Delphi MyFi

Freds · May 13, 2005

I listen to sports radio mostly and with summer here the local sports radio has started broadcasting the local minor league baseball team. I started looking into satellite radio and the portable MyFi can be had for $202 with all kinds of kits for car or home plus a built in antenna for "portable" use. I guess it even comes with one you can clip on your shirt or something.

After talking with Delphi I was told that I may or may not get reception, depending on "conditions". I was told that the reception always comes from the southern sky and depending on my direction of travel I could lose the signal. That doesn't sound very portable to me and I would hate to buy something that doesn't really give me better reception than the local AM station plus be locked in to the XM contract for a year.

Does anyone have any hands on experience with this model? They must be having problems because I was told they are coming out with a headphone mounted antenna next month, but this would lock me in to using their headphones, something that may not work as well for tractor or lawn mower use. Or... does it work a lot better than the tech rep wanted to admit to in case I might be in a bad area. Or maybe he was getting let go the end of the week. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sure seems like a neat gadget, though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ronjhall · May 13, 2005

I have a MiFi that I used on a trip out west. It worked great on my Astro Van. Only had problems around deep valleys and tunnels. Same places my FM radio had problems.
When using it on my tractor and lawnmower I have problems when close to a building that blocks the sky from the south. Because of this problem I use my MiFi with recorded music when mowing lawn. My WorkTunes head phones have similar reception problems when I get near either of my metal buildings. I like the recorded music feature very well. As for listening to sports programs while the southern sky is blocked, it will affect the reception. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Dargo · May 13, 2005

I bought mine in January at the NADA convention in New Orleans. It has been used almost every day since by either me or my wife or my kids. Outside it's internal antenna works fine. Inside you will have to use the indoor antenna that comes with it. It works fine even on the 1st floor of my 2 story brick home.

The outdoor "hat clip" antenna seems to be a joke. The 5 hour recording capability is great. Battery time seems pretty good as well. In the car, I always use the magnet antenna that goes on the top of the car. The FM transmitter built in comes on automatically if there isn't any headphones plugged in. You then just tune your car stereo to that channel and you are set. That makes it nice in the car. I don't have any problems with it at all. I went ahead and paid for 3 years of service in advance to save money on their service.

I had the advantage of having XM and Sirius booths right down the isle from each other and compared each for days. Sirius is supposed to come out with a portable unit sometime later this year. Also, in January, the Sirius people readily admitted that currently they have a lot less channels and they cost more. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I saw no reason to go with them after spending a couple of hours in each booth for the better part of a week. The only advantage I saw with Sirius was that they hired better looking models wearing less clothing to attract people to their booth. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I have no regrets at all about going with XM and the MyFi system.

Freds · May 14, 2005

Thanks guys. I guess satellite radio isn't as popular with the group as MP3 players and I appreciate your input.

I went ahead and ordered the MiFi from myradiostore.com. They have a "light" version that doesn't come with all the cradles, headphones and antennas. The AC power adapter/charger and battery come with the unit for around $99. I added a car charger, belt clip and magnetic antenna, that plugs directly into the radio, for a total of $169.96 with free shipping. I think I'll be happy with the setup and the after market antenna will be nice because I don't have to worry about an antenna that only plugs into the car or home cradle plus it is omni directional, so it should work better than the personal clip on antenna. That sounded like a joke to me, too. I can put this antenna on the hood of my tractor and the rear fender of my lawn tractor/mower, or whatever we decided they were called /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The reception can't be worse than what I get now, that's for sure! I think I even qualified for a free receiver from Delphi, they have some kind of special going on. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Moon · May 16, 2005

( Thanks guys. I guess satellite radio isn't as popular with the group as MP3 players and I appreciate your input.
)

Maybe your just ahead of the curve. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
My 'WorkTunes' headset is not working and I'm just starting to look for other alternatives. My boy put a satellite receiver in the truck, so now I'm hooked. If I could get a portable that would work while tractoring as well as work in our car and boat ....that would be GREAT. It sounds like the unit you've found will do just that. I'd be interested in what you think of it after you've used it a bit.

Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

Freds · May 16, 2005

I'll let you know, Moon.
I hope to have it this week, so if signing up with XM isn't a big hassle... I should be having satellite beams directed at my head shortly. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ronjhall · May 16, 2005

so if signing up with XM isn't a big hassle... 
Signing up using the Internet took only a few minutes. My MiFi started working in about 10 minutes. Hope you have a high speed connection. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Freds · May 19, 2005

( I'd be interested in what you think of it after you've used it a bit. )

Moon, I think.... how did I ever do without this! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I lifted the magnetic antenna of of my tractor's fender this morning and walked into my office and didn't even lose the signal! I drove around a little bit with it last night in my Durango. The MyFi will transmit over your FM radio when the frequencies are tuned in to one another (simple task) and it sounds great and never lost the signal. I had the mag antenna out the drivers window and stuck on the roof. The local sports station was broadcasting the ball game and I tuned in to ESPN radio and was a happy camper. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It's got my vote for someone like myself that doesn't like to mess around with recording and wants a lot of listening options in one unit.

Moon · May 19, 2005

Sounds good ...all except for the magnetic antenna. Do you have to put it out on the roof of your car to get a signal? In the truck my boy installed a flimsy wire up by the rear window (inside) and it works okay.
Are there other antenna options for the car?

So, for using it on the tractor, in the car and on the boat ...do I need the 300 buck package or would the 100 buck one do just fine?

Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

Freds · May 19, 2005

Unless you can keep the face of the radio facing the southern sky, you will need some kind of antenna, but since I was getting a signal indoors, apparently through a large window in that room, I am guessing it doesn't have to be stuck on the roof of your car, but that's where it is recommended. It's only about 1-1/4" square and 1/2" thick. You might be able to rest it on the dash...
The entire kit, which can be had for a lot less than $300 btw, comes with enough antennas that you can permanently stick them somewhere and hide the wires, but they will only plug into the cradles that hold the radio. I found that the radio sits quite nicely in the hand grip on the arm rest, the antenna wire goes out the door and the whole thing can be tossed in the glovebox when I park. For tractorin' I used the belt clip that I ordered with it.