SiriusXM - Onyx Plus Satellite Radio Receiver with PowerConnect Vehicle Kit - Black

Was using an older "XMSkyFi2" portable receiver and really liked the pause-jump ahead-rewind buffering capability and general overall performance. I listen to a lot of sports programming which still has commercials and this function generally allows me to pause (while I'm off doing something else) and then come back and skip commercials as I listen. The older unit began to randomly power on and off a while back, but I couldn't find a replacement with that pause function until the Onyx Plus came out. After two months it has been working fine. The color graphics and screen layout are a major upgrade. It is an all push button control which replaces a function wheel. The buttons are smaller and more difficult to find, but I had problems at time with the old wheel so I feel they are an upgrade also. Otherwise it seems to have all of the functionality of the older SkyFi2. The biggest problem so far has been using the "PowerConnect" function for routing the output through the car FM receiver. The Onyx Plus has an output option if the audio reciever you are using has an auxillary input source jack and that would probably work great. My car does not have this aux input, so I planned to use the "PowerConnect" function which outputs the signal through an unused channel on the car's FM radio. This function does work but it is not as strong as the SkiFi2 and does not "overpower" as many weak FM stations, so if you are living in an area with a lot of FM stations you may have trouble finding one clear enough to accept the Onyx Plus receiver. Also, you must use the supplied power cord and it must be plugged directly into the 12v receptacle. I initially used the old SkiFi2 power adapter and plugged it into a 12 v receptacle splitter that I had been using, and got terrible reception even on FM channels that didn't seem to have a station. I was to the point of taking it back when I checked the online troubleshooting guide (you only get quick start documentation with the unit). It says that - unlike the SkiFi2 - the FM "PowerConnect" works through the electrical system and that it may not work if you use a receptable splitter (or do not use the supplied power cord). When I corrected these issues, the unit then worked fine - though again - it is not as powerful as the older SkiFi2 and I still have to look around more for a clear FM channel. Unfortunately my car has only one 12v receptable, so this now means I can't use the multiple outlet splitter I had been using to power my GPS or cell phone charger. Bottom line is that you cannot plan on using the FM connection option unless you have a dedicated 12 v receptacle on your car. They do sell a "FM Direct Adapter" separately which basically creates an Aux Input for your car radio by splicing a connection into the antenna line - but you'll have to pull out the car radio to install (or have it "professionally installed" as recommended in the online user manual). At this point I either have to do that or buy a new car that has an aux input or multiple 12v receptables! So far I have tested it only in a car - they do sell a home adapter kit to use with a home stereo receiver but I can't comment on that. It's a fine unit but you need to be aware of its connection limitations and make sure it works for your situation.

I've been an XM radio subscriber for over a decade...since 2002 as a matter of fact. This is easily the best radio they've ever made. The good: - It has 20 presets; two banks of 10. I've found that to be more than enough. - Screen is bright, easy to read, and organized. - TuneStart. This alone is worth the purchase. After the radio has been running for a few minutes, whenever I tune to a station in my presets, it starts at the beginning of the song. It makes scanning around for music a far more enjoyable experience. You never again will find a song you like with only to find it’s almost over. - TuneMix. Not something I personally use but kind of a cool feature. Start this mode and your radio will play one complete song from a random preset. After the song ends, it'll change to another channel and play another complete song there. - Supports the Xtra/2.0 channels that only the newest XM radios can tune to. These channels have far better sound quality as well. The bad: - If you're an audiophile, XM may frustrate you. The standard 1.0 channels often sound compressed. The 2.0 channels sound much better, however. - Plug and play radio. The plus is that you can install it yourself. The downside is that since you’re doing it yourself, you'll likely have a couple cables going across the dash of your car. - FM Modulation. The FM transmitter can be weak. The signal is further degraded if you have multiple devices plugged into other outlets in your car (e.g. my iPhone charger). Luckily there is also an option for a direct connection via an AUX port. Overall / tl;dr version: This is a fantastic radio. There's a few shortcomings but they aren't the fault of the radio itself. If you want XM, this is the radio to choose.

This is a great radio. I'm glad a chose the Onyx Plus with the color screen. It's worth the extra few bucks. Unfortunately, I had to use the fm modulator as opposed to an auxiliary port. However, the modulator is very powerful and even in a major city with many fm frequencies being used, the sound is perfect. I expected iffy sound quality and was thrilled the first time I listened after installation. The auto-bay installation staff at the store were fantastic, knowledge, and pleasant. A couple extra parts were needed. I was advised of this well in advance of the scheduled install date, so I was able to order them. Staff even called a couple of days before the install date to ensure I had everything. I would definitely call before scheduling an install and tell them the model of your vehicle to ensure you don't need any parts to complete the process. There were no surprises during the installation because of their attention to detail beforehand. The XM was mounted cleanly. No wires hanging out. It was hard-wired into my car. The unit looks sharp, and cleanly installed. Well done, Best Buy.

