First Look – Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix and Nexus.

ITS NOT JUST A POD - ITS THE MOTHERSHIP!!! (XM's slogan)

In my completely (un)biased opinion, these two new families of products are some of the greatest innovations on the CES floor.

First lets get the differences between the units all cleared up. The Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix, for all intents and purposes are virtually the same unit aside from a few minor cosmetic differences i.e., color. Features and functions are the same, and the size is virtually identical. Both the Inno and Helix receive LIVE XM Satellite Radio programming with their built in antenna, or via an optional headphone set with antenna built in that plugs into the proprietary connector on the side of the unit. The Samsung Nexus products come in either 25 or 50 Hour versions, and use the new XM Passport Connect & Play cartridge system to receive XM Satellite Radio programming live in with a car or home kit.



Let’s discuss the Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix first;

These units feature a super-crisp, full color screen that very smoothly scrolls all artist / song titles and info extras. In the background there is a very nice wallpaper that changes with the category of channels that you are listening to, as well as nice new channel logos for each channel.

The units are significantly smaller than the current XM2go devices and feature about 1 GB of RAM to store any XM programming you want, or MP3’s that you can input into the units from your computer. This memory can be allocated in any way between the two.

You can start recording at anytime that live reception is possible, and if you were listening to the channel before the song started, and figured you wanted to record it, the unit is smart enough to grab the entire song form the beginning for you.

You have the option of recording just the song, continuously recording the channel, or scheduling recordings. Its up to you. You are only limited by the available space in memory. You can set up to 99 recording "sessions" anytime (up to 1 year) into the future, or by daily or weekly events. Once your songs are recorded, you hit the mode button and you can search through the recordings by channel, artist, or category. This makes it very easy to find the music you want, and keep it fresh by recording new stuff daily from your favorite XM channels. Best of all, you can now FAST FORWARD AND REWIND within a song!!!

Want to get the music off of your Inno or Helix? Great. Sign up with XM+Napster and you will be able to bookmark songs you have recorded for legal purchase and download to your computer. Support the artists! They work hard to give you the entertainment you enjoy so much. Songs recorded on these devices do not expire, and can be held as long as you desire in the units. Individual tunes can be deleted also. This was a big gripe with the original XM2go family.

The menus are intuitive and very easy to navigate. Up, down, and the ((( ))) button to select, hit left and it takes you back to the previous menu. This is definitely an improvement over the XM2go’s menu system that uses the scroll wheel.



Of course there is a clock, tone controls, and the built in wireless FM modulator covers the entire FM band. As with previous XM2go’s you can set up your favorite sports teams, stock quotes, and even a song / artist tuneselect. MSRP is set at $399 and we should see these products in Q1 2006.



Now that we have discussed the Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix, lets move on to the Samsung Nexus product line.

The Nexus 25 and Nexus 50 units are primarily MP3 players when used stand-alone. The can and will receive LIVE XM Satellite radio with the aid of the New XM Passport receiver cartridge in a vehicle or home kit. The Nexus features a bright monochrome screen that will display all pertinent information such as artist / song and all the info extras. And just like the Inno and Helix, will record XM programming when fitted in a cradle with Passport cartridge.





Recorded songs are managed in the same way as with the Inno and Helix.

This review will continue to be updated throughout as more info is gathered.

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Edited by ekeefe
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Here are some more images, enjoy















ED
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www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!

Last edited by Ziggy on Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:33 pm; edited 3 times in total

Thaks for the review Ziggy.
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http://www.myradiostore.us/

Thanks much Ziggy!

Great, big, clear photos!

Thanks much!

Samsung Helix is mine!
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"At least there’s someplace to go after you suck, Satellite radio. It is the graveyard of has-been jocks.” - Howie

Interesting how it can record music, unlike the S50.
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http://www.turbulenceforecast.com - flying? check the turbulence forecast

The Pioneer maybe the sweeting looking thing I've ever seen!!! That sucka will be mine the minute it comes out.
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And now we know why the new logos were made.

I think that I will love my MyFi for the next year, and then pick one up after the price drop. Or... get whatever comes out then .
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t h e e l e c t r o n i c c i v i l i z a t i o n t h e s y s t e m

Save The System! DO NOT MERGE!

Last edited by swimmerkev on Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hey Roscoryan - you take the Pioneer, I'll take the Samsung!

Based on Ziggy's review, it seems quite versatile. My MyFi just may have to join my XM museum. I'll place it between the unopened XMPR and the Sony PNP. The Roady, Roady2 and Pioneer units will move to the back.
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Helix in office & everywhere
Commander in Saab 9-3
Roady XT in Volvo XC-90
SkyFi2 for the kids
Retired: Sony PNP, Pioneer, SkyFi, MyFi, Roady & Roady2
XMPCR (unopened, unactivated -- just because)