HELLA 5750941 500FF Series 12-Volt/55-Watt Halogen Driving Lamp Kit (Fun Cubed)

I installed these lights on a Saab 900SE next to a set of KC Pencil Beam driving lights. While they are not the quality of the KC lights, they are nevertheless reasonable quality and VERY good value for the money.

Install was typical no easier or harder than installing any other brand.

Light output with 55 watt bulbs is EXCELLENT with a TIGHT, LONG RANGE BEAM. Not quite as focused as the KCs but there isn't much in it -and the light output seems as bright as the KCs with 100 watt bulbs.

Because the housing is plastic I have not run the Hella's with 100 watt or 130 watt bulbs, I may give it a try during the winter.

For me the wiring harness was a little light -especially since I commonly use 100 watts bulbs, but so long as you use a relay to switch the lights and keep the runs short it will be more than adequate but I'm an "overkill" type when it comes to wiring so I replaced the harnesses with #12 Tefzel (aircraft) wire for each light and everything is relay switched with very short cable runs.

I would certainly buy them again and will probably replace the KCs with the Hellas next time a rock takes them out. The Hella kit with two lights cost less than one replacement lens for the KC

Summary Excellent lighting, fair quality construction, great value for money.

I bought these to replace the factory fog lamps on my wifes 2004 Subaru Forester, which were trashed from 130K of hard use. Had to do some "creative engineering" to get them to fit into the holes in the front bumper but they came out great! The wiring instructions are a little bit hard to follow and mt lights didn't include them in the package (downloaded the PDF ) Once I puzzled them out the wiring harness is well thought out and made installing the light pretty bomb-proof. I highly recommend these for daily, on-road use.

Buy HELLA 5750941 500FF Series 12-Volt/55-Watt Halogen Driving Lamp Kit (Fun Cubed) Now

Ok, the 500FF driving lights are a good design in how it projects the light in front of the vehicle. I have been driving with Hellas in both my cars and 4x4s since 1985. They make damn good driving lights both on and off-road. I say that the 500s in stock form do a nice job in the city. However, if you do any off-roading and these are the only auxilary lights you have then I would recommend upgrading the bulbs to a 100W or 130W. Of course the modification will make them unusable in city driving.

Personally I have adopted these as fog lights with crystal ion fog bulbs from PIAA. The PIAA bulbs and Hella 500s are a perfect match and work great in snow and dense fog. I don't like the conventional fog lights because the light pattern spreads too much light above the hood which is not needed.

I have a FJ Cruiser with a grill guard where these puppies are mounted on the lower crossmember close to the ground. This is the best place for them. However, the pair of 500s are not enough to illuminate the back roads of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I drive at night. If you want to get excellent illumination I HIGHLY recommend the Hella Rallye 4000s with the Hella 130W optional bulbs. I have these mounted above the 500s on the top crossmember of the brush guard (same height as the factory headlights) . When you turn the 4000s on at night I will guarantee you that you will see EVERYTHING in front of the vehicle to 1/2 mile!

Read Best Reviews of HELLA 5750941 500FF Series 12-Volt/55-Watt Halogen Driving Lamp Kit (Fun Cubed) Here

I recently installed these on the grill guard on my '99 Suburban, and they are awesome. This mounting puts them a bit above the bumper and in the center of the truck, right in front of the grill. From this vantage point, they have a great beam pattern, with a very long tube of light that extends a long way down the road, which still having a good sturdy mount with an unobstructed view of the road, while still being somewhat protected by the grill guard assembly. They throw light a very long distance and wide enough to cover the road "down range", which is exactly what driving lights are supposed to do.

Take the time to adjust the aim properly and make sure you have a sturdy mount. Any shaking is very apparent when the light is illuminating the road 1/2+ mile away. As for aim, when using driving lights, the goal is to get the light down-range and not right in front of you. Your eyes will adjust so you can see items further out, and any bright spots on the pavement right in front of you will can become very distracting and hinder your long-range visibility. Some folks perceive this as the area immediately in front of the vehicle as being "too dark" and try to aim the lamps lower to compensate. Don't do this. Get the adjustment right so that light goes down range without illuminating the sky instead of the road. These lights are supposed to be used when you are on high beams, not for normal around town driving, so adjust them as such. I have these wired to come on with my high beams, and they work great that way. It does however, mean that the person who cuts me off and get high-beamed is in for a shock I might give the back of their head a suntan. :-)

Be prepared for any reflective signage to be very bright when these lights are on, especially signs that are normally out of the range of your normal headlights. These lights are bright enough to really catch the reflective coatings on road signs and the signs will at first appear unnaturally bright. This is goodness because it lets you see signs very far in advance of what you normally can, but depending on the roads you drive and your specific vehicle mounting, there may be a few signs you find that are capable of reflecting a lot of light back at you, especially the yellow diamond signs found on lots of secondary roads. This is nothing wrong with the driving lights, just something I was not quite prepared for when upgrading the very low-output factory lighting on my '99 Suburban...

I used my own custom switch, relay, and wiring setup, so I can't comment on the wiring kit that comes with these lights. It looks like a reasonable wiring setup and has good instructions if you are used to doing any wiring. I just wanted a more custom install on my rig with switches that were better integrated into my dashboard and to use a custom wiring harness to drive all of my improved lighting (fog lights, driving lights, relay kit on factory headlamps, and extra back-up lights) without having a mess of wiring all over the place. For just adding one set of lights, the wiring kit that comes with these lights should be just fine.

Want HELLA 5750941 500FF Series 12-Volt/55-Watt Halogen Driving Lamp Kit (Fun Cubed) Discount?

With the stock 55W bulb, the light is a bit dim, however they are cheap, seem well constructed and serve their purpose. Im planning in changing the bulbs to 100W, i've seen some and are way brighter.

Save 29% Off

Baofeng UV5RA Ham Two Way Radio 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band Transceiver (Black)

• More Stubborn Case, More Rich and Enhanced Features
• Frequency Range: 136-174 / 400-480MHz; 25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable
• 128 Channels 50 CTCSS and 104 CDCSS; Channel Step: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25KHz
• Dual-Band Display, Dual Frequency Display, Dual-Standby; A/B band independent operation
• Comes with all necessary accessories, backed up by 12 Months Seller Warranty

If you compare the Baofeng UV-5R to the latest offerings from Icom, Yaesu, and Kenwood, you wouldn't think it's a 5-star radio. But when you look at the price they're asking for the UV-5R, 5 stars hardly seems enough. This is a fantastic value. For under forty-five bucks you get a pocket-sized dual band radio, complete with earphone/mike and a desktop drop-in charger. Heck, Icom gets almost as much as this radio sells for just for the charger! NOt enough? It'll also cover FMRS and GMRS frequencies, receive the FM broadcast band, and there's even a built in flashlight!

So you've got to figure there's a catch, right? And there is: Programming this radio from the front panel is a royal pain in the caboose. After studying helpful web pagesnot the manufacturer's manualI'm now comfortable programming single frequencies and repeater offsets in, but I still don't seem to be able to put the in memory properly. The manufacturer supplies a program that's supposed to make programming easier, but the word is that it's as confusing as the front panel controls.

Luckily there's a fix. A group of dedicated hams have created a program called CHIRP that's available for Windows, OSX, and Linux that's as easy to use as a spreadsheet. Just type in the frequencies, offsets, CTSS, comments, etc., and hit upload. Unfortunately Amazon doesn't allow web links in reviews but you can find it by googling CHIPS and UV-5R. You'll also need the USB Programming Cable for BAOFENG UV-5R UV-3R+ Two way Radio With Driver CD to connect the radio to your computer, too. If you're interested in learning more about this radio before your order one, a good place to start is the user reference at miklor dot com slash uv-5r.

Buy Baofeng UV5RA Ham Two Way Radio 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band Transceiver (Black) Now

In short: as of around mid December 2012, buy this one.

Best antenna for this: The Diamond SRJ77CA. Alternately, the Nagoya NA-771 SF if you are on a budget.

I was trying to figure out which version to get on here, frustrated by the reviews, so I decided to buy them all and report. I had read that the various versions are all the same radio, just the style and color vary: UV-5R, 5RA, 5RC, 5RE, 5R+, 5R Mk II, UV-E5, UV-5R Plus. This is true, so it comes down to which one is going to ship with the most recent firmware.

