Press left and right buttons to browse through the eclectic category list and up and down to surf the channels within the categories. Control is not bad, though we prefer the numerous preset buttons on the Roady2. You must press Sportscaster's Fav button eight times to get to the eighth preset, and though you can move your favorites up to the top, we all know that satellite radio was made for quick and easy presets. Luckily, passengers can use the remote control to jump to stations (and even mute a program).
Menu options include FM transmission frequencies (88.1 to 107.9), audio level, manual/autotune options (switch channels only after hitting Select vs. switching directly to a channel while surfing), display options, and an alarm/sleep feature.
In San Francisco, we experienced excellent FM transmission strength (the wireless method of getting XM radio from the receiver to the car stereo system) on the default FM channel 88.1. Sound quality is bright and bassy, especially in the Dance genre. Though audio tends to sound a bit processed, it's definitely powerful and gives your car stereo a workout. Of course, you'll get the typical satellite dropouts (underpasses, tunnels, skyscrapers, and inexplicably, the area around my house), but it's the variety of channels and programming (not to mention the cross-country range) you get that make your CDs and terrestrial radio an afterthought (though a connected iPod ain't bad).
Like any decent satellite radio receiver, the Sportscaster can be used at home with the Home Kit and on the go with the boombox accessory (both sold separately). We haven't tested either kit.
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