The XM SkyDock is an interesting device for playing satellite radio in your car. What makes it interesting is that the device itself does not have its own screen and relies on your iPhone or iPod Touch and a free downloadable app available on the iTunes app store to actually control the satellite receiver.
I had the chance to use the XM SkyDock over the last few weeks in my car and even got to test it on a road trip and I was very impressed with the device for several reasons. But first the description: The XM SkyDock is a combination of a satellite radio receiver and a car mounted iPhone or iPod Touch charger and FM radio transmitter. It also allows an auxiliary plug to plug directly into your car stereo if you are among the privileged few who have it (Welcome to 2002 carmakers). The device relies on a free app available in the app store to control all the functions of the XM Satellite radio.
The unit plugs directly into the power outlet in your car (formally known as a cigarette lighter) and holds your iPhone securely on a “goose neck” stand that allows some flexibility in positioning. The actual set up requires you to run a satellite antenna, via a small wire, through your car and out onto the roof. If done right, you can completely hide the wire, including running under the weather stripping around your windscreen. I would suggest you may want professional assistance with the installation, but in my testing though, I found that the satellite receiver was able to get and keep a signal with it placed at the front of the dashboard.
The interface for the radio itself is, as I mentioned, an app that you must download from the iTunes App store and is fairly easy to use. The SkyDock allows the device to be used in either a vertical or horizontal position and is easy to move on the the go. You can search for channels by genre, set as favourites, or dial into a channel by number. Favourite channels can also be accessed very easily and quickly with a pop up menu.
The audio from the device can be run into your car stereo though an auxiliary jack or through the built in radio transmitter, which works by broadcasting the audio from the satellite radio to a free FM station which is set up though the app as well. This can be a bit challenging if you live in a large urban centre like me. Downtown Toronto is probably one of the most crowded FM bands in North America but despite that, the SkyDock actually worked better than the dedicated FM transmitter that I have in my car. I was so impressed with the functionality of the transmitter that I would almost say that it may be worth the price even if you don’t use the actual Satellite service. Which brings me to one of the other nice features of the SkyDock which is that you can use it as a standard FM transmitter to listen to your own music library on your iPod or iPhone.
Overall, I was impressed with the excellent form factor, the powerful FM transmitter and the ability to use it to not only play satellite radio, but also my own music library, all while changing my iPhone. The satellite signal remained strong throughout my road trip with the exception going through tunnels or over passes.
The only negatives are the need to run the antenna to a spot with a clear view of the sky and the fact that you need to go through a few menus to change the FM station you are transmitting to. This can be difficult while driving over long distances because stations fade in and out and you may find that you need to change the station you are using on a fairly regular basis. It would be nice if the base had a way to change between some pre-set stations without having to use menus within the app. These problems were minor though and overall I was extremely impressed with the SkyDock.