The firmware varies, but there does not seem to be much of a difference in performance. Holding "3" while you turn the radio on gets you the firmware version. I bought this mid-December, 2012 and got firmware version BFB295. I thought BFB293 was the latest but this is even more recent. The "UV-5R Plus" that I bought from Amazon for more money was BFB293, but I don't notice any difference at all in the functionality of the two.

For programming channels, don't bother trying to program directly to the radio get the programming cable. You can buy the cheap connector, search for CHIRP software, and navigate that with some frustration. If you would rather spend a bit more and skip the frustration, look into the RT Systems connector and software which works perfectly without any frustration.

This can transmit on Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) with no license required. It also transmits on General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which technically requires a license. However, "bubble-pack pirates" persons who use GMRS without a license are common. It also transmits on the HAM bands and even some commercial and emergency frequencies, so be careful what frequencies you transmit on according to your licensing.

Construction? Much better than you're expecting. I have a $450 Yaesu VX-8DR, and this does 99% of what I used the Yaesu for day to day. It's not submersible, so don't take it into the bath tub with you, but at $44 it's practically disposable. The accessories are dirt cheap too. The volume can get much louder on a 5R than any other HT that I've used.

Update 12/28/12: I bought a second one, received on Dec-21-2012, this time it was the BFB293 firmware rather than the BFB295 that I received two weeks prior.

Update 1/4/13: I bought a different, earlier UV-5R variant that came with BFB297 firmware. These radios are all the same, it seems to be a crap shoot what firmware you'll get.

Read Best Reviews of Baofeng UV5RA Ham Two Way Radio 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band Transceiver (Black) Here

Purchased this HT hoping it would deliver as advertised and it did. 5RA with new 293 firmware. All items advertised,(including headset) were included in package. Could program this via USB cable(not included) by CHIRP and BAOFENG VIP software from my laptop with no problems. USB programming cable was ordered also on Amazon from other vendor for around $7 with $2 shipping China Post. Ordered radio and cable on same day and they both arrived on same day (china post shipped cable only took 6 days to East Coast USA). I am very pleased with this item and vendor. ... One note, the metallic front speaker piece in pictures looks silverish but when looking at it in person it is anodized, shiny black like the rest of the HT's frame. Very stylish!

ONE IMPORTANT NOTE: You need a license to use this HT on any of the frequencies it is approved by the FCC to transmit on. Ham frequencies part 97 and FCC reg. part 90 only. Even though it will transmit on FRS/GMRS and many other frequencies it is illegal to do so and interference to licensed users may result in confiscation, fines or imprisonment by the FCC and other authorities depending on what you do & how bad you tick them off. For more details see my comments section.

**EDITED UPDATE:as per comments for my review I will add that the picture shown has changed from a 5RA to 5R but the description has stayed the same. Hopefully it is just a mistaken picture. I also know a lot of people say it is hard to program by hand but after a week of daily use it is quite easy to remember what is what but I still use CHIRP and/or VIP software for major changes and frequency updates. I have no problem with my USB programming. I thought I did at one point but it turned out to be software related and not the HT's fault. After about 2 weeks now of use this HT is working just fine but I haven't looked at its harmonics yet. From what I gather, bad harmonics on TX is hit and miss to the individual radio. After two weeks of use, I can comfortably upgrade my 4 star to 5 star rating but will add an aftermarket antenna. With stock antenna I was able to pick up an Amateur satellite within an hour of first programming out of the box. PLEASE READ ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY CLICKING COMMENTS TAB, THERE'S A LOT MORE INFO ON THIS RADIO AND PROGRAMMING CABLE SOURCE.

Want Baofeng UV5RA Ham Two Way Radio 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band Transceiver (Black) Discount?

This is an amazing little radio and an amazing value. You get the radio, 1800 mah battery, drop-in charger, and ear-bud/mic headset for less than you might expect to pay for the battery alone! The radio is packed with features mostly useful, some amusing. Note that it is primarily a ham radio transceiver and you must be a licensed ham to legally transmit on ham frequencies.

The user manual that comes with the radio is useful but scanty. It only scratches the surface of how to set up and operate the radio. Out of the box, you can't do much of anything without some programming. An experienced ham can figure it out, but a new ham buying his first radio will likely be frustrated. This could be the radio for a new ham, but only with some help, preferably from an experienced user that already owns one. For example, frequency steps must be reduced to enable setting popular frequencies, and repeater offsets (not just +/-) must be specified. Fortunately, this radio has an enthusiastic and extremely helpful user group. Before buying the radio, I strongly recommend checking out miklor dot com slash uv5r. If you do buy the radio, you will really appreciate this resource!

A programming cable (purchased separately) is almost a necessity. The cable you buy will probably need an older driver to work. The previously mentioned resource will help you here also.

In sum, these are highly capable, highly quirky units that can provide lots of entertainment and useful operation once you figure out how to set them up. My ham radio group bought a bunch of them for go-kits.

UPDATE: About a dozen of these radios have been purchased by hams in my locality. Every one of them operated properly out of the box. One has been since damaged by dropping it on a hard surface. The radio itself was fine, but the supplied antenna suffered internal damage (resolved by replacing the antenna with an after market antenna). In terms of programming the radio, about half of the users had someone else program the radio using an optional programming cable. Note that one cable can program any number of radios, the caveat being that you need the proper driver on whatever computer is being used. Also note any programming cable for Baofeng, Wouxun, and Kenwood handy/talkies will work. One industrious ham made a programming file that includes all the area ham repeaters, GMRS, FRS, Marine VHF and NOAA weather frequencies. This file was shared by several, and had the added benefit of identical memory channel numbers. As suggested elsewhere, programming the radios manually is somewhat challenging and the "newbies" needed help. After many new radios and quite a bit of use, no one in our group has been disappointed by their purchase.

Save 65% Off

Just as a background, I have 30 years of radio experience and have several dozen radios of all kinds and brands. I routinely test these radios just to compare them to give you an idea of how well they perform compared to a similarly priced product.

I am going to use 3 radios for this test. This is the scenario:

Test Equipment:

1 Baofeng UV-5RA

1 Motorola MS350Rwil be used as the Base station for testing

1 Motorola MT352R

Test Environment:

My wife will stand outside our house with an MS350R as I walk away. Every 0.1 miles, I will do a radio check. I have set all the radios to the same frequency and Privacy code.

Distance Test:

0.1 Miles

1. Baofeng Crystal clear on send and receive.

2. MT352R Crystal clear on send and receive.

Test: 0.1 Mile

1. Baofeng Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.

2. MT352R Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends. Louder and Clearer than the Baofeng.

Test: 0.2 Miles

1. Baofeng Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.

2. MT352R Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends. Louder and Clearer than the Baofeng.

Test: 0.3 Miles

1. Baofeng Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.

2. MT352R Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends. Louder and Clearer than the Baofeng.

Test: 0.4 Miles

1. Baofeng Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.

2. MT352R Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends. Louder and Clearer than the Baofeng.

Test: 0.5 Miles

1. Baofeng Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.

2. MT352R Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.

Test: 0.6 Miles

1. Baofeng There was a little noise in the background on receive but it came in crystal clear on the transmit.

2. MT352R There was a little noise in the background but it was still very clear on send and receive on both ends.

Test: 0.7 Miles

1. Baofeng There was a little noise in the background on receive but it came in crystal clear on the transmit. The Baofeng was coming in louder than the MT352R.

2. MT352R There was a little noise in the background but it was still very clear on send and receive on both ends.

Test: 0.8 Miles

1. Baofeng There was a little noise in the background on receive but it came in crystal clear on the transmit. The Baofeng was coming in louder than the MT352R.

2. MT352R There was a little noise in the background but it was still very clear on send and receive on both ends.

Test: 0.9 Miles

1. Baofeng There was a little noise in the background on receive but it came in crystal clear on the transmit. The Baofeng was coming in louder than the MT352R.

2. MT352R There was a little noise in the background but it was still very clear on send and receive on both ends.

Test: 1 Mile

1. Baofeng There was more noise in the background on receive but had some noise on the transmit. The Baofeng was coming in louder than the MT352R.

