Customer Reviews

Delphi SA10002 XM SKYFi Vehicle Kit

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I *love* my SkiFi (I have the home adapter too). The car unit takes a little installation effort (about an hour in my case), and does not switch too easily from car to car. However, once installed, it worked great! The trickiest part of the installation requires running two thin wires to the outside of the car, where a little antenna about the size of a computer mouse will stick to your roof with a very strong magnet. I was able to simply snap off the door molding in my van to hide the wires and then snap the molding back; no real big whoop.

Next, you stick the enclosed mounting swivel device to your dashboard with special glue they supply. Power the thing up by plugging it into your car's lighter jack. Finally, use the cassette adaptor to run the sound through your car stereo.

The cassette adaptor requires that you have a tape player in your car stereo. If you don't, you'll probably have to get an RF modulator to pump the sound through your FM radio. SkiFi is supposed to be offering an RF Modulator type kit soon. Other companies do make them though. In my case, my car stereo has an AUX input that allowed me to plug the device in with a simple wire.

HINT: You may get some 'whining' interference. If so, a device called a 'ground loop isolator' from Radio Shack fixed that problem nicely.

Once you get used to XM, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

I'm very happy with this unit, and I think GM unit Delphi has a hit on their hands. I'm looking forward to seeing more and more XM radio users as they begin to appear in new automobiles.

This has got to be the coolest electronics product I have bought in a long time for anywhere near this price. This is not just a 100 channels of the same old [stuff]. We are talking about great programming with uninterupted music that can appeal to any taste. A whole new range of talk or performance radio is offered as well with great stereo sound and always top notch reception. I have no patience left for the AM/FM dial. Fact is I had stopped listening to music on the radio, because of the obnoxious ads and same old top 40 stuff.

This is not like video satellite where you have to worry about pointing an antennae toward the south somewhere, they have 2 satellites at different angles and a frequency where you only have to make sure the tiny antennae is pointed up. Not too hard to manage. I have an antennae down in the cabin of my sail boat sitting on a cupboard, no problem at the dock or during a storm in the middle of Lake Huron...

Firstly, I love XM. I have both the home and car kits and will probably purchase the boom-box at some point down the road. I have a complaint however, about the quality of the cords that come with both adaptor kits. Several reviewers of the home kit pointed out that you are obliged to invest in a good quality shielded cable to make the connection between the cradle and your home stereo, otherwise you will be plagued with buzz. I certainly found this to be true and to be unique to the SkyFi. The other components connected to my stereo system are not connected with anything other than basic, came-in-the-box quality cords. The SkyFi was the only add-on that required a high-quality shielded cable.

The situation with the car kit is much the same. Huge amounts of engine noise are picked up by the cable, including a wild squeal if I start the car with the XM system already playing, and it needs to be replaced for the system to be usable. It was pointed out in the reviews I mentioned that these items must be high-margin for Delphi and I can't help but think that better cords would have been a reasonable expectation.

My only other complaint is a general boomy muddiness to the bottom end of the XM signal. I would have preferred a cleaner, less-obviously pre-equalized signal that I could have adjusted with my own controls to suit my taste. Still and all, the programming is great and the sheer volume and variety of music available is easy to get used to.

The first thing I can think to say is "WOW". I love this little item. I say little because it comes in a small package. I was so sick of the local radio stations but live in a condo with no southern window exposure. I thought I was doomed to a dreary life with local programs only. I heard about this home use Skyfi package from delphi. I did ask around but got the run around so I decided to go to circuit city and buy one and see if it worked. If it didn't I could always return it, so there wasn't much of a risk. I brought it home and hooked it up in a few minutes. No problems there. Never even looked at the manual. I turned it on an Walla! I had about twenty stations coming in loud and clear. I had the antenna close to a westward facing window as there are no southern windows in my condo. Everything came in loud and clear. I moved the antenna around the room away from any window and still no static and no problems. I immediatly signed up my home unit for the full service. I have had XM Radio in my car for a year and love it and now I can finally enjoy it at home. The only caveat is I may live in an area that has a repeater that allows me to get good reception in my condo. I have not been able so far to find out where their repeaters are located. This unit is wonderful and worth every penny and more if you can get reception. Buy it, Try it, but get it local so you can return it if the reception is poor. This is a breakthrough. It is ten stars not five.

Overall, this is a nice unit, but one little glitche compel me to take a star from what would normally be a five star rating. The only problem I had was with the docking unit itself, moreso in it's mounting. The mounting kit is an alcohol pad to clean the surface and some double stick tape. That works fine until it gets hot inside the car. Then you find yourself picking it up off the floor at inopportune times and becoming a traffic hazard. I fnally solved the problem somewhat by sticking it on top of the ash tray in my van. It's within reach there, but it keeps me from pushing in my ash tray now. I'd pay extra for a custom kit designed for my particular car. I love the convenience of the docking station, just not the attachment method.

I agree that this is the neatest thing since sliced bread and it works great. In my car, I don't use the cassette adapter because I have a MiniDisc player. Instead I use the iRock FM Modulator and tune my radio to 88.1 and it works great! You definitely need the ground loop isolator, though. That's just a SkiHi given.

Ask the salesperson about the antennas. Ask them what their half-life is. I say a year. I've had mine for about two years, and all of a sudden I'm getting a -no signal-. My friend had to replace his because he went through too many car washes. The product is great, but get the best antenna (all of them work fine with each model, i.e. sony antenna with pioneer equipment) that is out there. I'm talking about the big one that is basically standard with the first units. At first I thought it was too big, then I thought I could deal with it on the roof of my car, put it on, now I think it's too big. I'll be switching out to a new, small model. I think it's the size of my thumb... Go with FM modulation, and I love XM.

While the XM Radio service may be incredible, the Delphi car kit is another thing. At speeds greater than 40 mph, the magnet will move across the top of your car - leaving nice, deep scratches. Go for the install.

thank you for the skyfi kit it was just what i needed. showed up in a fast way and in good condishin just like you said thank you

Kit was easy to install and set up inside of my Murino. Everything was exactly what i needed. Company was great to work with and I would order from them again. thanks rae