XM Radio kit for car

XM Satellite Radio has become one of the most popular ways to listen to music and entertainment. For commuting friends, slipping an XM Satellite Radio car kit into their stockings will mean your pals may spend Christmas dancing in their driveways.

What is XM Satellite Radio?
XM Satellite Radio is a subscription based service with seamless satellite transmission that takes radio listening to a new, more enjoyable level. Over 69 of the 170 available channels are commercial free music, so commutes are punctuated with your favorite tunes, not irritating DJ banter. Entertainment, news, talk show, comedy, sport, and children's channels mean XM Radio has something for everyone.

What Kind of Channels Does XM Have?
XM Satellite radio has over 170 channels of programming. Over 69 of those are music stations. Every type of music you could want is available: music from popular decades, country, pop, hits, Christian, rock, hip-hop, urban, jazz, blues, lifestyle, dance, Latin, world, and classical. Disney Radio and XM Kids keeps the ankle-biters happy too.
   
Information and lifestyle channels make for great commuting. CNN, BBC, and FoxNews are just a few of the news channels available, not to mention weather and local news. Lifestyle channels offer talk show favorites from Oprah and Friends to the Truckers Channel. Sports fans are covered with ESPN, Nascar, Indy Racing, Hockey Play-by-Play, and Sports Talk; just a few of many options.

Listening to XM in the Car
XM Satellite radio can be enjoyed in the home, but an XM Satellite Radio kit for your friend's car allows them to enjoy music, entertainment, and information shows anywhere they drive. Some kits include the necessary XM receiver, so your friends don't already have to have XM satellite radio.

Here are our picks for the best Christmas-worthy XM Satellite Radio car kit options:

• Audiovox XMCK-10 XM Xpress Satellite Receiver/Remote and Car Kit

This kit includes everything necessary to make a car XM Satellite-ready. A crisp, clear 5-line radio display makes for easy song, show, and artist reading, even when it's dark, and scrolls stock tickers and sports scores. The exterior transmitting antennae makes for amazing satellite reception, and the docking station includes an audio input for portable CD and mp3 player hook up. This kit also includes a remote control, and instructions for easy set up.

• Delphi SA10118 SkyFi XM Satellite Radio Receiver and Vehicle Adapter Kit

This kit includes a vehicle cradle for all the XM goodies to sit in. The large display's font size can be adjusted to suit eyesight, and shows the song title, artist, channel category, and channel name and number information. You can also save song information and preset 20 favorite channels. This kit requires a subscription to Delphi's SkyFi program.

For the people on your gift list that already own an XM Satellite Radio receiver, these car kits provide the necessary equipment to take XM radio to the road:

• Audiovox XC9 XM Satellite Radio Vehicle Kit

This easy to install car kit includes a sleek, low profile docking station for stashing the XM receiver. The magnetic exterior antennae and cigarette lighter power adapter make it easy to have XM Radio in more than one car. This kit also comes with a DC power adapter, hardware kit, and installation manual.

• Delphi Roady XT XM Satellite Radio Vehicle Kit

Adaptable to any car, this kit offers a docking cradle suitable for both soft and hard dash mounting. The tiny magnetic antenna can be attached to the roof or trunk, and the optional cassette adapter allows those with tape decks to listen to XM without using the FM transmitter.