2. MT352R There was more noise in the background but we can still communicate.

Test: 1.2 Miles

1. Baofeng Her transmission was choppy. The transmission was very noisy. It was very choppy on the receive side. She had to repeat herself several times in order for me to understand. I had to repeat myself a couple of time with the Baofeng as well but a little better than the MT352R.

2. MT352R Her transmission was choppy. The transmission was very noisy. It was choppy on both sides. We both had to repeat ourselves several times in order to understand.

Features of the Baofeng:

Pros:

1. Audible menus I love that this thing talks to me as I navigate the menus.

2. Emergency flashlight and strobe light If you are stuck somewhere you can turn on the strobe and it makes you more visible.

3. Tiny size.

4. Removable antenna You can connect this to a mobile antenna.

5. Very long battery life Out of the box, I used this radio for 3 days straight without charging it.

6. FM Radio This is an awesome feature in such a small radio. You can listen to music when you are outside. And if someone talks in one of the channels you are monitoring, it turns of the FM and switches to Handheld radio mode.

7. Inexpensive.

Cons:

1. Not for the novice user. It took me a few hours to figure out how to program all the features on the keypad.

2. Not as durable as an Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood. Then again, those cost a lot more.

COMPARATIVE SUMMARY:

The Baofeng's removable rubber duck antenna and 4-5 Watts of power seems to be a little better in clarity in the longer distances. The Motorola is definitely louder and clearer in distances less than 0.5 miles. The Baofeng is really intended for Ham Licensed Operators since it handles Ham Frequencies and requires programming on the front keypad or by computer using an optional external cable and software. I did not bother with the software as I am used to programming radios all the time. A novice will have great difficulty understanding how to use this Baofeng as the User's Guide does seem to assume you are a Ham Operator.

So to you Ham guys out there, this is a nice radio. I am even building a Repeater using this Baofeng, just for fun. But for you guys that just want a working radio that you can talk on the GMRS/FRS frequencies, the higher powered Motorolas will do just fine.

Viper 7251V 2-Way LE Responder Remote

• Viper Responder LE Replacement Remote Transmitter for Viper 5701 Car Alarm 5 Button replacement transmitter
• Features Yellow, Red, and Green Ghostlights
• Remote includes: Lock button Unlock button Remote start button Aux button Function

once i learned how to lock the keypad, i just love it! you only have to do this once and the keypad locks after a bit. it is awesome!

To lock the keypad please do the following:

1) press and hold the "F" button for 8 seconds or until the orange LED lights up solid at the top of the remote

2) press and hold the unlock button until the remote beeps two times

3) there should be multiple green LED's lit up on the side of the remote at this point

4) the LED next to the lock button should not be on

5) press the lock button one time and the green LED next to that button should illuminate

6) press the "F" button for 2 seconds and release

7) press the "F" button a 2nd time for 2 seconds and release

Your remote will now automatically lock 60 seconds after your last command is sent. To unlock the remote before each use simply press "F" then the unlock button.

Buy Viper 7251V 2-Way LE Responder Remote Now

***Update at the end: READ THE UPDATE AFTER THE REVIEW!***

While the car alarm/remote start system works well, I have had nothing but a bad experience from this remote.

Pros:

-The remote does have a feature that disables the 2-way communication and saves battery life

Cons:

-Every time I change the batteries, the back door breaks or the remote plastic breaks. I duct tape the back door back on, but it will buzz in your pocket every so often. My daughter calls it "angry keys."

-The remote battery life is around 2-3 months...have fun changing the batteries.

-I always find the remote accidentally activating something because the keys press extremely easily against my car key...the only other key on my key chain.

Recommendations:

-The Viper developer needs to make some type of case cover for this remote to prevent it from accidentally unlocking or starting the vehicle.

Update:

There is now an upgrade to this FOB: Essentials 7254V Directed Audio Essentials Viper Responder Le 2-way Led Remote. That FOB has resolved the battery issue as there is no more back panel but rather the face is removable. It may be more sturdy and I will provide a review over time. The buttons are also stiffer for the purpose to resolve the buttons being accidentally pushed. The replacement has better reviews and the battery life cannot be adjusted without a complete redesign, but the other flaws may have been resolved. I'm expecting a 4-5 star review on that FOB in about 4 months or so.

Read Best Reviews of Viper 7251V 2-Way LE Responder Remote Here

I had called Viper to get a replacement and they gave me 3 numbers of authorized dealers in my area. I called all three and they gave me a price of around $85 for the remote and then told me it would be $50 to $65 to program the remote, acting like this was some big deal. OK, first programming the remote is simple and takes less than 5 minutes to do. It is just opening a car door, turning on the ignition, pushing the button on the control center(the receiver in the corner of the windshield) one time and then pushing it again and holding it until the alarm horn sounds and the LED blinks on the control center. Then you follow the directions on pushing various buttons on the remote which put in in program mode and then set the lock button so the alarm reacts, then just a simple push of one or two more buttons on the remote to close the program mode and you are finished. It isn't brain surgery, or anything they should even charge for, the directions are right in the pack and easy to follow. I went almost five months with a dead alarm system because I thought the repair price was crazy, glad I looked on Amazon and found this replacement and did it myself.

Want Viper 7251V 2-Way LE Responder Remote Discount?

I've been using this remote for the past 2 years and love it. The only problem (which others have mentioned) is the sensitivity of the buttons. BUT, if you READ THE MANUAL you will find that you can lock the buttons so you don't accidentally start you car when you don't want to, among other things if you have additional modules installed.

My only complaint is the battery life is pretty low, around 3 5 months. I ended up buying 30 of the CR2016 batteries on amazon for about $5 and still have about 20 or so left over. (Uses 2 batteries at a time)

Save 65% Off

I really have to disagree with the previous post.

Pros:

Great design! This remote is easy to use and designed to fit comfortably in your hand. It's hard to believe that the battery life for this remote only lasted for 2-3 months for the first guy. I have been using my remote on a regular basis for little over a year now and have yet to replace the battery (my remote is still going strong BTW). On the topic of battery life, my signal is strong enough for me to still start my car up from a block away.

Cons:

The remote is hard to lock, and can occasionally start the car up from inside your pocket. This can be the only major problem for the remote. However, I am used to clipping my car keys to my belt, so I rarely experience this problem.

All in all this item is GREAT.

Shorai LFX09L2-BS12 Extreme Rate Lithium Iron Powersports Battery

This reviewer also purchased this Shorai LFX09L2-BS12 Battery for ham radio use while camping, and believed it was about a 9 amp-hour battery. It certainly is small, lightweight, and LiFePo4 chemistry is safe and offers many advantages.

Upon receiving and inspecting this battery, I read the cell architecture and Whr(watt hours)on the side opposite what is normally in all the pictures shown and listed online. The architecture is 4S2P, which means that there are four LiFePO4 cells in series and two cells in parallel. Each LifePo4 has a working voltage around 3.2 volts, therefore, a total of about 13.2 volts.

The WHr (watt(amps*volts)hours) listed on the battery is 39.6, so if we divide 39.6(amp*volts*hours)by 13.2 volts, we get the actual amp-hours of only: 3.0 amp-hours.

Additionally, the Shorai Website lists the battery as: 9aH PBeq (lead acid equivalent). I believe, what Shorai is representing, that this small LiFePO4 battery has the same deep cycle ability to start a vehicle, as a regular 9 amp Lead Acid battery.

If a ham radio operator enjoys QRP while camping, this battery will be okay. However, if you are believe you are getting around a 9 amp-hour battery, it does not appear to be the case.

This reviewer would recommend that prior to ordering any battery manufactured by Shorai, ask the retailer to provide the WHr (watt-hours) that is imprinted on the side of battery, then divide by the working voltage. This way you will arrive at the actual amp-hours.

Lastly, check to see if the retailer charges a 20% restocking fee in addition to what you may pay in return shipping.

I am a ham radio operator who also loves to hike and backpack,the fact that this battery only weighs in at 1.5lbs makes it awesome to carry in a bag to recharge my radio batteries, gps, cell phone and other knick-knacks. 9 Ah at 1.5 lbsunheard of!

