Pioneer Inno user reviews (XM)

Pros Really small, controls easy to use, nice accessories

Cons Needs proper placement for 100% reception , maximum volume level could be higher, watch included belt clip

Summary I received the Pioneer Inno about 5 days ago with the intent of using it primarily for walking with the dog and replacing an existing XM unit in the home. I also have a separate XM unit in my truck. I’ve used the Inno for about 6 hours while walking and about 3 hours in the docking port in the house as of this writing.

Upon purchasing the Inno, my primary concerns were reception, size and ease of use.

Concerning the reception, the Inno receives signal about 93% to 95% of the time. Placement of the Inno with it’s built-in antenna is critical. It must face a south east to south west view of the horizon. I clip the Inno to the collar of my sweatshirt while walking south, and clip it to the rear back pocket of my pants while walking north. Dense overhead tree growth will reduce the reception as will tall buildings. XM has no terrestrial transmitters in my town (in Grand Island Nebraska), and at best we only have 10 FM radio stations. I’ve owned several walkman/headphone type FM radios in the past and they too lose signal about 1% or 2% of the time, verses the Inno, about 3% to 5% of the time, all attributed to placement if the Inno with it’s built-in antenna. However, XM content vastly makes up for the difference. Reception in my home with the included antenna and docking port is 100% of the time.

The size of unit is incredible, it’s small, smaller than a deck of cards including the battery. The controls are very easy to use. The display works well, and as like most devices such as cell phones with color displays, the display is difficult to read in direct sunlight with sun glasses on. Take off the shades, and it can be read. The included black leather-ette case with belt hook has snaps that can’t be trusted. They work loose and out pops the Inno. The volume could use a bit more boost and is not loud enough for me, I like my rock loud. But the included headphones are OK. Battery life is about 2 to 3 hours between charges. I have not tried the built-in FM transmitter.

I have ordered the Belkin F5X002 antenna/headphones. They have been back ordered and are not available anywhere that I have found until Belkin ships them. If the reviews are correct, I expect the headphones to bring the reception to near 100% while walking.

In conclusion, I think the Inno is one very cool little unit. I’m rating it a 7 without the Belkin headphones, otherwise it would be a 9 or 10. Bluetooth would be cool as well. I recommend it.

Pros Small and compact

Cons MP3 locks up

Summary This is my 4th Inno. I had to return and reorder others.The XM radio part of it is great and yes by the headphones with the antenna for the best reception. I install the Napster/XM for songs to put on it and when i transferred the songs over it will lock up if you transfer more then 10 songs at a one shot deal.Napster has a update for the firmware on the Inno,but still doesnt help. Pioneer is aware of the problem and trying to fix it so be aware that this might happen to yours. Like i said, love the XM radio on it but the MP3 needs work.

Pros size, ease of use, versatility

Cons reception, battery life, earbuds

Summary Although I'm generally pleased with the features and performance of the Inno, I do have a few cautionary notes for prospective buyers.

The first concerns the XM satellite reception. The CNET review and some other comments have said it's "great," but I have not found that to be the case. In fact, where I live, in a leafy, hilly suburb in northwest New Jersey, it's downright lousy. I'm referring now to outdoor reception by the Inno unit itself without any auxiliary antenna attached. Walking around my neighborhood, I seem to get a signal only about 20% of the time -- it's lost every time I pass under a tree, skirt a building, or face in any direction but south by southwest. I've ordered the Belkin F5X002 headphones with a built-in antenna, which are reported to improve the reception, but I haven't received them yet.

While I'm on the subject of headphones, I don't much care for the earbuds that come with the Inno. Maybe it's just me, but I find the cord too short to let me wear them comfortably with the Inno unit clipped to my belt -- the cord keeps tugging the earbuds loose. Hopefully the Belkin headphones will solve this problem too.

Finally, I naively assumed that the XM service subscription I already had for the radio in my car would apply to the Inno as well. Wishful thinking, unfortunately. An additional subscription at an additional cost is needed for the Inno. Of course this is not a problem with the product, but I'm guessing many satisfied XM car-radio users who now want to "go portable" with the Inno may be under the same impression -- caveat emptor.

Pros Really nice form factor

Cons Poor user interface.

Summary If the programmed recording session feature is one of the main reasons you are interested in the Inno you should know that programmed recording sessions do not work when the Inno is plugged into the car docking station. According to Pioneer Technical Support, XM has intentionally disabled the programmed recording session feature when the unit is in the car dock. Samsung Tech Support says that the Helix has the same limitation.

This means that if you want to leave your Inno in the car while you are at work and record something to listen to on the drive home, you are out of luck. If you want to leave the Inno in your car overnight to record a program to listen to the next day you are out of luck. $60 for a car kit that disables one of the Inno's most important features is highway robbery!