XM Satellite Radio Antenna Headphones for Xm2Go and Helix Receivers

by Belkin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 7.3 x 10.1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000F9NXXC
• Item model number: F5X002
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

INTEGRATES HEADPHONES & ANTENNA INTO 1 DESIGN IMPROVES XM RECEPTION OVER STANDARD EXTERNAL ANTENNA FITS COMFORTABLY WITH ADJUSTABLE EARPHONES ELIMINATES EXCESS WIRES BY CONSOLIDATING HEADPHONE & ANTENNA CABLES FOR USE WITH HELIX & INNO FEATURES A BUILT-IN VOLUME CONTROL THAT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE ON THE HEADPHONE CORD 1-YEAR WARRANTY

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great antenna. Lousy headphones. There is a workaround, April 29, 2007

By 

D. Parvin "dparv" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: XM Satellite Radio Antenna Headphones for Xm2Go and Helix Receivers (Office Product)

The Belkin headphones for the XM Inno are an improvement over the built-in Inno antenna and the a noticable step up from the MyFi clipon antenna. I've found that I can get signals with the Belkin antenna in places that I could never have with either of the above.

Unfortunately, the headphones in general are best described as airplane-quality. You can get a bit better bass if you lean them back in your ears, but in general the sound quality is awful and the comfort worse. Compared to the noise isolating headphones that come with the Inno, they're a disaster.

What I'm surprised no one has posted on is that there is a workaround: use both the headphones that came with the Inno and the Belkins...the former to listen to your radio, the latter to use as an antenna. Turns out connecting the Belkins doesn't actually shut off the output to the headphone jack, but they still serve as an effective external antenna. The Belkins don't stay on your head particularly well without being in your ears, but you can wear them around your neck instead and get substantially better reception.

Incredibly poorly designed product, but as an antenna I can't argue with it. Should have been included with the Inno like the clipon was with the MyFi, but such is life.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Totally unreliable., July 29, 2007

By 

William T. Wroblicka - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: XM Satellite Radio Antenna Headphones for Xm2Go and Helix Receivers (Office Product)

I wish I had an explanation for why these headphones fail after just a few weeks of routine use. I'm currently on my fourth pair, which just conked out today, and I've had exactly the same problem with every one: suddenly, for no apparent reason, the satellite reception just stops. The display on my Pioneer Inno XM receiver shows the message "check antenna" or "no signal." And that's it - no more satellite radio. (The headphones continue to work for playback of recorded music, so it's just the satellite reception function that's problematic.)

Naturally I've contacted Belkin customer service, and so far they've replaced each defective pair without charge, but the hassle and inconvenience of having to pack up the old pair and ship it back to them, and then having to wait two or three weeks for the new pair to arrive is getting old - very old. And what's annoying is the Belkin customer service reps I've spoken to on the phone claim they're not aware of any problem with the product.

Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any alternatives. No one else makes anything similar. If anyone has figured out what the problem is with these things, I'd certainly like to know!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good, for a while...., May 3, 2007

By 

E. Scarbrough "Erika" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: XM Satellite Radio Antenna Headphones for Xm2Go and Helix Receivers (Office Product)

These headphones do not stay on your head very well, sliding forward. Not a really big deal, though. The real problem is they work great (reception-wise) for a while, then all of a sudden you'll get a constant "check antenna" message that covers the whole screen and reception is bad. I've gone through 2 of these headphones in less than one year. They're disposable.