The recharge time is also super-fast compared to SLA batteries. This technology should make it much easier for most Ham radio guys to have a high-amperage battery without the weight associated, 1/5 the weight of most batteries. The fact that it also has a feasible life of 5-10 years is awesome!

Looking into a solar panel and charge controller next to complete the set-up.

Buy Shorai LFX09L2-BS12 Extreme Rate Lithium Iron Powersports Battery Now

Love the power and size of this battery. Used it in a Honda 150 dirt bike. Bike cranks over better

Read Best Reviews of Shorai LFX09L2-BS12 Extreme Rate Lithium Iron Powersports Battery Here

Easy relatively inexpensive weight savings. Way lighter than stock. LION Tech last longer than standard lead acid. Price was about $20 cheaper than what I found on some other sites.

Want Shorai LFX09L2-BS12 Extreme Rate Lithium Iron Powersports Battery Discount?

This product is still being tested but so far it is much lighter and smaller then the battery that came with the bike. Seems to work flawless but want to give it a good long test run before I have a final opinion.

Save 9% Off

eForCity Car Charger Adapter Compatible with Garmin Nuvi 205 255 260 260w GPS

I now have these in both cars and in our travel kit when we plan to rent a car somewhere.

Conector brook when i disconnected it from gps just two times. The original one lasted 3 years. I thought it was a good deal instead it ended up in the trash within 2 weeks.

Buy eForCity Car Charger Adapter Compatible with Garmin Nuvi 205 255 260 260w GPS Now

DLO AutoPod Car Charger for iPod (Black)

• Color-coded, intelligent car charger designed for dock-connecting iPods
• Glows red when power's on, amber while charging, and green when finished
• Velcro tabs for convenient dashboard placement; replaceable safety fuse
• Plugs into vehicle's cigarette lighter or other 12-volt power outlet
• 24-inch coiled cable with 5 foot total length; 1-year warranty

The charger works great. It charges quickly and when it's done it changes to green. The only problem with it is that if you play the unit while charging you get a buzz in the background. With the twenty hour battery life of the Nano It's not that big a deal. I just plug the Ipod in while I am away from the car, and unplug it for playback

Buy DLO AutoPod Car Charger for iPod (Black) Now

I purchased this charger with the TuneStick so I could play my ipod in the car and keep it charged up for long trips. When I drive it is often at least 2-3 hours away. This charger has worked perfectly for 2 years using it at least every other week for 2-3 hours at a time. Finally died last weekend so now I'm back for another. I feel I got my money's worth.

Read Best Reviews of DLO AutoPod Car Charger for iPod (Black) Here

I needed a car charger for my iPods. The choice seemed to be between cheap and untrustworthy, and overpriced. This DLO model was the best compromise I could find. With just enough features to justify the $15 price.

I have been using it for about a month now, including one 900 mile car trip, and it does exactly what it is supposed to do. The LED feature is actually helpful, and I am glad I chose this charger.

Want DLO AutoPod Car Charger for iPod (Black) Discount?

I seem to have the opposite experience as the previous reviewer. This "charger" does not seem to charge my iPod Mini much at all. No matter how low the battery is, the indicator light on the charger almost always glows green when it is connected. I rarely ever see the amber color that indicates charging. The iPod will often lose power soon after removing it from this charger. This does not happen when I use the wall adapter to charge it.

But as for playing the iPod while it is plugged in the car, I have had no problems at all. The main reason I own this is to play the iPod in the car, and it works just fine for that.

Bulldog RS102 Remote Car Starter with Keyless Entry

• Remote programmable runtime (5, 10, or 15 minutes)
• Automatic hot/cold start
• 4-button extended range remote control
• Keyless entry/trunk pop
• Lifetime warranty

The product worked as advertised. Granted, the installation was difficult but that's because of having to work in a cramped space and at awkward angles. One job I'd never want to have is an automobile electronics installer! But if you follow the directions step by step, and get the wiring chart for your vehicle from Bulldog's web site, the unit should work. Mine worked the first time and I'm happy with it. The programming is a little convoluted but without any external switches or interfaces, I guess button pushing sequences is all that's left. I was skeptical about Bulldog's method for splicing wires (no soldering or crimp connectors) but it works and you don't have to cut and splice any wires. They provide a little voltage tester that was a big help. Its a probe with an alligator clip on one end and an LED at the other end and it was very helpful in finding the correct wires. Just be patient and accept that working under a car dash is a real pain!

Buy Bulldog RS102 Remote Car Starter with Keyless Entry Now

I bought this module for my honda car, after reading that its easy to install. But when I bought it I found out it was difficult to install. In fact I ended up paying a car mechanic to install it.

Read Best Reviews of Bulldog RS102 Remote Car Starter with Keyless Entry Here

I have installed 2 of these, one in my Windstar, and the other in my F150 Pickup. The F150 was my second one, and was relatively easy, about 3 hours. The Windstar was my first, and took a lot longer, I had a defective unit, the company replaced it no hassle. It can be tricky to put these in, there is very little room to maneuver under your steering column. Their website gives wiring information for many models. If you are not mechanically inclined, don't even try. I would hesitate to put these on a newer, still under warranty vehicle, only because a screwup might create warranty issues. I'm getting 2 more for my parents for Christmas. Bulldog sells wiring harnesses for many vehicles, I bought one for the first try, did not for the 2nd, after I saw how easy it was to make the splices by their directions. Good luck.

Want Bulldog RS102 Remote Car Starter with Keyless Entry Discount?

I purchased this remote starter in November of 2005 and began the endeavor of learning how to install a starter by myself. I personally can not comment on the technical support staff, as I never found it necessary to contact them.

I started by pulling up my wiring diagram (a 2004 Chevy Cavalier) and printing it out. Later that night, starting at around 11:00pm, I began the installation process. The instillation was a snap, the only difficulties I ran in to were the wires hiding WAY up on the body control module, which was an issue with the car, not the starter. After only 2 hours, having never installed a remote starter in my life, along with a fuel system bypass module, I pressed the start button and just like that, first shot, the vehicle started.

I have since installed the starter in two separate vehicles. One vehicle belonging to a friend, and a second vehicle of mine. The install in my second vehicle (a '97 Dodge Ram Sport full-size pickup) took around an hour and a half. Again, once all wires were connected, first touch of the button and I heard the pipes singing.

Of course, this starter does not have all the bells and whistles of other models out there, but for the price, you can't expect it to have all the other features. Aside from the range (which is greatly increased by following instructions and keeping the antenna away from the frame, and also by mounting it to a third party antenna**), I would recommend it to anyone who wants a reliable remote vehicle starter.

I bought and purchased the remote starter at the bargain priced of $79.97 Canadian at our local Zellers Store in December 2002. The unit worked fine for the first two months but on February 21st of this year the unit short malfunctioned at my office and the unit constantly began cranking the starter motor. Unfortunately by the time our facility management and security personnel were able to find me and I was able to disconnect the battery the unit had fried my starter and it was to late.

I called and e-mailed the company everyday for a week and nobody would respond. After one week of trying I finally did get a response by phone and they said to send it in and they would have a look at it. They advised that this type of failure had never happened in the past. When I found out that these failures have happened and due to the length of time it took for them to respond to such a serious problem, I wasn't left with much confidence that I would get anywhere with them so I decided that the retailer would have to intervene. I am trying to reach a settlement to obtain compensation for the $700.00 I am out of pocket. They are having the unit independently tested to determine if there is a defect in the unit that caused it to fail. I will keep you posted as to how I make out and as to whether it is determined that the unit was defective.

Based on my experience I would stay clear of this product.

Nitecore Sysmax Intellicharge i4 version 2, Four Bays universal home/in-car battery charger, Four N

These chargers work excellent with the Nitecore batteries as well as with other Li-ion, Ni-MH or Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries. Each bay has an indicator light so you know charging is progressing. When charging just two batteries, be sure to place the batteries in slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4. I would recommend this production to anyone that needs a high quality 4 bay charger.

EdisonBright through Amazon is one of the only places here in the States that you can purchase the new NL188 3100mAh batteries from Nitecore. Add in the Intellicharge i4 (which also charges my Eneloop AA and AAA NiMH batteries)and my Nitecore MT26 (also purchased from EdisonBright through Amazon) is loving the long lasting, superbright, and easy on the pocketbook goodness that only a high capacity 18650 Li-ion battery can bring.

