I still cant believe that Sirius hasn't given you a review unit. Type in "sirius stiletto" into Google and guess what you get?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=sirius+
stiletto&btnG=Google+Search

I'm very pleased with the device, I've used it outside my house while gardening. I usually use the Wi-Fi cloud coming from my house, though. Haven't had a use for those other headphones yet.

Strange review. I have had a Stiletto since they first shipped. I am amazed by the cool menu and all of the different recording options. Size is excellent, smaller than my Blackberry. Guess if you are a hard core IPOD guy nothing measures up but this thing is so much more than an IPOD can be. Live music, sports, talk, news and recording of all. IPOD is very limited to just the stuff that's free, stuff you buy and stuff you steal. Bulky antenna headphones are a bit uncomfortable but worth it to hear live instead of repeat the same stuff on your MP3 over and over again. Guys entitled to his opinion but he seems to have a bias against the product with his followup brick story.

The inherent problem with any sat portable is reception. If you expect perfect reception, you will be disappointed. The issue is your tolerance level for signal drops.

If you read through the many reviews of the XM portables (Inno/Helix) and Stiletto, you get this (at least, I do):

1. Reception without antenna headphones: depends on repeaters. The XM units probably fare better due to the repeater network.

2. Reception with the antenna headphones: better for both, and increased with more repeaters. Without considering the repeaters, probably close; XM may have the edge because of repeaters. However, with the antenna headphones, reception is much better for both (and you don't have to worry about holding the unit in a certain orientation...or at all).

3. Reception with Wifi: Exclusive to the Stiletto at this point. The reviews are mixed -- for those who can access a public wifi signal, the reviews are very good; the intangible is the limited places you can use it. Many reviewers love the fact that they can stream their own network to the Stiletto to their back yard or within their house where the Sirius sats signal is a problem. For me, this would be the bigger upside to WiFi. Those who are able to use the WiFi in public places seem pleased, but the use may be limited. My guess is XM, and other music devices, will move towards WiFi. While the Stiletto's WiFi may not solve all reception issues, it certainly works and Sirius should be applauded for including it.

Bottom line -- with a portable sat radio, know the limitations going in. I have been thrilled with my XM Helix and am lucky enough to live an area where reception is not a problem at all.

I think this review says it all. Every problem I had with the stiletto is in here. From the poor sounding WiFi to the non-existent reception from the antenna, to it's bulky design. I may live in an area w/xm repeater towers as my Helix works wonders and I don't need any awful antenna headphones to get a signal. But living in a major city I was really disappointed in the lack of a signal in the same area for this product. Certainly not portable, and the battery life is terrible. Looks pretty is about all I can say about this. I get better portable reception on my original MyFi. Kept this for a little over three weeks hoping I could work with it but it just is a bad product.

"IPOD is very limited to just the stuff that's free, stuff you buy and stuff you steal."

First off, it's not IPOD. Nor is one of the satrad companies SIRIUS, and after breakfast you don't eat LUNCH.

Now, explain how the iPod is 'very limited' by only playing music that is free, purchased or stolen? That's like me saying my car is limited because it can only drive on grass, dirt and pavement.

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that the iPod is only limited by it's inability to play live content?

That's a shame - my Inno has problems, but nothing like what this thing does.

I thought maybe it was a case of a 'fanboy' being more harsh than someone who didn't have a vested interest, but reading PFreak's comments, I guess not.

Still a very new technology. Sucks being an early adopter, don't it?

Interesting that the reviewer complains about home and car reception but didn't use a home or car kit - kind of a useless review actually...

I have 2 friends that have it and they absolutely love it. However, I had the money, I went to best buy but opted for the video Ipod instaed. I don't know why...I guess I am absolutely happy with my Starmate and Sirius ready car stereo.

I respect the review and reviewer though it doesn't look anyhting like 85% of the reviews I have read from others. In the end, it is-what it is. Let's find out if the 100 is a stinker, or if this review is/was.

Honestly, after trying one out for a few days myself, I can agree with some, but not all, of the things said here.

