This car stereo normally retails for around $249.99, but sale prices can often help you find it for around $224.99 instead. Used units can sell for as low as $200 at times.

The overall design of the unit is probably its best feature, allowing you to slot it into the dashboard of a car and allow it to make everything else around it look even better by its presence. Navigation is a breeze on it as well and the sound quality that you get from it is quite good too.

On the bad side, installation can be somewhat difficult and the HD module that comes with it actually represents about 80% of the suggested retail price. For many people, these two things make the unit an unacceptable purchase.

Alpine CDA-9885

The sanctuary charging station lets your dad charge up to twelve devices at once, while keeping them neat(ish) in the reversible-fabric finished tray. The sanctuary is compatible with just about anything- from Blackberry to iPod/iPhone, and Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, and LG phones. More than 1500 devices are supported. The cords stay hidden and your dad won’t be hogging all the outlets anymore. $130 from Red Envelope.

via Popgadget

The innovation attached to this particular stereo is impressive, especially the quality of the audio that it generates. The software system is also quite quick and easy to use and the fact that it has support for both SD and USB is definitely a point in its favor.

However, every reward has a risk factor attached to it and with the JVC KD-S100 this comes in the form of the subwoofer, which happens to be of virtual design on the KD-S100. There is no way the virtual design even comes close to matching the presence of a real sub woofer and that is ultimately the major drawback of using the KD-S100 as your car stereo.

Ultimately, it is a good upgrade from a low-end device, but the lack of availability in some areas combined with pricing restrictions that make retailers hesitant to keep it in stock can make finding one a frustrating venture.

JVC KD-S100

This handy little unit from Pioneer can cost you as much as $249.99 (the standard retail price), although it is possible to get it on sale or used for prices that can dip below $200 depending on location and condition.

The overall design of the unit is one of the points in its favour, as are the excellent options and range of support features that you get with it. These aspects all tend to be above average for a stereo of this price range, which is definitely something that hardcore digital music users will love.

On the other hand, all of these excellent options can make operation of the stereo a little bit difficult and even the most basic functions can be frustrating for someone that has not taken the time to read through the instruction manual in order to learn how to use the stereo.

Pioneer DEH-P6000UB

There are many things to like about this unit from Sony, including the fact that there is hands-free calling functionality built into the device. There is also a lot of support for different audio options and the overall package is actually designed quite well with flair and panache.

At the same time however, the phonebook that comes with the device does not have a particularly high capacity, which is definitely a minus in a product that retails for as much as this unit does. Furthermore, navigation through audio options on the interface provided is a bit sluggish and could certainly be improved upon in future incarnations of this device.

Overall, this Sony all-in-one unit is a good purchase if you want that type of functionality, but there are trade-offs in the purchase as well. It retails for around $330.00, although used units can be purchased for as low as $225.00 on occasion.

Sony MEX-BT5100