I am VERY happy with EdisonBright for offering this package. Thanks Guys!

Buy Nitecore Sysmax Intellicharge i4 version 2, Four Bays universal home/in-car battery charger, Four N Now

Panasonic LC-R127R2P Black Large 12V 7.2Ah VRLA Battery with F1 Terminal

Thank you Amazon (can't imagine modern life without you), Portable Power Systems (who quickly fulfilled this order) and FedEx (who delivered this "standard shipping" item in a very timely manner) for enabling my son's High School Band to use their Lectrosonics Long Ranger 4 ("LR4") portable Public Address unit ahead of a big marching band competition today! The Panasonic LC-R127R2P valve-regulated battery is the only one that works reliably with with the fast charge circuitry of the LR4 unit. The Lectrosonics factory part number for this specific battery is "LRIIIBATT", but even mighty Google can find few traces of that identifier! Websites specializing in marching bands, auctioneers, etc., stock the LR4 and its official replacement battery, but, typically, at double the price (not too friendly for cash strapped High School Bands) of this battery on Amazon. So, if you wish to replace the "LRIIIBATT" in your LR4, un-solder the brass terminal extenders from the old "LRIIIBATT" battery and solder them onto the terminals of a new LC-R127R2P battery -see picture in amazon's shared images folder for this item. Your LR4 will then be good-to-go and you will have saved your school band $30+ dollars for just 10 minutes of effort with a (50 to 100 watt) soldering iron.

Decent quality replacement part, will buy again when needed. Price was pretty good on amazo, about $25 cheaper than any other place I could find.

Buy Panasonic LC-R127R2P Black Large 12V 7.2Ah VRLA Battery with F1 Terminal Now

Fiber optics has a small price. My system has this battery and a battery back up system. The Panasonic battery was not covered by ATT but it was easy to get too and an Amazon vender had just what I needed (works as advertised).

Read Best Reviews of Panasonic LC-R127R2P Black Large 12V 7.2Ah VRLA Battery with F1 Terminal Here

This item was an exact replacement for original equipment. It was - to a T. Delivered by express mail, in perfect condition, and exactly as described. I couldn't be more satisfied. LRV

Want Panasonic LC-R127R2P Black Large 12V 7.2Ah VRLA Battery with F1 Terminal Discount?

Received the battery quickly and in good condition. Using it for a portable speaker system from Cambridge Soundworks. Much better battery than the previous one I purchased from Radio Shack. The only negative is that the shipper doesn't send you an order confirmation. Which was a little scary. So be patient. My item showed up in about a week.

TireMinder TMG400C Tire Pressure Monitoring System 4pk

• For RVs and Moderate Industrial Use, Pressure Range 0-145 psi
• Monitors up to 22 wheels, Monitors and transmits even when stopped or parked
• Accurate to within 2.7% , Visual & Audible Pressure loss warnings (user programmable)
• Temperature alarm if temperature rises above 167f/75c
• Replaceable CR1632 batteries (minimum 1 year life expectancy)

This a great tire pressure monitoring device. I use it on my motor home and my toad (the veh I tow behind my RV) I know if I have a flat or if the tire gets to hot ( like if the toad's brakes are draging) before any damage is done. Love the unit, easy to program and easy to read.

Buy TireMinder TMG400C Tire Pressure Monitoring System 4pk Now

had an issue with a bad sensor but TireMinder support was right there for me and quickly sent a replacement at no cost.

Read Best Reviews of TireMinder TMG400C Tire Pressure Monitoring System 4pk Here

I purchased this monitor for my travel trailer as tire problems are constant worry when traveling the monitor was very easy to install and set up. the screen is very easy to read & the holder actually stayed on windshield & didnt fall off this is first trip i was'nt looking in mirrors watching for tire problems . Being able to read both temp & pressure very big plus only thing dont like is you cant shut monitor off when disconected from trailer , warning beeps get annoying after awhile

Want TireMinder TMG400C Tire Pressure Monitoring System 4pk Discount?

We did not find the installation of the Tire Minder system to be as easy as advertised for our class C RV, but the customer service was superb. There are few companies that will go the extra mile for their consumers and this company is one of them. The system is great. If it were not for the Tire Minder, we'd not have known that one of our wheels had a crack. Chevrolet replaced it under warranty. All in all, it's a great product and a great company

I purchased Tireminder with 6 sensors for my new Class A motorhome. The system was easy to set up and all sensors are within one to two psi accuracy double checked with professional gages. I run 120 psi cold tire pressure on 22.5 inch rims. I did add reinforced valve stem extenders to make the caps more accessible. After several months the system still works fine. I did notice on the Tireminder website that they now recommend you unplug the system from the cigarette lighter when not in use to extend the life of the monitor screen. I purchased the system from Camping World. The company offered free replacement batteries through 2018! This system is a great timesaver and back saver when you get to be an old paw paw like me. I saw other systems where the the sensors did not have replaceable batteries. The tireminder batteries are easily installed and replaceable. I am happy with the system.

PowerLine 90297 Four Port USB Power Adapter

I purchased this because I was tired have having so many things plugged into one power strip (blocking other plugs). I am using all four of the available USB ports to charge my Motorola Droid, Kindle, Nook Color and iPod. It is working flawlessly with all three but note that your devices will charge at the same rate as they would if hooked up to a computer. If you need fast charges you'll want to stick with your device specific charger(s). For me the charging rate is just fine and if for some reason I need a fast charge I can dig out my original adapters.

This could be my stupidity in not investigating further... but the low output wattage is a big limiter for this. Basically, you're good for charging phones (slowly) and nothing more. If that's your need, then solid.

Alas, it wasn't mine.

But that's just me...

KB

Buy PowerLine 90297 Four Port USB Power Adapter Now

This product does not put out enough power to charge some of my devices even when only charging a single device.

Read Best Reviews of PowerLine 90297 Four Port USB Power Adapter Here

I own two of these chargers, one of which I use for travel, the second of which I purchased for my wife. Really like this charger, it is compact, fits easily in a suitcase or computer bag (the prongs fold flat), and it has four USB sockets. I've used it to charge an android phone, IPod, a Garmin unit, and another phone while on the road with no problems.

Only disadvantage, if it stood vertically, it wouldn't hog wall/socket space. But that's the design, and it saves me from carrying lots of other chargers, so it's a decent tradeoff.

Want PowerLine 90297 Four Port USB Power Adapter Discount?

It charges almost everything, I charge my ipads, iPhones, ipos, Samsung G S3, iphone 5, blackberry 9900, Game Pad, plantronix head phone, I bought 2 of these and connect everything on it every night. (you shall use your own cables)

Also it is portable which you can put in your case the power cord can be folded which make it nice in the case.

It worth every penny.

I like this product and I recommended for every one.

Best regards,

Save 40% Off

Husky Liners Custom Fit WeatherBeater Molded Front and Second Seat Floor Liner for Select Toyota Pr

Perfect in my 2010 Pruis. Exact fit and they catch all the Fl. sand well. I love them and even bought the cargo mat for the trunk.

Came quickly, All as described. Fits well. Color appears as depicted. material is rigid for front liners. You must remove the factory floor mats.

Buy Husky Liners Custom Fit WeatherBeater Molded Front and Second Seat Floor Liner for Select Toyota Pr Now

Pro

Nice thickness of plastic (should be easy to clean)

Good form to the floor

Look good, and perform well (i live in the north-east, so we get lots of snow and rain)

Con

none, worth the investment ( i can see the dried salt and bits of gravel, just hit it with water and let it dry)

Read Best Reviews of Husky Liners Custom Fit WeatherBeater Molded Front and Second Seat Floor Liner for Select Toyota Pr Here

I purchased these in Black would have preferred Grey but not a big issue. I did return for several reasons. First and Primary was they did not fit as promised; neither front or back. Think they just put the wrong mats in box; returned today. I was seriously looking forward to the lines to protect my new 2012 Prius, Pkg 4. May try and reorder and give it a 2nd chance.

Want Husky Liners Custom Fit WeatherBeater Molded Front and Second Seat Floor Liner for Select Toyota Pr Discount?