I've had Sirius radio since 2006 and always have loved it. I've had several radios over the years. I upgraded to this radio from a Sirius Sporster 5 and am totally happy with my choice. The new radio has artist and song alerts like the Sporster 5 had but can hold up to 100. The Sporster 5 could only hold 30. Plus the new TuneMix, TuneScan and TuneStart features are fantastic as well as the full color display with Album Artwork. This radio is a big improvement and is much better than any radio I have had in the past, including factory installed car radios that were satellite ready. The factory radios just don't have the features of this radio. About a year and a half ago, I tried updating from my Sporster 5 to the the new at the time Lynx portable radio. That was a total disappointment. I had the Lynx for just a few days, returned it and re-activated my Sporster 5. This radio however, is a completely different story. I love it. About the only thing I can say negative is that the radio packaged with the car kit does not come with a remote I had to but a remote separately from TSS-Radio and it's the last generation remote not the newest one but it still works for 90% of the functions. Other than that, I am very , very happy!

Our XM Xpress RCI died after almost 4 years. Really wanted this radio again because it was best i've used but is not offered at Best Buy anymore. We had the extended warranty so had to use our credit here and choose from the available models. Of the choices the Onyx plus was the best unit. The FM connection is much nicer than what we had to "rig" in the past. It gets fuzzy like any other FM station if there's conflict but overall is pretty solid. When changing channels it will restart the song when tuned which is nice. Navigating the channels could be easier as you have to hold the number key and then type the numbers and press select to change. On the Xpress there was a knob you could turn and press to fly through the channels. Also you have to go by category and then scroll instead of going through them individually. If this radio would adopt the knob feature of the Xpress then it would easily be the best radio out there. As is, it is the best of the available XM radios.

Traded in a vehicle with factory installed SiriusXM for a vehicle that isn't satellite ready. Was initially dismayed with the Onyx due to the exposed wires draped across my dash, but I managed to position it on my console where very little of the wiring is exposed and I can reach it without diverting attention from driving. The tiny unit has remarkable user friendly functionality. I can either shuffle between stations in search of a song or it will automatically switch stations, playing songs it somehow calculates I like. It's usually right. It also has a setting which displays an alert whenever a favorite artist or song is played. Haven't figured out how to route audio though my FM radio yet. Right now I'm content to simply patch the audio via my auxiliary jack. The audio, by the way, is crystal clear despite me mounting the antenna on the side of my vehicle instead of the recommended rooftop placement. I really enjoy using it.

I have an older car that I love with a nice factory sound system. I wanted to add satellite radio and bought this unit. The Geek Squad installer at the Kildeer Illinois store was really nice, asked me where I wanted everything. He did as promised, and actually showed me some better mounting idea. The wiring is all hidden, he placed the antenna on the top of the dash oat the front of the windshield. No extra wires showing either and now I don't have to worry about the magnetic mount outside scratching the car at car washed etc. I was real happy when he showed me how he did the antenna. The radio works great. Had him install the FM modulator so I would get a static free sound. He also wired the power into my vehicles power system, so I didn't lose a cigarette lighter socket either. Installation was included in the bundle, and the two optional pieces added less than $40 more, which I was totally fine with. I know if I had done it myself, it wouldn't have been such a nice and clean installation. I'll go back for a starter install for sure. Very satisfied!

I am very disappointed with this product. I have wanted to get SiriusXM for a long time after trying it in a rental, and after upgrading my car stereo with auxillary capability, I thought this would be a simple option. When I began to install it, it became clear to me that the adhesive dash mount would not work, as it would not stick to any surface in my car. I gave up on that and decided to try the vent clips, which were also impractical as it made it very difficult to connect and disconnect the auxillary cable. I like to use my phone's music player sometimes too, so this was a problem. Finally I decided to give up on mounting the radio and just let it sit in my cubby under the dash (after struggling to remove the vent mount for a period of time). When I finally connected everything and turned it on, I noticed a loud buzzing noise in the background that wouldn't go away, even when I tried a different aux cable and adjusted the antenna position. Very disappointed, and will be returning this item.