Battery life is the biggest gripe there is, period. Four hours simply doesn't cut it for a portable anymore.

A car kit or home kit are mandatory if you want to do any kind of long-term channel recording. It is quite silly not to include one in the package for $349. I suspect Sirius will be offering one for free or after mail-in-rebate for the holidays.

As far as reception, iband is spot-on. Satellite is satellite, and line-of-site rules all. There is virtually no difference between XM and Sirius portables in terms of reception.

The Wifi is a excellent addition, although the sound quality is quite horrible for music. Upgrading to the SIR stream for an extra $3 is almost mandatory. Kind of a bummer.

I disagree with the size gripe. The Stiletto is barely larger than an iPod. Don't be fooled by the "brick" mentality here, and the selector wheel is very nice.

The antenna headphones do sound quite bad and really are uncomfortable (so are the XM ones). I would recommend a better quality pair if reception isn't an issue in your area.

If I have to rate the Stiletto from 1-10, I'd give it a 6. Which is a huge improvement over the S50.

"The antenna headphones do sound quite bad and really are uncomfortable (so are the XM ones)."

Your nuts. The INNO earbuds rule. If your reffering to the Belkin antenna headphones, sold seperatly, then thats a different story. The point is most reviews say if you dont wear the SIRIUS antenna headphones then its almost impossible to get clear reception. I dont even own antenna headphones for my INNO and I get pretty decent reception without them.

My wife just bought the Stiletto 100. Nice in concept, but sucky in reality. And, it all boils down to reception.

We live in the Midwest -- Smack in the middle of what is theoretically the best place for Sirius reception. If we're lucky, we can get 1 or 2 (out of 3) bars, but a dropout *always* occurs after a few minutes. The WiFi audio sounds lousy, and the unit does not automatically switch between Sat and WiFi depending on signal availability (why on Earth wouldn't it be designed that way?!?). It has to be switched manually. Is that so hard? Not really. Is it a pain? Very much so.

The crux of Sirius' reception problems is that their satellites "move" relative to us. Find a hot spot for reception and it will become a cold spot after a few minutes, guaranteed. I imagine the Stiletto would work well if I am perched like a pidgeon atop the highest point of our roof.

I agree, the Stiletto is garbage. Doesn't work in or out of my house. I bought it thinking it would work great on the train ride to DC, NOT! but once I get to Union Station and my job it works perfect, but I'm still getting rid of it, I won't by another similar product unless it's 95% usuable. My advice, save your money - get an iPod

I bought the Stiletto 10 for Xmas and I really like it. I live in a medium size city (Sacramento) and with the car kit, I have perfect sound, all the time. When I'm at work, on the 3rd floor of a building, the repeaters provide a strong signal and I only have reception problems when someone runs the microwave in the cubicle next to mine.

I have it record programs while I'm in meetings, then I listen to them later. If you are listening to recorded content, the battery life is great. I ran over 4 hrs on the slim battery.

No satellite technology (GPS, Satellite phone or radio)will receive well while you are in a building, unless there is a repeater near by. The reason for this is that satellites send out a very weak signal. So you need a good antenna to focus the signal along with a clear view of the sky. I'd imagine most of the problems in this list would be solved if people had realistic expectations. Satellite radio doesn't broadcast with the same strength as FM.

What satellite does offer is a way to listen to the same channel on a 6hr drive down to LA. Or, to listen to it while at work when you are in range of a repeater. I've used it on a boat, fly fishing and skiing and driving. I'll try it with a solar powered charger this summer while backpacking, and I'll let you know how it works.

It isn't reasonable to expect this radio to work well while you are walking in and out of a mall, or using it inside your car without a car kit. After all, your car is made of metal and glass that reflects signals.

If you want to get this radio, have a reasonable expectation of what the technology can offer. It has fantastic possiblities over normal radio, and the content is second to none.

I'm not endorsing one of the services over the other, I'm simply trying to let people who might buy this unit know what they can expect.

Dan