It works. Spilled a little bit of water on it when I was grabbing stuff out of my car and it did what it suppose to.

The fit is nice, the spike under it is pretty sharp, but once you put it in place it just stay on.

I have a Prius II 2013 btw (not the V or the C).

Save 41% Off

Keyless Entry Remote Fob Clicker for 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix - (Must be programmed by Pontiac deale

The keyless remote was received a few days after placing the order. The remote was programmed at the GM delaership and works as intended.

ITS AWESOME ITS JUST WHAT I NEEDED FOR MY CAR TO OPEN AND CLOSE. AND ALSO TO AUTO START IT WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE IT WARMS THE CAR UP FOR U THANKS

Buy Keyless Entry Remote Fob Clicker for 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix - (Must be programmed by Pontiac deale Now

The company is great for having the right products to fit the demands of customers. When contacting the company, their customer service representatives are courteous and respectful.

Read Best Reviews of Keyless Entry Remote Fob Clicker for 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix - (Must be programmed by Pontiac deale Here

All the functions from the remote work as advertised!!! Great Product for much less than what others sell it for.

Want Keyless Entry Remote Fob Clicker for 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix - (Must be programmed by Pontiac deale Discount?

Husky Liners 98521 WeatherBeater Black Front and 2nd Seat Floor Liner

I hesitated to buy them because they were "resin"-I've always had the heavy rubber ones-but the lightweight makes them easier to remove and clean and the bumps on the back really hold them in place-very happy with my purchase--no wear spots at all--great product-thank you

This fits 2009 Prius perfectly. It protects the original mat. Seems like overprice I wish it was cheaper then the price I paid.

Buy Husky Liners 98521 WeatherBeater Black Front and 2nd Seat Floor Liner Now

Rockford Fosgate 4 AWG Ring Terminal, 4-Pack

• Crimp Ring Terminals
• 4 AWG seamed crimp style ring terminal, platinum finish, 4 pack
• RFTS4

Standard .10 cent brass connectors work better. The metal is flimsy and is not one cast piece but rather flat stamped metal that is folded into shape and deforms poorly when crimped. I also threw away the included rubber covers as heat shrink works much better.

Whistler XTR-540 Cordless Radar Detector

• Total Band protection with selectable bands
• Low-profile alert periscopes
• Radar Signature ID (RSID)
• Cordless platform
• Intense blue text display
• Battery Operated
• 72 Point Digital Compass
• Internal Battery Charger
• Battery Voltage Gauge
• 360° Maxx Coverage

The only difference between this detector and the xtr-440 is the compass mode, which I did not find worked well when I bothered to calibrate it, which you have to re-do every time you move it from the mounted position. So now I just don't use that feature, and could have spent a bit less to skip it. Also, when you have the unit on and plugged in to DC power, it will invariably shut itself off with much beeping one hour into your drive. It's not an issue on short drives, but on any car trip of length, be ready to unplug it and plug it back in when it starts shutting itself off every hour.

Buy Whistler XTR-540 Cordless Radar Detector Now

This new whistler is great!!! The fact that it is cordless makes it universal from car to motorcycle. It's charger works very well when plugged in to a power point for a short time. The XTR-540 lasts a whole week on one charge on my work commute, (approx 12 hours). Since my commute is 45 minutes to and from work, the battery saver set to 1 hour works well for me.

On the other side, this unit will detect radar alot further than the eye can see, if it alarms, you better believe it.

Buy it!!! for the money, it's the best on the market. It's better than my last $400.00 Escort that was stolen.

Read Best Reviews of Whistler XTR-540 Cordless Radar Detector Here

I bought this for my girlfriend's car that I drive from time to time. It alerts the user to threats through the audible alert system, but it is hard to remember the different sounds, which is why it is great to be able to visually see what the threat is. The problem with this device is that in the day time, you can not see the screen AT ALL! No matter if you change the brightness of the screen or change the viewing angle, it is impossible to see what threats are in the area. At night, you can see it ok, but it is still not up to the quality I believe it should have. Final review....spend your money on a different radar detector (I wish I would have returned it, but was too busy to deal with the problem).

Want Whistler XTR-540 Cordless Radar Detector Discount?

I've had the XTR-540 for about a week now, and so far, so good. Nice display, nice suction cup mount. Minimum number of false alarms. Fairly intuitive setup and menu system. Seems to be holding a charge fairly long. Nice compact size for a cordless unit.

Save 50% Off

Just purchased and used on a 2500mi round trip through various states. Once I learned the settings and set the unit up how I wanted, it performed well. Only drawback was the amount of battery time consumed. However, with modified settings I can probably improve battery life time.

Schrader 28214 TPMS Sensor fits Mercedes (1-pack)

I had broken the OEM TPMS sensor on my 2008 Smart Fortwo. My local tire store couldn't come up with a replacement on their system. I purchased this one from Amazon and it was a direct fit. You do have to drive the car for 10 minutes or so before the system finds the new sensor. Many people will want to buy these sensors to go into new rims for winter tires or flashier wheels.

These fit my car perfectly. The guy from Mercedes Benz said they were the exact same ones that they use. They were more than half of what I would have paid for them from the car dealer.

Buy Schrader 28214 TPMS Sensor fits Mercedes (1-pack) Now

Computer Memory Saver - 9V Style

I bought this Computer Memeory Saver after getting very fustrated with another one I bought off the tool truck. This one has no pull-apart leads that the other ones have. That is a very important feature! The ones with a pull-apart lead do just that... pull apart. Get this one and demand they keep making and selling this one. This one works the best.

This computer memory saver worked perfectly last winter when the battery was removed from the car before winter storage. Most storage facilities will not permit a battery maintainer to be plugged in to their power grid. It may be fire safety or power usage reasons so this alternative allows me to remove my battery for maintenance and maintain all codes in the CPU.

Buy Computer Memory Saver - 9V Style Now

I was looking everywhere for this memory saver because I needed to change the battery in my bmw x3.. I finally found it on Amazon. Installed it in the cigarette lighter and changed my battery. I had to purchase a 9 volt battery separately. It worked. I didn't loose my radio and only had to reset my clock in my car. A week after I installed my battery, I was in the automotive dept of Walmart and lo and behold there was a memory minder with the battery included for five dollars. Much less than what I paid for thru Amazon.

Read Best Reviews of Computer Memory Saver - 9V Style Here

Unless I used the product incorrectly, the product did not function as described and I lost radio settings when battery was disconnected.

Want Computer Memory Saver - 9V Style Discount?

SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit

• Sports-specific, plug-and-play Sirius satellite radio receiver with bundled car kit
• Decodes digital-quality signals for more than 120 music, news, and sports channels
• Game Alert feature prompts you when favorite sports team is playing on Sirius
• Instant replay function lets you pause, rewind, and replay 44 minutes of live radio
• Measures 4.5 x 2.9 x 0.6 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

Long story short Nice radio and programming with horrible FM modulation. Don't buy this unless you're going to wire it directly to your car's antenna or radio.

I bought this device last October to listen to college football games during long road trips. It is my first introduction to satellite radio. I've got mixed feelings about the product.

First of all, the unit was fairly easy to get working. I plugged the power and satellite antenna, turned it on, and selected an open FM station in the unit's setup menu. It's pre-tuned to a test station (national weather). I got a clear signal from the satellite just leaving the antenna resting on the dashboard. I activated it online after a couple of tries (didn't have the unit powered up the first attempt).

However, the FM transmission from the unit to my car stereo was awful, borderline un-useable. Even after choosing a completely clear FM station, turning off the car, waving the unit around until I found a sweet-spot, and crossing my fingers, there was always noticeable and very disruptive static interference. Based on what I've read, apparently the FM transmission strength for this unit way below previous models. I'm told the SP-TK2 model has a much stronger signal. I've not been able to determine whether or not that had anything to do with FCC regulations.

For my vehicle, I've overcame the FM transmitter shortcomings by connecting the unit directly to the Ai-net/Changer input on my Alpine radio and using the AUX function. This step eliminated all of the outside static interference and bypassed FM modulation completely. However, part of my attraction to this unit was the plug and play function. My friends and I have taken several road trips this year and I brought the Sirius unit with me. The cars we used did not have A/V inputs, so we had to make due with the lousy FM transmitter. We were able to fight through the static for the sports and talk radio stations, but music was un-listenable.

