Satellite radio is relatively straightforward in some respects and a little bit more complex in others. There is only one choice of satellite radio providers–SIRIUS XM. Choosing between which provider, Sirius or XM, became a thing of the past once Sirius bought XM. That really leaves which devices and accessories to buy as the only choices to be made.
The first criteria that should be established is how you plan on using the satellite radio. Satellite radio can be used in a variety of situations, but the one in which you plan on using it predominantly will be the first thing to look at. If the majority of its use will be in the car, then a simple model with a car dock may suffice. If you plan on using it in the car and the home, you will want to check and see what features the device has that will also come in handy at home. A wake up alarm makes more sense at home than in the car.
Some basic features should be examined as well. Screen size is a good example. Is it easy to see across a room? Will a larger screen with a brighter light be more distracting while driving than a smaller screen? A sleep timer comes in very handy as well, and not just at home. Satellite radio devices do not draw much power, but having a sleep timer will help put your mind at ease if you are wondering whether or not you remembered to turn your satellite radio off in the car.
Compatibility issues should be looked at as well when going to buy a satellite radio. Some in car devices may not be compatible with standalone speakers and vice versa. If you plan on switching the device between cars, it is important to make sure that you can find accessories that fit your device and will work in your other vehicle.
