Car Receivers
Find out about car receivers
The benefits of satellite radio are best exemplified when car audio is considered. No matter where you drive, you will have consistent, exclusive programming. There are simple options to make this a reality, as well as more elaborate ones.
Dock-and-Play Receivers
The cheapest and easiest way to get car satellite radio, dock-and-play receivers look much like GPS systems, and connect similarly, too. The units range from simple LCD displays with two lines of text to intricate full-color displays with album art. They sit either on your dashboard or suction-cupped to your windshield, with the dock portion able to be placed anywhere for easy access. Also included is a magnetic satellite antenna, which is placed on the roof of your car. This is what brings the programming to the car receiver, broadcasting it via an included radio transmitter over an empty frequency on the FM dial of your existing car stereo.
These types of car satellite receivers are the easiest to install and are very versatile. They can also be docked at home and plugged into your home stereo with RCA wires, or docked on a satellite radio boom box, making the device truly portable.
In-Dash Players
For car-audio connoisseurs, built-in car receivers are the way to go. Most new cars and new car stereos are satellite-compatible, meaning that when they are connected to car satellite radio tuners, which double as antennas, the head unit of the stereo acts as the car satellite receiver, displaying your program information on its display.
For XM subscribers, make sure your new stereo is XM-ready, so all you have do is plug in your flash-memory-sized XM Passport. This mini tuner, in combination with an antenna, lets you bring satellite radio programming to your car, as well as to all your other XM-ready devices, by simply plugging in the Passport.
Lots of cars have satellite radio tuners and receivers built in at the factory, leaving it up to you to subscribe if you want to cash in on this service. Almost every major car brand, from commuter cars to luxury models, has either Sirius or XM components installed. If you are in the market for a new car, this is an important aspect to consider.
Car satellite radio costs vary, as do the technologies available. For less than $100, you can get a simple receiver, but it isn’t hard to add another zero to that figure with a customized car stereo system. Consider how much you value satellite radio in your vehicle, consider the service you prefer and consider if it is the car or the stereo that must be invested in.
