0ur opinion:

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The sleek Sportster4 includes SlRlUS Replay, advanced sports features, a large, easy-to-read display, rotary tuning knob and moves easily between your car, home or boombox with universal docking capability.

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Get in the game with the plug-and-play Sirius Sportster 4 satellite radio receiver, which sports a new slim profile while still maintaining the same great features for which the Sportster series is known. Just like other Sirius-compatible receivers, the Sportster 4 offers a large, easy-to-read display, a rotary tuning knob, and accessible buttons, but now moves seamlessly into your car, home, or boombox. More significantly, the Sportster 4 maximizes the listening experience of Sirius radio's broad sports lineup, with the ability to decode the incoming Sirius digital-quality signal from more than 120 music, news, and sports channels. lt's also easily transportable, and thanks to the bundled car kit, lets you listen to your favorite satellite radio programs while driving.

An easy-to-read, six-line display tells you the channel name and number, category, artist name, song title, and time simultaneously. The receiver also lets you program up to 30 presets of your favorite streams, as well as search by stream, artist name, song title, or category. And with a quick press of the 0ne-Touch Jump button, you can instantly switch between the traffic and weather reports for your city or any of the other music, news, or entertainment channels. 0ther programming details include an S-Seek function that stores your favorite artists and songs and alerts you when one is playing on any of the music channels, direct station tuning via the numeric buttons, and a channel lock option. Time functions, meanwhile, include an onscreen clock, alarm, and sleep timer, as well as a program alert that allows the unit to switch to a preprogrammed stream at a selected time.

The Sportster 4 really earns its stripes, however, with its variety of enhanced features designed specifically for sports lovers. The Game Alert feature prompts you when your favorite NFL or other sports teams are playing on Sirius. The Game Zone lists all of your favorite teams in one virtual category and lets you select a different team from each of the various sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and college sports. And what sports fan could do without the Sportster's instant replay function, which lets you pause, rewind, and replay 44 minutes of live radio? As soon as you tune to a channel, the receiver automatically begins storing the audio for later playback.

The Sportster 4 also includes a built-in FM transmitter that sends Sirius radio programming to your vehicle's FM tuner, so you don't have to make a direct connection to enjoy the full array of channels. Simply set an empty FM frequency on your radio and tune the Sportster 4 to the same frequency. This function also works with other FM tuners, such as the one on your home stereo, but is easily paired with the car thanks to the bundled vehicle kit, which includes everything you need for listening to Sirius while driving. Components include a vehicle docking station, a suction cup mount, a vent mount, a DC power supply that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter, a roof-mount antenna, and mounting hardware.

Sirius satellite radio is a subscription service that provides more than 120 channels of programming, from digital-quality music to news, talk, and sports. lt is available only in the lower 48 states--not in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories. The Sportster 4, which measures 4.5 by 2.9 by 0.6 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
Sportster 4 satellite radio receiver, wireless remote control, lithium battery, vehicle docking station, roof-mount antenna, suction cup mount, vent mount, cigarette lighter power adapter, mounting hardware, installation guide, Sirius channel information card, user's manual.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Don't buy if you need the FM transmitter!!!!! ...
I had an older model $20 starmate that someone smashed my window and took. I was very satisfied with my Sirius subscription so I decided to splurge a little and get a better model. Unfortunately, I have a factory stereo so I don't have an audio-in jack and I must rely solely on FM. This thing is nearly COMPLETELY WORTHLESS using FM transmission. How I pine for my lost starmate! I live in the middle of nowhere and have a wide open band but there is still annoying static even though I have started carrying the thing in my lap using myself as an antenna. It doesn't work on ANY channel - not one. To me it is a $200 doorstop.

BTW: I notice my pre-FCC ban starmate radio is being sold for $50 and more on eBay now. One of them is probably mine.

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Buyer's feedback: - Awesome Satellite Receiver
I could not be more satisfied with this sirius receiver. Easy to use...good looks...it get complimented anytime someone sits in the car. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a good satellite service and receiver. Mike

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Buyer's feedback: - * haven't listened to regular radio since ...
I have owned my sirius Sportster 4 for about a year now and I love it. I never get in my truck without turning it on. The variety of shows and music to listen to blow regular radio out of the water. I have only two gripes about this radio. First one is that the reception has some dead spots, but those last less than a couple of seconds. The second is that when there is a lot of lightning or electrical activity in the clouds, the reception is a little hit or miss. I don't blame the radio so much as I blame the fact that Satelite radio is still developing. Remember that DirectTV had the same issues and now they are number 1.

If you live in the city, you may need to get the wired FM relay adapter. I live in Miami and there are very few radio stations that are not being used in some way on my way to and from work. This relay essentially turns off your car's antenna and lets the Sirius receiver come in loud and clear.

Anyway...I love my radio. It's the only thing I listen to. I highly recommend this one to anyone that is looking for an alternative to regular radio.

***UPDATE***
Sitting in the drivethrough at Mcdonalds I noticed a little round spot on the front of the cradle...after taking a dental pick to the rubber plug...I discovered an auxilary input...Eureka!!!
An adapter to have an auxilary input wired into a factory radio will cost you about the same as this entire kit...now I have somewhere to plug my ipod into. My wife has the Sirius S50 and her's also has an auxilary input on the rear side of the cradle. Definetly adds value if your looking for other ways to enhance your commute!

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Buyer's feedback: - Love this Radio!!!!
I had a two year old Starmate, that my husband bought for me and I liked it. I wanted a few more features so I upgraded to the Sportster 4 and I love it. I bought the radio and the hardwire kit and my husband hooked it up for me. If you don't have someone who can do it for you, most of your electroic stores can hook you up.(i.e. Best Buy, Circuit City) It sounds awesome in my Honda Odyssey! I also use it at work and have set it up to play our hold music and plays through out our office. I am the office manager for a doctor and our patients ask all the time what station we are listening too. We love it! I love the Traffic Weather feature-when you hit the button it doesn't switch till the traffic and weather are playing for your city. This one is much easier to tune than my old Starmate. Love it!!

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Buyer's feedback: - * P.O.J. ...
I agree with the majority of the reviews. The FM transmission is totally unusable in my area, even with the FM extender cable. Unfortunately my Prius radio doesn't have a compatible hookup or I'd wire it directly. I've tried two of these radios, in case there was a manufacturing flaw, but no luck. I did receive a free month for my trouble; I just wish I could hear the free service.

Another fun Sirius experience to share: I called technical support (Tues Oct 16) and their customer service person got agitated and hung up on me. Be sure to take note of who is helping you so you can assist their career growth by giving feedback to their manager.

I am going back to my tried and true dinosaur JVC KT SR1000 for now.