Buying a Sirius

[seanc85]

I have decided with the new NFL season upon us that i am going to sign up for Sirius so i have the opportunity to catch games i would otherwise miss.
Looking at the current offerings the main options seem to be the Sportser 4 and the Starmate 4. Can someone with experience tell me what i would be losing if i opt for the cheaper Starmate 4? Also, what features does the stratus lack that makes it so much cheaper?

I plan to use it in the car (hard wire, i've seen the complaints about the FM transmitter), and also with my home theater.

Sportster 4

Starmate 4

Stratus

 

[FoBoT]

i have had two different XM radios, go with something that has more lines of text

the bigger display is worth it to me

 

[seanc85]

the sprtster and starmate both have a 5 line display
the sportster seems slightly taller but not enough to justify ~$25 more

the stratus is smaller 3-line but im assuming theres more differences with an almost $50 price difference

thanks for the input

 

[vi edit]

Stratus doesn't have the "replay" function that the other two do. Can't say that it would be something that I would ever use or consider a make or break function.

 

[James Bond]

Sportster 5 is coming out soon:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...5-dock-and-play-radio/

 

[franksta]

I have the Starmate 2. I've used it at home hard-wired into my home theater and as well as in the car using the FM transmitter. The only thing I don't like about it is that it runs really hot.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Stiletto 100

And nothing else will do. From an S50 owner. I cant imagine owning one that didnt let you record content.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: Tizyler
Sportster 5 is coming out soon:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...5-dock-and-play-radio/

Finally... A full size Sirius radio with a display that isn't hideous to look at!

 

[aphex]

Welcome to the family!

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: Tizyler
Sportster 5 is coming out soon:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...5-dock-and-play-radio/

Wow, that's very nice!

 

[seanc85]

Originally posted by: TheAdvocate
Stiletto 100

And nothing else will do. From an S50 owner. I cant imagine owning one that didnt let you record content.

Thanks for the response, but i really have no interest in the stiletto for several reasons

first, and most important, it is about double what im willing to spend
also, i have no need or desire for a portable device, nor one that records
neither of these features is worth the extra ~$100
and the reviews are 50/50 at best

thanks for all the responses so far
unless i find a compelling reason that the sportster is better im probably ordering the starmate tomorrow

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I've been very happy with my first-gen Starmate Replay, which I've had for almost two years. I like the replay function - it's nice to be able to pause shows when the phone rings. I would think this would be less critical if I mainly listened to music (I am a fanatical Stern fan). As for the differences between the models, I think form factor is the deciding difference - the Starmate fits snugly on my console on the near side of the shifter, and I don't think a Sportster would have fit.