SkyFi3 XM radio
 

I'm thinking of ordering one. Does anyone have one now? How are they? Worth buying?

I found the SkyFi3 at Crutchfield for $39.99 (before rebate) at Crutchfield. So, with that price, it's hard to go wrong I guess.

Here's a link to it: http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...0SA10224&tp=85

edit:
Well, I couldn't resist that price and ordered it. The total for the order was $46.98 with shipping. If it comes in quick enough and I want to deal with the rebate, it's another $40 off that.

How ya gonna hook her up? Are you going to use the FM Modulator?

Ya - I'll use the same direct-connect adapter that I use with my Roady2 that I have now. It connects directly into the fm-radio antenna.

That's what I'm running now (Roady2XT).

http://host459.ipowerweb.com/~vpnavy.../killingme.gifGeeez, what a difference when I hooked it up (as opposed to changing frequencies all the time).

Heheh - ya, that direct-connect adapter is a wonderful thing.

I've had a little chance to play with the SkyFi this weekend. It came in this week while I was out. Gotta say, I like it so far.

I've already put about 12 cd's worth of music on the 1gig MicroSD card that I stole from my wife's cell phone (she didn't use it, so don't yell at me). It's nice to be able to switch between the live XM and my own mp3's on one unit. Also, the SkyFi has the ability to pause the live broadcast, as well as record scheduled programs. I'll have to try that feature out. The unit can also be used as a standalone mp3 player. It's battery powered (charges while hooked to 12v) and comes with a set of ear buds.

It's easy to get the mp3's onto the unit. I can either pull the micro card and put that into the laptop's media-card reader, or better yet, use the USB cable that comes with it and plug the player directly into the computer and transfer the files directly. Also, the USB cable will charge the battery while it's connected.

The unit doesn't seem to have much power in transmitting the FM signal. I had the unit's antenna less than 6" from my outside FM antenna on my Blazer at home. Of course, that won't be an issue at all with the direct-connect adapter that I'll put in today when I go to the shop before I leave.

From what I can tell already, it was well worth the $40 I paid for it. My next step is to buy a couple more MicroSD cards for it - I can get 2gig cards for $25 each.

Re: SkyFi3 XM radio
 

Nice little unit! Guess they are trying to dump the excess inventory since the Justice Department approved the merger, and we are just waiting on the FCC to stamp it done! The new units that can receive both and programable will be out shortly after. Although the say the technology is not ready yet, I think they are buffaloing us to keep buying the old receivers.

Well the merger has been approved now for a month and I still dont see any new dual receivers....im holding on to my sky fi 1 until they come out....hopefully it wont die soon.

After hearing Mel Carmazin speak, it should work like this. When the time comes some Sirius programming will be heard on XM recievers. The same will be for XM programming on Sirius recievers. My guess would be they would start with the big deals first. O&A, Howard, Nascar and the NFL and then go from there. If you own the feeds and the satellites you should be able to send both feeds to both satellites as long as the channels are there to use, which they should have after eliminating the overlapping channels ie: the 70's, 80's, 90's, country, urban and others.

According to my source at Motorola, the new receivers will not be released until the Christmas holiday season! Too listen to XM or Sirius, they are claiming the merged technology will not be available for a couple of years. Motorola has completed and tested the dual band receivers! Delphi is suppose to be close to production runs also!


But of course, they want to run the stock of the old receivers down before releasing the new technology! :shock: :wink: