CES: XM's New Mini-Tuner Car Stereos
Friday, January 12, 2007 at 4:54 PM
Tags: 2, XM
Ding dong, the Plug-and-Play is dead. That's the first thing that came to mind when I saw this display of XM Mini-Tuner enabled car stereos.
No longer would we need a fish-finder stuck to our windshield. No longer would wires be running across my dashboard. The car stereo has finally whole-heartedly taken on satellite radio, and with the XM Mini-Tuner, I can take my subscription with me anywhere!
What you see above is XM's display for new car stereo headunits (and the bottom two are marine stereos) at CES this year. On the outside, it doesn't appear impressive (hell, they're just stereos), but that's partially why I feel they're so desirable. These are perhaps the most significant receivers on display at CES.
Follow the jump to read on, and of course, to see a ton of pics...
With the new FCC mandated changes to the FM modulators, the reality now is that professional install is becoming a requirement. Maybe not for all people, but for the majority of the public running wires around your car is the last thing they want to do.
So if you're going to go through a professional install, why the hell would you want an external unit still? People want to have their cars looking clean, professional and some even want it looking stock. Receiver's like the XM CommanderMT serve to those who refuse to part with their existing stereo - but what about those who don't even want an additional faceplate? Those who want to have everything integrated in their vehicle?
Enter the next generation of XM Car Stereos equipped with XM Mini-Tuner capabilities. These units embrace professional installation, but give the added portability of a plug-and-play.
Think of it like the evolution of the CD Player in the car. First, there was the Portable CD Player, that you interfaced with your car through the cassette. Then everyone got sick of that and bought aftermarket headunits. Only after a long time did manufacturers finally include CDs in the car (some still have dual-cassette/CD players!).
The Plug-and-Play is like the Portable CD Player, and these stereos seen here are the evolution of the aftermarket headunit. Now with the added portability of the XM Mini-Tuner, you can have your cake and eat it two.
Sign me up.
Prices vary, units will be available in May 2007.
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Comments
This alone could almost make me switch to XM. Not quite but almost. From the day I saw that mini tuner last year I said that is what we need. I don't have to worry about my sportster getting stolen. It fits in my pocket and I can move it anywhere with ease. Plus the price is right. I can spend the money on a nice overall stereo and use this. Cmon Sirius get me something like this please!!!
Posted by: blizzardice | January 12, 2007 5:27 PM
Any word on when the car kit will be released and if it will be backwards compatible?
Posted by: History Guy ? | January 12, 2007 5:32 PM
The only downside is that if you aren't replacing your HU, and only using the OEM HU, what do you do?
Posted by: iband | January 12, 2007 6:15 PM
Around May and no it will not be backwords compatible. The car kit contians a universal box that needs to be downloaded via USB with the right codes. The plus here is that if you change radios you can change your box and not need to buy a different adaptor.
Posted by: paul | January 12, 2007 6:26 PM
My concern with these is for those of us who have cars with non-standard radios, which seem to be a growing trend. I know there are some options for replacements to 'fill the gap' left in the dash, but most of us aren't up to that kind of modification (or those with leased vehicles, for example). I'd like to see something more on par with the more elegant stuff shown here, but that works as an add-on. If nothing else, switching to this style of receiver improves the audio quality.
Posted by: TVGenius ? | January 12, 2007 6:50 PM
TVGenius,
That's what the CommanderMT should be used for. These are for full aftermarket installs where the CommanderMT is an add-on universal style. Both are mini-tuner versions.
Posted by: xzi ? | January 12, 2007 7:27 PM
Ryan - did you get a close-up of how the Passport is plugged into some of these decks?
Thanks for the great coverage of CES !
Posted by: Mike | January 12, 2007 9:28 PM
What is the model number of the Alpine unit?
Posted by: Amnesia | January 13, 2007 12:06 AM
I assume these are only Mini Tuner compatible with the use of the forthcoming Mini Tuner XM Direct replacement, and an XM Direct smart interface. It'd be nice to see a head unit with an actual mini tuner slot on, or behind, the display face.
Posted by: MikeV ? | January 13, 2007 7:34 AM
Always a critic and never satisfied. This is a huge step in XM and all you can do is complain that it is not enough. My 4 year old twins do not whine as much as most of the so called adults that post here.
Posted by: FedUp | January 13, 2007 10:45 AM
MikeV: I too would like to see a built-in slot on the headunit, but from the business side of things I can understand the manufacturers not wanting to have that. I'm sure it's hard enough for Sirius & XM to just have their logos on there alone. Manufacturers want maximum adaptability.
That said, from a retailer's standpoint, this is an easy upsell. Someone walks in and is interested in satrad - or even just interesting in a new car stereo - and the retailer can easily point out the benefits of the Mini-Tuner compatible units. With the XM Mini-Tuner only costing $30, it's a no-brainer.
From what I saw on the display cars, the easiest (and probably best) place for the XM Mini-Tuner dock to go is the glove compartment. From the outside, there's almost no indication that you even have satrad (except for the antenna). Want to listen to XM at home? Just pop the Mini-Tuner out of the glove compartment and into your new homedock.
I am absolutely upgrading when these come out. My PnP stays in my car about 95% of the time even though I have a home dock. At home, I'll usually just play XMRO or SIR. So a clean and integrated install - to me at least - is something I really want, but I want that added mobility option.
TV Genius: I also have a 1.5 DIN headunit (about 3 1/8" high) but honestly, you're going to pay a premium to get an exact 1.5 DIN stereo. Your best bet is one of the adapters - just don't one from one of the big-box stores because they'll be the cheesy plastic ones. A good car stereo shop will set you up with a good adapter that will make it look perfect.
Posted by: Ryan Saghir ? | January 13, 2007 1:12 PM
I am pretty sure this is the first time Eclipse has used XM. I know on some of the navigation dvd radios it only does sirius.
Posted by: mistaneon ? | January 13, 2007 3:17 PM
I was Pretty high on getting something like the Skyfi3 or Stilleto. But without the simplicity of putting it in its Cradle and tuning to the FM station. Its a no go.
Posted by: CSG | January 13, 2007 3:25 PM
Why not just put a card slot like the older JVC's with SD behind the face for the XM Mini Tuner. It would make it much easier to take it with you.
Posted by: Shane | January 14, 2007 2:47 PM
mistaneon, I think you're right. Clarion, too I beleive... which is good since they are both top-notch brands that unfortunately (for me) until now only offered Sirius. I went with Sony ES at the time because of it...
Posted by: xzi ? | January 14, 2007 10:42 PM