Sirius Stiletto 100, sans Bluetooth, sadly

Believe it or not, there are times when you can't believe everything you read on the internets. We know, we're shocked too. One of the latest rumors catching wildfire is that Sirius' new portable radio, the Stiletto 100, will come with Bluetooth. We've done some digging and have found out that it appears that it won't -- or at least Sirius hasn't told anyone that it will. The unconfirmed reporting originated from a piece by Wired News reporter Eliot Van Buskirk, who just told us that his news organization would be soon running a correction. That drops the Stiletto's sex appeal by about a half a notch, no?

[Via Orbitcast]

[jarrod tibbs @ Sep 6th 2006 4:19PM]

I work for a Sirius dealer and one of their vendor reps came in our store yesterday for Stiletto training and according to him the upper model will definately have bluetooth.

[CurtSchilling @ Sep 6th 2006 4:20PM]

No bluetooth is a knock... but I'm more turned off by the fact that there will not be a built-in transmitter that would work without the use of a dock. I mean, come on. Headphones are nice, but if you have to lug around a dock in order to transmit to a radio, it kind of defeats the portability.

Anyone have any ideas for an FM transmitter a la the iTrip that looks and works at a decent level?

[Josh @ Sep 6th 2006 4:43PM]

When will it come out, I called sirius and they said "some time befor christmas" wow big help. Does anyone know?

[ChillyWilly @ Sep 6th 2006 4:49PM]

@curt

It sounds like you are talking about the S50, which needs the dock to link up to the satelittes. The Stiletto is a stand alone receiver, which means no dock it needed to get radio. It's a true portable device.

As for the bluetooth, it would be nice if it had it for use with bluetooth headphones. If you are going to go wireless, might as well go full on.

[bob @ Sep 6th 2006 4:53PM]

CurtSchilling,
Um, so the Ipod isn't portable? Or is exempt because you go on to mention an accessory for it?

"I mean, come on. Headphones are nice, but if you have to lug around a dock in order to transmit to a radio, it kind of defeats the portability.

Anyone have any ideas for an FM transmitter a la the iTrip that looks and works at a decent level?"

[Eliot Van Buskirk @ Sep 6th 2006 4:56PM]

As I told you in my email, the Bluetooth information came from the fact that Zing's reference designs include Bluetooth. I wouldn't rule it out in future versions of the Stiletto (or other devices designed by Zing). One possibility is that the Stiletto has Bluetooth, but that Sirius left it unactivated.

[realwx @ Sep 6th 2006 5:17PM]

Read the Orbitcast's topic's comments. You may learn something.

[Mephistopheles @ Sep 6th 2006 5:24PM]

You can thank the FCC for the lack of internal FM transmitter.

You can buy a $10 trans from Radio Shack.

[LC @ Sep 6th 2006 5:37PM]

Chilly-

Curt isn't talking about receiving satellite out of the dock, he is talking about transmitting from it to an fm radio. From what I understand, the FM transmitter is in the dock.

[Scott @ Sep 6th 2006 5:46PM]

CurtSchilling:
I must be missing something, because I don't understand your gripe... This thing is the very embodiment of "portability."

If you're listening at home, at work, or in your car, you're not "lugging" anything around. Leave the home kit at home, and the car kit in the car. If you want to listen at work & you have a computer there, listen to the stream, or use the headphone-out jack to plug into the PC's audio-in. Or, "lug" the 6 oz. car kit from your car to your office, where you can plug into an AC-DC converter (which you can leave there) & transmit to FM.

Under what circumstances would you need an FM transmitter AND you don't have access to a power outlet?

[Correction Posted Here @ Sep 6th 2006 5:59PM]

Click the below link to read my correction. (No, this isn't a traffic grab -- just trying to explain my mistake.) -Eliot Van Buskirk

[CurtSchilling @ Sep 6th 2006 6:02PM]

Yes, all the aforementioned solutions are fine and dandy. But if they could fit an FM transmitter into their other receivers, why not here? Yes, I'm aware of the FCC regulations, but why not lessen the transmition levels to comply. Would it debilitate the ability that much?

And it is portable, but you know what? I hate the extra wires and just general "stuff" associated with having to transmit. People have given me a bunch of workarounds, not something I'd exactly want to do if I just bought something for $350.

Where am I going to be where I would like an FM transmitter and not have access to a power outlet? Nowhere, but when I'm going for a short ride in a friend's car, I really don't want to impose by having to shoving a dock in their lighter adapter. And besides, this is radio, and sometimes, it's a better experience on speakers than headphones, especially when you're not the only one who wants to listen. Like it or not, it's just a pain in the ass.

Maybe calling it not portable is a big exaggeration, but it's not much of a leap to include this option. My small Starmate has it, why can't this unit? This isn't an attack on Sirius, in fact, I love Sirius, but it's not much to ask for, is it?

[PEZ @ Sep 6th 2006 11:04PM]

Stiletto 110 will have BT. Stop worrying.

[Lionel @ Sep 8th 2006 7:45PM]

Hey Guys I like this kinda stuff and I heard of an upcoming online store www.flippid.com
Check out there page sign up for there newsletter because I heard their private beta is really cool. Just wanted to pass the word..

[mj @ Oct 1st 2006 7:29AM]

I got the Stiletto 100 yesterday from Circuit City(1 0f 2 in stock till this week)..It has the Antenna built into the head-phones. I walked around the neighborhood and it worked great. Not thrilled with having to wear them as opposed to ear buds, but hey , can`t have everything..It is totally portable. Sound quality is Incredible ! Overall it is Awesome !