- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 120 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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44 out of 45 people found this review helpful
1.5 stars
"WARNING: For me, this receiver is not a portable unit."
Pros: Programing is as advertised
Cons: Without the car antenna or home antenna there is no consistent signal hence no consistent reception
Summary: This unit is advertised as portable. The lasting impression of Elton John walking around listening to this device has to be pure fantasy. I have talked to four other people who have purchased this unit and have the same complaints as myself. As long as it is plugged into the provided home antenna or the car antenna I get consistent reception. Without these external antennas, reception cuts in and out continually. The third external antenna that you clip on your cloths makes absolutely no difference in my reception, thus is totally worthless. If you are looking for a portable radio type device this is definitely not it. Read the blogs and you will see I am not alone in my viewpoint. By the way I live in South Florida and have "a clear view of the southern sky".Updated
I spoke to a Delphi tech and he told me that this unit was built to specifications demanded by XM Satellite. He said that XM Sat is fully aware of the unit's shortcomings. He said it was never designed to be a "portable radio type" of device, hence the five hours of recordable space on the unit. He also told me he gets allot of calls similar to mine. So there you have it. Maybe I should not have jumped to the erroneous conclusion that this was a "portable radio type" of device, after seeing Elton John walking around listening to the darn thing.
- 7 replies to this review
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I agree with the review about what comes with the receiver. However, I purchased a $50 set of headphones off of www.delphi.com. The headphones have a built in antenna in the frame. I now have good portability. I use it without problems mowing the lawn, exercising etc. I know it means shelling out more money, but I felt it was worth it. You still have the problems with blocking of the southern sky on occasion.
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This has got to be the single most disappointing piece of techno garbage I've ever received (got it as a gift, unfortunately for the kind soul who bought it for me). I was immediately hit with the first of many, many problems upon opening the instruction booklet which cautions the consumer against using the supplied battery (due to a safety recall) and directs them to take it back to the place they bought it for a swap out. I can only wonder why they are able to pack these instructions into the box but do not seem to have the ability to pack the correct replacement battery at the same time. Strike One.
Upon initial review of the contents I was impressed with the wide assortment of accessories and gadgets included with the kit. This turned to disappointment as I tried to wade through the user guide and determine what they all were for. For the life of me, I cannot fathom how such a relatively simple technology ? a radio - can require so many different components to operate correctly (not that I'd know about it operating correctly - see below). Strike Two.
The fact that there are no less than three separate antennas supplied with the kit should have tipped me off that things would not go smoothly: Unfortunately, despite the plethora of supplied antennae it is virtually impossible to get any kind of reception whatsoever. After trying the unit as a portable radio and finding the static and cutouts unbearable, I was forced to use the wearable antenna which did not improve the reception at all, let alone my looks. I then reread through the manual and found a reference to some minor problem about how the presence of buildings could interfere with reception, no small issue as I live in a large city with many tall structures. There was some indication that the unit works best as a stationary device and not a portable one, a fact that did not pan out when I tried to use it as such in my house, which has a clear shot to the south out the side window. Still no reception at all. Strike Three. All nine innings. All remaining games in Delphi?s sad, pathetic season.
I could go on about the clunky styling of the piece, and the fact that they force you to pay for twelve months of service upfront (which upon retrospect is pretty savvy on their part since nobody would ever pay for the service after the first month anyway), but I won?t. I caution the wary consumer to simply stay away, and I mean far away from this piece of hi tech junk. -
My biggest concern in purchasing the MyFi was reception. I planned to use it as a portable device.
I've driven cars equiped with XM and Sirius. They both had areas where they cut out. The MyFi has performed just as well as the car units.
Can I walk around inside with the Myfi? No. Can I go outside and get reception? Yes. Is there areas where it cuts out? Yes. I'd say 90 - 95 percent of the areas that I frequent on a regular basis are covered.
The only difference I can think in our situatons is that I'm closer to repeaters or maybe there are more of them here in the Northwest then in the Southeast? -
I would only but this unit for it's ""portability" and if it is pratically non-existant then I will wait for the net generation. Thanks for the heads up (pun inteneded).
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Clearly the Delphi XM MyFi is not meant for human mobility. Seriously reconsidering this purchase. The biggest reason I bought it was so I could take it with me when I exercise. What a crock. If you want to listen to a baseball game, you certainly want to hear it live...not in playback.
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I agree with the post from Fla. I live in Tampa and neither I nor my neighbor could go out walking with the radio and consistently pick up signals. One of the reasons I listen to XM in the car is for CNN and ESPN. While I could record and replay, I prefer to hear the news live. So for where I live, this is NOT a portable radio!
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I "thought" I could use this on a Carribean cruise 2 weeks ago. No way.. as soon as I got from San Juan to St. Thomas Nothing. I had to listen to my pre-recorded stuff over and over. Do any of you know if they are going to extend coverage beyond the US 50?
Yes I hate the portable antenna.. its an ugly and inconvient extension.
Where to buy
Delphi XM MyFi:
$129.99 - $175.00
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$175.00 | Yes |
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$129.99 | No |
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