For those of you that are not famililar with the MyFi, it is the first truly portable XM satellite radio. It is a cross between a walkman and an iPod. It is exciting for those who are interested, but I have had some usability concerns since I first heard rumors of the device.
This review sums up what my concerns/fears were regarding the MyFi. Basically, there are limits as to how well this device will work. Everyone that has used Satellite Radio in there car knows that from time to time, the signal will fade in and out. Using a portable device with a smaller internal antenna, just simply is not going to work as well as satellite radio in your car or home.
The Good:
Using the the internal antenna, I was able to receive broadcasts while walking around Manhattan, sitting in a pizza parlor, riding in a taxi and sitting in my office. To aid reception, XM plans to include a wearable antenna, but I didn't get one with my test unit.
The Bad:
Reception was spottier out in the northern New Jersey suburbs where I live. I could get a signal in my family room, but only after connecting an external antenna and struggling to find an ideal spot by a window. Even then, the signal faded in and out. Reception proved even more challenging in my basement office.At such times, you might be tempted to rename the device NoFi.
The Ugly:
But to ease any irritation, XM came up with a TiVo-like time-shifting feature called My MyFi. It lets you store and play back up to five hours of programming that you recorded in up to two separate sessions. Minor Major nuisance: For this to work, the radio must be docked in a supplied "home stand."
So not only does this device only recorrd two separate sessions to make up the 5 total hours, it only works if you have it in a "home stand". Doesn't that defeat the purpose?
Now I will cut the MyFi some slack as it is a cutting edge device, but I would recommend waiting for the MyFi2 which will hopefully be a lot more useable.
You can read the full article here: Satellite radio in the palm of your hand
Article comments
1 - debbie
All of the reviews I can find regarding this device involve testing in Manhattan and NJ areas. Has anyone in the Chicago area tested it for reception?
2 - Taken Aback
I've read more spotty reports from people in the suburbs, and the heartland, as cities like NYC have local building mounted "repeaters" which are like cell towers, but less noticable.
The locaation of repeaters seem to be a corporate secret for some reason, but if you're near one, you've lucked out on reception.
If you are in a small town etc, then you have to count on satellite reception, and that means adjusting your antenna (like satellite TV) so it's in line with the nearest satellite. There's a setup menu on the myfi that will adjust it even firther for lattitude etc.
For more help, go to http://www.xm411.com to get specifics.
If you can't afford a Myfi check out http://www.freemyfi.info for another option.
Good luck!
3 - Andrew
You can record on the go. It's just when you want to schedule a recording that it has to be in the cradle. If you want to record with it while your in a walk thats fine, you just can't schedule it to do it automatically. you have to manually select "2go" and then hit the button once more. and boom it's recording.