Customer Rating:      Summary: I have been enjoying this mp3 player Comment: I have had this mp3 player for a while and I am finally putting a review in on it. I have loved this item. 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. How cool is that?! Love it.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Samsung v. Delphi Comment: Ok, I purchased this product six months after buying a Delphi SkiFi3. I'd like to compare the two models:
1. 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. Helix: built-in antennae and included earbuds. I take long walks and get wonderful reception. With the optional headset antennae, I could listen with no problem in the library or the gym.
SkiFi3: you have to use external headset antennae to get any signal at all. No internal antennae. Constant "check antennae" message which encourages you to jam the antennae into the receiver. I took walks with this thing in open fields in which I received spotty or no reception.
3. Helix: Removable battery gives at least 3 hours of Live XM when fully charged. 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.) When it dies, you have to plug the unit in and wait for it to recharge to get another forty minutes. 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. Helix: Solidly built, very attractive.
SkiFi3: flimsy junk. 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. 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. But don't expect to be able to walk around and listen to it.)
The Helix is THE choice for portability. 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. Delphi gives XM a bad name. 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. Every morning, I check to see what songs I got, and delete the ones I don't like. I've "captured" fifty songs over the past four days just by recording overnight, it's wonderful. using the home antennea, the music is recorded clear as a bell, too. 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. Again- get the Samsung Helix, you will not be sorry. I'm just amazed at how great this little radio is.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Terrible warranty service from Samsung Comment: 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. And I've called every number I can find!!! Meantime I keep paying my XM service. I would recommend you buy local from some place that will honor the warranty IN HOUSE!!!!
Customer Rating:      Summary: A Good Product For The Price Comment: I got my Helix for $129.99 with a $50 rebate from XM Radio. The car kit cost me an additional $69. Overall this is a great product as both an in home XM radio reciever and MP3 player. The only problems I have using it at home is the reception occasionally fades. In a car it works great provided that the audio system in your car has an AUX input. The FM modulator feature with the car kit is good sometimes and bad other times. 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. I've also noticed in newer cars with the antenna built into either the front or rear window increases the performance as well. It's great to play your favorite music at home and on the road. Considering the price I got the unit for and performance I've gotten out of it I give the Samsung Helix high marks. Just remember to put it in the situations, especially with car audio systems where it performs the best.
Customer Rating:      Summary: NerdBoyTV gives high marks to Helix XM2go Portable Satellite Radio Comment: 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. 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! Biggest negative, the battery drains to empty when you don't use for even one day.
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