The unit itself is ok. It's easy to use and the screen has a lot of info. It keeps track of all the scores in sporting events, show and host for talk stations, and song/artist for music stations. It's awkward to mount though, because all of the wires plug into the back of the dock, not the bottom. You need clearance between the back of the unit and the mounting surface for these wires. My two options were to use an air conditioning vent clip or the windshield suction cup. I chose the vent because I didn't want the unit in the sunlight. At night, the unit is very bright. You can turn down the brightness of the screen, but the buttons are backlit with a piercing blue light that can't be adjusted. The rotary knob is especially bright. It looks like I have a big blue glow stick in my car at night.

The programming is pretty good. Sirius carries every NFL game, and nearly all the college football games, which is exactly what I was looking for. They also play a lot of the NBA and NHL games, but I've not paid much attention to them. They have three comedy stations, and several talk/news (including the BBC) radio and sports radio stations. On the other hand, all of their music stations do not meet my sound quality expectations. I have a decent aftermarket stereo, and the music stations sound worse than local FM. They're not terrible, but the difference between listening to a song on Sirius and on a CD is jarring. That said, they have a fair amount of genres represented. You'll hear songs on Sirius that you'll never hear on your local radio.

I've had limited customer service interaction, but it's been all bad. I chose the three month program to start off with. Sirius doesn't give you a very detailed invoice on the billing screen. It simply shows Subscription charge, Activation Fee, and Taxes. The Subscription charge on the invoice did not match what plan stated it should be, it was about $1 more. The Activation Fee was what I expected. However, Taxes came out to the 15% of the sum of Subscription plus Activation. There's not a state in the US that has a 15% sales tax rate. I called them to find out why it was so high. The lady on the phone had no idea what I was talking about. First she tried to explain why there was a charge for activation. It took quite a few minutes to get it across that my question was about the taxes, not the activation fee. Next, she tried to tell me that the tax rate was based on the Houston rate where she was located. The sales tax in Houston is 8.25%, not 15%. And besides, you are supposed to be taxed based on your local rates, not the location of the service center. After trying to get this point across (another 5 minutes) she went to speak to a manager. She came back and offered me a $15 dollar credit for the activation fee, without ever answering my question. I was tired of the conversation, so I took the credit and hung up. I'll try again to get an answer out of them when my three months are up.

All in all, the unit has sort of worked out for me. It works fine in my car, but travels poorly. I can listen to all the sports I want, but the music sound quality leaves much to be desired. It was easy to hook up, but looks silly just clipped onto my air-vent. If all of the short-comings I've described were addressed I'd be very happy with it.

**Update 12/19/2006**

Warning: The unit is dying on me less than three months after I purchased it. Sometime after around 10 minutes of use, the receiver will become locked into "acquiring signal" mode regardless of actual signal strength. Turning the unit off and then on again fixes it, sometimes. I've researched this issue online and apparently it's becoming a common problem. The recommended fix from Sirius is to either re-activate the receiver on-line or return it for a new unit. If I could, I'd knock another star off this review.

**Second Update** I eventually got SIRIUS to send me a replacement head-unit, free of charge. The second radio works just fine. However, I had to ship the original radio back to the manufacturer. A word of warning: if you ship something to Sirius, keep your tracking number. They tried to tell me that they never received my original radio and charged me for the second. I got on the phone and used the UPS website to tell them who in their warehouse signed for the package. The charge was later reversed.

Buy SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit Now

SPORTSTER 4 (SP4TK1) VS. SPORTSTER REPLAY (SPTK2)

The main difference between the Sportster 4 (sp4tk1) and the Sportster Replay (sptk2) is the sp4tk1 is slimmer and sleeker and the vehicle dock/cradle has an auxiliary input for an MP3 player or other device to transmit over the FM transmitter to your car radio. A major change is the sp4tk1 is now FCC compliant and will not emit FM transmissions as powerfully as the sptk2. While you will no longer broadcast to nearby drivers tuned to the same FM frequency as you, you are almost guaranteed to have major interference on your radio. Thus, it is critical that you install an FM modulator relay switch with the sp4tk1, unless your radio has an auxiliary input and you do not plan on listening to AM or FM radio. The sp4tk1 car dock now wires directly to its back. Thus, it will not lay flat against a surface without some modification to your dashboard for a clean look. The sp4tk1 now operates on 5 volts versus 12 V for the sptk2. Thus, it does not heat up like older Sirius receivers have been notorious for. The sp4tk1 is not compatible with the old sptk2 cradles or boom box. The sp4tk1 has fewer buttons also. There are no loss of functions as some buttons are now dual use or multifunctional. This is my first experience with satellite radio so I cannot be certain about my comparisons between receivers. Apparently, the old Starmates (st2) could only tune their FM transmitters to about 30 FM frequencies. The sptk2 could broadcast to 100 frequencies. I believe the sp4tk1 is the same as the sptk2 in this respect. It has been claimed the new sp4tk1 cannot tune below 88.1 FM but I believe 87.9 and 87.7 are the only stations available below 88.1. Also, the sp4tk1 can save up to 30 song titles, artist names, or sports teams. This memory is saved even after powering off the units. I'm not sure if this is an upgrade over the sptk2. I believe it is the same as the sptk2 in this regard.

FACT OR FICTION?

It has been rumored that all the new Sportsters, Streamers, and Starmates (st2) will be compatible and interchangeable with each other's vehicle and home docks. Some web sites are claiming the Sportster 4 (sp4tk1) has a built in FM modulator relay switch. This is not true. There are also rumors that there will be a Sportster 3 that will not have the replay function. Thus, it will be cheaper than the sp4tk1, which does have the replay option. The sp4tk1 stays true to the old replay receivers by deleting the 44 minutes of stored audio when you change the channel, turn it off, or turn off your car. There may also be a Sportster 2 which will have an amber display screen which will also be less expensive but this is doubtful. The sp4tk1 is only available in the blue black display screen. It is also suspected that the sp4tk1 has some new unique interior software that enables some new function or compatibility with some as yet unknown device or technology. This would persuade long time Sirius subscribers to purchase new receivers or perhaps for those of us with the sp4tk1 to buy some new secondary device with our hard earned cash. Perhaps as Sirius releases sp4tk1 accessories and other new receivers this will become apparent. Some people say the new "chip set" may allow the new receivers to pick up more stations like some new Canadian stations currently. This may be due to differences in broadband bandwidth signals or bit rates. Another possible software update may be the designation of Howard 100 and 101 in their own category. As of this posting, the sp4tk1 is only in limited release with no accessories available. Sirius has not begun an aggressive ad campaign touting the sp4tk1's bells and whistles.

