CNET had the lucky opportunity to review the Sirius Stiletto, and overall they gave it an 8.0 (out of 10) rating. That's not a bad rating, especially since this is Sirius' first attempt at a live portable.
Read the review (plus video) for yourself.
While CNET found the Stiletto "intriguing" and packed with features, they also found it to be bulky and weren't impressed with the battery life. Also on the video, they refer to the antenna-headphones to be "kind of dorky" and "very uncomfortable." They loved the interface though.
Highlights -
The good: The Sirius Stiletto 100 can stream online content via built-in Wi-Fi, record live satellite songs, and be used as an MP3/WMA player with subscription compatibility. You can pause and replay live streams, the GUI is intuitive and fun to use, the main controller is well designed, and it comes with two batteries.
The bad: The Sirius Stiletto 100 design is a bit chunky; you're limited to less than 1GB of MP3 or WMA music; the antenna headphones are uncomfortable; its USB port is proprietary; Wi-Fi does not support 802.11a/g; audio quality when using Wi-Fi isn't top rate; rated battery life for live radio isn't stellar; pricey.
I'm surprised they gave it an 8 out of 10 since it seems to me the negatives are pretty noticable:
"...but you'll get the best reception using the antenna headphones, which, by the way, are stiff and incredibly uncomfortable."
That's a bad thing. I live in an area with no repeaters, so I'd probably have to use the ugly and uncomfortable headphones. I'm not prepared to blow $400+ dollars on a live portable that potentially gets spotty reception.
"While it works only with 802.11b networks, the feature works well."
That's great and all, but why the built-in limitation? Why not 802.11G? Which has been around for years and has better range.
"The My Sirius Studio software is necessary to transfer MP3s and WMAs to the Stiletto (transfer times are on the slow side)."
Ugh. Proprietary 1st gen software. That ALWAYS works soooo well. Additionally, they don't mention if it's Mac-compatible, but looking at Sirius' less-than-stellar track record with technology in general, and their treatment of Mac users as second class citizens, I'd bet not. (I don't think the Yahoo music store is Mac-compatible, but who really gives a shit about that, anyway?) They mention slow transfer time and that's because the Stiletto uses USB 1.0. Why not USB 2?? It's hardly exotic technology. Again, for $400+ dollars, I don't think that's asking too much.
Ultimately, as has been mentioned here before, it should just work. There should be no burden on the user to operate this thing, but that seems to be a shortcoming of Satellite Radio in general. Until using this (or any Satellite radio) is as transparent as turning on a transistor radio, Satellite radio will be held back.
I'll say this much, it appears with the Stiletto as if Sirius is at least trying. I won't replace my P.O.S. Audiovox PNP-Whatever (good naming convention there, by the way...) with it, but at least I'm not utterly disgusted with the effort, like I was with the S50, which is a rip-off.
"The My Sirius Studio software is necessary to transfer MP3s and WMAs to the Stiletto (transfer times are on the slow side)."
This is not true. I use the included Yahoo! Music Juke Box software with the Stiletto.
An "Excellent" rating from C/NET is impressive. How many other satellite radio products fared as well?
the Pioneer INNO received a 7.7.
if you read the SkyFi3 and Stiletto review, he comments Sirius SQ sounds better to him.
Per CNETS review, the Stiletto is better than the INNO, and Sirius' SQ sounds better than XM's SQ.
Oh, get over it, Rich.
CNET reviews this stuff and tries it for a couple of hours. If you want to know what people REALLY think, check out the complaint list at SBS.
If you want to know what actual users think, look at the users reviews.
"If you want to know what actual users think"
I have owned and used the Stiletto for a month now and agree with the Senior Editor of CNET on his professional review of the Stiletto with very few minor exceptions that relate to cosmetics and the included Yahoo! Music Juke Box software.
You forgot to link us to the "complaint list". Let me help you to SiriusBackstage's Stiletto thread: http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=48
BTW, how long have you had the Stiletto to be offering opinions?
For what it's worth, it's the highest rating for a portable satellite radio.
to be fair rich, it is a place to offer opinions. i think the cosmetics are fine and mike has some good points and i share his frustrations. i also agree that sirius finally has a fucking portable. i would never pay this much for one however. you better get satellite tv with this little fucker before i pay 400 bones.
i'm one of the suckers who overpaid for the s50. i did find the executive boom box in best buy for only $99; which is about $150 off its regular holy shit rip off price. show me a $150 portable and i'll take it.
Stackpointer, to be fair...
anyone that wants to see all the bad reviews about the INNO and Helix can check out XM411 and XMfan. these reviews are from users who have owned the radio's for 6+ months.
there many many pages to keep you occupied for days.
enjoy!
Ill be honest, im an XM sub and have an INNO and I love it. I am too suprised that they gave the Stilleto an 8 out of 10. Cnet hangs products out to dry for small issues (especially price) and the list of issues the had for this unit was pretty big.
If you look at the INNO review (7.7 out of 10) and look at the "the bad" section, you will see the specs still beating the stiletto in batery life and around the same storage. But the main kicker is how big this damn unit is. Its HUUUGE compaerd to the INNO.
Im not knocking the Stiletto, as I am more of a fan of electronics then the XM or Sirius war, but 8 does seem pretty high for a CNet review considering the performance gripes with this unit. I wanna see what PC Magazine givies it as they are pretty strict on their reviews too.
It's around the same storage? mrFancyPants, you are biased. An extra 50 hours of storage does not equal "around the same storage."
My bad, I messed up. I saw "you're limited to less than 1GB of MP3 or WMA music" and thought it was only one gig like the Inno, which in fact it is 2 gigs, and only half can be used for MP3 (Also like INNO.
Are you happy Jeff? Didnt mean to hurt your feelings. Still, based on the Cnet review, (and I stress that point because I dont have a Stiletto) Im suprised it pulled an 8/10 and id be interested in seeing if other outlets rates it the same.
I'm biased as a Sirius lover.
There has not been one review or report out that slams this tasty unit. The INNO was dashed by the WSJ. I doubt if the Journal will do anything other than pee themselves with delight.
My feelings were so hurt when you said "around the same storage." I was bawling.
Sorry Rich, I had my Stiletto for 3 and a half weeks, about as long as I could keep it and still return it. I tried to work with it but it's a POS and doesn't work anywhere. The WiFi sucks as does the regular antenna. I also have a Helix which gets reception anywhere, including inside where I live. The Stiletto I had to go into an open field just to get activated. The sound quality on WiFi is terrible. I tried it and returned it. W/O the home/car kits it's useless. As a portable it's useless. Maybe next time.