Delphi MyFi XM2Go Portable Satellite Receiver Review

Introduction:

Out for well over a year now, the Delphi MyFi XM2Go portable satellite receiver is one of the first portable satellite products ever produced and offers the ability to listen to over 130 XM Satellite Radio channels coast to coast. For those times when the receiver itself cannot pick up a satellite signal, external components as well as the ability to record XM programming for later on the go enjoyment are designed to fill the gap. Does this new technology deliver on its promises?

Pros:

• Ability to record XM programming for later listening.
• Integrated satellite radio antenna.
• Large number of included accessories.

Cons:

• Low battery life.
• Bland design.
• Sub-standard included headphones.

How It Looks:

The Delphi MyFi XM2Go portable satellite receiver comes in a somewhat oblong shape, measuring 4.5 inches long by 2.8 inches wide and with a depth of 1.2 inches. The player weighs a solid 7.2 ounces and has a large, illuminated six-line LCD display. Controls lining the curved sides include a power button, a dial which can rotate or be pushed in for viewing and selecting on screen menu options, an antenna jack for use with an external satellite radio antenna, a headphone jack and a universal connector for hooking up to home and auto interfaces.

Many of the rest of the MyFi controls exist as a series of buttons below the LCD. These include a button for recording XM content for later on the go listening, a button for changing between live and recorded XM programming, arrow buttons for moving through XM channel categories or changing recorded XM songs, a button for changing between presets and direct channel input and number keys for entering a channel directly or selecting a preset and volume up/down.

The palm-sized MyFi has a silver finish on the top and grey on the sides and bottom. The overall look is not overly exciting and looks to be designed for functionality over form. It feels solid when being held in one hand and is definitely in the realm of portability.

The MyFi also comes with a remarkable wide array of included accessories. See the list at the end of this review for more details.

How Well It Works:

Audio:

As with any portable audio device, sound is an important factor to consider. In the case of the Delphi MyFi, live audio played on various XM channels was clear and crisp for the most part when out in the open. There was some occasional static however as I moved around with the satellite receiver in hand. Indoors, the signal definitely dropped if I wasn’t near a window or with an antenna attached to the MyFi (the internal antenna is not as strong alone and not as well suited for strict indoor usage). One should consider this however in the same breath as the last sentence – it is the nature of satellite based communications in general to have some interference issues when operated indoors without an external antenna. Certain metropolitan areas, such as New York, will also have “repeaters” which broadcast the signal locally to provide for better reception.

Recording XM radio, which is a big feature XM and Delphi tout for those times when you either want to listen to a show later or you record programming because you know you’ll be in an area with poor satellite reception, was a snap to do. Two presses of the “2go” button recorded me several songs worth of material. The sound was about as clear as if you were listening live.

A nice bonus feature is the ability to use the side dial to scroll through an on screen list of everything you’ve recorded. This comes in particularly helpful if you’ve recorded a full five hours of content and want quickly access an ESPN recap of last night’s ball game.

Other useful features to note in regards to the audio features of the MyFi include the ability to broadcast live or recorded programming over your FM radio through an integrated FM transmitter, a “time-shift” aspect of the recording function which allows one to schedule recording at a specific time (provided the MyFi is attached to the home stand and antenna accessories, plugged in and turned off) and a selection of home, car and wearable antennas to help boost the receiving signal in various environments.