XACT XTR3CK
Works great... mostly easy to install
I received this unit as a gift from my sister. This forum helped me, so I decided to add my opinion. The installation is rather easy to install. The trick is to figure out where you want it. As most reviewers mentioned, the main concern is what to do with all of the wires (power, satellite antenna, and radio antenna). The dilemma is finding a place where the display is easy to read (proper angle with no outside glare), doesn't cause you to spill your drink (while finding the cupholder through the wires), and doesn't attract would-be thieves (the wires are a dead giveaway if you attached the unit to the inside of the windshield). I tried installing it on the windshield and dash but the wires drove me nuts. Also, the clip's suction cups only work on the windshield in my 05 Stratus. I wanted to install it under my radio but the angle was too low (couldn't read the display) and reversing the clip didn't help. It is now attached to the side of my radio where I can easily read the display without glare. Hopefully, my passenger won't knock it down with their knee.<br /><br />The next issue was with the FM reception. There was a noticeable hiss in the background, especially with Talk, Jazz, and Classical stations. To me, the quality was worse than radio. Locating the unit next to the radio didn't help. The hissing increased as I drove in Seattle because of interference. When I turned off the Visor, I could hear evangelists talking. Who else would bother to broadcast near the 88.1 frequency? There were also occasional hisses as I passed some vehicles, and I wondered if they were also broadcasting to their radio. MP3 players and multi-CD changers can also broadcast to the radio. I went to Best Buy and they sell a radio antenna cable for $20. Unfortunately, I had to visit three stores before I found it (last one). I wonder why they didn't include it with the Visor. Perhaps they are worried that the complexity will cause too many returns. The car stereo salesman helped me figure out how to get to the antenna. He said most American cars have snap off front panels, and imports have screws. Sure enough, the front panel pops off and the radio is held in with four screws. The cable connects into the antenna port in the back of the radio with an additional wire going to the Visor. When I looked, I discovered that the idiots who made my car radio haven't heard the concept of a universal connector and instead use a proprietary plug. The next day, I bought a cable splicing kit at Radio Shack for $6 and swapped the connectors. The drawback to the antenna kit is that I have to turn off the Visor when I want to listen to local radio. Otherwise, the unit interferes with the local stations.<br /><br />Now, the quality is amazing. With the direct antenna connection, there is no hiss and the sound quality is better than radio if not CD quality. My only complaint currently is that I lose reception (\\"Acquiring Signal\\") every time I drive under a large tree branch. This is a problem from my house in the country to the highway. Interestingly, I don't lose reception when driving through the Seattle underground express lanes because of the repeaters. Moving the receiver unit on the roof probably doesn't make a difference. On one hand, tree branches are thicker on the right. On the other hand, awnings are on the left at drive through windows. Either way, I lose the satellite signal.<br /><br />On a side note, the Sirius operator was a moron and kept asking me which dealer promotion I got. I took me a while to convince him that I didn't buy the unit with a new car and was instead a gift. I have XM on my DirectTV. The two services are very similar, and I'm not sure if Sirius is worth the extra $4.20 per month. They seem to have more talk than XM (DJ, Stern, etc.).ure out how to get to the antenna. He said most American cars have snap off front panels, and imports have screws. Sure enough, the front panel pops off and the radio is held in with four screws. The cable connects into the antenna port in the back of the radio with an additional wire going to the Visor. When I looked, I discovered that the idiots who made my car radio haven't heard the concept of a universal connector and instead use a proprietary plug. The next day, I bought a cable splicing kit at Radio Shack for $6 and swapped the connectors. The drawback to the antenna kit is that I have to turn off the Visor when I want to listen to local radio. Otherwise, the unit interferes with the local stations. <br /> <br />Now, the quality is amazing. With the direct antenna connection, there is no hiss and the sound quality is better than radio if not CD quality. My only complaint currently is that I lose reception (\\"Acquiring Signal\\") every time I drive under a large tree branch. This is a problem from my house in the country to the highway. Interestingly, I don't lose reception when driving through the Seattle underground express lanes because of the repeaters. Moving the receiver unit on the roof probably doesn't make a difference. On one hand, tree branches are thicker on the right. On the other hand, awnings are on the left at drive through windows. Either way, I lose the satellite signal.  <br /> <br />On a side note, the Sirius operator was a moron and kept asking me which dealer promotion I got. I took me a while to convince him that I didn't buy the unit with a new car and was instead a gift. I have XM on my DirectTV. The two services are very similar, and I'm not sure if Sirius is worth the extra $4.20 per month. They seem to have more talk than XM (DJ, Stern, etc.). <br />