Delphi MyFi Portable XM2GO Radio Receiver: Product Review

XM satellite radio is no longer just for people with fancy new Beemers and luxury SUVs. Even us carless city folks can enjoy higher-quality radio free of censorship, though admittedly not free of cost, with the Delphi MyFi Portable XM2GO Radio Receiver. As an alternative to or supplement for the Apple iPod, this device is one of the first to make satellite radio available on a truly portable basis - hence the XM2GO name. Reasonably slim, attractive, and easy to use, the Delphi MyFi Portable XM2GO Radio Receiver can be carried between home and auto - or just used like a portable radio, capable of receiving live broadcasts and storing up to five hours of programming. For people who love the variety inherent in satellite radio and want diverse, commercial-free, uncensored music and talk in handheld form, this product is a reliable option, despite a few design flaws.

PROS of the Delphi MyFi Portable XM2GO Radio Receiver

- The FCC does not regulate satellite radio content, so you can listen to music or talk radio without censorship concerns.

- The five hours worth of "memory mode" are a saving grace for times when live reception is poor.

- They claim the battery lasts for about five hours, and it more or less does! Typically, from full charge to complete depletion, it takes around four and a half hours.

- The Delphi MyFi is designed for portable use as well as home and auto use, so this model is a comprehensive solution for someone who wants XM everywhere.

- One desirable feature that buyers might overlook is the "TuneSelect" song finder, which can be deployed to look for your favorite tracks.

- It comes with a remote control for home use…especially great for the bedroom or a studio.

- MyFi also comes with four - yes, four - antennas: one built-in, one for portable use, one for the car, and one for home.

- You get so many accoutrements with this device that you won't need to buy accessories. They already make you feel like you could fly to the moon and back with this package.

CONS of the Delphi MyFi Portable XM2GO Radio Receiver

- The player itself currently costs around $130-180, depending on where you buy it and whether rebates are involved. Add that to the monthly subscription cost for XM (~$13/mo), and you'd better be sure you're going to listen enough to make benefit worth cost.

- Generally, the reception is decent, but depending where you are in a building or on a street, you may find the signal less reliable than you had hoped. Urban dwellers in particular are more likely to experience reception problems when listening to the live broadcasts.

- XM radio is really all the Delphi MyFi does. It would've been nice if it included just a little mp3 storage - at least enough room for a small library to serve as an alternative or a place for favorites.

- The buttons are not the most intuitively located, and there are too many of them. Depending on how you hold the device, there's some real room for frustration. I would've preferred more on-screen navigation. I mean, can you imagine an iPod with 12 buttons?