AUDIOVOX XPMP3H1 XM Portable Satellite Radio & MP3 Player AUDIOVOX XPMP3H1 XM Portable Satellite Radio & MP3 Player

Pros: Has built-in DVR-like recording (can pause, skip commercials, etc., up to 30-minutes). Records & stores songs. Automatically stores 6-hrs based on your listening habits. Gets reception in-doors in major cities, e.g., Phoenix.

Cons: 1) Does not include internal FM transmitter (you need to buy the $40 car kit, which include a FM transmitter in its base); but you can use the home kit in the car (it's small) and the AUX out (assuming your car stereo has an AUX in). 2) Using the home kit in the car, the player fees power back (so I installed a diode in my 5 VDC power supply, which I used from a prior XM radio; looks like the car kit's DC power supply comes with a diode). 3) Need one with 1.32x or later firmware (see below).

Other Thoughts: From what I can tell, if you get a newer radio with product code 1047 (or later; it's shown on the box and also on the player under the battery), it comes with 1.32x firmware (which as of this writing, is still not available for download & upgrading yet); and it seems that a lot of the problems people report with this radio is fixed with this update (time will tell). I almost didn't buy this radio because of all the bad ratings; I ended up buying it at a box store so I could return it easier (assuming it might be as bad as folks say).

Pros: - compact size
- comes with a home kit and all you need to get started
- expandable memory
- remote control for use when docked

Cons: - control wheel broken (not responding to movement)
- all other function buttons work when lock is off with the exception of the control wheel
- was able to get around the menus with the remote control only in the end