The Audiovox Satellite Radio Shuttle Receiver (SIRPNP2) is the successor to the very successful Audiovox Satellite Radio Shuttle (SIRPNP1). The two models are similar but the SIRPNP2 adds an interesting new look to the line as well as a few new features (italicized below).

Price: $129.95
Use: Car/Home
System: Sirius Satellite Radio

Features

* Five line display
* The remote allows full control of the receiver minus configuration menus plus a mute button
* Best receiver control functionality in large part due to the large display and numeric keypad on shuttle
* Browse by category, channel, or presets
* Receiver stores up to 30 channel presets
* Receiver will save up to 20 songs with artist and title
* Receiver can scan the stream and located your saved songs for listening
* Shutdown timer
* Sleep timer
* Program timer/tuner
* Alarm Clock

In the Box

Receiver, remote control, and manual.

Overview

So, what is different between the Audiovox Satellite Radio Shuttle and Shuttle Receiver models? The case. As you can see the new model has an orange on black display and is largely finished in black and silver, with a lot of black. They both offer similar controls but the SIRPNP2 adds a menu button and drops the mode button. The result, not much difference. Menu is not a button you are going to need much and the presets channel banks are still accessible on the SIRPNP2 even though the button is gone. Next up, a clock as in an alarm clock. Could be useful. How about a program timer. You tell the receiver what channel to tune to and the time to tune and it takes care of the rest. Pretty neat and opens the door to recording via your computer your favorite shows. Next, the SIRPNP2 offers 20 saved song locations over the SIRPNP2’s 10. Finally, the SIRPNP2 offers an auto-shutdown timer and a sleep timer. Not bad; evolutionary but certainly not revolutionary. These new features really speak to home use but the new receiver design urges me to put it in my car. Odd. If you are a heavy home user or find that you need one of the new features, you should pick up the SIRPNP2.

The Audiovox Satellite Radio Shuttle Receiver is a great value and earns five stars. In combination with one or more of the home and car kits, you will be well served by this offering in the Sirius arena. Both this receiver and the SIRPNP1 are great receivers. The decision here comes down to whether you need the new features offered by the SIRPNP2 and your taste in industrial design as they each have their own look. Price-wise, they are in the same neighborhood so take your pick. The PNP2 is fully compatible with all three SIRPNP1 car and home kits and offers some neat new features.

Available Kits and Accessories

You will need to purchase at least one home or car kit to use the Audiovox Satellite Radio Shuttle Receiver.

Home Kit - the home kit is available for $69.99 and includes a home dock, a power supply, an antenna, and a mini-stereo to twin RCA output cable for connection to standard RCA input sources. For connection to most computer soundcards, you can purchase a mini-stereo to mini-stereo cable from Radio Shack and the like.

Car Kit w/RCA Patch - the car kit is available for $49.99 and includes a car dock, a power lighter adapter, a magnetic-mount car antenna, and a mini-stereo to twin RCA output cable for connection to your car stereo’s CD inputs. You mount your receiver somewhere convenient and then power it using a cigarette lighter adapter. Then mount the antenna and connect the RCA inputs to your car stereos CD inputs and you are in business. If you don’t have a car radio with CD inputs, you can purchase the FM Modulator option described below.

Car Kit w/FM Modulator - the car kit is available for around $99.99 and includes a car dock, a power lighter adapter, a magnetic-mount car antenna, and a FM modulator built into the dock. You mount your receiver somewhere convenient and then power it using a cigarette lighter adapter. You will need to mount a magnetic antenna. Your XM signal will be delivered on the FM station you choose.

This is Part 10 in a continuing series where I look at the current state of satellite radio technology, satellite radio services, and satellite radio hardware.