As we mentioned, the real draw of the Mini-Tuner won't come to pass until more compatible products hit the marketplace. But that's not to say there's no room for improvement. As small as the Mini-Tuner is, it may still be a little too big for ultraportable iPod-style portables. It's too bad it's not even smaller--the size of an SD card, for instance. Case in point is the Samsung Nexus 50. It was one of the first products to ship with the Mini-Tuner, but it's affixed to the player's recharging dock rather than the player itself--which means the Nexus can receive live satellite transmissions only when it's docked. By comparison, products such as the Pioneer Inno and the Samsung Helix--which utilize a built-in tuner--can receive live XM transmissions at any time, but the inclusion of a Mini-Tuner slot would make them bulkier. (Imagine plugging a GameBoy cartridge into your iPod Nano and you'll get the idea.)
Similarly, the Mini-Tuner doesn't change the basic equation for satellite radio. In addition to the monthly subscription, you'll still need an antenna with adequate signal exposure for optimal reception. The Home Dock includes one, and Mini-Tuner-ready products will include built-in or detachable antennas as well. The antenna is not a drawback per se--just be aware that you might need to stretch a 30-foot cable from your stereo to the window when first setting up in order to hear your favorite stations. Likewise, for legacy products that require the Home Dock, you'll need to have a couple of extra wires visible in your home entertainment rack; it'll be much more convenient when A/V receivers simply have the Mini-Tuner slot available on their front panels.
Compared to the competition, though, the XM Mini-Tuner shines. Rival Sirius offers the SiriusConnect Home module for $50, but it's comparatively bulky and not nearly as transportable. It's also compatible with a far smaller number of products. The XM alternative lets you enjoy your satellite radio subscription with most of the leading home audio products available today, with the promise of even more coming in the future. When it comes to satellite radio flexibility, the XM Mini-Tuner is about as good as it gets.
- See more CNET content tagged:
- XM Satellite Radio,
- AudioVox,
- satellite radio,
- Denon,
- satellite
Where to buy
XM Mini-Tuner:
$19.99 - $29.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Amazon.com Marketplace
|
$23.03 | Yes |
|
|
$29.99 | Yes |
|
|
$25.47 | Yes |
|
|
$22.99 | Yes |
|
|
$29.83 | Yes |
|
