended battery suddenly dying, but I called the Sirius Warranty Center and they swapped out an entire new replacement unit quickly to me. I am very happy with the Stiletto. Four stars only because of the unusable antenna headphones, no Macintosh compatibility for the Yahoo Music Service/MP3 transfer, and the fact that you can't use the remote control directly with the unit (has to be plugged into the home or car kit). Sirius is now offering a FREE car kit with purchase (too late for me, though!).I am using this in the Princeton NJ area, my live satellite signal using the home kit and window antenna is mostly two bars, but my house is directly next to a tall forest of trees--I may have to install an outdoor antenna for maximum signal. If I place only the Stiletto unit in my window it gets a usable signal just using its internal antenna pointed outwards! The Stiletto easily connects to my Apple home Wifi Airport Express, so I can listen to Sirius Internet at home as well! Just walking around outdoors, if you are near a repeater you will get a great live signal even with no antenna. Otherwise, the headphone antenna is adequate but as everyone else has said, very weird looking and painful to wear.At work I am using a home kit and window antenna, and the live Sirius signal is at full strength since I work near a terrestrial ground repeater, so I can record hours and hours of whatever I want daily for later listening in the "Replays" mode (Replays are saved as each individual channel you listened to previously, so it's easy to select what you want later--also, the channels automatically append new recorded material as you start and stop recording daily). This is what I use in my car so I don't even need to hook up the Stiletto car kit. If I do want live Sirius Satellite mobile reception, the car kit gets excellent strong signals everywhere. I like the fact that I can operate the Stiletto in my car or at home with the remote control also!At home I can wirelessly control the docked Stiletto via remote extender from anywhere in the house, broadcasting the Stiletto to a Sennheiser wireless transmitter and listening to the output on wireless speakers or wireless Sennheiser headphones anywhere as well, even outdoors! Or I can hook an audio output cable directly to a home stereo. Sweet!The sleek interface is impressive. Sirius smoothly sends firmware and program channel upgrades automatically to the unit (even over Wifi!). Also useful are the weekly emails that Sirius sends me for Music and Sports events/program updates which are great for keeping on top of all the programming choices!SIRIUS AND XM MERGER? Now that Sirius and XM have announced a tentative merger (barring FCC interference, since there is a Federal law stating that Satellite providers cannot purchase each other), it will be interesting to see how their separate programming is merged as well. In an ideal world, I would want to combine all of Sirius' existing programming with just a couple of XM's unique programs like Bob Dylan's show...that would be awesome...hope they don't screw up the programming!

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.