WISHFUL THINKING

The Sportster 4 (sp4tk1) is still a true plug and play (PNP) device versus the old starmates (st2) which were not true PNP because they wired to the docks. However, the receiver remains a tight fit to the dock. It would be wonderful if it docked and undocked as smoothly as an anti-theft car stereo detachable face plate. The geniuses that designed this unit couldn't have made it anymore awkward if they had tried. It is a tight fit to the dock and there is no place to grip the receiver to easily undock it. It requires two hands. One to grip the receiver and the other to grip the dock. The home dock (suph1) is currently unreleased as of this posting. The old st2 home dock had a line out for direct connection to your home stereo or PC to avoid having to use the FM transmitter mode, which is susceptible to interference by local FM radio stations. The sptk2 home dock only allowed FM transmission. It is hoped the suph1 will have the line out option. The sp4tk1 uses the dot ultra low profile antennae which is notorious for weather corrosion, or just defective units, after 5 months with the Sportster Replay (sptk2). It is hoped Sirius has corrected this problem but it seems unlikely as they probably have tons of these things in inventory. All of Sirius' old receivers are notorious for push button burn outs and just plain defective radios. If this is attributed to the high operating temperature of the old units, perhaps the lower 5 V vs. 12 V operating voltage will reduce these problems. The sp4tk1 should come with a hard case for transport to protect its liquid crystal display (LCD). Ever pressed too hard on your watch or calculator's screen? A PNP device should be expected to be carried in backpacks and purses between cars and houses and it is almost an "absolute metaphysical certitude" that it will be dropped, crushed, or cracked.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Sirius is notorious for poor customer service. Sirius subscribers should be aware of the tinny sound of talk radio due to signal wavelength compression broadcast by the orbiting satellites and received and converted to FM by your receiver. If it is digital "CD quality" sound, it is digital "CD quality" sound of people with really tinny voices. Sirius does cut out under bridges, tunnels, and the rare tree when you are out of the line of sight of the satellites in outer space. If you are near a ground based repeater signal relay/amplifier station, you may have slightly better luck, but this is rare. Your receiver is activated when you subscribe by phone or go online and provide your receiver's unique serial identification (SID) number. Sirius then briefly emits a signal for about an hour over it's satellites that will "unlock" your specific receiver. You must pay an "activation fee" to accomplish this. Sirius will continue to charge your credit card even after your subscription ends along with "subscription fees," unless you specifically "unsubscribe." If your receiver is stolen and you notify Sirius, they will de-activate your receiver for two months. After 2 months, the thief can subscribe using your receiver and unique SID. Thus, Sirius condones a black market of stolen receivers due to their policies of corporate greed and unethical business practices. If you end your subscription or stop paying, it is highly speculative how Sirius deactivates your receiver. It is thought that they broadcast a continuous deactivation signal that is specific to your receiver's SID for 2 months, probably the same if your unit is stolen. It is also speculated that every month a continuous universal signal is broadcast that upgrades the encryption codes (or signal converter code or signal decryption key) to all receivers everywhere. If you miss two upgrades in a row over two months, your receiver is no longer able to convert the signal. If you were simply out of town, when you call Sirius to complain they will check your account status and confirm your payment history is current and briefly broadcast a new activation code specific to your receivers SID for one hour. If you are a thief, they will ask you to subscribe. Thus, if you are a thief or are late with a payment, they will broadcast a specific deactivation code to your receiver's SID for two months. If you try to tune in illegally inside these two months your receiver will be deactivated. If you avoid this deactivation signal for two months, you have missed the last two universal signal conversion updates and your receiver can no longer decode the signal. This is all highly speculative. It is thought that Sirius keeps this aspect secret to avoid individuals from tuning in illegally with pirate receivers much like is done in the cable television industry. It is only a matter of time before industrial Americans with the right know how begin producing pirate units, if they haven't already. Another word of advice concerns the "lifetime" subscription. It is only valid for 4 progressive receivers. The first at purchase price plus a $15 activation fee, the next 3 at purchase price plus $75 "subscription transfer" fees. If you are lucky enough to get four defective receivers in a row, your "lifetime" subscription is terminated. You may upgrade from your original receiver three times, but for the fifth receiver you would have to begin a "new" subscription plan. It would also be wise to purchase an extended warranty plan beyond Sirius' 1 year warranty which does not cover the antennae.

MY INSTALLATION

I own a '91 Chevy S10 pickup with no moon roof or rear window cargo access. I used a professional installation service for $80. The magnetic antennae is very susceptible to vandalism. My antennae is centered on the roof of my truck's cab next to the windshield. The adhesive wire cover included with the receiver was unusable as it is straight and my truck cab slopes down to the windshield. Even the magnetic antennae does not sit flush on this curve. The rubber molding around my windshield is rock hard from 15 years of sun rot and it was a risky venture getting the antennae wire inside it. There is a Sirius mounting bracket available from Pro Fit International made for the '87 to '93 S10. However, I had some blanks in my dash above the lighting controls and had my sp4tk1 mounted there. Of course, I also purchased the FM modulator relay switch. Also, the sp4tk1 docks in a straight down motion and undocks straight up. Thus, you need a half inch clearance directly above the dock. There is also a lock/unlock sliding knob and notch behind the right side of the dock that locks the sp4tk1 in the cradle. Thus, you need a space for your finger behind the dock and to the right for your finger if you desire to use this feature. I also had it hard wired to my truck to avoid using the cigarette lighter power adaptor.

CONCLUSION

The Sportster 4 (sp4tk1) is a slight improvement over the Sportster Replay (sptk2). The sp4tk1 is slimmer, sleeker, operates at a lower temperature, and has an auxiliary input in the dock. However, it's FM broadcaster is much weaker than the old receivers. It is practically a necessity to buy and install an FM modulator relay switch and Sirius really should include one in the vehicle installation kit, but they don't. I have been on the fence about Sirius for 7 months. I have been without Howard Stern and Ba ba booey from Jan '06 to July '06. With the resolution of the CBS lawsuit and Howard now being in possession of his past 20 years of shows, interviews, and sound clips now unedited I have finally been convinced to jump in the satellite game despite all it's shortcomings. If that doesn't validate the "Stern Effect," I don't know what does. Sportster 4?...nah. How 'bout the Sternster 4? But, he would never sell out like that. After 7 months without Stern, it was good to hear their voices again. FIRE!

Read Best Reviews of SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit Here

Eager to get it, I finally ordered the new Sportster 4 online. It didn't take long for me to be profoundly disappointed in the unit.

The problem is with the Sportster's FM converter: It's essentially worthless. I was unable to find a single frequency that wasn't subject to some sort of interference. Even the frequencies I use with the Starmate Replay were picking up static and/or bursts of music from elsewhere. In fact, at the lower end of the FM spectrum (the 88's and 89's) I got nothing. Zip. Nada. Even on the completely blank frequencies there was just nothing there. Finally around the 90.1 range you would be able to make out whichever channel you were trying to listen to. The upper frequencies were "listenable," provided you were willing to put up with the interference.

I finally decided to hook up the old Starmate again and put the units through a head-to-head competition. I set both receivers to the same FM frequency and the Starmate consistently overpowered the FM transmitter from the Sportster. I've actually tried the same experiment before, between the Starmate and an XM unit, and the result should be one signal or another getting through, but with a lot of interference. The bottom line is that the Sportster's FM converter is weak almost to the point of being non-existent.

I don't know what effect using a direct connect FM modulator would have on this shortcoming.

The second problem is that the power and antenna cables connect directly to the back of the cradle, NOT the sides. The end result is that the back of the radio is no longer a smooth surface, and you can no longer simply velcro the unit to the dashboard. It does come with that annoying standard-issue suction cup mount or a vent mount. I'm not a big fan of either mounting method, however.

On the plus side: If you are able to playback with either a cassette adapter or a direct connect cable, you will like the Sportster 4. It's a beautifully sleek looking unit and the various controls are laid out well. The blue backlight is just a bit weak during the day, but unobtrusive at night.

Buying additional cradles--whether for the house or other cars--makes moving the radio from one location to another a snap since you don't have to deal with connecting and disconnecting various cables.

Want SIRIUS Sportster 4 Satellite Radio Receiver with Car Kit Discount?

Does what it says... Howard Stern comes in nice and clear now! :-)

I agree that the FM transmitter is a bit weak. Of course, using the FM transmitter has other problems as well since you need to keep finding channels that don't get any interference as you drive around. Solution? Do yourself a favor... if your car does not have an AUX IN port (obviously it does not if you are using the FM transmitter feature)... USE AN FM MODULATOR. I purchased a wired FM modulator, a GLI (ground loop interrupt) and the required cables (including some special antenna adaptor cables for a Subaru) for about $75. I spent about 3 hours installing it... an now I have a mini-jack connection to my radio... no more interference from any radio station... crystal clear connection... and the bonus is that I can plug my iPod into it as well!

Google up "scoshe FM modulator" and you will get the idea.

Save 26% Off

Whe they say in the description, "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." This is not true. You must attached the included wire (FM EXTENDER) to your windshield to help broadcast the FM signal to your antenna. Then you will get a signal so weak, that at times, it is un-listenable. They also say, "This function also works with other FM tuners, such as the one on your home stereo," Not True! there is no signal to speak of without the FM extender (antenna) wire that comes with the car kit.

If you want to use this with your radio you must BUY an additional adapter for $20+ to wire the unit to your cars anntenna system directly or hook the unit up directly to your Audio inputs.

This should not be advertised as wireless FM it takes wires hooked to the unit and run through your vehicle. Either the FM extender (A broadcast antenna) included, or adition products to purchase.