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Autotainment

Aftermarket electronics break new ground

It's no secret that a premium sound system can enhance any driving experience. A spirited drive gets even better and a boring drive can almost be fun. Cruising anywhere without the benefit of some quality tunes can be just plain, well, unsound.

Understanding the public's need to "shake it like a Polaroid picture" while behind the wheel, automakers have spent the last few years partnering with companies like Rockford Fosgate, Harmon Kardon and Bose to offer premium sound right from the factory. While these upgraded audio packages may bring with them straight-from-the-showroom convenience, they also come with serious price tags, and seldom feature anything that resembles cutting-edge technology.

To get the latest and greatest in-car entertainment, audiophiles on the move are still turning to the aftermarket. With new products and services like satellite radio, MP3 players, navigation systems and in-car video, innovative companies like Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood and Alpine are making it easier than ever for multimedia-crazed consumers to create mobile entertainment systems to fit their own lifestyles.

Here's a brief look at some of the newest additions to the high-tech world of in-car entertainment:

Satellite Radio

After years of struggling to survive, satellite radio has finally made its aural mark. Whether for catching the latest from shock-jock Howard Stern on Sirius, or for reveling in the seemingly-infinite programming choices of XM, satellite radio is a fantastic feature in any car. Why? Because just as the name says, the broadcast is via a satellite instead of a ground-based antenna. That means you can listen to any station you want, from anywhere you are. And we mean anywhere!

Having been around for a few years now, satellite radio is now a readily-available paid subscription feature in many new cars. The amount and types of services vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Most automakers have established agreements with one provider or another (XM or Sirius), while a few allow customers to choose their preferred provider. The length of service also varies, with some premium car makes offering a year of free service included with the purchase of their vehicle.

When it comes to aftermarket options for satellite radio, there are plenty. Unlike the factory-installed units, which cannot be removed, aftermarket models are available either as fixed in-dash receivers or as external plug-and-play modules. The primary benefit of the latter is that they can be used at home or in other cars, or wherever you like, making your subscription fee go that much further. Still, a number of in-dash options are available. Either way, the best part of the aftermarket solution is that you don't have to buy a new car to get the next generation radio.

Sound quality for XM and Sirius are virtually the same—both are great. Service subscription pricing is the same too, at $12.95 per month, and $6.99 a month for up to four additional units in the same household (Jan. 2006). Sirius, however, does offer a lifetime subscription for $499 for only one receiver, with an additional charge of $75 each time the membership is transferred to a new unit.

MP3

The digital music revolution is in full effect. MP3 and other digital audio players have taken over mobile and especially personal audio. At the top of the list is Apple's almighty iPod, now in it's fifth generation. With an estimated 75 percent share of the portable digital audio market, iPod, and its legions of loyal followers, has created an amazing need for quick and easy integration with car audio systems.

Unfortunately for new car buyers, very few new models offer their owners the ability to plug-and-play their compact audio libraries. Select models, like the Honda Element EX, include an auxiliary audio input port for connecting an MP3 player. Also ahead of the curve is the BMW 5 Series with a factory-installed iPod option allowing for easy operation through the primary audio controls. Unless you're in the market for a compact SUV built for the extreme sports crowd, or have the financial wherewithal to pick up BMW's top-notch tourer, you'll be searching for an aftermarket solution like the rest of us.

Leading the charge for iPod connectivity to your car, producers of aftermarket audio components have developed a wide array of integration options, ranging from easy-to-use front-mounted auxiliary input jacks to rear-facing add-on ports to external adapters that allow complete iPod operation through your car's main stereo controls. Companies like Pioneer and Sony now offer numerous solutions for simple hookup and operation of your digital audio player of choice.

Nav Systems

Unlike satellite radio, MP3 players and more, the in-car navigation system market has been primarily dominated by automakers, instead of the aftermarket electronics gurus. Large screen navigation systems made to exacting specifications offer levels of seamless compatibility unreachable by any aftermarket maker. Still, in recent years, aftermarket navigation has started gaining ground, with new units boasting larger screens, easier installation and, best of all, multi-car adaptability.

When it comes to in-car navigation, new car buyers often pay between $1,800 and $2,500 for factory-installed systems, an investment that yields nominal value when the car is later sold or turned in. Aftermarket solutions, on the other hand, can be easily moved from one car to the next, offering savings and convenience for multi-car families. Trading in the family wagon for a newer model will also be a bit less costly since you can pick up your external mapper and take it with you. Did we mention that most aftermarket navigation systems cost less than $1,000 sans installation and provide all the trailblazing functionality of the factory units?

In-Car Video

When it comes to in-car video, the sky's the limit. The hard-to-see monitors of old are gone, replaced with high-resolution compact screens that can be placed virtually anywhere in your car. The result is a growing popularity of in-car entertainment systems that are second only to overwhelming need for more iPod integration.

Available for the last few years as factory-installed options on select SUVs and minivans, entertainment systems, complete with DVD, game station and navigation compatibility have overrun the aftermarket. "A screen for every headrest" is the new mantra, with every imaginable configuration available for any car—not just SUVs and minivans—for the right price.

When choosing the right entertainment system for your car, it may be more convenient to opt for the factory-installed system. But if you're not in the market for a new ride, or you just want a system that suits your own needs and desires, remember that there is a plethora of solutions waiting to be plugged in.